CONMED CORP
10-K, 1999-03-31
ELECTROMEDICAL & ELECTROTHERAPEUTIC APPARATUS
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                       Securities and Exchange Commission
                                Washington, D.C.
                                      20549

                                    Form 10-K

                Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                       The Securities Exchange Act of 1934


For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998       Commission file number 0-16093


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


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

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


        Registrant's telephone number, including area code (315) 797-8375

           Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
                          Common Stock, $.01 par value
                                (Title of class)

         Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934  during  the  preceding  12 months  (or for such  shorter  period  that the
registrant was required to file such reports),  and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No

         Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent  filers  pursuant to
Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained  herein,  and will not be contained,
to the best of  registrant's  knowledge,  in  definitive  proxy  or  information
statements  incorporated  by  reference  in Part  III of this  Form  10-K or any
amendment to this form 10-K.

         The  aggregate  market  value of the shares of the voting stock held by
non-affiliates of the Registrant was approximately  $444,667,984  based upon the
average bid and asked prices of stock, which was $29.75 on March 12, 1999.

         The number of shares of the  Registrant's  $0.01 par value common stock
outstanding as of March 12, 1999 was 15,189,048.

          DOCUMENTS FROM WHICH INFORMATION IS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the Definitive Proxy  Statement,  scheduled to be mailed on or about
April 9, 1999 for the annual  meeting of  stockholders  to be held May 18, 1999,
are incorporated by reference into Part III.
<PAGE>
                               CONMED CORPORATION

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                    FORM 10-K

                                     Part I

Item Number                                                                   

Item 1.               Business                                                
Item 2.               Properties                                              
Item 3.               Legal Proceedings                                       
Item 4.               Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders     


                                     Part II

Item 5.               Market for the Registrant's Common Stock and Related
                      Stockholder Matters                                     
Item 6.               Selected Financial Data                                 
Item 7.               Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
                      Condition and Results of Operations                     
Item 8.               Financial Statements and Supplementary Data             
Item 9.               Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
                      Accounting and Financial Disclosure                     


                                    Part III

Item 10.              Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant      
Item 11.              Executive Compensation                                  
Item 12.              Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
                      Management                                              
Item 13.              Certain Relationships and Related Transactions          


                                     Part IV

Item 14.              Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on
                      Form 8-K                                                


Signatures                                                                    

Exhibit Index                                                                 

<PAGE>
                                     PART I

                               CONMED CORPORATION

Item 1.  Business

Forward Looking Statements

         This Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended  December 31,
1998 ("Form 10-K") contains certain forward-looking  statements (as such term is
defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) and information
relating  to  CONMED  Corporation  ("CONMED"  or  the  "Company"--references  to
"CONMED" or the "Company" shall be deemed to include the Company's subsidiaries)
that is  based on the  beliefs  of the  management  of the  Company,  as well as
assumptions made by and information currently available to the management of the
Company.  When  used  in  this  Form  10-K,  the  words  "estimate,"  "project,"
"believe," "anticipate," "intend," "expect" and similar expressions are intended
to  identify  forward-looking  statements.  Such  statements  involve  known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those identified under
the caption  "Item 1:  Business -- Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this Form 10-K
that may cause the actual  results,  performance or achievements of the Company,
or  industry  results,  to be  materially  different  from any  future  results,
performance  or  achievements  expressed  or  implied  by  such  forward-looking
statements. Such factors include, among others, the following:  general economic
and business conditions; changes in customer preferences;  competition;  changes
in technology; the integration of any acquisition; changes in business strategy;
the indebtedness of the Company;  quality of management,  business abilities and
judgment of the Company's personnel;  the availability,  terms and deployment of
capital;  and various other factors  referenced in this Form 10-K.  See "Item 7:
Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of  Financial  Condition  and Results of
Operations"  and "Item 1:  Business."  Readers are  cautioned not to place undue
reliance on these  forward-looking  statements,  which speak only as of the date
hereof.  The Company does not undertake any  obligation to publicly  release any
revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances
after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

General

         The  Company is a leading  developer,  manufacturer  and  supplier of a
broad range of medical  instruments  and systems used in  orthopaedics,  general
surgery and other medical  procedures.  The Company's  product offerings include
arthroscopic  surgery  devices and products,  electrosurgical  systems,  powered
instruments for orthopaedic, arthroscopic and other surgical procedures, imaging
products for minimally-invasive  surgery,  electrocardiogram  ("ECG") electrodes
and other general surgical and patient care devices.  The Company's products are
used in a  variety  of  clinical  settings,  such as  operating  rooms,  surgery
centers, physicians' offices and critical care areas of hospitals. Approximately
75% of the Company's  revenues in 1998 were derived from the sale of single-use,
disposable products. In addition, approximately 21% of the Company's revenues in
1998 were derived from sales outside of the United States.

         The Company has used  strategic  business  acquisitions  to broaden its
product offerings,  to increase its market share in certain product lines and to
realize  economies  of  scale.  During  the last five  years,  the  Company  has
completed six significant  business  acquisitions.  The completed  acquisitions,
together with internal growth, have resulted in a compound annual growth rate in
net sales of 55% between 1994 and 1998.
<PAGE>
         The Company was founded in 1970 by Eugene R.  Corasanti,  the Company's
Chairman of the Board,  Chief  Executive  Officer and  President.  The Company's
principal  offices are located at 310 Broad Street,  Utica,  New York 13501, and
the Company's telephone number is (315) 797-8375.

Industry

         The number of surgical  procedures  performed  in the United  States is
increasing.  According to SMG Marketing Group, the total number of U.S. surgical
procedures was approximately 32 million in 1996, and, according to SMG Marketing
Group, is expected to increase to 36 million in 2001. In addition, the number of
outpatient  surgical  procedures  performed in the United States  increased at a
compound  annual growth rate of 7% from 16 million in 1991 to 20 million in 1995
and, according to SMG Marketing Group, is projected to grow at a compound annual
growth  rate of 6% to 29 million in 2001.  This  growth in  surgical  procedures
reflects  demographic  trends,  such  as  the  aging  of  the  population,   and
technological  advancements  which  result in safer and less  invasive  surgical
procedures.  These less invasive  surgical  procedures  are  increasingly  being
performed in outpatient  surgical  centers and physician  offices rather than in
hospitals.  According to SMG Marketing  Group,  outpatient  surgery  centers and
physician offices represented 15% and 10%, respectively,  of the total surgeries
performed in 1996,  and,  according to SMG  Marketing  Group,  are  projected to
increase to 19% and 15%, respectively, in 2001.

         In response to rising  health care costs,  managed care  companies  and
other payors have placed  pressures on health care providers to reduce costs. As
a result,  health  care  providers  have  focused on the high cost areas such as
surgery, both operative and recovery. To reduce costs, health care providers use
minimally-invasive  techniques,  which generally reduce patient trauma, recovery
time and  ultimately  the  length of  hospitalization.  According  to  Dorland's
Biomedical, the total number of minimally-invasive surgical procedures performed
in the United States increased at a compound annual growth rate of 14%, from 1.8
million in 1990 to an estimated 3.9 million in 1996.

         In  addition,   health  care  providers  are  increasingly   purchasing
single-use,   disposable  products,  which  reduce  the  costs  associated  with
sterilizing  surgical instruments and products following surgery. The single-use
nature  of  disposable  products  lowers  the  risk  of  incorrectly  sterilized
instruments  spreading  infection  into the patient and  increasing  the cost of
post-operative care.

         Furthermore,  in  the  United  States,  the  pressure  on  health  care
providers to contain  costs has altered  their  purchasing  patterns for general
surgical instruments and disposable medical products. Many health care providers
have entered into comprehensive  purchasing contracts with fewer suppliers,  who
offer a broader array of products at lower prices. In addition, many health care
providers have aligned themselves with group purchasing  organizations ("GPOs").
GPOs  aggregate  the  purchasing  volume of their  members in order to negotiate
competitive  pricing  with  suppliers,   including   manufacturers  of  surgical
products.  The Company believes that these trends will favor entities that offer
a broad product portfolio.

         The Company  believes that foreign  markets offer growth  opportunities
for  manufacturers  of  surgical  products.  As economic  conditions  improve in
developing  countries,  expenditures  on  health  care  are  expected  to  rise;
according  to  Dorland's  Biomedical,   expenditures  on  surgical  products  in
developing  countries  increased  15% from $14 billion in 1995 to $16 billion in
1996 and are projected to grow at a compounded growth rate of 17% to $65 billion
in 2005.
<PAGE>
Competitive Strengths

         The Company  attributes its strong  position in certain  markets to the
following competitive factors:

         Leading Market Position in Key Product Areas.  The Company is a leading
provider of  arthroscopic  surgery  devices,  electrosurgical  systems,  powered
surgical  instruments  and ECG  electrodes.  The Company's  product  breadth has
enhanced  its ability to market its  products to  surgeons,  hospitals,  surgery
centers,  GPOs and other customers,  particularly as institutions seek to reduce
costs  and to  minimize  the  number  of  suppliers.  In  addition,  many of the
Company's  products are sold under  leading  brand names,  including  CONMED(R),
Linvatec(R), Aspen Labs(R) and Hall(R) Surgical.

         Broad Product Offering in Key Product Areas. The Company offers a broad
product  line in its key  product  areas.  For  example,  the  Company  offers a
complete  set  of  the  arthroscopy   products  a  surgeon   requires  for  most
arthroscopic procedures,  including instrument and repair sets, implants, shaver
consoles and handpieces,  video systems and related  disposables.  The Company's
product offerings have enabled it to meet a wide range of customer  requirements
and preferences.  In addition,  the Company's customers are increasingly dealing
with fewer  vendors and  demanding a broader  product  offering  from vendors in
order to reduce administrative costs.

         Marketing and Distribution  Network. The Company's national sales force
consists of approximately 200 sales  representatives  who seek to maintain close
relationships with end-users.  The Company's sales  representatives  are trained
and educated in the applications for the products they sell and call directly on
surgeons,  hospital  departments,   outpatient  surgery  centers  and  physician
offices.  Additionally,  through the December 31, 1997  acquisition  of Linvatec
Corporation from Bristol-Myers  Squibb Company ("BMS"), the Company has expanded
its  international  presence through sales  subsidiaries and branches located in
key international markets. The Company also maintains distributor  relationships
domestically and in numerous countries worldwide.

         Vertically-integrated  Manufacturing.  The Company manufactures most of
its products.  The Company's  vertically  integrated  manufacturing  process has
allowed it to provide  quality  products,  to react quickly to changes in demand
and to generate manufacturing  efficiencies,  including purchasing raw materials
used in a variety of disposable  products in bulk. The Company believes that its
manufacturing  capabilities  allow it to  contain  costs,  control  quality  and
maintain security of proprietary  processes.  The Company continually  evaluates
its  manufacturing  processes  with  the  objective  of  increasing  automation,
streamlining  production  and  enhancing  efficiency  in order to  achieve  cost
savings.

         Research and Development Capabilities. CONMED has utilized its research
and development capabilities to introduce new products, product enhancements and
new  technologies.  Research and development  expenditures were $12.0 million in
1998.  Recent new product  introductions  include the  E9000(R)  drive  console,
BioStinger(R)  miniscal  repair  device,  Vcare(R) (a product  for  laparoscopic
hysterectomy procedures),  Hyfrecator(R) 2000 office-based  electrosurgical unit
and System 7500 electrosurgical unit with argon beam coagulation.
<PAGE>
         Integrating  Acquisitions.  Since 1994,  the Company has  completed six
acquisitions  including the 1998 acquisition of Linvatec which more than doubled
the size of the Company.  These acquisitions have enabled the Company to broaden
its  product  categories,  expand its sales and  distribution  capabilities  and
increase  its  international   presence.   The  Company's  management  team  has
demonstrated a historical ability to identify complementary  acquisitions and to
integrate acquired companies into the Company's operations.


Business Strategy

         The Company intends to implement the following business strategies:

         Introduce New Products and Product Enhancements. The Company's research
and development  program is focused on the development of new surgical products,
as well as the enhancement of existing products. In addition to its own research
and  development,  the Company  benefits from the dialogue and  suggestions  for
product  innovations from its relationships with surgeons and other users of the
Company's products.

         Realize Manufacturing and Operating  Efficiencies.  The Company expects
to  continue  to  review  opportunities  for  consolidating  product  lines  and
streamlining   production.   The  Company  believes  its  vertically  integrated
manufacturing  process should produce further  opportunities  to reduce overhead
and to increase operating efficiencies and capacity utilization.

         Increase   International   Sales.   The  Company   believes  there  are
significant  sales  opportunities  for its surgical  products outside the United
States. The Linvatec acquisition increased the Company's access to international
markets.  The Company intends to seek to expand its  international  presence and
increase its  penetration  into  international  markets by utilizing  Linvatec's
relationships with foreign surgeons,  hospitals and third-party  payers, as well
as foreign  distributors.  The Company also intends to utilize  Linvatec's sales
relationships to introduce Linvatec's customers to CONMED's products.

         Provide Broad  Product  Offering in Key Product  Areas.  As a result of
competitive  pressures in the health care  industry,  many health care providers
have aligned  themselves with GPOs,  which are  increasingly  dealing with fewer
vendors and demanding a broader product  offering from their vendors in order to
reduce administrative costs. The Company believes that its broad product line is
a positive  factor in the Company's  efforts to meet such demands.  In addition,
the Company has a corporate  sales  department  that markets the Company's broad
product offering to GPOs.

         Pursue  Strategic  Acquisitions.  The Company  believes that  strategic
acquisitions  represent a  cost-effective  means of broadening its product line.
The Company  has  historically  targeted  companies  with  proven  technologies,
established  brand  names and a  significant  portion of sales from  single-use,
disposable  products.  Since 1994,  the Company has completed six  acquisitions,
expanding its product line to include surgical suction  instruments,  wound care
products  and  most  recently   arthroscopic   products  and  powered   surgical
instruments.

Risk Factors

         Investors  should  carefully  consider the  specific  factors set forth
below as well as the other information  included or incorporated by reference in
this Form 10-K. See "Item 1: Business -- Forward Looking Statements" relating to
certain forward-looking statements in this Form 10-K.
<PAGE>
         Significant Leverage and Debt Service

         The Company has  indebtedness  which is  substantial in relation to its
shareholders' equity, as well as interest and debt service requirements that are
significant compared to its cash flow from operations.  As of December 31, 1998,
the Company had $384.9 million of debt  outstanding,  which represented 67.9% of
total  capitalization.  In  addition,  on  December  31,  1998,  the Company had
approximately  $62.0 million available for borrowing under the revolving portion
of the Company's principal bank credit agreement (the "Credit Facility").
         The degree to which the  Company  is  leveraged  could  have  important
consequences  to investors,  including but not limited to the  following:  (i) a
substantial portion of the Company's cash flow from operations must be dedicated
to debt service and will not be available for operations,  capital expenditures,
acquisitions and other purposes; (ii) the Company's ability to obtain additional
financing in the future for working capital, capital expenditures,  acquisitions
or general corporate  purposes may be limited or impaired;  and (iii) certain of
the Company's  borrowings,  including its borrowings  under the Credit Facility,
are and will  continue to be at variable  rates of interest,  which  exposes the
Company to the risk of increased interest rates.

         The Company's  ability to satisfy its obligations  will depend upon the
Company's future operating performance,  which will be affected by the Company's
ability  to  effectively   integrate  acquired  businesses  with  the  Company's
operations and by prevailing  economic  conditions  and financial,  business and
other factors,  many of which are beyond the Company's control.  There can be no
assurance  that the  Company's  operating  results  will be  sufficient  for the
Company  to meet its  obligations.  If the  Company  is  unable to  service  its
indebtedness,  it will be  forced  to adopt  an  alternative  strategy  that may
include  actions  such as forgoing  acquisitions,  reducing or delaying  capital
expenditures,  selling assets,  restructuring or refinancing its indebtedness or
seeking  additional equity capital.  There can be no assurance that any of these
strategies could be implemented on terms  acceptable to the Company,  if at all.
See "Item 7:  Management's  Discussion  and Analysis of Financial  Condition and
Results of Operations -- Liquidity and Capital Resources."

         Effects of Acquisitions Generally

         An  element  of the  Company's  business  strategy  has been to  expand
through  acquisitions  and the  Company may seek to pursue  acquisitions  in the
future.  The  success of the  Company is  dependent  in part upon its ability to
effectively integrate acquired operations with the Company's  operations.  While
the Company  believes that it has sufficient  management and other  resources to
accomplish the integration of its past and future acquisitions,  there can be no
assurance  in this regard or that the Company will not  experience  difficulties
with customers, suppliers, distributors, personnel or others. In addition, there
can be no  assurance  that  the  Company  will  be  able to  identify  and  make
acquisitions  on  acceptable  terms or that the  Company  will be able to obtain
financing for such acquisitions on acceptable terms. In addition,  the financial
performance  of the  Company is now and will  continue  to be subject to various
risks  associated  with the  acquisition of businesses,  including the financial
effects associated with the integration of such businesses.
<PAGE>
         Limitations Imposed by Certain Indebtedness

         The Credit Facility contains certain  restrictive  covenants which will
affect,  and in many  respects  significantly  limit or  prohibit,  among  other
things, the ability of CONMED and its subsidiaries to incur  indebtedness,  make
prepayments of certain  indebtedness,  make investments,  engage in transactions
with  affiliates,  sell assets,  engage in mergers and  acquisitions and realize
important elements of its business  strategy.  The Credit Facility also requires
the Company to meet certain  financial  ratios and tests.  These  covenants  may
prevent  the  Company  from  integrating  its  acquired   businesses,   pursuing
acquisitions, significantly limit the operating and financial flexibility of the
Company  and  limit its  ability  to  respond  to  changes  in its  business  or
competitive  activities.  The  ability  of  the  Company  to  comply  with  such
provisions  may be affected by events  beyond its  control.  In the event of any
default under the Credit  Facility,  the Credit Facility  lenders could elect to
declare all amounts  borrowed under the Credit  Facility,  together with accrued
interest,  to be due and  payable.  If the  Company  were  unable to repay  such
borrowings, the lenders thereunder could proceed against the collateral securing
the Credit  Facility,  which consists of  substantially  all of the property and
assets of CONMED and its subsidiaries.




     Significant Competition and Other Market Considerations

         The market for the Company's  products is highly  competitive.  Many of
these  competitors  offer a range of products in areas other than those in which
the  Company  competes,  which  may make such  competitors  more  attractive  to
surgeons,  hospitals,  GPO's and  others.  In  addition,  many of the  Company's
competitors are larger and have greater financial resources than the Company and
offer a range of  products  broader  than  the  Company's.  Competitive  pricing
pressures or the introduction of new products by the Company's competitors could
have an adverse effect on the Company's revenues and profitability.  Some of the
companies  with which the Company now competes or may compete in the future have
or may have more extensive  research,  marketing and manufacturing  capabilities
and significantly  greater  technical and personnel  resources than the Company,
and may be better positioned to continue to improve their technology in order to
compete in an evolving industry. See "Item 1:
Business -- Competition."

         Demand for and use of the Company's  products may fluctuate as a result
of changes in surgeon  preferences,  the  introduction  of new  products  or new
features  to  existing  products,   the  introduction  of  alternative  surgical
technology and advances in surgical  procedures and  discoveries or developments
in the health care  industry.  In recent  years,  the health care  industry  has
undergone  significant  change  driven  by  various  efforts  to  reduce  costs,
including  efforts at national  health care reform,  trends toward managed care,
cuts in  Medicare,  consolidation  of health  care  distribution  companies  and
collective  purchasing  arrangements by office-based  health care practitioners.
There can be no assurance  that demand for the  Company's  products  will not be
adversely affected by such fluctuations and trends.
<PAGE>
         Patents and Proprietary Technology

         Much of the  technology  used  in the  markets  in  which  the  Company
competes  is covered by  patents.  The Company  has  numerous  U.S.  patents and
corresponding  foreign  patents on products  expiring at various dates from 1999
through  2017 and has  additional  patent  applications  pending.  See  "Item 1:
Business -- Research and Development  Activities." Although the Company does not
rely solely on its patents to maintain its competitive position, the loss of the
Company's patents could reduce the value of the related products and any related
competitive  advantage.  Competitors  may  also  be able to  design  around  the
Company's  patents and to compete  effectively with the Company's  products.  In
addition,  the cost to prosecute  infringements of the Company's  patents or the
cost to defend the Company against patent  infringement  actions by others could
be substantial.  There can be no assurance that pending patent applications will
result in issued patents, that patents issued to or licensed by the Company will
not be challenged by  competitors or that such patents will be found to be valid
or sufficiently broad to protect the Company's technology or provide the Company
with a competitive advantage.

         Government Regulation of Products

         All of the Company's products are classified as medical devices subject
to regulation by the Food and Drug Administration (the "FDA"). As a manufacturer
of medical  devices,  the Company's  manufacturing  processes and facilities are
subject  to  on-site  inspection  and  continuing  review  by the FDA to  insure
compliance with "Quality System  Regulations," as defined by the FDA. Failure to
comply with applicable  requirements  can result in fines,  recall or seizure of
products,  total or partial  suspension  of  production,  withdrawal of existing
product approvals or clearances, refusal to approve or clear new applications or
notices  and  criminal  prosecution.  Many of the  Company's  products  are also
subject to industry-set standards.

         The Company is subject to product recall.  The Company's  product lines
have experienced a number of product recalls.  See "Item 1:  Business-Government
Regulation".  Although no recall or production matter has had a material adverse
effect on the Company's financial  condition,  there can be no assurance to this
effect in the future.

         Risks Relating to International Operations

         A portion of the Company's  operations are conducted outside the United
States, with 21% of the Company's 1998 net sales constituting  foreign sales. As
a result of its  international  operations,  the  Company  is  subject  to risks
associated  with  operating in foreign  countries,  including  devaluations  and
fluctuations  in  currency   exchange   rates,   imposition  of  limitations  on
conversions  of foreign  currencies  into dollars or remittance of dividends and
other  payments by foreign  subsidiaries,  imposition or increase of withholding
and other taxes on remittances and other payments by foreign subsidiaries, trade
barriers,  political risks, including political  instability,  hyperinflation in
certain  foreign  countries and  imposition or increase of investment  and other
restrictions by foreign  governments.  There can be no assurance that such risks
will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and results of
operations.
<PAGE>
         Risk of Product Liability Actions

         The nature of the  Company's  products  as medical  devices and today's
litigious environment in the United States should be regarded as potential risks
that could  significantly and adversely affect the Company's financial condition
and results of operations.  The Company  maintains  insurance to protect against
claims  associated  with the use of its products,  but there can be no assurance
that its insurance  coverage would  adequately cover the amount or nature of any
claim asserted against the Company. See "Item 3: Legal Proceedings."

Surgery Products

         The  Company is a leading  developer,  manufacturer  and  supplier of a
broad  range of medical  instruments  and  systems  used in  surgical  and other
medical procedures.  The Company's surgery products include arthroscopic surgery
devices and products,  electrosurgical  systems,  powered surgical  instruments,
surgical  suction  instruments and imaging  products used in minimally  invasive
surgery.  These  products are sold to surgeons,  hospitals,  outpatient  surgery
centers and physician offices primarily in the United States. Additionally,  the
Company  provides  repairs and  services  for its  surgical  products.  Surgical
products represented 85% of 1998 sales.

         Arthroscopic Surgery Devices and Products

         The  Company  offers a broad line of devices  and  products  for use in
arthroscopic surgery. Net sales attributable to arthroscopy products represented
36% of the Company's 1998 net sales.

         Arthroscopy  refers to diagnostic and therapeutic  surgical  procedures
performed on joints with the use of  minimally-invasive  endoscopes  and related
instruments.  Minimally-invasive  arthroscopy procedures enable surgical repairs
to be completed with less trauma to the patient,  resulting in shorter  recovery
times and cost savings. Approximately 75% of all arthroscopy is performed on the
knee,  although  arthroscopic  procedures are increasingly  performed on smaller
joints and shoulders.

         The  Company's   arthroscopy   products   include   powered   resection
instruments,  arthroscopes,  reconstructive  systems,  tissue repair sets, fluid
management systems, imaging products,  implants and related disposable products.
It is the Company's  standard practice to transfer some of these products,  such
as shaver consoles and pumps, to certain customers at no charge. The Company has
benefited  from the  introduction  of new products and new  technologies  in the
arthroscopic  area,  such as  bioresorbable  screws,  "push-in"  suture anchors,
resection shavers and cartilage repair implants.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     Arthroscopic Surgery Devices and Products
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Product                                                    Description                         Brand Name
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                  <C>                                                       <C>                            
Resection Shavers                    Shaver consoles and handpieces, disposable blades to      Apex(R)
                                     resect and remove soft tissue and bone; used in knee,
                                     shoulder and small joint surgery, as well as
                                     endoscopic sinus surgery.

Reconstructive Systems               Products used in knee  reconstructive surgery; includes   Paramax(R)
                                     instrumentation, screws, pins and drills.                 PinnACL(R)

Tissue Repair Sets                   Sets of instruments designed to attach specific torn or   Spectrum(R)
                                     damaged soft tissue to bone or other tissue in the        BioAnchor(R)
                                     knee, shoulder and wrist; includes guides, hooks and      Inteq(R)
                                     suture devices.

Fluid Management Systems             Disposable tubing sets, disposable and reusable inflow    Apex(R)
                                     devices, pumps and suction/waste management systems for   PuddleVac(R)
                                     use in  arthroscopic and general surgeries.               QuickFlow(R)

Imaging                              Surgical video systems for endoscopic procedures;         Apex(R)
                                     includes  autoclavable singlechip digital and            8180 Series
                                     threechip camera consoles, heads, endoscopes, light
                                     sources, monitors, VCRs and printers.
  
Implants                             Products including bioresorbable and metal interference   BioScrew(R)
                                     screws, anchors and staples for attaching tissue to       BioStinger(R)
                                     bone in the knee and shoulder.                            Ultrafix(R)
                                                                                               Revo(R)

Other Instruments and Accessories    Forceps, graspers, suction punches, probes, cases and     Shutt(R)
                                     other general instruments for  arthroscopic procedures.   TractionTower(R)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
  
<PAGE>
     Electrosurgical Systems

         During 1996, 1997 and 1998, net sales  attributable  to  electrosurgery
products represented 49%, 45%, and 20% respectively, of the Company's net sales.

         Electrosurgery  is the  technique  of using a  high-frequency  electric
current which, when applied to tissue through special  instruments,  can be used
to  cut   tissue,   coagulate,   or  cut  and   coagulate   simultaneously.   An
electrosurgical system consists of a generator,  an active electrode in the form
of a pencil or other instrument which the surgeon uses to apply the current from
the generator to the target tissue and a ground pad to safely return the current
to the  generator.  Electrosurgery  is routinely  used in most forms of surgery,
including general, dermatologic, thoracic, orthopaedic, urologic, neurosurgical,
gynecological, laparoscopic, arthroscopic and other endoscopic procedures.

         The Company's electrosurgical products include electrosurgical pencils,
ground pads, generators,  the argon-beam coagulation system, ABC(R), and related
disposable  products.  ABC(R) technology is a special method of  electrosurgery,
which allows a faster and more complete  coagulation of many tissues as compared
to  conventional  electrosurgery.   Unlike  conventional   electrosurgery,   the
electrical  current travels in a beam of ionized argon gas, allowing the current
to be dispersed onto the bleeding  tissue  without the  instrument  touching the
tissue.  Clinicians have reported  notable  benefits of ABC(R) over  traditional
electrosurgical   coagulation   in  certain   clinical   situations,   including
open-heart, liver, spleen and trauma surgery.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              Electrosurgical Systems
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Product                                                    Description                         Brand Name
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<S>                                  <C>                                                       <C>
Pencils                              Disposable and reusable instruments designed to deliver   Hand-trol(R)
                                     high-frequency electric current to cut and/or coagulate
                                     tissue.

Ground Pads                          Disposable ground pads to safely return the current to    Macrolyte(R)
                                     the generator; available in adult, pediatric and infant   Bio-gard(R)
                                     sizes.

Generators                           Monopolar and bipolar generators for surgical             EXCALIBUR Plus PC(R)
                                     procedures performed in a physician's office or clinic    SABRE(R)
                                     setting.                                                  Hyfrecator Plus(R)

Argon Beam Coagulation Systems       Specialized electrosurgical generators, disposable hand   ABC(R)
                                     pieces and ground pads for non-contact cutting and        Beamer Plus(R)
                                     coagulation of tissue.

Accessories                          Disposable products such as blades, forceps, adapters     CONMED(R)
                                     and cables.                                               Aspen Labs(R)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
         Powered Instruments

         The  Company  offers  a  broad  line  of  powered   instruments   which
represented 20% of the Company's 1998 net sales.

         Powered instruments are used to perform  orthopaedic,  arthroscopic and
other surgical procedures,  such as cutting,  drilling or reaming and are driven
by electric, battery or pneumatic power. Each instrument consists of one or more
handpieces and related accessories as well as disposable and limited reuse items
(e.g., burs, saw blades, drills and reamers).  Powered instruments are generally
categorized as either small bone, large bone or specialty powered instruments.

         The Company's line of powered  instruments are sold  principally  under
the Hall(R)  Surgical  brand name, for use in  orthopaedic,  oral/maxillofacial,
podiatric, plastic, otolaryngologic,  neurological and thoracic surgeries. Large
bone powered instruments and specialty powered instruments are sold primarily to
hospitals while small bone powered instruments are sold to hospitals, outpatient
facilities and physician offices.  Linvatec has devoted substantial resources to
developing a new technology base for small bone  instruments  that can be easily
adapted and modified for new procedures.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Powered Instruments
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Product                                              Description                               Brand Name
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>                                                       <C>
Small Bone                           Powered saws, drills and related disposable accessories   Hall(R) Surgical
                                     for small bone and joint surgical procedures.             E9000(R)
                                                                                               MicroChoice(R)
                                                                                               Surgairtome(R)

Large Bone                           Powered saws, drills and related disposable accessories   Hall(R) Surgical
                                     for use primarily in total knee and hip joint             VersiPower(R)
                                     replacements and trauma surgical procedures.              Series 4(R)

Specialty                            Procedure-specific powered saws, drills and related       UltraPower(R)
                                     disposable accessories for use in oral/ maxillofacial,    Hall Osteon(R)
                                     neurosurgery, otolaryngologic,  and thoracic procedures.  Orthairtome(R)

Other Powered Instruments            Powered sternum saw  handpieces and disposable saw        Hall(R) Surgical
                                     blades for use by  cardiothoracic surgeons during         E9000(R)
                                     open-heart procedures.                                    UltraPower(R)
                                                                                               Micro 100
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
         Other General Surgical Products

         The Company's  other  general  surgical  products  include a variety of
products used in surgical settings.  Other general surgical products represented
3%, 12% and 9% of the Company's 1996, 1997 and 1998 net sales, respectively.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                          Other General Surgical Products
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Product                                                    Description                         Brand Name

<S>                                  <C>                                                       <C>
Laparoscopic Instruments             Specialized trocars, suction/irrigation                   UNIVERSAL Plus(R)
                                     electrosurgical instrument systems for use in             TroGard(R)
                                     laparoscopic surgery; includes disposable handles,        Trogard
                                     valve/control assemblies with disposable accessories      Finesse(TM)
                                     and  monopolar and bipolar scissors,  graspers and
                                     loops.

Surgical Suction Instruments and     Disposable surgical suction instruments and connecting    CONMED(R)
     Tubing                          tubing, including Yankauer, Poole, Frazier and
                                     Sigmoidoscopic instrumentation,  for use by
                                     physicians in the majority of open surgical
                                     procedures.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Patient Care Products

         During  1996,  1997 and 1998 net sales  attributable  to  patient  care
products represented 48%, 43% and 15% respectively, of the Company's net sales.

         The Company  manufactures a variety of patient care products for use in
monitoring cardiac rhythms, wound care management and IV therapy. These products
include ECG electrodes and cables,  wound  dressings and catheter  stabilization
dressings. These products are sold to hospitals,  outpatient surgery centers and
physician offices primarily in the United States.  The majority of the Company's
sales in this  category  are derived from the sale of ECG  electrodes.  Although
wound management and intravenous therapy product sales are comparatively  small,
the  application  of  these  products  in the  operating  room  complements  the
Company's surgery business.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               Patient Care Products
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Product                                                  Description                               Brand Name
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                  <C>                                                            <C>       
ECG Monitoring                      Line of  disposable  electrodes,  monitoring cables,            CONMED(R)          
                                    lead wire products and  accessories designed  to                Ultratrace(R)      
                                    transmit  ECG signals  from the heart to an ECG                 Cleartrace(R)      
                                    monitor or recorder.                    

Wound Care                          Disposable transparent wound dressings                          ClearSite(R)
                                    comprising   proprietary  hydrogel; able  to absorb  2          Hydrogauze(R)
                                    1/2  times  its  weight  in  wound exudate. 
                                    
Intravenous Therapy                 Disposable IV drip rate gravity controller and                  VENI-GARD(R)
                                    disposable catheter stabilization dressing designed to          MasterFlow(R)
                                    hold and secure an IV needle or catheter for use in IV          Stat 2(R)
                                    therapy.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
Marketing

         CONMED  markets  its  products   domestically  through  a  sales  force
consisting of approximately  200 sales people.  In order to provide a high level
of expertise to medical specialties served, the Company's overall sales force is
separated into dedicated groups for 1) arthroscopy,  2) power instruments and 3)
electrosurgical  systems,  other  general  surgical  products  and patient  care
products.  Each  sales  representative  has a  defined  geographic  area  and is
compensated  on a  commission  basis or  through a  combination  of  salary  and
commission.  The sales force is supervised and supported by area directors. Home
office sales and  marketing  management  provide the overall  direction  for the
sales of the Company's products.
<PAGE>
          CONMED's salespeople call on surgeons,  hospitals,  outpatient surgery
centers and physician offices. The Company also has a corporate sales department
that is responsible for interacting with GPO's. The Company believes that it has
contracts with most such organizations and that the lack of any individual group
purchasing  contract will not adversely impact the Company's  competitiveness in
the  marketplace.  The sale of the Company's  products is accompanied by initial
and  ongoing  in-service  training  of the end user.  The field  sales  force is
trained in the technical  aspects of the Company's  products and their uses, and
provides  surgeons  and  medical  personal  with  information  relating  to  the
technical  features  and  benefits  of  the  Company's  products.  For  hospital
inventory management purposes, at the hospitals' request, some products are sold
to hospitals through  distributors.  The sales force is required to work closely
with  distributors  where  applicable and to maintain close  relationships  with
end-users.

         The Company's  international  sales accounted for 21% of total revenues
in 1998.  Products are sold in over 100 foreign countries.  International  sales
efforts are  coordinated  through  local  country  dealers or with direct  sales
efforts. CONMED distributes its products through sales subsidiaries and branches
with offices located in Australia,  Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong,
Spain and the United Kingdom.

         In connection with the Linvatec  acquisition,  Zimmer,  a subsidiary of
BMS   specializing  in  orthopaedic   implant   products,   agreed  to  continue
distribution  of the  Company's  large bone  powered  instruments  in the United
States and eight international countries for three years.  Additionally,  Zimmer
has agreed to distribute the Company's  arthroscopic  and powered  instrument in
Japan and certain Eastern European  countries for up to three years. Sales under
these distribution agreements approximated 9% of the Company's 1998 net sales.

Research and Development Activities

         During  the  three  years,  1996,  1997 and  1998,  the  Company  spent
approximately $3.0 million,  $3.0 million and $12.0 million,  respectively,  for
research and  development.  The Company's  research and development  departments
consist of 99 employees.

         The  Company's   research  and   development   programs  focus  on  the
development of new products,  as well as the  enhancement  of existing  products
with the latest  technology  and updated  designs.  The  Company is  continually
seeking to develop  new  technologies  to improve  durability,  performance  and
usability of existing products. In addition to its own research and development,
the Company  receives  new product and  technology  disclosures,  especially  in
procedure-specific areas, from surgeons, inventors and operating room personnel.
For disclosures  that the Company deems promising from a clinical and commercial
perspective,  the Company seeks to obtain  rights to these ideas by  negotiating
agreements,  which  typically  compensate  the  originator  of the idea  through
royalty payments based on a percentage of net sales of licensed products.

         The  Company  has rights to numerous  U.S.  patents  and  corresponding
foreign  patents,  covering a wide range of its  products.  The  Company  owns a
majority of these patents and has licensed  rights to the remainder,  both on an
exclusive and  non-exclusive  basis. In addition,  certain patents are currently
licensed  to  third  parties  on a  non-exclusive  basis.  Due to  technological
advancements,  the  Company  does  not  rely  on its  patents  to  maintain  its
competitive  position,  and  believes  that  development  of  new  products  and
improvement  of existing  ones is and will  continue to be more  important  than
patent protection in maintaining its competitive position.
<PAGE>
Competition

         The markets for the Company's products are highly competitive, and many
of the Company's  competitors are substantially  larger and stronger financially
than the Company.  However, the Company does not believe that any one competitor
competes with the Company across all its product lines. Major competitors of the
Company include Smith & Nephew plc, Stryker  Corporation,  Valleylab and Graphic
Controls  (units  of  Tyco   International   Ltd.)  and  Minnesota   Mining  and
Manufacturing Company.

         The Company believes that product design,  development and improvement,
customer acceptance, marketing strategy, customer service and price are critical
elements  to  compete  in its  industry.  Other  alternatives,  such as  medical
procedures or  pharmaceuticals,  could at some point prove to be interchangeable
alternatives to the Company's products.


Government Regulation

         Most if not all of the  Company's  products are  classified  as medical
devices  subject to regulation by the FDA. The Company's new products  generally
require  FDA  clearance   under  a  procedure   known  as  510(k)   premarketing
notification.   A  510(k)  premarketing  notification  clearance  indicates  FDA
agreement with an applicant's determination that the product for which clearance
has been sought is  substantially  equivalent to another medical device that was
on  the  market  prior  to  1976  or  that  has  received  510(k)   premarketing
notification clearance. Some products have been continuously produced,  marketed
and sold  since May 1976 and  require  no  510(k)  premarketing  clearance.  The
Company's  products  generally  are either Class I or Class II products with the
FDA, meaning that the Company's products must meet certain FDA standards and are
subject to the 510(k) premarketing  notification  clearance discussed above, but
are not  required  to be  approved  by the FDA.  FDA  clearance  is  subject  to
continual review,  and later discovery of previously unknown problems may result
in restrictions  on a product's  marketing or withdrawal of the product from the
market.

         The Company  has a quality  control/regulatory  compliance  group of 85
employees that is tasked with assuring that all of the Company's products comply
with design specifications and relevant government regulations.  The Company and
substantially  all of its products are subject to the  provisions of the Federal
Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act of 1938, as amended by the Medical Device Amendments
of 1976, and the Safe Medical Device Act of 1990, as amended in 1992.

         As a  manufacturer  of medical  devices,  the  Company's  manufacturing
processes  and  facilities  are  subject to  periodic  on-site  inspections  and
continuing   review  by  the  FDA  to  insure  compliance  with  Quality  System
Regulations as specified in Title 21, Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) part 820.
Many of the Company's products are subject to industry-set  standards.  Industry
standards  relating  to the  Company's  products  are  generally  formulated  by
committees of the Association  for the  Advancement of Medical  Instrumentation.
The Company believes that its products presently meet applicable standards.  The
Company  markets  its  products  in a number of  foreign  markets.  Requirements
pertaining  to its products  vary widely from  country to country,  ranging from
simple product  registrations to detailed  submissions such as those required by
the FDA.  The Company  believes  that its  products  currently  meet  applicable
standards for the countries in which they are marketed.
<PAGE>
         The Company is subject to product recall.  All Company recalls prior to
1998 have been closed.  The Company  initiated  three recalls during 1998 in the
Hall Surgical product line.  Corrective  actions were taken to address the cause
of the recalls.  No recall or production matter has had a material effect on the
Company's financial condition.

         Any change in existing  federal,  state or foreign laws or regulations,
or in the  interpretation  or enforcement  thereof,  or the  promulgation or any
additional  laws or  regulations  could have an adverse  effect on the Company's
financial condition or results of operations.

Employees

         As of December 31, 1998, the Company had 2,392 full-time employees,  of
whom  1,635 were in  manufacturing,  99 in  research  and  development,  and the
balance were in sales, marketing,  executive and administrative  positions. None
of the Company's employees are represented by a union, and the Company considers
its employee  relations to be excellent.  The Company has never  experienced any
strikes or work stoppages.
<PAGE>
Item 2.   Properties

Facilities

         The Company manufactures most of its products. Substantially all of the
Company's  property  and  assets  are  pledged  as  collateral  under the Credit
Facility.  The  following  table  provides  information  regarding the Company's
facilities.  The Company  believes its facilities are adequate in terms of space
and suitability for its needs over the next several years.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         Location                  Square Feet            Own or Lease            Expiration
- -----------------------------   -----------------      ------------------    ---------------------
<S>                                <C>                     <C>                <C>          
Utica, NY (three facilities)       650,000                  Own                    --
                                                           
Largo, FL                          213,000                 Lease                  2009
                                                           
Rome, NY                           120,000                  Own                    --
                                                           
Englewood, CO                       65,000                  Own                    --
                                                           
Juarez, Mexico                      25,000                 Lease              December 2000
                                                           
Santa Barbara, CA                   18,000                 Lease              December 2001
                                                           
El Paso, TX                         29,000                 Lease                April 2002
</TABLE>                                                   
Manufacturing                                          

         The Company manufactures most of its products. The Company believes its
vertically  integrated  manufacturing  process  allows  it  to  provide  quality
products and generate  manufacturing  efficiencies,  including by purchasing raw
materials for its  disposable  products in bulk.  The Company also believes that
its manufacturing  capabilities  allow it to contain costs,  control quality and
maintain security of proprietary processes.  The Company uses various manual and
0automated  equipment  for  fabrication  and  assembly  of its  products  and is
continuing to further automate its facilities.

         The  Company  believes  its  production  and  inventory  practices  are
generally  reflective of conditions in the industry.  The Company's products are
not  generally  made  to  order  or  to  individual   customer   specifications.
Accordingly,  the Company schedules production and stocks inventory on the basis
of experience and its knowledge of customer order patterns,  and its judgment as
to anticipated  demand.  Since customer orders must generally be filled promptly
for immediate  shipment,  backlog of unfilled  orders is not  significant  to an
understanding of the Company's business.
<PAGE>
Item 3.   Legal Proceedings

         From  time to time the  Company  is a  defendant  in  certain  lawsuits
alleging product liability, patent infringement, or other claims incurred in the
ordinary  course of  business.  These  claims are  generally  covered by various
insurance  policies,  subject to certain  deductible  amounts and maximum policy
limits. When there is no insurance coverage,  the Company establishes sufficient
reserves to cover  losses  associated  with such  claims.  The Company  does not
expect that the  resolution of any pending  claims will have a material  adverse
effect on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.

         Manufacturers  of medical  products  may face  exposure to  significant
product  liability claims. To date, the Company has not experienced any material
product liability claims, but any such claims arising in the future could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business or results of operations.  The
Company  currently   maintains   commercial   product  liability   insurance  of
$25,000,000  per incident and $25,000,000 in the aggregate  annually,  which the
Company,  based on its experience,  believes is adequate.  This coverage is on a
claims-made  basis.  There  can be no  assurance  that  claims  will not  exceed
insurance  coverage or that such  insurance will be available in the future at a
reasonable cost to the Company.

         The Company's  operations are subject to a number of environmental laws
and  regulations  governing,  among  other  things,  air  emissions,  wastewater
discharges,  the use, handling and disposal of hazardous  substances and wastes,
soil and  groundwater  remediation  and  employee  health  and  safety.  In some
jurisdictions   environmental  requirements  may  be  expected  to  become  more
stringent in the future.  In the United States  certain  environmental  laws can
impose  liability  for the  entire  cost of site  restoration  upon  each of the
parties that may have  contributed to conditions at the site regardless of fault
or the lawfulness of the party's activities.

         While  the  Company  does  not  believe  that  the  present   costs  of
environmental compliance and remediation are material, there can be no assurance
that future compliance or remedial obligations could not have a material adverse
effect on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.
Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

         No matter was submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth
quarter of the fiscal year ended December 31, 1998.
<PAGE>
                                     PART II

Item 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Stock and Related Stockholder Matters

         The Company's  Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, is traded on the
Nasdaq  National  Market System (symbol - CNMD).  At March 12, 1999,  there were
1,376  registered  holders of the Company's  Common Stock and, in addition,  the
Company has been notified  that, on such date,  there were  approximately  6,742
accounts held in "street name".

         The following  table shows the high-low last sales prices for the years
ended  December  31, 1997 and 1998,  as reported by the Nasdaq  National  Market
System. Such  over-the-counter  market quotations reflect  inter-dealer  prices,
without  retail  mark-up,  mark-down  and  commission  and may  not  necessarily
represent actual transactions.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>              
                                                                  1997
                                         -------------------------------------------------------
Period                                             High                        Low
                                         -------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                        <C>                           <C>   
First Quarter                                              $21.63                        $14.38

Second Quarter                                              19.25                         12.25

Third Quarter                                               21.50                         16.38

Fourth Quarter                                              29.75                         18.50

</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  1998
                                         -------------------------------------------------------
Period                                             High                        Low
                                         -------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                        <C>                           <C>   
First Quarter                                              $25.75                        $21.50

Second Quarter                                              26.00                         21.13

Third Quarter                                               24.88                         20.31

Fourth Quarter                                              33.00                         21.88
</TABLE>
         The Company did not pay cash  dividends on its Common Stock during 1997
and 1998.  The Credit  Facility  prohibits the payment of cash  dividends on the
Company's  Common Stock. The Company's Board of Directors  presently  intends to
retain future earnings to finance the development of the Company's business.
<PAGE>
Item 6.   Selected Financial Data
                                    FIVE YEAR SUMMARY OF SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
                                        (In thousands, except per share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     Years Ended December
                                                               -------------------------------------------------------------  
                                                                 1994        1995         1996         1997          1998
                                                               ---------   ---------    ---------    ---------     ---------
 Statements of Operations Data(1):                            
<S>                                                            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>      
      Net sales........................................        $  71,064   $  99,558    $ 125,630    $ 138,270     $ 336,442
                                                               ---------   ---------    ---------    ---------     ---------
      Cost of sales (2)................................           38,799      52,402       65,393       74,220       169,599
                                                                                                                     
      Selling and administrative expense ..............           20,979      25,570       31,620       35,299        93,647
      Research and development expense ................            2,352       2,832        2,953        3,037        12,029
      Unusual items (3) ...............................                -          -             -       37,242             -
                                                               ---------   ---------    ---------    ---------     ---------
      Income (loss) from operations ...................            8,934      18,754       25,664      (11,528)       61,167
      Interest income (expense), net ..................             (628)     (1,991)        (217)        (823)      (30,891)
                                                               ---------   ---------    ---------    ---------     ---------
      Income (loss) before income taxes                       
        and extraordinary item ........................            8,306      16,763       25,447      (10,705)       30,276
                                                                 
      Provision (benefit) for income taxes ............            2,890       5,900        9,161       (3,640)       10,899
                                                               ---------   ---------    ---------    ---------     ---------
      Income (loss) before extraordinary item .........            5,416      10,863       16,286       (7,065)       19,377
                                                              
      Extraordinary item, net of income taxes(4).......               -           -            -            -        (1,569)
                                                               ---------   ---------    ---------    ---------     ---------
      Net income (loss) ...............................        $   5,416   $  10,863   $   16,286   $   (7,065)    $  17,808
                                                               =========   =========   ==========   ==========     =========
 Earnings (Loss) Per Share Before Extraordinary Item:
      Basic ...........................................        $    0.60   $    1.03   $     1.16   $    (0.47)    $    1.28
                                                               =========   =========   ==========   ==========     =========
      Diluted..........................................        $    0.56   $    0.94   $     1.12   $    (0.47)    $    1.26
                                                               =========   =========   ==========   ==========     =========
 Earnings (Loss) Per Share:                                   
      Basic............................................        $    0.60   $    1.03   $     1.16   $    (0.47)    $    1.18
                                                               =========   =========   ==========   ==========     =========
  
      Diluted..........................................        $    0.56   $    0.94   $     1.12   $    (0.47)    $    1.16
                                                               =========   =========   ==========   ==========     =========
 Weighted Average Number of Common Shares                     
     In Calculating (5):                                      
      Basic earnings (loss) per share .................            9,032      10,517       14,045       14,997        15,085
                                                               =========   =========   ==========   ==========     =========
      Diluted earnings (loss) per share ...............            9,624      11,613       14,496       14,997        15,321
                                                               =========   =========   ==========   ==========     =========
 Other Financial Data:                                        
      Depreciation and amortization  ..................        $   3,878   $   5,015    $   6,410   $    6,954      $ 23,601
      EBITDA(6)........................................           12,812      23,769       32,074       32,668        86,576
      Capital expenditures.............................            2,190       5,195        4,946        8,178        12,924
      Ratio of earnings to fixed charges (7)  .........           11.73x       8.84x       79.30x           (7)         1.95
</TABLE>                                                   
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                       December
                                                               -------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 1994        1995         1996         1997          1998
                                                               ---------   ---------    ---------    ---------     ---------
<S>                                                            <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>      
 Balance Sheet Data(8):
      Cash and cash equivalents .......................        $   3,615   $  1,539     $ 20,173     $ 13,452      $  5,906
      Total assets ....................................           62,104    119,403      170,083      561,637       628,784
      Long-term debt (including current portion) ......            9,375     32,340            -      365,000       384,872
      Total shareholders' equity ......................           43,061     75,002      158,635      162,736       182,168
                                                                                 (footnotes on following page)
</TABLE>
(1)  Includes,  based on the purchase  method of accounting,  the results of (i)
     Birtcher Medical Systems,  Inc.  ("Birtcher")  from March 1995; (ii) the IV
     controller product line acquired from Master Medical  Corporation  ("Master
     Medical") from May 1995; (iii) NDM, Inc. ("NDM"),  the subsidiary formed as
     a result of the product  lines  acquired  from New  Dimensions in Medicine,
     Inc., from February 1996;  (iv) the surgical  suction product line acquired
     from the Davol subsidiary  ("Davol") of C.R. Bard, Inc., from July 1997 and
     (v) Linvatec Corporation from December 31, 1997, in each such case from the
     date of acquisition.

(2)  Includes  for 1998,  $3.0  million of  incremental  expense  related to the
     excess of the fair value at the acquisition date of Linvatec inventory over
     the cost to produce.

(3)  Includes  for 1997 a $34.0  million  non-cash  acquisition  charge  for the
     write-off  of all of  the  in-process  research  and  development  products
     (comprised of products in the  development  stage) acquired in the Linvatec
     Acquisition,  $0.9 million  write-off of deferred  financing fees resulting
     from  refinancing  the Company's  loan  agreements  in connection  with the
     Linvatec  Acquisition,  and $2.3  million  charge  for the  closing  of the
     Company's Dayton, Ohio manufacturing facility.

(4)  In  March  1998,  the Company  recorded   an  extraordinary  item of  $2.5
     million  ($1.6  million net of income taxes) related to the write-off of 
     deferred financing fees.
<PAGE>
(5)  All share and per share  amounts  have been  adjusted to give effect to the
     Company's three-for-two stock splits in the form of stock dividends paid on
     December 27, 1994 and November 30, 1995.

(6)  EBITDA  represents   earnings  before  interest   expense,   income  taxes,
     depreciation  and  amortization,  unusual items and  inventory  adjustments
     pursuant to purchase accounting.  EBITDA is included herein because certain
     investors  consider  it to be a useful  measure of a  company's  ability to
     service  its  debt;  however,  EBITDA  does not  represent  cash  flow from
     operations,  as defined in generally accepted  accounting  principles,  and
     should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute  for net income or
     cash flow from operations or as a measure of profitability or liquidity.

(7)  The ratio of  earnings to fixed  charges is  calculated  by dividing  fixed
     charges into income before income taxes and extraordinary  items plus fixed
     charges.  Fixed charges  include  interest  expense,  amortization  of debt
     issuance cost and the  estimated  interest  component of rent  expense.  In
     1997,  the Company had a deficiency  of earnings to cover fixed  charges of
     $10,558,000.

(8)  Linvatec is included in the  Historical  Balance  Sheet Data as of December
     31, 1997, its date of acquisition,  after a one-time  non-cash  acquisition
     charge of $34.0 million.
<PAGE>
Item 7.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
         of Operations

         The following  discussion  should be read in conjunction  with Selected
Historical  Financial  Information  (Item  6)  and  the  consolidated  financial
statements of CONMED which are included  elsewhere or  incorporated by reference
in this Form 10-K.

General

The Company is a leading  developer,  manufacturer and supplier of a broad range
of medical  instruments  and systems used in  orthopaedics,  general surgery and
other medical  procedures.  On December 31, 1997, the Company acquired  Linvatec
Corporation from Bristol-Myers  Squibb Company,  more than doubling the revenues
of the  Company  and  positioning  CONMED as a leading  orthopaedic  supplier of
minimally  invasive  surgical  products for arthroscopic  surgery,  as well as a
leader in the powered surgical instrument market.

Results of Operations

         The  following  table  presents,  as a percent  of net  sales,  certain
categories  included  in  CONMED's  consolidated  statements  of income  for the
periods indicated:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        Years Ended December
                                                                  -----------------------------  
                                                                   1996        1997       1998
                                                                  ------      ------     ------  

<S>                                                                <C>         <C>        <C>   
Net sales.....................................................     100.0%      100.0%     100.0%
                                                                  ------      ------     ------  
Cost of sales..................................................     52.1        53.7       50.4
   Gross profit................................................     47.9        46.3       49.6
Selling and administrative expense.............................     25.2        25.5       27.8
Research and development expense ..............................      2.3         2.2        3.6
Unusual items..................................................                 26.9          
                                                                  ------      ------     ------  
Income (loss) from operations..................................     20.4        (8.3)      18.2
Interest income (expense), net.................................     (0.2)        0.6       (9.2)
Income (loss) before income taxes and extraordinary item.......     20.2        (7.7)       9.0
Provision (benefit) for income taxes...........................      7.3        (2.6)       3.2
                                                                  ------      ------     ------  
     Income (loss) before extraordinary item...................     12.9%       (5.1)%      5.8%
                                                                  ======      ======     ======
</TABLE>
Years Ended December 31, 1998 and December 31, 1997

         Sales for 1998 were $336,442,000, an increase of 143% compared to sales
of  $138,270,000  in 1997.  The  increase  was  principally  the  result  of the
acquisitions  of  Linvatec  on  December  31,  1997  and  the  surgical  suction
instrument and tubing product line from Davol on July 1, 1997.
<PAGE>
         Cost of sales  increased  to  $169,599,000  in 1998 as  compared to the
$74,220,000 in 1997 as a result of increased sales volume. The increase in gross
profit  percentage is primarily a result of the Linvatec  products  which have a
higher  gross  profit   percentage  than  the  Company's  overall  gross  profit
percentage.  The Company's gross profit percentage was 49.6% in 1998 as compared
to 46.3% in 1997.  In  connection  with  purchase  accounting  for the  Linvatec
acquisition,  the Company  increased  the  acquired  value of  inventory by $3.0
million over its  production  cost.  This  inventory was sold during the quarter
ended  March 1998 and,  accordingly,  this  non-recurring  adjustment  served to
reduce the  Company's  1998 gross profit  percentage by 0.8  percentage  points.
Additionally,  certain  of the  Company's  orthopaedic  sales  for the first six
months were  distributed  through  Zimmer,  Inc., a  wholly-owned  subsidiary of
Bristol-Myers  Squibb Company under  provisions of  distribution  and transition
agreements  entered  into in  connection  with the  Linvatec  acquisition.  This
arrangement served to adversely impact the Company's gross profit percentage for
the first six months of 1998.  As a result of the above  factors,  the Company's
gross  profit  percentage  was 52.0% in the second half of 1998 and 47.0% in the
first half of 1998.

         Selling and  administrative  costs  increased to $93,647,000 in 1998 as
compared  to  $35,299,000  in  1997,  primarily  as a  result  of  the  Linvatec
acquisition.  As a percentage of sales,  selling and administrative  expense was
27.8% in 1998 and 25.5% in 1997.  This  increase  reflects  the  overall  higher
selling and administrative  efforts associated with the sales of the orthopaedic
products acquired in connection with the Linvatec acquisition.

         Research and development expense was $12,029,000 in 1998 as compared to
$3,037,000 in 1997. The increase  reflects expense related to Linvatec  research
and development activities.

         There were no unusual charges  recorded in 1998. As discussed below, in
1997 CONMED  recorded $37.2 million of unusual items,  including a $34.0 million
non-cash  acquisition  charge for the write-off of the  in-process  research and
development  (comprised of products in the  development  stage)  acquired in the
Linvatec acquisition, $0.9 million of deferred financing fees resulting from the
refinancing  of the Company's  loan  agreements in connection  with the Linvatec
acquisition and a $2.3 million charge for the closing of CONMED's  Dayton,  Ohio
manufacturing facility.

         Interest  expense for 1998 was $30,891,000  compared to interest income
of $823,000 in 1997. As discussed  under  Liquidity and Capital  Resources,  the
Company  acquired  Linvatec  Corporation  on December 31, 1997 and borrowed $365
million under its credit  facility.  The Company had no  borrowings  outstanding
during 1997, except the acquisition related borrowings on December 31, 1997. The
Company  completed an offering of  subordinated  notes during the quarter  ended
March 1998 and used the net  proceeds to repay a portion of the  Company's  term
loans under its credit facility. Deferred financing fees relating to the portion
of the credit  facility  repaid  amounting to $2.5 million  ($1.6 million net of
income taxes) were written-off as an extraordinary item in 1998.

<PAGE>
Years Ended December 31, 1997 and December 31, 1996

         Sales for 1997 were $138.3  million,  an increase of $12.7 million,  or
10.1%, compared to sales of $125.6 million in 1996. The increase was primarily a
result of the Davol product line acquisition effective July 1, 1997, and the NDM
acquisition  that was reflected in 1996 results only from February 23, 1996, the
date of acquisition. Offsetting the incremental sales volume associated with the
acquisitions  was the effect of  realignment  of CONMED's  domestic  sales force
effective January 1, 1997.

         Prior to 1997, CONMED maintained  separate sales forces,  each of which
sold only a portion of  CONMED's  product  offerings.  With the  January 1, 1997
realignment,  each of CONMED's territory managers became responsible for selling
its entire product line. While management believes that this change has enhanced
CONMED's sales efforts,  management believes that sales for the first six months
of 1997 were  negatively  impacted by this change due to training and transition
issues.

         Cost of sales  increased to $74.2  million in 1997, an increase of $8.8
million, or 13.5%,  compared to cost of sales of $65.4 million in 1996. CONMED's
gross profit percentage was 46.3% in 1997 as compared to 47.9% in 1996.  Factors
adversely  impacting  the gross  profit  percentage  in 1997  include  the Davol
product line,  which has a lower gross profit  percentage than CONMED's  overall
gross profit percentage, and the effects of lower pricing on ECG electrodes.

         Selling and administrative  expense increased to $35.3 million in 1997,
an increase of $3.7 million,  or 11.6%,  compared to selling and  administrative
expense  of  $31.6  million  in  1996.  As  a  percent  of  sales,  selling  and
administrative  expense  increased to 25.5% in 1997 from 25.2% in 1996.  Selling
and administrative  expense for the first two quarters of 1997 averaged 28.1% of
net sales and were  adversely  impacted by  incremental  costs  associated  with
CONMED's  realignment  of its  domestic  sales force which was  completed in the
second  quarter of 1997.  Selling  and  administrative  expense for the last two
quarters  of 1997  declined to an average of 24.4% of net sales  reflecting  the
completion of the sales force  realignment and economies of scale resulting from
the Davol product line acquisition effective July 1, 1997.

         Research and  development  expense was $3.0 million in each of 1997 and
1996. CONMED continues to conduct research and development  activities in all of
its product lines, with a particular emphasis on products for minimally invasive
surgery.
<PAGE>
         In 1997,  CONMED  recorded $37.2 million of unusual items,  including a
$34.0 million  non-cash  acquisition  charge for the write-off of the in-process
research  and  development  (R & D) acquired in the Linvatec  acquisition,  $0.9
million  of  deferred  financing  fees  resulting  from the  refinancing  of the
Company's loan agreements in connection with the Linvatec acquisition and a $2.3
million charge for the closing of CONMED's Dayton, Ohio manufacturing  facility.
Purchased  in-process  R & D includes  the value of products in the  development
stage  and  not  considered  to  have  reached  technological  feasibility.   In
accordance  with  applicable  accounting  rules,  purchased  in-process R & D is
required to be expensed. The value assigned to purchased in-process R & D, based
on a valuation prepared by an independent  third-party  appraisal  company,  was
determined by  identifying  research  projects in areas for which  technological
feasibility  had not been  established,  including  arthroscopic  resection  and
procedure specific surgical  instruments  ($10,112,000),  imaging technology for
minimally invasive surgical procedures ($11,706,000), specialty surgical powered
instruments  ($8,386,000),  and other ($3,797,000).  The value was determined by
estimating  the  costs to  develop  the  purchased  in-process  technology  into
commercially viable products,  estimating the resulting net cash flows from such
projects, and discounting the net cash flows back to their present value using a
discount rate of 13%. At the date of  acquisition,  remaining  costs to complete
these projects were $162,000 for arthroscopic  resection and procedure specific,
$281,000  for  imaging  technology,  $424,000  for  specialty  surgical  powered
instruments  and $840,000 for other projects.  During 1998,  these projects were
either completed or abandoned. These projects ranged from 60% to 90% complete at
the date of acquisition.  Costs to complete these projects consist  primarily of
direct  salaries and wages.  Revenues  from certain of these  projects  began in
1998.  The  closure  of the  Dayton  facility  was  completed  in  1997  and the
components  of the charge  consisted  primarily  of employee  severance  and the
write-down of the carrying value of fixed assets.

         In 1997,  CONMED had net interest  income of $0.8 million,  compared to
net interest expense of $0.2 million in 1996. CONMED repaid all then-outstanding
balances under a predecessor  credit  agreement in 1996 following the completion
of CONMED's offering of 2,998,000 shares of common stock. No further  borrowings
were made under any CONMED  credit  facilities  until  December 31,  1997,  when
$365.0  million was borrowed  under the credit  facility in connection  with the
Linvatec acquisition.

         As a result of the  unusual  items,  CONMED  recognized  an income  tax
benefit of $3.6 million in 1997. CONMED's effective tax rate for 1996 was 36.0%

Liquidity and Capital Resources

         Net cash provided by operations was  $20,962,000 in 1998 as compared to
$31,760,000 in 1997.  Depreciation and amortization  increased in 1998 primarily
as a result  of the  completed  acquisitions.  Additionally,  during  the  first
quarter of 1998, the Company recorded a non-cash extraordinary charge related to
the  write-off  of deferred  financing  fees.  Operating  cash flow for 1998 was
positively impacted by increases in accounts payable and accrued interest, and a
reduction in the net deferred income tax asset.  Adversely  impacting  operating
cash  flows in 1998 was an  increase  in  accounts  receivable  and  inventories
primarily  as a result  of the  timing  of  CONMED's  assumption  of  Linvatec's
international  operations  previously  managed by Zimmer. In connection with the
Linvatec  acquisition,   CONMED  assumed  responsibility  for  the  majority  of
Linvatec's international operation on July 1, 1998. Accordingly, the receivables
and  inventory of the  international  operations  were not acquired or funded by
CONMED until the second half of 1998.
<PAGE>
         Net cash used by investing  activities in 1998  included  $17.5 million
paid related to the arthroscopy  product line  acquisition from Minnesota Mining
and Manufacturing  Company and $14.4 million of payments related to the Linvatec
and Davol acquisitions.  Components of the Linvatec acquisition related payments
include  investment  banking and  professional  fees related to the  acquisition
($6.3  million),  payments  associated with the closure of Linvatec's San Dimas,
California  facility  ($2.5  million),  payments  to  Zimmer,  Inc.  to  acquire
demonstration  equipment ($1.4 million) and other  acquisition  related payments
($2.5 million).  Cash payments related to the Davol acquisition amounted to $1.7
million,  of which $1.2 million  represented  severance  costs  associated  with
closure  of the  Company's  Kansas  manufacturing  operation.  Net cash  used by
investing  activities in 1997 includes $24.0 million  related to the acquisition
of the surgical  suction  instrument  and tubing  product line from Davol,  Inc.
Capital  expenditures  for 1998  and 1997  amounted  to $12.9  million  and $8.2
million, respectively.

          Financing   activities  during  1998  involved  the  completion  of  a
subordinated  note (the "Notes")  offering in the aggregate  principal amount of
$130.0 million in March 1998. Net proceeds from the offering amounting to $126.1
million  were used to repay a portion  of the  Company's  term  loans  under its
credit  facility.  In addition  to the net  proceeds  of the  subordinated  note
offering,  the  Company  made  payments  on  loans  under  its  credit  facility
aggregating $7.0 million during 1998.

         In  connection  with the  Linvatec  acquisition,  the Company  borrowed
$350.0 million in term loans under its credit facility.  Upon the application of
mandatory  principal  payments  including the  subordinated  note proceeds,  the
Company's  term loans at December  31, 1998  aggregated  $216.9  million and are
repayable  quarterly over remaining  terms of four and six years.  The Company's
credit  facility also includes a $100 million  revolving  credit  facility which
expires  December  2002,  of which $62.0  million was  available on December 31,
1998. The borrowings  under the credit  facility carry interest rates based on a
spread over LIBOR or an  alternative  base interest  rate.  The covenants of the
credit  facility  provide for increase and decrease to this interest rate spread
based on the operating results of the Company.  Additionally,  certain events of
default under the credit  facility limit interest rate options  available to the
Company. The weighted average interest rates at December 31, 1998 under the term
loans and the  revolving  credit  facility  were 7.32% and 7.39%,  respectively.
Additionally,  during the commitment  period,  the Company is obligated to pay a
fee of 0.5% per annum on the unused portion of the revolving credit facility.

         The Company does not use derivative  financial  instruments for trading
or other speculative  purposes.  Interest rate swaps, a form of derivative,  are
used to manage interest rate risk.  Currently,  the Company has entered into two
interest rate swaps expiring in June 2001 which convert $100 million of floating
rate debt  under the  Company's  credit  facility  into fixed rate debt at rates
ranging  from  7.18% to 8.25%.  Provisions  in one of the  interest  rate  swaps
cancels such agreement when LIBOR exceeds 7.35%.
<PAGE>
         The credit  facility is  collateralized  by all the Company's  personal
property.  The credit facility contains covenants and restrictions  which, among
other  things,  require  maintenance  of  certain  working  capital  levels  and
financial  ratios,  prohibit  dividend  payments and restrict the  incurrence of
certain   indebtedness  and  other   activities,   including   acquisitions  and
dispositions.  The Company is also required to make mandatory  prepayments  from
net cash  proceeds  from any issue of equity  and asset  sales and also from any
excess  cash  flow,  as  defined in the credit  agreement.  The  Company's  1998
operating  results will meet excess cash flow provisions of the credit agreement
and, accordingly,  the Company expects to make mandatory prepayments on the term
loans of approximately $16 million by March 31, 1999. The significant portion of
the  prepayment  amount will be borrowed  under the Company's  revolving  credit
facility.  Coincident  with this mandatory  prepayment,  it is expected that the
interest rate on the term loans and revolving credit facility will be reduced by
0.25%.

         The Notes are in aggregate  principal amount of $130 million and have a
maturity date of March 15, 2008. The Notes bear interest at 9.0% per annum which
is  payable  semi-annually.  The  indenture  governing  the  Notes  has  certain
restrictive  covenants  and provides  for,  among other  things,  mandatory  and
optional redemptions by the Company.

         The  credit  facility  and  Notes  are  guaranteed   (the   "Subsidiary
Guarantees")  by each of the Company's  subsidiaries in existence on the closing
dates of the credit facility and the Notes (the  "Subsidiary  Guarantors").  The
Subsidiary  Guarantees  provide that each  Subsidiary  Guarantor  will fully and
unconditionally  guarantee  the  Company's  obligations  on a joint and  several
basis.  Each  Subsidiary  Guarantor is  wholly-owned  by the Company.  Under the
credit facility and subordinated note indenture,  the Company's subsidiaries are
subject to the same covenants and restrictions that apply to the Company (except
that the  Subsidiary  Guarantors  are  permitted to make  dividend  payments and
distributions,  including  cash  dividend  payments,  to the  Company or another
Subsidiary Guarantor).

         Management  believes that cash generated from  operations,  its current
cash  resources  and funds  available  under its credit  facility  will  provide
sufficient  liquidity to ensure continued  working capital for operations,  debt
service and funding of capital expenditures in the foreseeable future.
<PAGE>
Year 2000

         The Company and its subsidiaries use information  technology ("IT") and
non-IT systems that contain embedded  technology  throughout  their  businesses.
Third  parties with which the Company has material  relationships  also use such
systems.  After December 31, 1999, these systems will face a potentially serious
problem if they are not able to recognize  and  correctly  process  dates beyond
December 31, 1999. All of the Company's  products,  operations  and  information
technology  systems have been inventoried and those that are not Year 2000 ready
have been identified. The upgrading and testing of those which are not Year 2000
ready is on schedule to be completed  by June 30,  1999.  The Company is also in
the  process  of  contacting  its  vendors  and  customers  to  ascertain  their
preparation  for the  Year  2000  issue  and is in the  process  of  identifying
critical  business partners for which the need for additional due diligence will
be assessed.  The costs of the Company's Year 2000  assessment  and  remediation
program have not been and are not expected to be material. Although the Company
does not expect the Year 2000 issue to have a material  effect on its results of
operations,  liquidity or financial condition, failure of critical IT and non-IT
systems  could  have a  material  adverse  effect on the  Company's  results  of
operations,  liquidity  or  financial  condition.  Further,  the Company  cannot
eliminate  the risk that  revenue  will be lost or costs will be  incurred  as a
result of the  failure by third  parties to properly  remediate  their Year 2000
issues. Because the Company has not identified any areas of its own or its third
parties IT and non-IT systems that will not be Year 2000  compliant,  it has not
yet developed any necessary contingency plans.

Foreign Operations

         The Company's foreign  operations are subject to special risks inherent
in doing business outside the United States, including governmental instability,
war  and  other   international   conflicts,   civil  and  labor   disturbances,
requirements   of   local   ownership,    partial   or   total    expropriation,
nationalization,  currency  devaluation,  foreign exchange  controls and foreign
laws and  policies,  each of which may limit the  movement of assets or funds or
result in the deprivation of contract  rights or the taking of property  without
fair compensation.

         An additional  risk with respect to the Company's  European  operations
relates to the  conversion of certain  European  countries to a common  currency
which began January 1, 1999 (the "Euro  Conversion").  The Company has formed an
internal  task force to evaluate the risks and  implement  any required  actions
with respect to the Euro  Conversion.  Based on the analysis of this task force,
the  Company  does not  believe  that the costs to the  Company  to convert to a
common currency will be material. Additionally the Company does not believe that
there will be any material impact from a competitive  point of view with respect
to the impact of the Euro Conversion on the sales of products.
<PAGE>
Item 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

         The  Company's  1998  Financial  Statements,  together  with the report
thereon of  PricewaterhouseCoopers  LLP dated  February  9, 1999,  are  included
elsewhere herein.

Item 9.   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and 
          Financial Disclosures

         The Company and  PricewaterhouseCoopers  LLP have had no  disagreements
which would be required to be reported under this Item 9.

                                    PART III

Item 10.  Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

         Information with respect to the Directors and Executive Officers of the
Company is incorporated  herein by reference to the sections captioned "Proposal
One:  Election of  Directors"  and  "Directors,  Executive  Officers  and Senior
Officers" in CONMED Corporation's  definitive Proxy Statement to be mailed on or
about April 9, 1999 for the annual meeting of shareholders to be held on May 18,
1999.

Item 11.  Executive Compensation

         Information  with respect to  Executive  Compensation  is  incorporated
herein  by  reference  to the  sections  captioned  "Compensation  of  Executive
Officers",  "Stock  Option  Plans",  "Pension  Plans"  and  "Board of  Directors
Interlocks  and  Insider   Participation;   Certain  Relationships  and  Related
Transactions" in CONMED Corporation's definitive Proxy Statement to be mailed on
or about April 9, 1999 for the annual meeting of  shareholders to be held on May
18, 1999.

Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

         Information  with respect to Security  Ownership of Certain  Beneficial
Owners  and  Management  is  incorporated  herein by  reference  to the  section
captioned  "Security  Ownership of Certain  Beneficial Owners and Management" in
CONMED  Corporation's  definitive Proxy Statement to be mailed on or about April
9, 1999 for the annual meeting of shareholders to be held on May 18, 1999.

Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

         Information regarding certain relationships and related transactions is
incorporated  herein by reference to the section  captioned  "Board of Directors
Interlocks  and  Insider   Participation;   Certain  Relationships  and  Related
Transactions" in CONMED Corporation's definitive Proxy Statement to be mailed on
or about April 9, 1999 for the annual meeting of  shareholders to be held on May
18, 1999.
<PAGE>
                                     PART IV

Item 14.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K

Index to Financial Statements:

(a)(1) List of Financial Statements                               Form 10-K Page
 
          Report of Independent Accountants                             F-1

          Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 1997 and 1998         F-2

          Consolidated Statements of Income for the Years Ended
               December 1996, 1997 and 1998                             F-3

          Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity for the
               Years Ended December 1996, 1997 and 1998                 F-4

          Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended
               December 1996, 1997 and 1998                             F-5

          Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                    F-7

(2)       List of Financial Statement Schedules

          Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (Schedule VIII)             F-23

          All other  schedules  have been  omitted  because they
          are not applicable, or the required information is
          shown  in  the   financial   statements  or  notes
          thereto.

(3)       List of Exhibits
          The  exhibits listed on the accompanying Exhibit Index on page
          33 below are filed as part of this Form 10-K.

(b)       Reports on Form 8-K

          None
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the  requirements  of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the  undersigned,  thereunto duly authorized on the date indicated
below.
                                          CONMED CORPORATION

                                          March 30, 1999

                                          By: /s/ Eugene R. Corasanti

                                          --------------------------
                                          Eugene R. Corasanti

                 (Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer
                                 and President)


<PAGE>
         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1934, this report
has been signed below by the following  persons on behalf of the registrants and
in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 Signature                   Title                               Date

                             Chairman of the Board
                             Chief Executive Officer
                             President (Principal
                             Executive Officer) and
 /s/ EUGENE R. CORASANTI     Director                        March 30, 1999
 --------------------------  
 Eugene R. Corasanti

                             Vice President-Finance
 /s/ ROBERT D. SHALLISH JR.  and Chief Financial Officer
 --------------------------- (Principal Financial Officer)   March 30, 1999
 Robert D. Shallish, Jr. 

 /s/ JOSEPH J. CORASANTI     Executive Vice President
 --------------------------  General Manager and Director    March 30, 1999
 Joseph J. Corasanti

 /s/ LUKE A. POMILIO         Controller
 --------------------------  (Principal Accounting Officer)  March 30, 1999
 Luke A. Pomilio

 /s/ BRUCE F. DANIELS        Director                        March 30, 1999
 --------------------------
 Bruce F. Daniels

 /s/ ROBERT E. REMMELL       Director                        March 30, 1999
 --------------------------
 Robert E. Remmell
                            
/s/ WILLIAM D. MATTHEWS      Director                        March 30, 1999
- ---------------------------
 William D. Matthews        
 
/s/ STUART J. SCHWARTZ       Director 
- ---------------------------
 Stuart J. Schwartz                                               
<PAGE>
                                  EXHIBIT INDEX
 Exhibit No.       Description of Instrument

2.1    - Plan and  Agreement  of  Merger dated  as of December 5, 1994 among the
         Company,  CONMED Acquisition  Corporation and Birtcher Medical Systems,
         Inc.--  incorporated herein by reference to appendix A of the Company's
         Registration Statement on S-4 (File No. 33-87746).

2.2    - Asset  Purchase  Agreement  by and between New Dimensions In Medicine,
         Inc. and CONMED  Corporation dated as of the 18th day of October 1995--
         incorporated herein by reference to New Dimensions In Medicine,  Inc's.
         (Commission  File No.  1-09156)  Report on Form 8-K dated  October  18,
         1995.

2.3    - Purchase  Agreement,  dated as  of  May 28, 1997, by and between Davol,
         Inc. and CONMED Corporation-- incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2 in
         the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on July 11, 1997.

2.4    - Stock  and  Asset  Purchase  Agreement  dated as of November  26, 1997,
         between Bristol-Myers Squibb company and CONMED Corporation, as amended
         by an amendment dated as of December 31, 1997--  incorporated herein by
         reference to Exhibit  2.1(a) in the  Company's  Current  Report on Form
         8-K, filed on January 8, 1998.

2.5    - Amendment dated  as  of December 31, 1997, between Bristol-Myers Squibb
         Company  and  CONMED  Corporation,  to the  Stock  and  Asset  Purchase
         Agreement,  dated as of November 26, 1997 between  Bristol-Myers Squibb
         company and CONMED-- incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.1(b)
         in the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on January 8, 1998.

2.6      Asset Purchase  Agreement  between  Linvatec  Corporation and Minnesota
         Mining & Manufacturing Company dated October 8, 1998.

3.1    - Amended  and  Restated By-Laws, as adopted by the Board of Directors on
         December 26, 1990--  incorporated herein by reference to the exhibit in
         the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, dated March 7, 1991 (File No.
         0-16093).

3.2    - 1996  Amendment  to   Certificate   of   Incorporation   and   Restated
         Certificate of  Incorporation  of CONMED  Corporation  --  incorporated
         herein by reference to the exhibit in the  Company's  Annual  Report on
         Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996.

4.1    - See Exhibit 3.1.

4.2    - See Exhibit 3.2.

4.3    - Credit   Agreement,   dated  as of  December  29,  1997,  among  CONMED
         Corporation,  the several  banks and other  financial  institutions  of
         entities from time to time parties to the Agreement,  Chase  Securities
         Inc.,  Salomon Brothers  Holding Company,  Inc, and The Chase Manhattan
         Bank--  incorporated  herein  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.1  in  the
         Company's Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on January 8, 1998.

4.4    - Guarantee  and  Collateral   Agreement,  dated as of December 31, 1997,
         made by CONMED  Corporation and certain of its subsidiaries in favor of
         The Chase Manhattan Bank--  incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
         10.2 in the  Company's  Current  Report on Form 8-K filed on January 8,
         1998.
<PAGE>
4.5    - Indenture,  dated  as of March 5, 1998, by an among CONMED Corporation,
         the Subsidiary  Guarantors named therein and First Union National Bank,
         as  Trustee--incorporated  by reference to the exhibit in the Company's
         Registration  Statement  on Form S-8 filed on March 26,  1998 (File No.
         333-48693).

10.1   - Employment  Agreement  between the Company and Eugene R.  Corasanti,
         dated  December  16,  1996--  incorporated  herein by  reference to the
         exhibit in the Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
         December 31, 1996.

10.2   - Amended and Restated  Employee Stock Option Plan  (including  form of
         Stock  Option  Agreement)--  incorporated  herein by  reference  to the
         exhibit in the Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
         December 25, 1992--  incorporated herein by reference to the exhibit in
         the Company's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the year ended  December
         31, 1996.

10.2 (a) Eugene R.  Corasanti   disability   income   plans   with  Northwestern
         Mutual  Life  Insurance  Company,  dated  January 14, 1980 and March 7,
         1981-- policy specification  sheets--  incorporated herein by reference
         to Exhibit 10.0(a) of the Company's  Registration Statement on Form S-2
         (File No. 33-40455).

     (b) William W. Abraham disability income plan with Northwestern Mutual Life
         Insurance Company,  dated March 24, 1981 -- policy  specification sheet
         -- incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.0(b) of the Company's
         Registration Statement on Form S-2 (File No. 33-40455).

    (c) Eugene R. Corasanti life  insurance plan with  Northwestern  Mutual Life
        Insurance Company,  dated October 6, 1979 -- policy  specification sheet
        -- incorporated  herein by reference to Exhibit 10.9(c) of the Company's
        Registration Statement on Form S-2 (File No. 33-40455).

    (d)  Eugene R. Corasanti life insurance plans with Northwestern  Mutual Life
         Insurance  Company  dated August 25, 1991 --  Statements of Policy Cost
         and Benefit  Information,  Benefits and  Premiums,  Assignment  of Life
         Insurance  Policy as Collateral -- incorporated  herein by reference to
         the Company's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the year ended  December
         27, 1991.

10.3   - 1992  Stock  Option Plan (including form of Stock Option Agreement). --
         incorporated herein by reference to the exhibit in the Company's Annual
         Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 25, 1992.

10.4   - Stock Option  Plan for  Non-Employee  Directors of CONMED Corporation--
         incorporated  by reference to the Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K
         for the year ended December 31, 1996.

10.5   - Amendment to 1992  Stock  Option  Plan--  incorporated  by reference to
         the Company's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the year ended  December
         31, 1996.

10.6   - See 4.4.

10.7   - See 4.5.
<PAGE>
10.8   - See 4.6

10.9   - Transition  and  Distribution  Services  Agreement,  dated December 31,
         1997, among Zimmer,  Inc., Linvatec Corporation and CONMED Corporation-
         incorporated  by reference to the Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K
         for the year ended December 31, 1997.

10.10  - Distribution  Agreement, dated  December  31, 1997, among Zimmer, Inc.,
         Linvatec Corporation and CONMED Corporation - incorporated by reference
         to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
         31, 1997.

11     - Statement re: Computation of Per Share Earnings.

12     - Statement re: Computation of Ratios of Earnings to Fixed Charges

21     - Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

23     - Consent,   dated   March   30,  1999,  of  PricewaterhouseCoopers  LLP,
         independent auditors for CONMED Corporation.

27     - Financial Data Schedule.
<PAGE>

                        REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

To the Board of Directors and
Shareholders of CONMED Corporation

         In our opinion,  the  accompanying  consolidated  financial  statements
listed in the index  appearing  under  Item 14 (a)(i) and (2) on Page 28 present
fairly, in all material  respects,  the financial position of CONMED Corporation
and its  subsidiaries  at December  31, 1998 and 1997,  and the results of their
operations  and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1998, 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.

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Syracuse, New York
February 9, 1999
<PAGE>
                               CONMED CORPORATION
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                             December 1997 and 1998
                      (In thousands except share amounts )
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         1997            1998
                                                                                      ---------        ---------
<S>                                                                                   <C>              <C>      
ASSETS
Current assets:
    Cash and cash equivalents...................................................      $  13,452        $   5,906
    Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,708 in 1997
        and $2,213 in 1998......................................................         47,188           66,819
    Income taxes receivable (Note 6)............................................            245            1,441
    Inventories (Notes 1 and 3).................................................         61,971           78,058
    Deferred income taxes (Note 6)..............................................          1,898            2,776
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets..................................           1,186            4,620
                                                                                      ---------        ---------
               Total current assets.............................................        125,940          159,620
                                                                                      ---------        ---------
Property, plant and equipment, net (Notes 1 and 4)..............................         55,339           60,787
Deferred income taxes (Note 6)..................................................         10,783            3,900
Goodwill, net (Notes 1 and 2)...................................................        153,360          192,947
Patents, trademarks and other assets (Note 2)...................................        216,215          211,530
                                                                                      ---------        ---------
               Total assets.....................................................      $ 561,637        $ 628,784
                                                                                      =========        =========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
    Current portion of long-term debt (Note 5)..................................      $  11,000        $  22,995
    Accounts payable............................................................          9,556           19,594
    Accrued payroll and withholdings............................................          7,014            9,665
    Accrued interest............................................................              -            6,069
    Other current liabilities...................................................          3,037            7,873 
                                                                                      ---------        ---------
               Total current liabilities........................................         30,607           66,196
                                                                                      ---------        ---------
Long-term debt (Note 5).........................................................        354,000          361,877
Other long-term liabilities.....................................................         14,294           18,543
                                                                                      ---------        ---------
               Total liabilities................................................        398,901          446,616
                                                                                      ---------        ---------
Commitments (Notes 4, 7, 9, and 10)                                                   
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; 40,000,000 authorized; 15,061,538
        and 15,182,811, issued and outstanding in 1997 and 1998, respectively...            151              152
    Paid-in capital.............................................................        123,451          125,039
    Retained earnings...........................................................         39,553           57,361
    Cumulative translation adjustments..........................................              -               35
    Less 25,000 shares of common stock in treasury, at cost.....................           (419)            (419)
                                                                                      ---------        ---------
        Total shareholders' equity..............................................        162,736          182,168
                                                                                      ---------        ---------
               Total liabilities and shareholders' equity.......................      $ 561,637        $ 628,784
                                                                                      =========        =========
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
                               CONMED CORPORATION
                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                    Years Ended December 1996, 1997 and 1998
                     (In thousands except per share amounts)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        1996          1997          1998    
                                                                      --------      --------      --------
<S>                                                                   <C>           <C>           <C>     
Net sales (Note 8).............................................       $125,630      $138,270      $336,442
                                                                      --------      --------      --------
                                                                      
Cost of sales..................................................         65,393        74,220       169,599
                                                                      
Selling and administrative expense.............................         31,620        35,299        93,647
                                                                      
Research and development expense...............................          2,953         3,037        12,029
                                                                      
Unusual items (Note 11)........................................              -        37,242             -
                                                                      --------      --------      --------

                                                                        99,966       149,798       275,275
                                                                      --------      --------      --------
                                                                      
Income (loss) from operations..................................         25,664       (11,528)       61,167
                                                                      
Interest income (expense), net (Note 5)........................           (217)          823       (30,891)
                                                                      --------      --------      --------
                                                                                        
Income (loss) before income taxes and                                 
   extraordinary item..........................................         25,447       (10,705)       30,276
                                                                      
Provision (benefit) for income taxes (Notes 1 and 6)...........          9,161        (3,640)       10,899
                                                                      --------      --------      --------
                                                                      
Income (loss) before extraordinary item........................         16,286        (7,065)       19,377
                                                                      
Extraordinary item, net of income taxes (Note 5)...............              -             -        (1,569) 
                                                                      --------      --------      --------
                                                                      
Net income (loss)..............................................       $ 16,286      $ (7,065)     $ 17,808  
                                                                      ========      ========      ========
                                                                      
Per share data:                                                       
                                                                      
  Income (loss) before extraordinary item                             
           Basic...............................................       $   1.16          (.47)      $  1.28
           Diluted.............................................           1.12          (.47)         1.26
                                                                         
  Extraordinary item                                                  
           Basic...............................................              -             -          (.10)
           Diluted.............................................              -             -          (.10)
  Net income (loss)                                                   
            Basic..............................................           1.16          (.47)         1.18  
            Diluted............................................           1.12          (.47)         1.16
</TABLE>                                                              
<PAGE>
                               CONMED CORPORATION
                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                    Years Ended December 1996, 1997 and 1998
                                 (In thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         Cumulative                     Total       
                                              Common Stock        Paid-in    Retained    Translation     Treasury   Shareholders'
                                             Number Amount        Capital    Earnings    Adjustments      Stock        Equity
                                           --------  --------     --------   --------      --------      --------     --------
<S>                                        <C>       <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>                         <C>           
Balance at December 1995  ..............   $ 11,000  $    110     $ 44,560   $ 30,332                                 $ 75,002      

  Issuance of shares (Note 7)...........      2,998        30       61,705                                              61,735

  Exercise of stock options and a               991        10        4,208                                               4,218
    warrant (Note 7)......................

  Tax benefit arising from exercise of                               1,394                                               1,394
      stock options.....................

  Net income ...........................                                       16,286                                   16,286
                                           --------  --------     --------   --------      --------      --------     --------
                                                                                                                          
Balance at December 1996 ...............     14,989       150      111,867     46,618                                  158,635

  Exercise of stock options.............         73         1          661                                                 662

  Tax benefit arising from exercise of                                 298                                                 298
    stock options.......................

  Issuance of a warrant (Note 2)........                            10,625                                              10,625
    Purchase of CONMED common stock
     (Note 7)...........................                                                                 $   (419)        (419)
                                                                           
  Net loss..............................                                       (7,065)                                  (7,065)
                                           --------  --------     --------   --------      --------      --------     --------

Balance at December 1997  ..............     15,062       151       123,451    39,553                        (419)     162,736
                                                                                                           
  Exercise of stock options.............        121         1        1,087                                               1,088

  Tax benefit arising from exercise of                                 501                                                 501
      stock options.....................

  Comprehensive income..................             

     Translation adjustments............                                                   $     35                                 

     Net income.........................                                       17,808 

  Total comprehensive income............                                                                                17,843
                                           --------  --------     --------   --------      --------      --------     --------

Balance at December 1998  ..............     15,183  $    152      $125,039   $ 57,361      $     35      $   (419)    $182,168
                                           ========  ========     ========   ========      ========      ========     ======== 
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
                               CONMED CORPORATION
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                    Years Ended December 1996, 1997 and 1998
                                 (In thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             1996            1997           1998
                                                                          ----------      ----------      ---------
<S>                                                                       <C>             <C>             <C>      
Cash flows from operating activities:
     Net income (loss)..............................................      $   16,286      $   (7,065)     $  17,808
     Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash
         provided by operations:
         Depreciation...............................................           3,670           3,880          8,098
         Amortization...............................................           2,740           3,074         15,503
         Extraordinary item, net of income taxes (Note 5) ..........               -               -          1,569
         Write-off of in-process research and development (Note 2)..
                                                                                   -          34,000              -
         Increase (decrease) in cash flows from changes in assets
              and liabilities, net of effects from acquisitions
              (Note 2):
              Accounts receivable...................................          (1,552)         (1,499)       (19,614)
              Inventories...........................................             360           6,295        (19,303)
              Prepaid expenses and other current assets.............            (264)           (228)        (1,180)
              Accounts payable......................................              82             (73)        10,028
              Income tax receivable/payable.........................             195             521         (1,348)
              Income tax benefit of stock option exercises..........           1,394             298            501
              Accrued payroll and withholdings......................            (245)            263          2,834
              Accrued interest......................................               -               -          6,069
              Other current liabilities.............................              21           1,627         (1,347)
              Deferred income taxes.................................           3,713         (10,809)         7,039
              Other assets/liabilities, net.........................            (492)          1,476         (5,695)
                                                                          ----------      ----------      ---------
                                                                               9,622          38,825          3,154
                                                                          ----------      ----------      ---------

              Net cash provided by operations.......................          25,908          31,760         20,962
                                                                          ----------      ----------      ---------
Cash flows from investing activities:
     Payments related to business acquisitions (Note 2).............         (31,672)       (395,273)       (31,909)
     Acquisition of property, plant and equipment...................          (4,946)         (8,178)       (12,924)
                                                                          ----------      ----------      ---------
              Net cash used by investing activities.................         (36,618)       (403,451)       (44,833)
                                                                          ----------      ----------      ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
     Proceeds of long-term debt.....................................          32,660         365,000        130,000
     Borrowings under revolving credit facility (Note 5) ...........               -               -         23,000
     Proceeds from issuance of common stock.........................          65,953             662          1,088
     Purchase of treasury stock (Note 7)............................               -            (419)             -
     Payments related to issuance of long-term debt.................               -               -         (4,635)
     Payments on long-term debt and other obligations...............         (69,269)           (273)      (133,128)
                                                                          ----------      ----------      ---------
                                                                                                
              Net cash provided by financing activities.............          29,344         364,970         16,325
                                                                          ----------      ----------      ---------
                                  (continued)
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                       <C>             <C>            <C>    
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents................          18,634          (6,721)        (7,546)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year......................           1,539          20,173         13,452
                                                                          ----------      ----------      ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year............................      $   20,173      $   13,452      $   5,906
                                                                          ==========      ==========      =========
Supplemental  disclosures  of cash flow  information: 
Cash paid during the year for:
         Interest...................................................       $     941      $        -      $  24,078
                                                                                     
         Income taxes...............................................           5,347           6,079          4,121

Supplemental non-cash investing and financing activities:

     As more fully  described  in Note 2, the  Company  issued a warrant for the
purchase of 1,000,000  common shares with a value of  $10,625,000  in connection
with a 1997 acquisition.
</TABLE>
<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 a leading  developer,  manufacturer  and
supplier  of a range of medical  instruments  and systems  used in surgical  and
other   medical   procedures.    The   Company's   product   offerings   include
electrosurgical systems,  electrocardiogram  ("ECG") electrodes and accessories,
surgical suction  instruments,  intravenous ("IV") therapy accessories and wound
care products.  Through its  acquisition of Linvatec  Corporation  (Note 2), the
Company has expanded its  arthroscopic  surgery  product line and  broadened its
product  offerings to include powered surgical  instruments and imaging products
for minimally invasive surgery.  The Company's products are used in a variety of
clinical settings, such as operating rooms, surgery centers, physicians' offices
and critical care areas of hospitals.

Statement of cash flows

         The Company  considers all highly liquid  investments  with an original
maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

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.

Goodwill

         Goodwill  is  amortized  over  periods  ranging  from  13 to 40  years.
Accumulated  amortization of goodwill  amounted to $6,468,000 and $10,996,000 at
December 31, 1997 and 1998, respectively.

         When events and circumstances so indicate,  the Company will assess the
recoverability of its goodwill based upon cash flow forecasts  (undiscounted and
without  interest).  No  impairment  losses have been  recognized  in any of the
periods presented.
<PAGE>
Translation of foreign currency financial statements

         Assets and  liabilities of foreign  subsidiaries  have been  translated
into United States dollars at the applicable  rates of exchange in effect at the
end of the period  reported.  Revenues and expenses have been  translated at the
applicable  weighted  average  rates of  exchange  in effect  during  the period
reported.  Translation  adjustments  are  reflected  as a separate  component of
shareholders'  equity.  Any  transaction  gains and losses are  included  in net
income.

Earnings (loss) per share

         In the  fourth  quarter  of 1997,  the  Company  adopted  Statement  of
Financial  Accounting  Standards  ("SFAS") No. 128,  "Earnings per Share".  This
standard  requires  presentation  of basic earnings per share ("EPS"),  computed
based on the  weighted  average  number of  common  shares  outstanding  for the
period,  and diluted EPS,  which gives effect to all dilutive  potential  shares
outstanding (i.e., options and warrants) during the period. Previously presented
EPS amounts have been restated to reflect the method of computation  required by
SFAS No. 128.  Income used in the EPS  calculation is net income (loss) for each
year.  Shares  used in the  calculation  of  basic  and  diluted  EPS  were  (in
thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                1996         1997          1998
                                                                                ------       ------        ------
<S>                                                                             <C>          <C>           <C>   
     Shares used in the calculation of Basic EPS (weighted average
         shares outstanding)........................................            14,045       14,997        15,085

     Effect of dilutive potential securities........................               451            -           236
                                                                                ------       ------        ------

     Shares used in the calculation of Diluted EPS..................           14,496        14,997        15,321
                                                                               ======        ======        ======
</TABLE>
         The 1997  calculation  of diluted EPS  excluded  the effect of dilutive
potential  securities  aggregating 230,000 shares because to give effect thereto
would have been antidilutive given the net loss for the year. The shares used in
the  calculation of diluted EPS exclude  warrants and options to purchase shares
where the  exercise  price was greater  than the average  market price of common
shares for the year. Such shares aggregated 218,000,  1,395,000 and 1,440,000 at
December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively.

Comprehensive income

         The Financial  Accounting  Standards Board ("FASB") has issued SFAS No.
130,  "Reporting  Comprehensive  Income",  effective for fiscal years  beginning
after  December 15,  1997.  SFAS No. 130  requires  companies to report  another
measure of operations called comprehensive  income. This measure, in addition to
"net income" includes as income or loss, the following  items,  which if present
are included in the equity section of the balance sheet: 1) unrealized gains and
losses on certain investments in debt and equity securities; 2) foreign currency
translation;  and 3) minimum  pension  liability  adjustments.  The  Company has
reported comprehensive income within the Consolidated Statement of Shareholders'
Equity.
<PAGE>
Derivative financial instruments

         In June 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 133,  "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments  and Hedging  Activities".  The new standard  requires  companies to
record  derivatives on the balance sheet as assets or  liabilities,  measured at
fair  value.  Gains or losses  resulting  from the  changes in the values of the
derivatives  would be accounted  for depending on whether it qualifies for hedge
accounting.  The Company  will be required to adopt this  standard in the fiscal
year beginning January 1, 2000. Management does not believe that the adoption of
this statement will have a material impact on the financial statements.

         The  Company  uses  interest  rate  swaps to manage the  interest  risk
associated  with its variable rate debt. The Company  accounts for interest rate
swaps on the accrual method, whereby the net receivable or payable is recognized
on a periodic basis and included as a component of interest expense. The Company
does not trade in derivative securities.

         The  estimated  fair  value  of cash  and  cash  equivalents,  accounts
receivable,  and  accounts  payable,  approximate  their  carrying  amount.  The
estimated fair values and carrying amounts of long-term  borrowings and interest
rate swaps are as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   1997                        1998
                                                         Carrying        Fair         Carrying        Fair
                                                          Amount         Value         Amount        Value
                                                          ------         -----         ------        -----

<S>                                                     <C>            <C>           <C>            <C>      
Swap agreements....................................     $      -       $      -      $      -       $   (443)

Long-term debt (including current maturities)......      (365,000)     (365,000)     (384,872)      (384,872)

Fair values were determined from quoted market prices or discounted cash flows.
</TABLE>

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.
<PAGE>
Note 2 -- Business Acquisitions

         On February  23,  1996,  the Company  acquired the business and certain
assets of New Dimensions in Medicine,  Inc. ("NDM") for a cash purchase price of
approximately  $31,600,000 and the assumption of $3,300,000 of net  liabilities.
The acquisition is being accounted for using the purchase  method.  Accordingly,
the  results  of  operations  of  the  acquired  business  are  included  in the
consolidated  results  of the  Company  from the date of  acquisition.  Goodwill
associated with the acquisition is being amortized on a straight-line basis over
a 40-year period.

         On July 1, 1997,  the Company  completed the  acquisition  of a product
line from Davol,  Inc., a subsidiary  of C.R.  Bard,  Inc.,  for a cash purchase
price of $24,000,000. This acquisition is being accounted for using the purchase
method. Accordingly,  the results of operations of the acquired product line are
included  in  the  consolidated   results  of  the  Company  from  the  date  of
acquisition.  Goodwill  associated  with the acquisition is being amortized on a
straight-line basis over a 40-year period.

         On December  31,  1997,  the Company  acquired the business and certain
assets of Linvatec  Corporation,  a  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of  Bristol-Myers
Squibb  Company,  for a cash  purchase  price of  $370,000,000  (Note 5) and the
assumption of  $28,600,000  of  liabilities.  Bristol-Myers  Squibb Company also
received a warrant to purchase 1,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock at
$34.23 per share.  This warrant  expires  December  31, 2007,  and was valued at
$10,625,000.
<PAGE>
         This acquisition is being accounted for using the purchase method.  The
allocation  of  purchase  price  resulted  in  identifiable  intangible  assets,
including  patents  and  technology  ($9,000,000),   trademarks  and  tradenames
($96,000,000)   and   customer   relationships    ($108,000,000),    aggregating
$213,000,000,  which will be amortized over periods from 5 to 40 years. Goodwill
associated with the Linvatec  acquisition  approximated  $89,300,000 and will be
amortized  on a  straight-line  basis  over a 40-year  period.  Additionally,  a
portion of the purchase price was allocated to purchased in-process research and
development ("R&D").  Purchased in-process R&D includes the value of products in
the  development  stage  and  not  considered  to  have  reached   technological
feasibility.   In  accordance  with  applicable   accounting  rules,   purchased
in-process  R&D is  required to be  expensed.  Accordingly,  $34,000,000  of the
acquisition  cost was  expensed  on December  31,  1997.  The value  assigned to
purchased  in-process  R&D,  based on a  valuation  prepared  by an  independent
third-party  appraisal company,  was determined by identifying research projects
in areas for which technological feasibility had not been established, including
arthroscopic    resection   and   procedure   specific   surgical    instruments
($10,112,000),  imaging  technology for minimally  invasive surgical  procedures
($11,706,000),  specialty  surgical powered  instruments  ($8,386,000) and other
($3,796,000).  The value was  determined by estimating  the costs to develop the
purchased  in-process  technology into commercially viable products,  estimating
the resulting net cash flows from such projects,  and  discounting  the net cash
flows back to their  present  value using a discount rate of 13%. At the date of
acquisition,  remaining  costs to complete  these  projects  were  $162,000  for
arthroscopic resection and procedure specific,  $281,000 for imaging technology,
$424,000  for  specialty  surgical  powered  instruments  and $840,000 for other
projects. During 1998, these projects were either completed or abandoned.  These
projects  ranged from 60% to 90% complete at the date of  acquisition.  Costs to
complete these projects consist primarily of direct salaries and wages. Revenues
from certain of these projects began in 1998.

         In connection with the Linvatec  acquisition,  the Company entered into
agreements with Zimmer, Inc., a wholly-owned  subsidiary of Bristol-Myers Squibb
Company, pursuant to which Zimmer has agreed to distribute certain of Linvatec's
products for up to three years.

         During 1998 goodwill for the Davol and Linvatec acquisitions  increased
by $1.7 million and $28.9 million,  respectively.  The Davol  increase  reflects
severance ($1.5 million) and other costs associated with the 1998 closure of the
former  Davol  manufacturing   operation  located  in  Kansas.  The  significant
components  of the increase in Linvatec  goodwill  include the  finalization  of
unfunded  employee  benefit  obligations  assumed at the acquisition  date ($7.5
million),  payments for investment banking fees and professional fees related to
the acquisition  ($6.3  million),  payments and the writedown of fixed assets in
connection with the closure of Linvatec's San Dimas.  California  facility which
was  completed in 1998 ($4.0  million),  and  payments  and accruals  related to
contingent liabilities assumed with the acquisition ($4.5 million).

         On November 16,  1998,  the Company  acquired the assets  related to an
arthroscopy  product line from Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing  Company for a
cash purchase price of  $17,500,000.  This  acquisition  is being  accounted for
using the purchase method. Accordingly, the results of operation of the acquired
product  line are included in the  consolidated  results of the Company from the
date of acquisition. Goodwill associated with the acquisition is being amortized
on a straight-line basis over a 40-year period.

         The allocation of the purchase price for the  arthroscopy  product line
acquisition  referred to in the  preceding  paragraph  is based on  management's
preliminary  estimates.  It is possible that  re-allocation  will be required as
additional information becomes available.  Management does not believe that such
re-allocations  will have a material effect on the Company's  financial position
or results of operations.
<PAGE>
         On an unaudited pro forma basis,  assuming the  completed  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>
                                                                                     Year Ended December
                                                                                    1997              1998
<S>                                                                               <C>               <C>     
     Pro forma net sales..................................................        $351,395          $345,192
                                                                                  ========          ========
     Pro forma income (loss) before extraordinary item....................        $ (8,624)         $ 19,505
                                                                                  ========          ========
     Pro forma income (loss) per share before extraordinary item:
         Basic............................................................        $   (.58)         $   1.29
                                                                                  ========          ========
         Diluted..........................................................        $   (.58)         $   1.27
                                                                                  ========          ========
</TABLE>
         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.  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 3 -- Inventories

         The components of inventory are as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  1997        1998
<S>                                                                            <C>          <C>      
     Raw materials........................................................     $ 28,097     $  35,204

     Work in process......................................................        6,569         7,429

     Finished goods.......................................................       27,305        35,425
                                                                               --------      --------
                                                                               $ 61,971      $ 78,058
                                                                               ========      ========
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Note 4 -- Property, Plant and Equipment

         Details of property, plant and equipment are as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  1997               1998
                                                                              -----------        -----------
<S>                                                                           <C>                <C>       
     Land and improvements................................................    $    2,011         $    2,011

     Building and improvements............................................        22,319             27,966

     Machinery and equipment..............................................        51,963             57,801

     Construction in progress.............................................           314              2,416
                                                                              -----------        -----------
                                                                                  76,607             90,194

                  Less:  Accumulated depreciation.........................       (21,268)           (29,407)
                                                                              -----------        -----------
                                                                              $   55,339           $ 60,787
                                                                              ===========        ===========
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
         Rental expense on operating leases was approximately $327,000, $489,000
and  $2,650,000  for  the  years  ended  December  31,  1996,   1997  and  1998,
respectively.  The  aggregate  future  minimum lease  commitments  for operating
leases at December 31, 1998 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           Year ending December 31 (in thousands):

       <S>                               <C>      
       1999...........................   $   2,559

       2000...........................       2,568

       2001...........................       2,588

       2002...........................       2,314

       2003...........................       2,280

       Thereafter.....................      12,963
</TABLE>
Note 5 -- Long Term Debt

         On December 30, 1997, in connection with the Linvatec acquisition (Note
2), the Company entered into a credit agreement with several banks providing for
a $450,000,000 credit facility. The $450,000,000 credit facility is comprised of
three  sub-facilities:  (i) a  $210,000,000  five-year  term loan with quarterly
principal  repayments;  (ii) a $140,000,000  seven-year term loan with quarterly
principal repayments;  and (iii) a $100,000,000  revolving credit facility.  The
revolving  credit facility  expires on December 30, 2002.  During the commitment
period,  the Company is  obligated  to pay a fee of 0.5% per annum on the unused
portion of the revolving credit  facility.  A covenant under the credit facility
required the Company to complete a senior subordinated note offering,  which was
completed  in March 1998 with the net proceeds of $126.1  million  being used to
reduce the term loans under the credit facility. Deferred financing fees related
to the portion of the term loans repaid  amounting to $2.5 million ($1.6 million
net of income taxes) were written off in March 1998 as an extraordinary item.

         As of December 31, 1998, the Company had $127,733,000,  $89,139,000 and
$38,000,000  outstanding under the five-year term loan, the seven-year term loan
and the revolving credit facility, respectively. The borrowings under the credit
facility  carry  interest  rates based on a spread over LIBOR or an  alternative
base interest  rate. The covenants of the credit  facility  provide for increase
and decrease to this interest rate spread based on the operating  results of the
Company. Additionally, certain events of default under the credit facility limit
interest rate options  available to the Company.  The weighted  average interest
rates at December 31, 1998 under the five-year term loan,  the  seven-year  term
loan  and  the  revolving   credit   facility  were  7.19%,   7.46%  and  7.39%,
respectively.  The Company has entered into two interest rate swaps  expiring in
June 2001 which  convert $100 million of floating  rate debt under the Company's
credit  facility  into  fixed  rate debt at rates  ranging  from 7.18% to 8.25%.
Provisions in one of the interest rate swaps cancels such  agreement  when LIBOR
exceeds 7.35%.
<PAGE>
         The term debt and revolving credit facility are  collateralized  by all
the  Company's   personal   property.   The  agreement  contains  covenants  and
restrictions  which, among other things,  require maintenance of certain working
capital levels and financial ratios, prohibit dividend payments and restrict the
incurrence of certain indebtedness and other activities,  including acquisitions
and  dispositions.  The Company is also required to make  mandatory  prepayments
from net cash  proceeds  from any issue of equity and asset  sales and also from
any excess cash flow, as defined in the credit agreement.  Mandatory prepayments
will be  applied  first to the  prepayment  of the term loans and then to reduce
borrowings  under the revolving  credit  facility.  The Company's 1998 operating
results  will meet  excess cash flow  provisions  of the credit  agreement  and,
accordingly, the Company expects to make mandatory prepayments on the term loans
of  approximately  $16 million by March 31, 1999. Such amounts are classified as
long-term,  consistent with the maturity date of the revolving  credit facility.
The  significant  portion of the  prepayment  amount will be borrowed  under the
Company's revolving credit facility.  Coincident with this mandatory  repayment,
it is expected  that the interest  rate on the term loans and  revolving  credit
facility will be reduced by 0.25%.

         As  discussed  above,  the  Company  issued  $130,000,000  of 9% Senior
Subordinated  Notes  ("Notes").  The  Notes  mature on March  15,  2008,  unless
previously   redeemed  by  the  Company.   Interest  on  the  Notes  is  payable
semi-annually  on  March  15 and  September  15 of  each  year.  The  Notes  are
redeemable  for cash at anytime on or after March 15, 2003, at the option of the
Company,  in whole or in part, at the redemption prices set forth therein,  plus
accrued and unpaid interest to the date of redemption. In addition, on or before
March  15,  2001,  the  Company  may,  at its  option,  redeem  up to 35% of the
aggregate  principal amount of the Notes originally issued with the net proceeds
of one or more offerings of common stock of the Company for cash at a redemption
price of 109% of the principal  amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid  interest
to the date of redemption; provided that at least 65% of the aggregate principal
amount  of the  Notes  remain  outstanding  after  giving  effect  to  any  such
redemption.

         The scheduled  maturities of long-term debt outstanding at December 31,
1998  are as  follows:  1999  --  $23,000,000;  2000  --  $32,600,000;  2001  --
$35,800,000;   2002  --  $76,900,000;   2003  --   $41,700,000;   thereafter  --
$174,900,000.

         The credit facility  (including the term loans and the revolving credit
facility) is guaranteed on a secured basis,  and the Notes are  guaranteed  (the
"Subsidiary   Guarantees")  by  the  Company's   subsidiaries  (the  "Subsidiary
Guarantors").  The Subsidiary  Guarantees provide that each Subsidiary Guarantor
will fully and  unconditionally  guarantee the Company's  obligations  under the
credit  facility  and the Notes on a joint and several  basis.  Each  Subsidiary
Guarantor is wholly-owned by the Company.
<PAGE>
         Separate  financial  statements  and other  disclosures  concerning the
Subsidiary  Guarantors are not presented because  management has determined such
financial  statements and other  disclosures are not material to investors.  The
combined condensed financial  information of the Company's Subsidiary Guarantors
is as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          December 31,
                                                                                    1997                1998
                                                                                  --------            --------
<S>                                                                               <C>                 <C>     
     Current assets.........................................................      $ 54,799            $ 96,434

     Non-current assets.....................................................       327,751             359,499

     Current liabilities....................................................        15,339              30,367

     Non-current liabilities................................................       345,826             354,063
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    Year Ended December
                                                                             1996          1997             1998
                                                                          ----------     ---------        --------
<S>                                                                        <C>            <C>             <C>      
     Revenues.....................................................         $53,015        $51,376         $239,491 
                                                                                                 
     Operating income (loss)......................................          16,731        (16,452)          45,529
                                                                                                 
     Net income (loss)............................................          10,708        (10,529)           7,639
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Note 6 -- Income Taxes
          The  provision   for  income  taxes   consists  of  the  following
          (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             1996          1997             1998
                                                                          ----------     ---------        --------
     Current tax expense:

         Federal.......................................................   $   6,398       $   6,677      $   1,652
                                                                                                         
         State.........................................................         311             492            258
                                                                                                         
         Foreign ......................................................          --              --            210 
                                                                          ----------      ---------       --------
                                                                                                         
                                                                              6,709           7,169          2,120
                                                                                                         
     Deferred income tax expense (benefit).............................       2,452         (10,809)         8,779
                                                                          ----------      ---------       --------
                                                                                                         
         Provision (benefit) for income taxes..........................   $   9,161        $ (3,640)       $10,899
                                                                          =========        ========        =======
                                                                                                     
         A reconciliation between income taxes computed at the statutory federal
rate and the provision for income taxes follows (in thousands):
                                                                            1996         1997        1998
                                                                          ---------    --------     --------
<S>                                                                       <C>          <C>          <C>     
     Tax provision at statutory rate based on income before
         Income taxes and extraordinary item...........................   $   8,906    $ (3,747)    $ 10,899

     Foreign sales corporation.........................................        (318)       (300)        (313)

     State taxes.......................................................         202         313          165

     Nondeductible intangible amortization.............................         280         224          243

     Other, net........................................................          91        (130)         (95)
                                                                          ---------    --------     --------
                                                                                
                                                                          $   9,161    $ (3,640)    $ 10,899
                                                                          =========    ========     ========
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
         The tax effects of the significant temporary differences which comprise
the  deferred  tax assets and  liabilities  at December 31, 1997 and 1998 are as
follows (in thousands):


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   1997             1998
                                                                                ---------        ---------
<S>                                                                           <C>              <C>        
     Assets:
          Receivables.....................................................    $       315      $       290
          Inventory.......................................................            518            1,002
          Deferred compensation...........................................            432              511
          Employee benefits...............................................            210              181
          Other...........................................................            682            1,056
          Leases..........................................................            928              373
          Goodwill and intangible assets..................................         12,168            4,400
          Birtcher net operating losses...................................          5,105            4,681
          Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets.....................         (5,105)          (4,681)
                                                                                ---------        ---------
                                                                                   15,253            7,813
                                                                                ---------        ---------
     Liabilities:
          Depreciation....................................................          1,745            1,044
          Interest charge DISC............................................             57               28
          Other...........................................................
                                                                                      770               65
                                                                                ---------        ---------
                                                                                    2,572            1,137
                                                                                ---------        ---------
                                                                                $  12,681        $   6,676
                                                                                =========        =========
</TABLE>


         Net operating losses of the Company's  Birtcher  Medical Systems,  Inc.
subsidiary are subject to certain limitations and expire over the period 2008 to
2010.  Management has established a valuation allowance of $4,681,000 to reflect
the  uncertainty  of  realizing  the benefit of certain of these  carryforwards.
Further  utilization  of Birtcher  operating  loss  carryforwards  will serve to
decrease goodwill associated with the Birtcher acquisition.
<PAGE>
Note 7 -- Shareholders' Equity

         The shareholders have 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 31, 1998,
no preferred stock had been issued.

         In March 1996,  the Company  completed a public  offering of  2,998,000
shares of its  common  stock  with net  proceeds  to the  Company  amounting  to
$61,735,000.

         Through the Company's  1989  acquisition of Aspen  Laboratories,  Inc.,
Bristol-Myers  Squibb Company  received a warrant to purchase  698,470 shares of
the  Company's  common stock at $4.29 per share.  This warrant was  exercised in
March 1996 with proceeds to the Company amounting to $3,000,000.

         In  connection  with the  Linvatec  acquisition  (Note 2), the  Company
issued to  Bristol-Myers  Squibb  Company a  ten-year  warrant to  purchase  1.0
million shares of the Company's common stock at a price of $34.23 per share.

         During 1997, the Company was authorized to repurchase up to $30,000,000
of its common stock in the open market or in private  transactions.  The Company
repurchased  25,000  shares of  common  stock in 1997 at an  aggregate  price of
$419,000.  The new credit  agreement  (Note 5) prohibits  future  repurchases of
common stock during its term.

         The  Company  has  reserved  shares of common  stock  for  issuance  to
employees and directors under three Stock Option Plans (the "Plans"). 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  generally  become  exercisable  over a five year  period from date of
grant and expire ten years from date of grant.
<PAGE>
     The  following is a summary of incentive  stock option  activity  under the
Plans (in thousands, except per share amounts):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                    Weighted-      
                                                                                     Number          Average
                                                                                       of           Exercise
                                                                                     Shares           Price
                                                                                   ------------   --------------
                                                                                   
<S>                                                                                      <C>       <C>         
       Outstanding at December 1995............................................          1,240     $      10.12
                                                                                                  
            Granted during 1996................................................            197            23.07
            Forfeited..........................................................            (10)            8.10
            Exercised..........................................................           (292)            4.14
                                                                                  ------------     ------------
                                                                                   
       Outstanding at December 1996............................................          1,135            13.92
            Granted during 1997................................................            153            22.99
            Forfeited..........................................................            (10)
                                                                                                          10.09
            Exercised..........................................................            (73)            9.01
                                                                                  ------------     ------------
                                                                                   
       Outstanding at December 1997............................................          1,205            15.39
            Granted during 1998................................................            509            23.64
            Forfeited..........................................................            (93)           24.44
            Exercised..........................................................           (121)            8.99
                                                                                  ------------     ------------
                                                                                   
       Outstanding at December 1998                                                      1,500     $      17.90
                                                                                  ============     ============
                                                                                        
                                                                                   
       Exercisable:                                                                
            December 1996......................................................            559     $       9.96
            December 1997......................................................            690            10.12
            December 1998......................................................            856            14.24
</TABLE>
         At December  31, 1998,  the number of stock  options  outstanding  with
exercise  prices less than $10,  between $10 and $20,  and greater than $20 were
152,000, 601,000 and 747,000, respectively. The weighted average price per share
and  remaining  life for  options  in these  categories  were $5.74 and 3 years,
$12.63 and 5 years, and $24.62 and 9 years,  respectively.  The number of shares
exercisable  at December  31, 1998 and the related  weighted  average  price per
share for options in these  categories  were  148,000  shares at $5.75,  506,000
shares at $12.00 and 202,000 shares at $26.09, respectively.
<PAGE>
         In  October  1995,  the FASB  issued  SFAS  No.  123,  "Accounting  for
Stock-Based  Compensation."  SFAS No. 123 defines a fair value  based  method of
accounting for an employee stock option whereby 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 No. 123 or elect to continue
accounting  for its stock  option or similar  equity  awards using the method of
accounting  prescribed by Accounting  Principles  Board Opinion  ("APB") No. 25,
"Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees",  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.  The Company has elected to continue to account
for its  stock-based  compensation  plans under the provisions of APB No. 25. No
compensation   expense  has  been  recognized  in  the  accompanying   financial
statements relative to the Company's stock option plans.

         Pro forma information regarding net income (loss) and net income (loss)
per share is required by SFAS No. 123 and has been  determined as if the Company
had accounted for its employee stock options under the fair value method of that
statement.  The weighted average fair value of options granted in 1996, 1997 and
1998 was  $12.95,  $11.87  and  $11.57,  respectively.  The fair  value of these
options was estimated at the date of grant using a Black-Scholes options pricing
model with the following  weighted-average  assumptions  for options  granted in
1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively:  Risk-free interest rates of 6.45%, 5.96% and
5.41%;  volatility  factors of the expected market price of the Company's common
stock of 54.31%,  51.31% and 48.72%;  a  weighted-average  expected  life of the
option of five years; and that no dividends would be paid on common stock.

         For purposes of the pro forma disclosures,  the estimated fair value of
the options is  amortized  to expense  over the  options'  vesting  period.  The
Company's pro forma information  follows (in thousands,  except for earnings per
share information):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            1996          1997            1998
                                                                           -------       -------       -------
<S>                                                                        <C>           <C>           <C>    
     Net income (loss)-- as reported...............................        $16,286       $(7,065)      $17,808
     Net income (loss)-- pro forma.................................         15,299        (7,427)       15,420
     EPS -- as reported:
          Basic....................................................           1.16         (0.47)         1.18
          Diluted..................................................           1.12         (0.47)         1.16

     EPS -- pro forma:
          Basic....................................................           1.09         (0.50)         1.02
          Diluted..................................................           1.06         (0.50)         1.01
          The pro-forma disclosures include only options granted after January 1, 1995.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
Note 8 -- Business Segments, Geographic Areas and major Customers

         Effective  December  31,  1998,  the  Company  adopted  SFAS  No.  131,
"Disclosure about Segments of an Enterprise and Related  Information."  CONMED's
business is  organized,  managed  and  internally  reported as a single  segment
comprised of medical  instruments and systems used in surgical and other medical
procedures.  The  Company  believes  its  various  product  lines  have  similar
economic, operating and other related characteristics.

         Information  in the table below is  presented  on the basis the Company
uses to manage its  business.  Export sales are reported  within the  geographic
area where the final sales to customers are made (in thousands).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   Latin America
                               Europe and           Asia            Africa and         Total
             United States     Middle East         Pacific            Canada          Company
             -------------     -----------         -------            ------          -------
<S>            <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>              <C>     
1998           $266,668          $ 31,134         $ 26,974          $ 11,666         $336,442
1997            118,673             8,000            8,521             3,076          138,270
1996            107,626             7,850            7,632             2,522          125,630
</TABLE>

There were no significant  investments in long-lived  assets located outside the
United States at December 31, 1997 and 1998.

         The Company uses medical  supply  distributors  to  distribute  certain
products to their end users (Note 1). Sales to one distributor totaled 14.5% and
15.3% of the Company's  sales in 1996 and 1997,  respectively.  Sales to another
distributor totaled 12.2% of the Company's sales in 1996.

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  1996,  1997 and 1998  included  the  following
components (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               1996        1997        1998
                                                                              ------     -------      ------
<S>                                                                           <C>        <C>          <C>   
     Service cost-- benefits earned during the period..................       $  766     $  925       $2,324
     Interest cost on projected benefit obligation.....................          402        436        1,143
     Expected return on plan assets....................................         (336)      (395)      (1,046)
     Net amortization and deferral.....................................           32         44           27
                                                                              ------     -------      ------
     Net pension cost..................................................       $  864     $ 1,010      $2,448
                                                                              ======     =======      ======
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
         The  following  table sets forth the plan's  funded  status and amounts
recognized in the Company's consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 1997 and
1998 (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        1997         1998
                                                                      -------       -------
<S>                                                                   <C>           <C>    
           Change in benefit obligation
           Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year.......   $ 6,112       $17,050
           Service cost............................................       925         2,324
           Interest cost...........................................       436         1,143
           Actuarial loss (gain)...................................       148          (195)
           Acquisition.............................................     9,557             -
           Benefits paid...........................................      (128)         (786)
                                                                      -------       -------
           Projected benefit obligation at end of year.............   $17,050       $19,536
                                                                      -------       -------
                                                                             

           Change in plan assets
           Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year..........   $ 4,405       $13,514
           Actual return on plan assets............................       536           773
           Acquisition.............................................     7,552             -
           Employer contribution...................................     1,149             -
           Benefits paid...........................................      (128)         (786)
                                                                      -------       -------
           Fair value of plan assets at end of year................   $13,514       $13,501
                                                                      -------       -------
           Change in funded status
           Funded status...........................................  $  3,536      $  6,035
           Unrecognized net actuarial loss.........................      (806)         (872)
           Unrecognized transition liability.......................       (72)          (68)
           Unrecognized prior service cost.........................      (184)         (173)
                                                                      -------       -------
           Accrued pension cost....................................   $ 2,474      $  4,922
                                                                      -------       -------
</TABLE>
         For 1996, 1997 and 1998 actuarial  calculation  purposes,  the weighted
average  discount rate was 7.0%,  the expected long term rate of return was 8.0%
and the rate of increase in future compensation levels was 4.0%.
<PAGE>
Note 10 -- Legal Matters

         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 11 -- Unusual Items

         The unusual  items for the year ended  December 31, 1997 consist of the
following (in thousands):
<TABLE>



<S>                                                                                                       <C>      
                    Write-off of purchased in-process R&D (Note 2)  ................................      $  34,000
                    Facility consolidations.........................................................          2,328
                    Write-off of deferred financing costs (Notes 2 and 5)  .........................            914
                                                                                                       ------------
                                                                                                          $  37,242
</TABLE>
         During the first  quarter  of 1997,  the  company  recorded a charge of
$2,328,000  related to the closure of the Company's Dayton,  Ohio  manufacturing
facility.  Operations of the Dayton facility,  which were acquired in connection
with the 1996  acquisition  of NDM (Note 2), were  transferred  to the Company's
Utica and Rome,  New York  facilities.  The  components of the charge  consisted
primarily of costs associated with employee  severance and termination,  and the
impairment of the carrying value of fixed assets.
<PAGE>

Note 12 -- Selected Quarterly Financial Data  ( Unaudited)

         Selected quarterly  financial data for 1997 and 1998 are as follows (in
thousands, except per share amounts):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Three Months Ended
                                            March             June              September         December
                                            -----             ----              ---------         --------
<S>                                       <C>               <C>                 <C>                <C>    
1997
Net sales........................         $ 31,472          $ 30,707            $ 38,581           $ 37,510
Gross profit.....................           14,997            14,448              16,980             17,625
Unusual item.....................            2,328                 -                   -             34,914
Net income (loss)................            2,460             3,473               4,518           (17,516)
Earnings per share:
   Basic.........................             0.16              0.23                0.30             (1.17) 
                                                                                                            
   Diluted.......................             0.16              0.23                0.30             (1.17) 
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            March             June              September         December
                                            -----             ----              ---------         --------
<S>                                       <C>               <C>                 <C>                <C>    
1998
Net sales........................         $ 80,242          $ 80,513            $ 85,714          $ 89,973
Gross profit.....................           35,860            39,639              44,593            46,751
Net income.......................              882             4,547               5,921             6,458
                                                                                            
Earnings per share:
   Basic.........................             0.06              0.30                0.39              0.43 
                                                                                                         
   Diluted.......................             0.06              0.30                0.39              0.42 
</TABLE>
As discussed in Note 11, the Company recorded several unusual items in the first
and fourth  quarters of 1997.  As discussed  in Note 5, the Company  recorded an
extraordinary  charge  in  March  1998  related  to the  write-off  of  deferred
financing fees of approximately $2.5 million (10 cents per share).
<PAGE>
                SCHEDULE VIII--Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
                                 (in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             Column C
                                                     -------------------------- 
                                                             Additions                        
                                      Column B       --------------------------                        Column E       
                                      --------          (1)             (2)                          Balance at End 
      Column A                        Balance at     Charged to      Charged to    Column D          ---------------
     ----------                      Beginning of    Costs and         Other      -----------         Balance at End
     Description                       Period        Expenses        Accounts     Deductions           of Period            
     -----------                       ------        --------        --------     ----------           ---------            
<S>                                   <C>               <C>           <C>             <C>                <C>   
1998
   Allowance for bad debts..          $ 2,708           $ 459                         $ (954)            $2,213
   Inventory reserves.......          $ 7,411           $ 918         $ (61)          $(1,650)           $6,618
   Deferred tax asset
   Valuation allowance......          $5,105                                          $ (424)            $4,681

1997
   Allowance for bad debts..           $ 500            $887         $1.808           $ (487)            $2,708
   Inventory reserves.......           $ 462            $277         $6,672                              $7,411
   Deferred tax asset
   Valuation allowance......          $5,417                                          $ (312)            $5,105
                                                                                    

1996
   Allowance for bad debts..           $ 400            $337                          $ (237)            $  500
   Inventory reserves.......           $ 504            $267                          $ (309)            $  462
   Deferred tax asset
   valuation allowance......          $5,417                                                             $5,417
</TABLE>

                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                  THIS ASSET PURCHASE  AGREEMENT (this  "Agreement") is made and
entered  into  as of this  8th day of  October,  1998  by and  between  Linvatec
Corporation,  a Florida  corporation (the "Linvatec"),  and Minnesota Mining and
Manufacturing Company, a Delaware corporation ("3M").

                  WHEREAS,  3M,  through  its  Medical  Surgical  Division  (the
"Division"),  engages in the  business  of  manufacturing  and  selling  certain
arthroscopic  fluid  control  products  and  directly  associated   arthroscopic
instruments  (the  manufacture  and sale of such products  through such Division
being herein called the "Business").  Arthroscopy is the endoscopic  examination
of the interior of a joint,  and a joint is the  articulating  surfaces  between
bones.  Obviously,  arthroscopic  products do not include the  so-called  carpal
tunnel release system or similar products, which are not used in joints.

                  WHEREAS,   3M  now  desires  to  exit  the  Business   without
interrupting  the  availability  of products and  customer  support and Linvatec
desires to purchase and acquire the assets of the Business, all on the terms and
conditions set forth in this Agreement.

                  WHEREAS,  Linvatec wishes to purchase the Business in a manner
that  causes  as  little   disruption  as  possible  to  customers  of  and  the
profitability of the Business.

                  WHEREAS,  3M now  desires  to sell  and  Linvatec  desires  to
purchase  and  acquire  certain  assets  of the  Business,  all on the terms and
conditions set forth in this Agreement.

                  NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of the mutual covenants and
agreements contained herein, the parties agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I
                                   Definitions

                  1.01  Purchased  Assets.  The term  "Purchased  Assets" or any
variation  thereof as used in this  Agreement  shall mean the assets to be sold,
assigned,  transferred  and  conveyed by 3M to  Linvatec  pursuant to Article II
hereof.

                  1.02 3M Products.  The term "3M Products" or "3M Product Line"
or any variation  thereof as used in this Agreement shall mean those 3M products
manufactured  or sold  through the Division  described in the attached  Schedule
1.02. .
<PAGE>
                  1.03 Assumed  Liabilities.  The term "Assumed  Liabilities" or
any variation  thereof as used in this Agreement  shall mean the liabilities and
obligations to be assumed by Linvatec pursuant to Article IV hereof.

                  1.04  Purchased  Intellectual  Property.  The term  "Purchased
Intellectual  Property"  means  patents,  patent  applications,   utility  model
registrations,  design patents,  trademarks (if any), trade secrets and know-how
owned by 3M on the Closing Date that  directly and solely relate to the Business
as conducted on the Closing Date and are listed in Schedule  1.04, but excluding
components and materials supplied to the Business by other businesses of 3M.

                  1.05  Licensed  Intellectual   Property.  The  term  "Licensed
Intellectual  Property"  means  patents,  patent  applications,   utility  model
registrations,  design  patents,  trade secrets and know-how  owned by 3M on the
Closing  Date that are used  directly in both the  Business as  conducted on the
Closing Date and 3M's cardiovascular  perfusion/surgical business, but excluding
Components and Materials supplied to the Business by other businesses of 3M.

                  1.06 IP  Agreements.  The term  "IP  Agreements"  means  those
agreements  licensing  patents to or from 3M that  directly and solely relate to
the Business as  conducted on the Closing Date and are listed in Schedule  1.06,
excluding  however  supplier,   distribution,   consulting  and  confidentiality
agreements.

                  1.07  Sublicensed  IP  Agreement.  The  term  "Sublicensed  IP
Agreement"  means the Automotive  Supplier  Agreement  dated 22nd September 1998
between  the  Lemelson  Medical,  Education  and  Research  Foundation,  Limited
Partnership and 3M.

                  1.08  Adverse  Material  Change.  The term  "Adverse  Material
Change"  shall mean any change that  significantly  affects the valuation of the
Business.

                                   ARTICLE II
                                 Sale of Assets

                  2.01  Purchased  Assets.  Subject to the terms and  conditions
hereof, 3M agrees to sell, assign, transfer and convey to Linvatec, and Linvatec
agrees to purchase and acquire from 3M, at the Closing (as hereinafter  defined)
on the Closing  Date (as  hereinafter  defined),  all of 3M's  right,  title and
interest,  if any, immediately prior to the effective time of the Closing in and
to the following assets wherever located:

(a)      the fixed assets, machinery, manufacturing equipment, laboratory
                  and test equipment and 3M Product specifications, drawings and
                  manufacturing processes documents and office equipment used in
                  the Business as specified in Schedule 2.01(a).
<PAGE>
(b)      [intentionally deleted]

(c)      Purchased Intellectual Property as provided in Article VI; and

(d)      the records  directly and solely related to the 3M Product Line and the
                  Purchased Assets.

(e)      the purchase orders directly and solely related to the 3M Product Line,
                  the Purchased Assets or the Business issued by or to 3M in the
                  ordinary course of business;

(f)      Subject to Section VI (Intellectual  Property),  the leases,  contracts
                  and written  agreements  related to the 3M Product  Line,  the
                  Purchased  Assets or the  Business as conducted on the Closing
                  Date to the extent transferable (all non-assignable  contracts
                  are   identified   in   Schedule    2.01(f)    (Non-assignable
                  contracts)),  with 3M being  required to secure the assignment
                  or transfer of all such agreements pursuant to Section 8.03.

                  2.02 Excluded  Assets.  It is  understood  and agreed that the
following  assets of the Business are excluded  from the Purchased  Assets:  (i)
cash;  (ii)  accounts  receivable;  and (iii) any items listed in Schedule  2.02
(Excluded Assets).

                  2.03 [Intentionally excluded]

                  2.04 Retention of Certain Records. It is understood and agreed
that 3M  reserves  the right to retain  copies or  written  records of the items
referred to in Sections 2.01(c) and (d) for the purpose of defending any claims,
losses, causes of action or lawsuits, including those related to the sale of the
3M Product  Line by 3M,  and for the  purpose of  preparing  any tax  returns or
financial   statements  or  reports,   provided  that  3M  shall   maintain  the
confidentiality  of such  documents and shall  promptly  notify  Linvatec of any
lawsuit or claim  served  upon 3M  relating to the  Business  and/or  records or
documents.

                                   ARTICLE III
                                 Purchase Price

                  3.01  Purchase  Price and Payment.  ln  consideration  for the
Purchased  Assets,  Linvatec agrees to pay to 3M seventeen  million five hundred
thousand Dollars  ($17,500,000.00)  (the "Purchase  Price").  The Purchase Price
shall  be  payable  in  cash at the  Closing  by wire  transfer  of  immediately
available  federal funds to 3M at Norwest Bank,  Minnesota,  N.A.,  Minneapolis,
Minnesota, ABA #091 000 019, credit to 3M General Account #30103.
<PAGE>
                  3.02  Allocation of Total Purchase Price. It is understood and
agreed by the parties that, except as hereinafter  provided,  the Purchase Price
shall be allocated  among the Purchased  Assets in accordance  with the attached
Exhibit  A, and that said  allocation  will be used for state  and  federal  tax
purposes.  Each party  acknowledges  that such allocation is consistent with the
requirements of Section 1060 of the Internal Revenue Code 1986, as amended,  and
the  regulations  thereunder.  Each party  agrees (i) to  jointly  complete  and
separately file Form 8594 with its federal income tax return for the tax year in
which the Closing Date occurs, and (ii) that such party will not take a position
on any  income,  transfer  or gains tax return  before any  governmental  agency
charged with the collection of any such tax or in any judicial proceeding,  that
is in any manner  inconsistent  with the terms of such  allocation  without  the
written  consent of the other  party.  Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary
provided  herein,  neither party shall be bound by such  allocation in the event
the Internal  Revenue Service or another tax authority  successfully  challenges
the allocation. In the event of any challenge to such allocation by the Internal
Revenue  Service or another  tax  authority,  the  parties  will give each other
notice of the challenge and advise each other periodically of the status of such
challenge  and  reasonably  cooperate  with  each  other  with  respect  to such
challenge.

                  3.03  Sales,  Use  and  Transfer  Taxes.   Linvatec  shall  be
responsible  for all sales,  use and transfer  taxes,  deed taxes and  recording
fees, if any, in each case  applicable to the sale and transfer of the Purchased
Assets hereunder. Linvatec will furnish 3M at the Closing with properly executed
exemption  certificates,  dated the Closing  Date,  relating to the supplies and
manufacturing equipment being transferred pursuant to this Agreement as to which
Linvatec is claiming an exemption from sales, use or other transfer taxes.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                            Assumption of Liabilities

                  4.01  Assumption  of  Liabilities.  Subject  to the  terms and
conditions  hereof and  subject to Article VI  (Intellectual  Property),  at the
Closing,  Linvatec  shall  assume and agree to carry out and  perform all of the
following  liabilities  and obligations  which have not been paid,  performed or
discharged prior to the effective time of the Closing by 3M:

(a)      all  obligations  of 3M payable or  performable  after the Closing Date
                  under any of the licenses, purchase orders, leases, contracts,
                  or written  agreements  included in the Purchased Assets,  but
                  excluding raw material and component  parts  purchases made by
                  3M in  connection  with  3M's  performance  under  the  Supply
                  Agreement, (collectively, the "Contracts"), the Sublicensed IP
                  Agreement and the IP Agreements;
<PAGE>
(b)      all warranty  obligations  of 3M with respect to 3M Products sold on or
                  prior  to the  Closing  Date,  as set  forth  in the  attached
                  Schedule 4.01(b); and

(c)      such other  liabilities of the Business related to the 3M Product Line,
                  the  Purchased  Assets  or  the  Business  arising  after  the
                  Closing.

(d)      the language of Section 4.01(a)-(c) notwithstanding, Linvatec shall not
                  be  responsible  for any  taxes  or liens  upon the  Purchased
                  Assets that arise from pre-Closing facts or circumstances.

                                    ARTICLE V
                         Representations and Warranties

                  5.01 3M Representations.  3M hereby represents and warrants as
follows:

(a)      Organization  of  3M.  3M  is a  corporation  duly  organized,  validly
                  existing and in good  standing  under the laws of the State of
                  Delaware

(b)      Authority of 3M. 3M has full corporate  power and authority to execute,
                  deliver and perform this Agreement and each of the Transaction
                  Documents (as hereinafter defined) to be entered into by it at
                  the Closing, and such execution, delivery and performance have
                  been duly  authorized by all  necessary  and proper  corporate
                  action  of 3M.  This  Agreement  has been  duly  executed  and
                  delivered by 3M, and  (assuming due  authorization,  execution
                  and  delivery  hereof by  Linvatec)  is the valid and  binding
                  obligation of 3M enforceable against 3M in accordance with its
                  terms  (except  as  such  enforceability  may  be  limited  by
                  bankruptcy,  reorganization,  insolvency, moratorium and other
                  similar  laws  affecting  creditors'  rights  generally  or by
                  general  principles  of equity.)  Upon  execution and delivery
                  thereof by 3M at the Closing (and assuming due  authorization,
                  execution  and  delivery  thereof by  Linvatec,  to the extent
                  applicable),  each of the Transaction  Documents to be entered
                  into  by 3M at the  Closing  will  be the  valid  and  binding
                  obligation of 3M enforceable against 3M in accordance with its
                  terms  (except  as  such  enforceability  may  be  limited  by
                  bankruptcy,  reorganization,  insolvency,  moratorium or other
                  similar  laws  affecting  creditors'  rights  generally  or by
                  general principles of equity).

(c)      Title to  Purchased  Assets.  Except as set forth in Schedule  5.01(c),
                  Article  VI  (Intellectual  Property)  or  elsewhere  in  this
                  Agreement,  3M has or will  have at the  Closing  title to the
                  Purchased  Assets,  free and  clear of all  mortgages,  liens,
                  security  interests,  claims,  tax  liabilities,  charges  and
                  encumbrances.
<PAGE>
(d)      Contracts.  The attached Schedule 5.01(d) lists, as of the date of this
                  Agreement, all leases,  contracts,  agreements and commitments
                  related to the 3M Product Line, other than those IP agreements
                  listed on Schedule 1.06, the Purchased  Assets or the Business
                  to which 3M is a party  or by  which  3M is  bound  and  which
                  involve  payments of more than  $10,000  per annum,  excluding
                  purchase  orders issued by or to 3M in the ordinary  course of
                  business.

(e)      No  Brokers.  With  respect to the  transactions  contemplated  by this
                  Agreement,  3M has not  dealt  with or been  contacted  by any
                  finder or broker and is not in any way obligated to compensate
                  such persons.

(f)      Compliance  with  Law.  To  3M's  knowledge,  the  Business  is  not in
                  violation  of  any  law,   ordinance  or   regulation  of  any
                  governmental  entity,  which  violations  would  have  Adverse
                  Material   Change.   To  3M's  knowledge,   all   governmental
                  approvals, permits, licenses and other authorizations required
                  in connection  with the conduct of any material  aspect of the
                  Business  (collectively,  "Governmental  Authorizations") have
                  been  obtained  and are in full force and effect and are being
                  complied with in all material  respects.  However,  3M has the
                  authorization to CE mark only model 83100 tubesets. 3M has not
                  received  any written  notification  of any  asserted  past or
                  present  violation  in  connection  with  the  conduct  of the
                  Business of any law, ordinance or regulation,  which violation
                  would  have  a  Adverse  Material   Change,   or  any  written
                  complaint,   inquiry  or  request  for  information  from  any
                  governmental  entity relating  thereto.  3M represents that to
                  3M's  knowledge  none  of the 3M  Products  are  subject  to a
                  recall, or need to be recalled.

(g)      FDA  Approval  Status.  3M  warrants  that  to 3M's  knowledge,  all 3M
                  Products   including  any  accessories   currently  are  being
                  marketed  in  compliance  with all Food and Drug Act and other
                  legal requirements.

(h)      Completeness of Purchased  Assets.  The Purchased Assets constitute all
                  assets  necessary for 3M, or used by 3M in, the conduct of the
                  Business,  particularly  the  manufacture  of the 3M Products,
                  except  those  assets  identified  on  Schedule  2.02  as  the
                  Excluded Assets or intellectual property, which is governed by
                  Article VI.

(i)      Financials. The financial statements provided by 3M and attached hereto
                  as  Schedule  5.01(i) are true and  accurate  in all  material
                  respects,  have been  derived from the books and records of 3M
                  that have been  prepared and  maintained  in  accordance  with
                  Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
<PAGE>
(j)      Claims  Status.  3M is unaware of any  claims  that are being  asserted
                  other than those  already  disclosed,  with respect to product
                  liability, regulatory or other claims.

(k)      Intellectual  Property.  3M's disclaims any  representation or warranty
                  provided in this  Agreement  as it might be construed to apply
                  to  intellectual  property  except as  provided  in Article VI
                  (Intellectual Property).

                  5.02 Linvatec Representations.  Linvatec hereby represents and
warrants as follows:

(a)      Organization  of Linvatec.  Linvatec is a corporation  duly  organized,
                  validly  existing and in good  standing  under the laws of the
                  State of Florida.

(b)      Authority of Linvatec.  Linvatec has full corporate power and authority
                  to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and each of the
                  Transaction Documents to be entered into by it at the Closing,
                  and such execution,  delivery and  performance  have been duly
                  authorized  by all necessary  and proper  corporate  action of
                  Linvatec.  This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered
                  by Linvatec,  and (assuming due  authorization,  execution and
                  delivery hereof by 3M) is the valid and binding  obligation of
                  Linvatec  enforceable  against Linvatec in accordance with its
                  terms  (except  as  such  enforceability  may  be  limited  by
                  bankruptcy,  reorganization,  insolvency  moratorium and other
                  similar  laws  affecting  creditors'  rights  generally  or by
                  general  principles  of equity).  Upon  execution and delivery
                  thereof  by  Linvatec  at  the  Closing   (and   assuming  due
                  authorization,  execution  and delivery  thereof by 3M, to the
                  extent  applicable),  each of the Transaction  Documents to be
                  entered  into by Linvatec at the Closing will be the valid and
                  binding obligation of Linvatec enforceable against Linvatec in
                  accordance with its terms (except as such  enforceability  may
                  be  limited   by   bankruptcy,   reorganization,   insolvency,
                  moratorium or other similar laws affecting  creditors'  rights
                  generally or by general principles of equity).

(c)      Financial  Ability of  Linvatec.  Linvatec  has  available  cash and/or
                  existing committed borrowing  facilities  sufficient to enable
                  it  to  consummate  the  transactions   contemplated  by  this
                  Agreement.

(d)      No  Brokers.  With  respect to the  transactions  contemplated  by this
                  Agreement,  Linvatec  has not dealt with or been  contacted by
                  any  finder  or  broker  and is not in any  way  obligated  to
                  compensate such persons.
<PAGE>
                                   ARTICLE VI
                              Intellectual Property

                  6.01   Intellectual   Property   Recitals.   The  transfer  of
intellectual   property,   and  any  representations  or  warranties   regarding
intellectual  property by 3M, are  exclusively  controlled by this  Article.  3M
disclaims any warranty or representation provided elsewhere in this Agreement as
it might be  construed  to apply to  intellectual  property  owned,  licensed or
controlled  by 3M or any third  party  intellectual  property  right.  Except as
provided in this Article, intellectual property is being transferred or licensed
on an "AS IS"  basis.  The  general  intent of this  Article is to  transfer  or
license  to  Linvatec  sufficient  intellectual  property  rights (to the extent
transferable)  that are owned or licensed to 3M to allow Linvatec to conduct the
Business  in the  same  manner  it was  conducted  by 3M on  the  Closing  Date,
excluding  however  intellectual  property  rights  relating  to  components  or
materials  supplied to the Business by other  businesses of 3M. This also means,
however,  that if 3M has or is infringing any third party intellectual  property
right on or before the Closing  Date,  Linvatec does not expect to be put into a
better position relative to such third party intellectual property right than 3M
is on  the  Closing  Date,  and  that  Linvatec  will  be  responsible  for  any
infringement of third party intellectual  property rights on products sold after
the Closing Date.

                  6.02 Purchased Intellectual Property. Subject to the terms and
conditions hereof, 3M agrees to sell,  assign,  transfer and convey to Linvatec,
and  Linvatec  agrees to  purchase  and  acquire  from 3M, at the Closing on the
Closing Date, all of 3M's right, title and interest,  if any, immediately before
the effective time of the Closing in and to the following assets:

(a)      The technology and know-how within Purchased  Intellectual  Property to
                  the  extent  transferable  by  3M,  subject  to  a  worldwide,
                  non-exclusive,  royalty-free,  assignable  license,  with  the
                  right  to  sublicense,   from  Linvatec  back  to  3M  of  any
                  technology  and  know-how  within the field of  cardiovascular
                  perfusion products and equipment and  cardiovascular  surgical
                  products and equipment;

(b)      The patents,  applications for patents, utility model registrations and
                  design patents within Purchased Intellectual Property, subject
                  to  a  worldwide,  non-exclusive,   royalty-free,   assignable
                  license,  with the right to sublicense,  from Linvatec back to
                  3M of any such  rights  within  the  field  of  cardiovascular
                  perfusion products and equipment and  cardiovascular  surgical
                  products and equipment, and subject to any agreement listed in
                  Schedule 1.06 (If any royalties are due to a third party under
                  an IP Agreement  due to 3M's sales under its license  provided
                  herein,  however,  3M will pay those  royalties to Linvatec so
                  that they may be passed through to the third party);
<PAGE>
(c)      Any unregistered  trademarks (and the goodwill of the business in which
                  any such  trademarks  are used and which is symbolized by said
                  trademarks),   if  any,  and   copyrights   within   Purchased
                  Intellectual  Property  to  the  extent  transferable  by  3M,
                  subject to any agreement listed in Schedule 1.06.

(d)      Any IP Agreement to the extent transferable by 3M. 3M's obligation with
                  respect to transferability of any IP Agreement are provided in
                  Section  8.03  (Unassignable  Contracts)  to  the  extent  the
                  mechanism  provided  in Section  8.03 would not  constitute  a
                  breach of the IP Agreement.

                  6.03 Licensed Intellectual Property.  Effective on the Closing
Date, 3M hereby grants to Linvatec a fully-paid up,  non-cancelable,  worldwide,
non-exclusive  license under Licensed  Intellectual  Property to use such rights
within the field of orthopedic  devices,  including without limitation the right
to make,  have  made,  use,  sell,  offer for  sale,  lease,  import,  export or
otherwise  dispose of  products,  and the right to  sublicense  to  customers or
suppliers as part of the manufacture or sale of products, or assign such license
to any assignee or successor of the  Business.  It is believed that there are no
patents,  patent applications,  utility model  registrations,  or design patents
within Licensed Intellectual  Property, and thus this Section shall be construed
to grant the described license to the extent that the parties discover that this
belief is  incorrect.  Various  products of the  Business  are  manufactured  or
assembled at a common site with 3M's cardiovascular  perfusion/surgical products
business,   and  there  may  be  trade  secrets  and  know-how  within  Licensed
Intellectual Property that apply or are applicable to both the Business and 3M's
cardiovascular  perfusion/surgical  products  business.  This  Section  will  be
construed to allow Linvatec and 3M to use such trade secrets and know-how within
their  respective  fields  without  breaching  this  Agreement or being sued for
misappropriation or infringement by the other party.

                  6.04 Trade Name and Trademark  Restrictions.  It is understood
and agreed that this  Agreement  does not constitute an agreement to transfer to
Linvatec the right to use: (i) the name 3M, (ii) any 3M corporate logo alone, or
(iii)  any  combination  of any  other  mark or  symbol  with  any of the  marks
identified in Sections 6.04(i) or 6.04(ii), except as provided in Section 6.05.

                  6.05 Removal of 3M Trade Names.  Within a reasonable period of
time not to exceed  120 days  after  expiration  or  termination  of the  Supply
Agreement  but in no event longer than  eighteen  months after the Closing Date,
Linvatec  shall remove all trade names and  trademarks of 3M not included in the
Purchased Assets from all assets  transferred to Linvatec  hereunder;  provided,
however,  that  it is  understood  and  agreed  that  with  respect  to  product
literature  and other  assets  where  removal of such trade names or  trademarks
would result in damage to such asset,  Linvatec may instead  relabel such assets
to conceal such trade names or trademarks.
<PAGE>
                  6.06 Intellectual  Property  Agreement  Assumptions.  Linvatec
agrees to assume all of 3M's  obligations,  duties,  liabilities and commitments
pursuant to the IP Agreements including but not limited to any obligation for 3M
to pay any royalty.  Linvatec agrees to forever hold 3M harmless,  defend 3M and
indemnify  3M  for  any  damages,  penalties  or  expenses  incurred,  including
reasonable  attorney  expenses,  with respect to any claim or cause of action of
any description  (regardless of the theory of liability)  related to the alleged
breach of Linvatec's  or 3M's or assumed  obligations  under the IP  Agreements.
Without  limiting  the  generality  of the  previous  portion  of this  section,
Linvatec agrees to forever hold 3M harmless,  defend 3M and indemnify 3M for any
damages with respect to a) any cause of action  alleging that any third party is
entitled  to a royalty  for sales  after the  Closing  Date  pursuant  to the IP
Agreements,  or b) any cause of action for a breach of any of the IP  Agreements
arising out of this Agreement or the assignment of any IP Agreement to Linvatec.
The  consideration  paid by Linvatec for the transfer of the IP Agreements shall
include the assumption by Linvatec of the duties,  liabilities,  obligations and
commitments  relating to the  Intellectual  Property  Agreements as set forth in
this Section of the Agreement.

                  6.07  Warranties.  3M hereby warrants and  represents,  to its
knowledge, as follows:

(a)      3M has title to the patents,  patent  applications,  design patents and
                  utility  model  registrations  listed  in  Schedule  1.04.  In
                  addition,  such  title  is  subject  to or  encumbered  by the
                  agreements listed in Schedule 1.06;

(b)      Neither  3M's  Office of  Intellectual  Property  Counsel nor 3M senior
                  executive  management  have  received any  unresolved  written
                  claim since  October 1, 1992 from any third party  charging 3M
                  with  infringement  of  any  intellectual  property  right  in
                  connection  with  3M's  conduct  of the  Business,  except  as
                  provided in Schedule 6.07(b);

(c)      Schedule   1.04   represents  a  complete   list  of  patents,   patent
                  applications,  design patents and utility model  registrations
                  for which 3M has title that  directly and solely relate to the
                  Business  as  conducted  on the Closing  Date,  except for any
                  patent,  patent  application,  design patent and utility model
                  registration  for which 3M  requested  an  outside  counsel or
                  International  patent firm to abandon more than six (6) months
                  before the Closing Date;

(d)      Schedule 1.06 represents a complete list of IP Agreements; and

(e)      3M's  Office of  Intellectual  Property  Counsel has not  received  any
                  unresolved  written claim since October 1, 1996 from any third
                  party  claiming  3M  is in  breach  of  any  IP  Agreement  in
                  connection  with  3M's  conduct  of the  Business,  except  as
                  provided in Schedule 6.07(e).
<PAGE>
                  6.08 Notice, Correction of Schedules. Linvatec will provide 3M
with prompt  written  notice  identifying  any item not listed on Schedule 1.04,
1.06,  6.07(b) or 6.07(e)  that  Linvatec  comes to believe  belongs on Schedule
1.04, 1.06,  6.07(b) or 6.07(e) along with an explanation as to why such missing
item  belongs on Schedule  1.04,  1.06,  6.07(b) or 6.07(e).  If 3M and Linvatec
agree that such item should have been listed,  then 3M will use its best efforts
to provide a revised Schedule listing the missing item,  subject to Section 8.03
(Unassignable  Contracts)  to the extent  Section  8.03 would not  constitute  a
breach of any agreement that belongs on Schedule 6.07(b). At any time before the
Closing Date, 3M will have the unilateral  right to add items to Schedules 1.04,
1.06,  6.07(b) or 6.07(e),  although  Linvatec  will have the right to terminate
this  Agreement  pursuant to Section  11.01(e) if such addition  constitutes  an
Adverse Material Change.

                  6.09 Disclaimers. LINVATEC ACKNOWLEDGES THAT 3M HAS DISCLAIMED
(i) ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF INVENTORSHIP,  TRANSFERABILITY,  VALIDITY,
ORIGINALITY,  ENFORCEABILITY,  RELATIONSHIP TO ANY OTHER  INTELLECTUAL  PROPERTY
(E.G.,  WHETHER  PATENTS ARE  COUNTERPARTS  OR  EQUIVALENTS),  NON-INFRINGEMENT,
RIGHT-TO-PRACTICE,  SCOPE,  STATUS  (PENDING  OR  ISSUED)  OR  PRIORITY  OF  ANY
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHT AND ANY AGREEMENT RELATING TO INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY;
(ii) ANY  REPRESENTATION  OR  WARRANTY  WITH  RESPECT TO RIGHT TO  PRACTICE  AND
WHETHER ANY THIRD PARTY INTELLECTUAL  PROPERTY RIGHT IS OR WOULD BE INFRINGED BY
THE BUSINESS,  3M PRODUCTS OR 3M PRODUCT LINE, AND (iii) ANY  REPRESENTATION  OR
WARRANTY  REGARDING  THE STATUS OF ANY IP AGREEMENT  (FOR  EXAMPLE,  WHETHER THE
AGREEMENT IS BEING BREACHED).

                  6.10 Assignment Documents. Linvatec agrees to deliver to 3M at
the Closing assignment or transfer documents  consistent with this Agreement and
reasonably  acceptable  to 3M of patents,  patent  applications,  utility  model
registrations, design patents, patent licenses assigned in this Article.

                  6.11 No Implied IP Transfers.  It is expressly  understood and
agreed  that,  other than the  intellectual  property  expressly  identified  in
Article VI of this Agreement  (and related  Schedules  thereof),  this Agreement
does not transfer to Linvatec any interest in any intellectual property rights.

                  6.12 Dispute  Resolution.  Any dispute  regarding the terms or
conditions of this Article or either  party's  performance  or alleged breach of
any term or condition of this Article will be subject to the dispute  resolution
provisions of section 11.02 except that 3M's Medical Markets Group  Intellectual
Property  Counsel will be substituted  for the Medical  Markets Group Counsel in
section 11.02(a).

                  6.13  Indemnity,  Notice.  This Article will be subject to the
provisions  of Article  X. In  addition,  effective  eighteen  months  after the
Closing  Date,  Linvatec  hereby  releases 3M from any claim  (whether  known or
unknown)  relating  to  intellectual  property or this  Article  that is not the
subject of written notice provided to: Chief Intellectual  Property Counsel,  3M
Office of Intellectual  Property Counsel,  P.O. Box. 33427, St. Paul,  Minnesota
55133-3427, before eighteen months after the Closing Date.

                  6.14.  Sublicensed  Intellectual  Property.  Effective  on the
Closing Date, 3M grants to Linvatec a  non-exclusive,  fully paid-up  sublicense
under the  Sublicensed  IP Agreement  with respect to the 3M Product Line to the
extent permitted in the provisions of such Sublicensed IP Agreement  relating to
3M's sale of a product line to a third party. 3M will make the payment due under
section 5.b. of the Sublicensed IP Agreement on or before January 15, 1999.
<PAGE>

                  6.15 Other 3M Patent. Effective on the Closing Date, 3M agrees
and covenants not to sue Linvatec with respect to Linvatec's use (if any) of the
method claimed in US Patent No. 4,806,730 in Linvatec's conduct of the Business.
This covenant will also cover  suppliers of Linvatec to the extent they practice
this  method to supply  Linvatec's  needs  with  respect to the  Business.  This
covenant  will be  transferable  by Linvatec to any assignee or successor of the
Business.

                                   ARTICLE VII
                              Conditions to Closing

                  7.01 Conditions to Linvatec's Obligations.  The obligations of
Linvatec to be performed at the Closing shall be subject to the  satisfaction or
the waiver in writing by Linvatec  at or prior to the  Closing of the  following
conditions:

(a)      Each of the  representations  and  warranties  of 3M  contained in this
                  Agreement  shall be true in all  material  respects  as of the
                  Closing  with the same effect as though  such  representations
                  and  warranties  have been made as of the Closing,  except for
                  any variations therein resulting from actions  contemplated or
                  permitted by this  Agreement,  and each of the covenants to be
                  performed by 3M at or before the Closing pursuant to the terms
                  hereof  shall  have  been  duly   performed  in  all  material
                  respects.   Linvatec   shall  have  been   furnished   with  a
                  certificate  of 3M,  executed on its behalf by an  appropriate
                  officer of 3M and dated the Closing  Date,  certifying  to the
                  foregoing effects.

(b)      No action,  suit or proceeding by any  governmental  authority shall be
                  pending  against  Linvatec  or 3M which  seeks to prevent  the
                  consummation   of  the   transactions   contemplated  by  this
                  Agreement,  and no  injunction  or  order  for  any  court  or
                  administrative  agency of competent  jurisdiction  shall be in
                  effect  which  restricts  or  prohibits  the  consummation  by
                  Linvatec  or 3M  of  the  transactions  contemplated  by  this
                  Agreement.

(c)      Any   waiting   period   (and  any   extension   thereof)   under   the
                  Hart-Scott-Rodino  Antitrust  Improvements  Act  of  1976,  as
                  amended (the "HSR Act"),  applicable to the acquisition of the
                  Purchased  Assets  contemplated  hereby  shall have expired or
                  been terminated.

(d)      3M and Linvatec  shall have executed a supply  agreement in the form of
                  Exhibit B ("Supply  Agreement") to ensure a smooth  transition
                  during that period between the Closing and the commencement of
                  manufacturing by Linvatec.
<PAGE>
(e) Linvatec shall have received from 3M:

                  (i)      A Bill of Sale in the form of Exhibit C.

                  (ii)     Certificate of Good Standing.

                  (iii)    Certified   copies  of  3M's  corporate   resolutions
                           authorizing the transaction  contemplated  hereby and
                           by the Supply Agreement.

(f)      3M shall have  completed  Schedule 2.02  (Excluded  Assets).  Any items
                  added by 3M to  Schedule  2.02  between  the  signing  of this
                  Agreement and the Closing must be approved by Linvatec,  which
                  will not withhold its approval unreasonably.

                  7.02 Conditions to Obligations of 3M. The obligations of 3M to
be performed at the Closing shall be subject to the  satisfaction  or the waiver
in writing by 3M at or prior to the Closing of the following conditions:

(a)      Each of the  representations  and  warranties of Linvatec  contained in
                  this  Agreement  shall be true in all material  respects as of
                  the   Closing   with   the  same   effect   as   though   such
                  representations  and  warranties  had  been  made  as  of  the
                  Closing,  except for any  variations  therein  resulting  from
                  actions contemplated or permitted by this Agreement,  and each
                  of the  covenants to be performed by Linvatec at or before the
                  Closing  pursuant  to the terms  hereof  shall  have been duly
                  performed  in  all  material  respects.  3M  shall  have  been
                  furnished  with a  certificate  of  Linvatec,  executed on its
                  behalf by an  appropriate  officer of  Linvatec  and dated the
                  Closing Date, certifying to the foregoing effects.

(b)      No action,  suit or proceeding by any  governmental  authority shall be
                  pending  against  Linvatec  or 3M which  seeks to prevent  the
                  consummation   of  the   transactions   contemplated  by  this
                  Agreement,  and  no  injunction  or  order  of  any  court  or
                  administrative  agency of competent  jurisdiction  shall be in
                  effect  which  restricts  or  prohibits  the  consummation  by
                  Linvatec  of 3M  of  the  transactions  contemplated  by  this
                  Agreement.

(c)      Any  waiting  period  (and any  extension  thereof)  under  the HSR Act
                  applicable  to  the   acquisition  of  the  Purchased   Assets
                  contemplated hereby shall have expired or been terminated.
<PAGE>
                                  ARTICLE VIII
                               Certain Agreements

                  8.01 Linvatec Investigation: No Representations or Warranties:
Exclusivity of Remedies.

(a)      LINVATEC  HEREBY  ACKNOWLEDGES  THAT  IT HAS  EVALUATED  AND  CONDUCTED
                  THOROUGH DUE  DILIGENCE  WITH RESPECT TO THE 3M PRODUCT  LINE.
                  THE  PURCHASED   ASSETS  AND  THE  BUSINESS   (INCLUDING   THE
                  OPERATIONS,  CONTRACTS, CUSTOMER FILES, MANUFACTURING PROCESS,
                  INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY,  FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND PROSPECTS OF
                  THE  BUSINESS  (INCLUDING  BUT NOT  LIMITED  TO ANY  DOCUMENTS
                  PROVIDED TO LINVATEC BY 3M), AND HAS BEEN  REPRESENTED BY, AND
                  HAD THE ASSISTANCE  OF, COUNSEL  (INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
                  INTELLECTUAL  PROPERTY  COUNSEL)  IN THE  CONDUCT  OF SUCH DUE
                  DILIGENCE,  THE  PREPARATION AND NEGOTIATION OF THIS AGREEMENT
                  AND THE  TRANSACTION  DOCUMENTS,  AND THE  CONSUMMATION OF THE
                  TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

(b)      3M HAS MADE  AVAILABLE  TO  LINVATEC  AND ITS  REPRESENTATIVES  CERTAIN
                  INFORMATION  AND RECORDS  RELATING TO THE 3M PRODUCT LINE, THE
                  PURCHASED ASSETS AND THE BUSINESS. IT IS UNDERSTOOD AND AGREED
                  BY THE PARTIES THAT NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY,  EXPRESS OR
                  IMPLIED,  HAS  BEEN  MADE BY 3M OR ITS  AGENTS  REGARDING  THE
                  ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS  OF ANY SUCH  INFORMATION OR RECORDS,
                  EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN THIS  AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE
                  TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS, AND THAT 3M WILL NOT HAVE OR BE SUBJECT
                  TO ANY  LIABILITY  TO LINVATEC OR ANY OTHER  PERSON  RESULTING
                  FROM THE  DISTRIBUTION TO LINVATEC,  OR LINVATEC'S USE, OF ANY
                  SUCH INFORMATION OR RECORDS,  EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY  PROVIDED IN
                  THIS  AGREEMENT.  FURTHERMORE,  LINVATEC  AGREES  THAT  IT  IS
                  ACCEPTING  POSSESSION OF THE  PURCHASED  ASSETS AT THE CLOSING
                  "AS IS, WHERE IS, WITH ALL FAULTS," WITH NO RESULTING RIGHT OF
                  SET-OFF OR REDUCTION IN THE PURCHASE PRICE,  AND THAT,  EXCEPT
                  AS  EXPRESSLY  SET  FORTH  IN  THIS  AGREEMENT  OR  ANY OF THE
                  TRANSACTION  DOCUMENTS,  THE SALE OF THE  PURCHASED  ASSETS IS
                  BEING MADE  WITHOUT  REPRESENTATION  OR  WARRANTY OF ANY KIND,
                  EXPRESS  OR  IMPLIED,   INCLUDING   ANY   WARRANTY  OF  INCOME
                  POTENTIAL,  OPERATION EXPENSE, USE, MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS
                  FOR A PARTICULAR  PURPOSE,  ALL OF WHICH  REPRESENTATIONS  AND
                  WARRANTIES ARE HEREBY DISCLAIMED AND RENOUNCED BY 3M.

(c)      LINVATEC  ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT,  EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE  EXPRESSLY
                  PROVIDED  IN SECTION  5, ITS SOLE AND  EXCLUSIVE  REMEDY  WITH
                  RESPECT TO ANY AND ALL CLAIMS  RELATING TO THE SUBJECT  MATTER
                  OF  THIS   AGREEMENT   (INCLUDING   CLAIMS  FOR   BREACHES  OF
                  REPRESENTATIONS,  WARRANTIES  AND COVENANTS  CONTAINED IN THIS
                  AGREEMENT) SHALL BE PURSUANT TO THE INDEMNIFICATION PROVISIONS
                  SET FORTH IN ARTICLE XI.

(d)      WITHOUT LIMITING THE GENERALITY OF THE FOREGOING, NO CLAIMS RELATING TO
                  THE  SUBJECT  MATTER  OF  THIS  AGREEMENT  MAY BE  BROUGHT  BY
                  LINVATEC  AGAINST ANY DIRECTOR,  OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE 3M IN HIS
                  OR HER INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY.
<PAGE>
                  8.02 Conduct of Business.  Except as expressly contemplated by
this  Agreement,  from the date hereof  until the  Closing,  3M will conduct the
Business in the usual and ordinary course.  3M specifically  agrees that it will
not (i) enter into any  agreements  with respect to the  Business  that are less
favorable  than  contracts  currently  in place,  (ii) enter into new  contracts
without the prior written  consent of Linvatec,  (iii) give away any products or
services  associated  with the  Business  without the prior  written  consent of
Linvatec (iv) offer or provide its products to customers, distributors or others
in any special incentive  pricing  packages,  including any bundled sales of the
Products  with other  medical or other  products,  except as may be necessary to
meet  competitive  pricing in the markets for the Product  being sold as part of
the Business and only then after receiving proof of approval from Linvatec;  and
(v) offer  discounted  pricing or free products in connection with any effort to
sell other 3M products.

                  8.03 Unassignable Contracts.  Notwithstanding  anything to the
contrary  stated in this  Agreement,  but  subject to  Article VI  (Intellectual
Property),  if any Contract cannot be assigned to or assumed by Linvatec without
the approval,  consent or waiver of another party  thereto,  and such  approval,
consent or waiver has not been  obtained  at or prior to the  Closing,  then (i)
such  Contract  shall not be assigned to or assumed by Linvatec at the  Closing,
(ii) 3M and  Linvatec  shall,  if such  approval,  consent or waiver is obtained
following the Closing,  promptly  thereafter execute all documents  necessary to
complete the assignment and assumption of such Contract (at Linvatec's expense),
and (iii) unless and until such approval, consent or waiver is obtained and such
assignment and assumption  occurs,  3M shall hold the benefits and privileges of
such Contract  arising after the Closing Date in trust for Linvatec and Linvatec
will indemnify and hold harmless 3M against and with respect to all  obligations
of 3M payable or performable after the Closing Date under such Contract. Each of
3M and  Linvatec  agrees  to use  reasonable  efforts  to  promptly  obtain  all
approvals,  consents and waivers from third parties to the  Contracts  which are
necessary  to permit the  Contracts  to be assigned to and assumed by  Linvatec,
provided that neither 3M nor Linvatec  shall be obligated to make any payment or
offer or grant any  accommodation  (financial  or otherwise) in exchange for any
such approval, consent or waiver.

                  8.04  Bulk  Transfer  Laws.  3M and  Linvatec  mutually  waive
compliance  with the  provisions of any  applicable  state bulk  transfer  laws,
including any state tax laws relating to the  obligations of buyers of assets in
bulk transfers.

                  8.05   Removal   of   Assets.   Linvatec   agrees   to  assume
responsibility  for, and pay all expenses in connection  with  transporting  and
relocating  those  Purchased  Assets  which at the Closing are located at any of
3M's  facilities.  Such removal shall be completed within thirty (30) days after
the termination of the Supply Agreement.  3M agrees to give Linvatec, its agents
and employees  access to such facilities at reasonable times and upon reasonable
notice,  and  reasonable  assistance  for  purposes of removing  such  Purchased
Assets.  3M shall have no liability to Linvatec in  connection  with the removal
from,  such  facilities of the Purchased  Assets after the Closing,  and risk of
loss with  respect  to such  Purchased  Assets  shall  pass to  Linvatec  on the
Closing.  Linvatec shall be responsible for the costs of repairing any damage to
such facilities resulting from the removal of the Purchased Assets therefrom.
<PAGE>
                  8.06     [Intentionally omitted]

                  8.07 Record  Retention.  Linvatec  shall  retain all  business
files and  documents  included  in the  Purchased  Assets  and so  specified  in
Schedule  8.07  (Record  Retention)  for a period of ten years after the Closing
Date,  and Linvatec  shall make  available to 3M any such records for inspection
and copying, upon reasonable notice from 3M.

                  8.08 Governmental Filings. Unless such Notification and Report
Form has  already  been  filed,  Linvatec  and 3M  agree to make or cause  their
affiliates  to make an  appropriate  filing of a  Notification  and Report  Form
pursuant to the HSR Act with  respect to the  transactions  contemplated  hereby
within five business days of the date hereof,  to supply promptly any additional
information and documentary  material that may be requested  pursuant to the HSR
Act, and to use all  reasonable  efforts to obtain an early  termination  of any
applicable waiting period under the HSR Act.

                  8.09  Further  Assurances.  For  a  period  of  one  (1)  year
following the Closing Date, 3M shall promptly  execute,  acknowledge and deliver
any  further   assignments,   conveyances  and  other  instruments  of  transfer
reasonably  requested by Linvatec and  necessary to  effectuate  the transfer of
title to the Purchased Assets to Linvatec and, at Linvatec's expense,  will take
any  other  action  consistent  with  the  terms of this  Agreement  that may be
reasonably be requested by Linvatec for the purpose of assigning,  transferring,
granting,  and confirming ownership in or to Linvatec, or reducing to Linvatec's
possession, any or all of the Purchased Assets.

                  8.10  Further  Assistance.  For a period of one (1)  year,  3M
agrees to complete any documents  necessary to show that Linvatec did not assume
assets with liens or outstanding tax obligations.

                  8.11 No Adverse Material  Change.  3M agrees that it will make
all  commercially  reasonable  efforts to maintain  the  Business at its current
levels up to and  through  Closing,  and that there will be no Adverse  Material
Change in the Business prior to and up to the Closing.

                  8.12 Product  Liability  Assistance.  3M will assist  Linvatec
with the defense of any and all future product  liability actions brought within
one (1) year after  Closing,  and will make  reasonably  available  any retained
employees  to assist in the defense of any such  actions,  with  Linvatec  being
responsible only for out-of-pocket travel expenses,  if any, incurred by such 3M
employees  therewith.  Linvatec will similarly assist 3M with the defense of any
and all product  liability  actions brought prior to Closing or against which 3M
is obligated to defend according to Section 10.02(b).
<PAGE>
                  8.13 Non-Competition Agreement. For a period of five (5) years
following  the Closing Date,  neither 3M, nor any of the  Affiliates of 3M shall
sell directly or indirectly  anywhere within the United States or U.S. territory
and any foreign country any 3M Products being sold in this Agreement.  If at the
time of  enforcement  of this  Section  8.13,  the  court  shall  hold  that the
duration,  scope or area  restrictions  stated  herein  are  unreasonable  under
circumstances then existing, the parties agree that the maximum duration,  scope
or area reasonable under such circumstances  shall be substituted for the stated
duration, scope or area, but in no event in excess of the stated duration, scope
or area.  In an action in law or in equity  for  breach or  enforcement  of this
Section 8.13 brought in any court having competent jurisdiction over the parties
to such an action,  the  prevailing  party shall be entitled to recover from the
other  party or  parties  its  reasonable  attorneys  fees,  costs and  expenses
associated with prosecuting or defending such an action to its final disposition
(including final dispositions by summary adjudication,  judge or jury verdict or
final appeal).
                  8.14     [Intentionally omitted]

                  8.15 Misdirected Payments. The parties anticipate that certain
third parties,  including customers and vendors, may misdirect payments or goods
to 3M rather than to  Linvatec,  or to Linvatec  rather than 3M. 3M and Linvatec
agree to notify  and to  forward  to the  other  promptly  any such  misdirected
payments or goods.

                  8.16  Transition  Agreement.  3M will  assist  Linvatec in the
transition  of the  business.  3M and  Linvatec  will  send a  joint  letter  to
customers  of the  Business  informing  them that  Linvatec  has  purchased  the
Business.  3M will introduce the appropriate  Linvatec  represesentative  to the
customers. If, at any time within eighteen (18) months after Closing,  customers
contact 3M to purchase 3M Products sold through this  Agreement,  3M will notify
those customers that the 3M Products are available from Linvatec.

                  8.17  Vendor  Assignments  or  Assistance.   3M  shall  assist
Linvatec in transferring or assigning,  or entering into supply  agreements with
vendors or with 3M or its affiliates, as Linvatec may require.

                  8.18 Independent Sales Representatives.  Linvatec will pay 50%
of all  commissions  and  incentive  payments  that  3M is  obligated  to pay to
independent  sales  representatives  for  sales of 3M  Products  occurring  from
Closing  through  December  31,  1998.  3M  will  pay  the  full  amount  of the
commissions and incentive payments to the independent sales  representatives and
deduct the amount  owed by  Linvatec  from the  prepayment  stated in the Supply
Agreement.

                  8.19  3M  Materials   and   Components.   "3M   Materials  and
Components" are materials and components that 3M uses in the 3M Products but are
not  included in the  Purchased  Assetsand  for which  there are no  substitutes
available from another  supplier.  3M will supply 3M Materials and Components to
Linvatec  for the  manufacture  of 3M Products by Linvatec for one year from the
end of the  Supply  Agreement  at prices it charges  to  similar  customers  who
purchase like quantities of the 3M Materials and Components.
<PAGE>
                                  ARTICLE VIIIA
                                    Employees

                  8A.1 In the event Buyer offers  employment to 3M employees and
3M employees accept this offer of employment at the time of closing,  they shall
be referred to as "Transferred Employees".

                  8A.2 Benefits. Buyer will provide coverage and benefits to the
Transferred  Employees under same pension and welfare benefit plans covering its
salaried  employees,  and 3M will have no  responsibility  therefor on and after
such date.  3M shall remain  responsible  to the  Transferred  Employees for all
benefits  accrued  pursuant to 3M benefit  plans  prior to the closing  date and
payable  under the  provisions  of such plans.  Buyer  assumes no  liability  or
obligation therefor.

                  8A.3 Service Credit. Buyer shall cause each of its pension and
welfare  benefit  plans to  recognize  all of the service  that the  Transferred
Employees  completed  with 3M for purposes of determining  their  eligibility to
participate in, eligibility for benefits under, vesting in accrued benefits, and
accrual of benefits under such plans (except for Buyer's Defined Benefit Pension
Plan.)

                  8A.4 Group  Health  Plans.  Buyer will cause its group  health
benefit plans to (i) waive any exclusions for pre-existing  conditions affecting
Transferred  Employees and their eligible family members, and (ii) recognize any
out of pocket medical and dental expenses incurred by Transferred  Employees and
their  eligible  family  members during 1998, but prior to the Closing Date, for
purposes of  determining  their  deductibles  and out of pocket  maximums  under
Buyer's plans.

                  8A.5 Vacation Benefits.  Transferred Employees will be covered
by and begin accruing benefits under Buyer's vacation plan covering its salaried
employees.  Buyer's  vacation  plan  shall  recognize  all  of  the  Transferred
Employees' years of service with 3M for the purpose of determining  their future
vacation benefits.
                                   ARTICLE IX
                                     Closing

                  9.01 Closing Date. The closing of the purchase and sale of the
Purchased Assets and the assumption of the Assumed Liabilities  pursuant to this
Agreement (the  "Closing")  shall take place on November 5, 1998, at the offices
of 3M, at 10:00 a.m.,  or, if the  conditions  to Closing set forth in Article V
shall not have been satisfied or waived by the appropriate party by such time of
day on such  date,  at the same time of day on the first  business  day to occur
following  the date on which  all of the  conditions  to  Closing  set  forth in
Article VII shall have been satisfied or waived as provided  therein (subject to
the  provisions  of  Section  11.01),  or at such other  date,  place or time as
Linvatec and 3M may agree upon in writing.  The date on which the Closing  shall
be required to occur,  as determined  in  accordance  with this Section 9.01, is
herein  referred to as the "Closing  Date".  The Closing shall be deemed to have
become effective as of the start of business on the Closing Date.
<PAGE>
                  9.02     Closing Deliveries.

(a)               3M agrees to deliver to Linvatec at the Closing  such bills of
                  sale, assignments and other instruments of transfer (excluding
                  transfer of Intellectual  Property or IP Agreements),  in form
                  and substance reasonably satisfactory to Linvatec, as shall be
                  necessary or  appropriate to effect the conveyance to Linvatec
                  of the Purchased  Assets (without  representation  or warranty
                  except as expressly provided in this Agreement), duly executed
                  by 3M.

(b) Linvatec agrees to pay or deliver,  as the case may be, to 3M at the Closing
the following:

         (i)      An assumption  agreement,  in form of Exhibit D, effecting the
                  assumption  by  Linvatec  of  the  Assumed  Liabilities,  duly
                  executed by Linvatec;

         (ii)     The  Purchase  Price  paid in the manner  provided  in Section
                  3.01; and

         (iii)    Intellectual  property  assignment  or transfer  documents  as
                  provided in Article VI.

(c)      The certificates,  instruments and documents  executed and delivered by
                  the parties at the  Closing  pursuant  to this  Agreement  are
                  herein   collectively   referred   to  as   the   "Transaction
                  Documents".

                  9.03 Post-Closing Deliveries. Each of Linvatec and 3M will, at
the  request  and sole cost and  expense  of the other  such  party,  do,  make,
execute,  acknowledge  and deliver  after the Closing all such other and further
acts and instruments of conveyance, assignment, transfer, consent and assumption
as  Linvatec  may  reasonably  require to confirm  conveyance  and  transfer  to
Linvatec  of any of the  Purchased  Assets or as 3M may  reasonably  required to
confirm  assumption  by  Linvatec  of any of the  Assumed  Liabilities.  Nothing
contained  herein shall be  construed to require 3M to acquire any  intellectual
property license from any third party.

                                    ARTICLE X
                                    Indemnity

                  10.01 Survival. The representations and warranties of Linvatec
and 3M herein or in any of the Transaction  Documents shall survive the Closing,
but, as to any claim, only for so long as the indemnification  obligations under
this  Agreement  with  respect  to such  claim  remain in force as  provided  in
Sections 8.09, 8.10,  8.12, 8.13, 8.16, , 10.02(d) or 10.03(b),  as the case may
be.
<PAGE>
                  10.02    Indemnity by 3M.

(a)      3M hereby agrees to indemnify and hold  harmless  Linvatec  against and
                  with respect to any and all claims, losses, injuries, damages,
                  deficiencies,     liabilities,    obligations,    assessments,
                  judgments, costs and expenses,  including (except as otherwise
                  expressly  provided in this  Agreement)  costs and expenses of
                  litigation and reasonable attorneys' fees ("Losses"), suffered
                  or incurred by Linvatec to the extent caused proximately by:

                  (i)      any material breach of any representation or warranty
                           of 3M contained in this Agreement;

                  (ii)     any  material  non-fulfillment  of  any  covenant  or
                           agreement of 3M contained in this Agreement;

                  (iii)    any failure of the parties,  in  connection  with the
                           transactions  contemplated  hereby,  to comply  fully
                           with the  provisions  of any  applicable  state  bulk
                           transfer laws,  including any state tax laws relating
                           to the  obligations  of  Linvatecs  of assets in bulk
                           transfers  (provided  that in no  event  shall  3M be
                           required to indemnify Linvatec hereunder with respect
                           to any liability for which  Linvatec  would have been
                           obligated  even had such  laws  been  fully  complied
                           with,  including any Assumed Liabilities or any other
                           liabilities   or   obligations   that   Linvatec  has
                           expressly   agreed  to  pay  or  be  responsible  for
                           pursuant to this Agreement);

                  (iv)     with  respect to any claim of  infringement  of third
                           party  intellectual  property rights, any sales of 3M
                           Products by 3M before the Closing Date.

(b)      3M hereby agrees to indemnify and defend  Linvatec  against any and all
                  claims,  suits,  actions or proceedings for personal  injuries
                  alleged to have been caused by 3M Products prior to Closing.
<PAGE>
(c)      3M  hereby  agrees  to  pay  Linvatec's  actual  expenses  incurred  in
                  recalling  3M  Products  sold  prior to Closing if a recall is
                  required  within six months after Closing.  `Actual  expenses'
                  include  Linvatec's  actual costs of  collecting  the recalled
                  product (if  required),  repairing or  replacing  the recalled
                  product,  or refunding the appropriate  proportional amount of
                  the purchase price. Linvatec will give 3M prompt notice of any
                  recall for which 3M is obligated  to pay the actual  expenses.
                  Linvatec  will  choose  the  least  costly  among   repairing,
                  replacing or refunding the appropriate  proportional amount of
                  the  purchase  price  of  the  recalled  products.  3M is  not
                  obligated to pay for expenses  associated with identifying the
                  cause  of the  problem  creating  the need to  recall  or with
                  developing the appropriate correction.

(d)      Notwithstanding  anything to the  contrary  provided  elsewhere in this
                  Agreement,  the  obligations  of 3M under  this  Agreement  to
                  indemnify  Linvatec  with  respect  to any claim  pursuant  to
                  clause (i) of  Section  10.02(a)  shall be of no force  unless
                  Linvatec  has given 3M written  notice of such claim  prior to
                  the eighteen (18) months after the Closing Date.

(e)      Notwithstanding  anything to the  contrary  provided  elsewhere in this
                  Agreement,  in no event  shall 3M be  liable to  Linvatec  for
                  amounts  payable  under clause (i) of Section  10.02(a)  until
                  such amounts exceed in the aggregate $50,000.

(f)      Notwithstanding anything to the contrary provided in this Agreement, in
                  no event  shall 3M be liable to Linvatec  for amounts  payable
                  under  clauses  (i) and (ii) of Section  10.02(a)  and Section
                  10.02(c) to the extent such  amounts  exceed in the  aggregate
                  fifty percent (50%) of the Purchase Price.

                  10.03    Indemnity by Linvatec.

(a)      Linvatec  hereby  agrees to indemnify  and hold harmless 3M against and
                  with respect to any and all Losses  suffered or incurred by 3M
                  to the extent caused proximately by:

                  (i)      Any material breach of any representation or warranty
                           of Linvatec  contained in this Agreement or in any of
                           the Transaction Documents; or

                  (ii)     Any  material  non-fulfillment  of  any  covenant  or
                           agreement of Linvatec  contained in this Agreement or
                           in any of the Transaction Documents; or

                  (iii)    Any claims  which are brought  against 3M as a result
                           of the retention by Linvatec after the Closing on any
                           assets transferred to Linvatec hereunder of any trade
                           names  or  trademarks  of  3M  not  included  in  the
                           Purchased   Assets,   as   permitted  by  Article  VI
                           (Intellectual Property); or

                  (iv)     The Assumed Liabilities; or

                  (v)      With  respect to any claim of  infringement  of third
                           party  intellectual  property  rights,  any  sales of
                           products by Linvatec after the Closing Date.
<PAGE>
(b)      Notwithstanding  anything to the  contrary  provided  elsewhere in this
                  Agreement the  obligation of Linvatec  under this Agreement to
                  indemnify  3M with  respect to any claim  pursuant  to Section
                  10.03(a)  shall be of no force  unless 3M has  given  Linvatec
                  written notice of such claim within eighteen (18) months after
                  the Closing Date.

(c)      Notwithstanding  anything to the  contrary  provided  elsewhere in this
                  Agreement,  in no event  shall  Linvatec be liable for amounts
                  payable  under  Section  10.03(a)  until such  amounts  exceed
                  $50,000.

                  10.04  Third  Party   Claims.   In  order  for  a  party  (the
"indemnified  party") to be entitled to any  indemnification  provided for under
this Agreement in respect of, arising out of or involving a claim or demand made
by any third party against the indemnified  party (a "Third Party Claim"),  such
indemnified  party shall  notify the other party (the  "indemnifying  party") in
writing of the Third Party Claim, and deliver to the  indemnifying  party copies
of all notices and documents accompanying or constituting the Third Party Claim,
within ten business days after obtaining notice thereof; provided, however, that
failure to give such notification shall not affect the indemnification  provided
hereunder,  except to the extent the indemnifying party shall have been actually
prejudiced  as a result of such failure and except that the  indemnifying  party
shall have been actually  prejudiced as a result of such failure and except that
the indemnifying  party shall not be liable for any expenses incurred during the
period in which the  indemnified  party failed to give such notice.  Thereafter,
the  indemnified  party shall  deliver to the  indemnifying  party,  within five
business  days after the  indemnified  party's  receipt  thereof,  copies of all
notices and documents (including court papers) received by the indemnified party
relating to the Third Party  Claim;  provided,  however  that failure to deliver
such copies shall not affect the  indemnification  provided  hereunder except to
the extent the  indemnifying  party  shall have been  actually  prejudiced  as a
result of such  failure.  If a Third Party Claim is made against an  indemnified
party,  the  indemnifying  party will be entitled to  participate in the defense
thereof  and,  if it so  chooses,  to assume the defense  thereof  with  counsel
selected  by  the  indemnifying   party  and  reasonably   satisfactory  to  the
indemnified party.  Should the indemnifying party so elect to assume the defense
of a Third Party  Claim,  which  election  must be made within 30 days after the
indemnifying party receives notice of the Third Party Claim from the indemnified
party,  the indemnifying  party will not be liable to the indemnified  party for
legal expenses  incurred by the indemnified party in connection with the defense
thereof.  If the indemnifying party assumes such defense,  the indemnified party
shall have the right,  but not the  obligation,  to  participate  in the defense
thereof and to employ  counsel,  at its own expense,  separate  from the counsel
employed by the  indemnifying  party, it being  understood that the indemnifying
party shall control such defense.  If the indemnifying party has not assumed the
defense of a Third Party Claim, the  indemnifying  party shall be liable for the
fees  and  expenses  of  counsel  employed  by  the  indemnified  party.  If the
indemnifying  party  chooses to defend or prosecute  any Third Party Claim,  the
indemnified  party shall  cooperate in the defense or  prosecution  thereof with
reimbursement  by  the  indemnifying  party  only  of  reasonable  out-of-pocket
expenses  of the  indemnified  party  incurred  in  connection  therewith.  Such
cooperation  shall  include the  retention  and (upon the  indemnifying  party's
request) the  provision  to the  indemnifying  party of records and  information
which are reasonably  relevant to such Third Party Claim,  and making  employees
available on a mutually  convenient basis to provide additional  information and
explanation of any material provided hereunder.  Whether or not the indemnifying
party shall have  assumed the defense of a Third Party  Claim,  the  indemnified
party shall not admit any  liability  with respect to, or settle,  compromise or
discharge, such Third Party Claim without the indemnifying party's prior written
consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.
<PAGE>
                                   ARTICLE XI

                                  Miscellaneous

                  11.01  Termination.  This  Agreement may be terminated and the
transactions contemplated hereby abandoned prior to the Closing:

(a)      By Linvatec  giving  written  notice to 3M, if 3M shall be in breach in
                  any  material  respect  of  any  representation,  warranty  or
                  covenant  contained in this  Agreement  (provided that no such
                  termination  shall  occur  unless  Linvatec  shall  have given
                  notice to 3M of such breach,  specifying in reasonable  detail
                  the nature of such breach, and such breach shall not have been
                  cured in all  material  respects  within  30 days  after  such
                  notice is given),  or if the  conditions  set forth in Section
                  7.01 shall become impossible to fulfill other than for reasons
                  totally  within the control  Linvatec  and shall not have been
                  waived in writing by Linvatec;

(b)      By 3M giving written notice to Linvatec, if Linvatec shall be in breach
                  in any  material  respect of any  representation,  warranty or
                  covenant  contained in this  Agreement  (provided that no such
                  termination  shall occur  unless 3M shall have given notice to
                  Linvatec of such breach,  specifying in reasonable  detail the
                  nature of such  breach,  and such  breach  shall not have been
                  cured in all  material  respects  within  30 days  after  such
                  notice is given),  or in the  conditions  set forth in Section
                  7.02 shall have become  impossible  to fulfill  other than for
                  reasons  totally  within the  control of 3M and shall not have
                  been waived in writing by 3M;

(c)      By mutual agreement of 3M and Linvatec; and

(d)      By Linvatec or 3M giving written notice to the other such party, if the
                  purchase and sale of the Purchased  Assets and the  assumption
                  of the Assumed Liabilities  contemplated hereby shall not have
                  been  consummated  by December 15,  1998,  unless such failure
                  shall be due to the failure of the party  seeking to terminate
                  this  Agreement to perform or observe any covenants  contained
                  in this Agreement required to be performed or observed by such
                  party at or before the Closing.

(e)      By Linvatec, if there is any Adverse Material Change in the Business.
<PAGE>
(f)      If this  Agreement  is  terminated  pursuant  to any of the  provisions
         hereof, each of the parties hereto shall thereupon be released from all
         liabilities hereunder, except:

         (i)      Liabilities  for any default under this Agreement  which shall
                  have occurred prior to the effective date of such termination,

         (ii)     All  confidentiality  obligations  pursuant  to the  Agreement
                  dated July 27, 1998, and

         (iii)    Obligations set forth in Sections 11.03 and 11.13.

                  11.02    Dispute Resolution

(a)      Any  disagreement  or dispute  between  the  parties  arising out of or
                  related to this  Agreement  or the breach or making  hereof (a
                  "Dispute")  shall be resolved  in the manner  provided in this
                  Section 11.02. Should there develop any Dispute,  either party
                  may, by written  notice to the other party,  request that such
                  Dispute be referred to the Medical Markets Group Counsel of 3M
                  or  Medical  Markets   Intellectual   Property   Counsel  (for
                  intellectual  property  issues)  and the  General  Counsel  of
                  Linvatec (the "Principals"), who shall negotiate in good faith
                  to attempt to resolve the Dispute. No settlement reached under
                  this Section  11.02(a)  shall be binding on the parties  until
                  reduced  to a writing  signed on behalf of the  parties by the
                  Principals.

(b)      Should the procedure outlined in Section 11.02(a) fail to bring about a
                  resolution  of  each   outstanding   Dispute  within  30  days
                  following the giving of the notice  referred to therein,  then
                  the parties shall promptly  initiate a voluntary,  non-binding
                  mediation conducted by a mutually-agreed  mediator. Should the
                  parties  for any  reason be unable to agree  upon a  mediator,
                  they shall  request the clerk of court of the Hennepin  County
                  District  Court in the State of Minnesota to appoint a capable
                  mediator for them. Linvatec and 3M shall each bear one-half of
                  the costs and expenses of the mediation and shall  endeavor in
                  good faith to resolve  therein each  outstanding  Dispute.  No
                  settlement  reached  under  this  Section  11.02(b)  shall  be
                  binding on the parties  until  reduced to a writing  signed on
                  behalf of the parties by the Principals.

(c)               In the event the parties are unable to resolve any outstanding
                  Dispute   as   provided   above   within  60  days   following
                  commencement  of  mediation,  then either  party may  initiate
                  legal action as provided in Section 11.09.
<PAGE>
(d)               Notwithstanding  anything  to the  contrary  provided  in this
                  Section 11.02, and without  prejudice to the above procedures,
                  either party may at any time, in connection  with any Dispute,
                  apply  to a court  of  competent  jurisdiction  for  temporary
                  injunctive  or other  provisional  judicial  relief if in such
                  party's  sole  judgment  such  action  is  necessary  to avoid
                  irreparable  damage or to  preserve  the status quo until such
                  time as the  arbitration  award is  rendered or the Dispute is
                  otherwise resolved in accordance with this Section 11.02.

                  11.03 Expenses. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein,
each  party  hereto  shall pay its own  legal,  accounting  and  other  expenses
incident  to  the   preparation  of,  and   consummation  of  the   transactions
contemplated by, this Agreement.  Each party shall pay its own filing fees under
the HSR Act.

                  11.04 Titles.  The titles of the Articles and Sections of this
Agreement are for  convenience of reference only and are not to be considered in
construing this Agreement.

                  11.05 Entire Agreement.  This Agreement constitutes the entire
understanding  between the parties  with respect to the subject  matter  hereof,
superseding all negotiations, prior discussions and preliminary agreements.

                  11.06  Counterparts.  This  Agreement  may be  executed in any
number of counterparts, each of which shall be considered an original and all of
which shall constitute one and the same instrument.

                  11.07 Waivers, Consents and Amendments.  Any failure of either
of the parties to comply with any obligation,  covenant,  agreement or condition
herein may be waived by the other party only by a written  instrument  signed by
such other  party,  but such waiver or failure to insist upon strict  compliance
with such  obligation,  covenant,  agreement or condition shall not operate as a
waiver of, or  estoppel  with  respect  to,  any  subsequent  or other  failure.
Whenever this  Agreement  requires or permits  consent by or on behalf of either
party hereto, such consent shall be given in writing in a manner consistent with
the requirements for a waiver of compliance as set forth herein.  This Agreement
may be amended only by an agreement, in writing, signed by the parties hereto.

                  11.08  Governing Law. This Agreement  shall be governed in all
respects by, and construed under, the laws of the State of Minnesota.
<PAGE>
                  11.09  Jurisdiction.  Subject  to the  provisions  of  Section
11.02,  each  of 3M and  Linvatec  (i)  irrevocably  submits  to  the  exclusive
jurisdiction  of the state and  federal  courts  sitting  in  Minnesota  for the
purposes of any suit,  action or other proceeding  arising out of this Agreement
or the transactions  contemplated hereby (and agrees not to commence any action,
suit or proceeding  relating hereto except in any such court),  (ii) agrees that
service of any process,  summons, notice or document by United States registered
mail to such  party's  respective  address  set forth in Section  11.12 shall be
effective  service of process for any action,  suit or  proceeding  in Minnesota
with respect to which it has submitted to jurisdiction  as set forth above,  and
(iii)  irrevocably  and  unconditionally  waives any  objection to the laying of
venue of any action,  suit or  proceeding  arising out of this  Agreement or the
transactions  contemplated  hereby in any state or  federal  courts  sitting  in
Minnesota  and  agrees  not to plead or  claim in any such  court  that any such
action,  suit or proceeding  brought therein has been brought in an inconvenient
forum.  Each of 3M and Linvatec  acknowledges that the time and expense required
for trial by jury  exceed the time and  expense  required  for a bench trial and
hereby waive, to the extent permitted by law, trial by jury.

                  11.10  SPECIAL  DAMAGES.  LINVATEC  AND 3M HAVE EACH AGREED TO
WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO RECEIVE PUNITIVE, CONSEQUENTIAL,  SPECIAL OR INDIRECT DAMAGES
RELATING  IN ANY WAY TO THIS  AGREEMENT  OR THE  PURCHASE/SALE  OF THE  BUSINESS
AND/OR THE PURCHASED ASSETS, IRRESPECTIVE OF THE LEGAL THEORY ASSERTED.

                  11.11 Severability of this Agreement. In case any provision of
this  Agreement  shall be  invalid,  illegal  or  unenforceable,  the  validity,
legality and enforceability of the remaining  provisions shall not in any way be
affected or impaired thereby.

                  11.12 Assignment. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of
and be binding upon the successors and assigns of the parties  hereto,  provided
that this  Agreement  may not be  assigned  by either  party  without  the prior
written consent of the other party.  Except as expressly  provided herein,  this
Agreement is for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and nothing herein shall
give or be  construed  to give to any person other than the parties any legal or
equitable rights under this Agreement.

                  11.13  Notices.  All  notices,  requests,  demands  and  other
communications  hereunder  shall be in writing  and shall be deemed to have been
duly given upon  delivery  in person,  or one day after the same shall have been
sent by  overnight  messenger  service,  or three days after the same shall have
been mailed by registered or certified  mail,  postage  prepaid,  return receipt
requested, to the respective parties at the following addresses:

         If to Linvatec:            Linvatec Corporation
                                    11311 Concept Boulevard
                                    Largo, Florida 33773
                                    Attention: President

            with a copy:            CONMED Corporation
                                    310 Broad St.
                                    Utica, New York 13501
                                    Attention: President

            If to 3M:               Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
                                    Post Office Box 33428
                                    Saint Paul, Minnesota 55133
                                    Attention: John Ursu
<PAGE>
                  11.14  Public  Announcements.  No  press  releases  or  public
announcements  regarding  the  terms of this  Agreement  shall be made by either
party  without the prior  written  approval of the other party  (which  approval
shall not be unreasonably withheld),  except as may be necessary, in the opinion
of counsel for such party,  to meet the  requirements of any law or governmental
regulation or any applicable exchange regulation (in which event the other party
will be notified  before,  if practical under the  circumstances,  and after any
action is taken thereon).

                  11.15 Tax  Treatment.  It is expressly  understood  and agreed
that none of 3M,  Linvatec  or any of their  respective  officers or agents have
made any warranty or agreement,  express or implied,  as to the tax consequences
of the transactions contemplated hereby.

                  11.16  Specific  Performance.   Each  of  the  parties  hereto
acknowledges and agrees that the other party would be damaged irreparably in the
event any of the  covenants  contained in this  Agreement  are not  performed in
accordance  with their  specific  terms or otherwise are breached.  Accordingly,
each of the parties  hereto  agrees that the other party shall be entitled to an
injunction or injunctions to prevent breaches of the covenants contained in this
Agreement and to enforce specifically this Agreement and the covenants contained
herein in any action  properly  instituted,  in addition to any other  remedy to
which such other  party may be  entitled  under this  Agreement  or at law or in
equity.

                  11.17 Disclosures.

(a)      Matters  disclosed by 3M to Linvatec in this Agreement or the Schedules
                  hereto are not necessarily  limited to matters  required to be
                  disclosed by this Agreement.  Any such additional  matters are
                  set forth for  informational  purposes and do not  necessarily
                  include other matters of a similar nature.  Matters  disclosed
                  by 3M to Linvatec in any  provision  of this  Agreement or any
                  Schedule  hereto shall be deemed to be disclosed  with respect
                  to  each  provision  of  this  Agreement  to the  extent  such
                  provision requires such disclosure.

(b)      From time to time prior to the Closing,  3M will promptly supplement or
                  amend  the  Schedules   hereto  with  respect  to  any  matter
                  hereafter  arising  which  would  make any  representation  or
                  warranty set forth in Sections 5.01 or 6.07  inaccurate if not
                  updated as of the  Closing,  or as is  otherwise  necessary to
                  correct  any   information   in  such   Schedules  or  in  any
                  representation or warranty of 3M made in Sections 5.01 or 6.07
                  (subject to Section  6.08).  For purposes of  determining  the
                  satisfaction  of the condition set forth in Section 7.01(a) at
                  or   prior   to  the   Closing   and  the   accuracy   of  the
                  representations  and warranties  contained in Sections 5.01 or
                  6.07 if the Closing does not occur, the Schedules hereto shall
                  be deemed to include boththat information contained therein on
                  the date of this  Agreement and any  information  contained in
                  any subsequent supplement or amendment thereto.  Moreover, for
                  purposes of determining the accuracy of the representations or
                  warranties  of 3M  contained  in Sections  5.01 or 6.07 or the
                  liability of 3M with respect  thereto under  Section  11.02(a)
                  should the Closing occur, the Schedules hereto shall be deemed
                  to  include  all  information   contained  in  any  subsequent
                  supplement or amendment thereto.
<PAGE>
                  11.18    Interpretation. In this Agreement:

(a)      words denoting the singular include the plural and vice versa and words
                  denoting any gender include all genders;

(b)      the word "including" shall mean "including without limitation";

(c)      the word "affiliate"  shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2 of
                  the  General  Rules  and  Regulations   under  the  Securities
                  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;

(d)      the word "person" shall mean and include an individual,  a partnership,
                  a joint venture,  a corporation,  a trust,  an  unincorporated
                  organization  and a  government  or any  department  or agency
                  thereof;

(e)      the word  "business  day"  shall  mean any day other  than a  Saturday,
                  Sunday or a day which is a statutory holiday under the laws of
                  the United States or the State of Minnesota;

(f)      when calculating the period of time within which or following which any
                  act is to be  done  or  step  taken,  the  date  which  is the
                  reference  day in  calculating  such period  shall be excluded
                  and, if the last day of such period is not a business day, the
                  period shall end on the next day which is a business day; and

(g)      all dollar amounts are expressed in United States funds.

                  [Remainder of page intentionally left blank].







<PAGE>
                  IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  hereto  have  caused  this
Agreement to be executed as of the day and year first above written.

ATTEST:                                              MINNESOTA MINING AND
                                                     MANUFACTURING COMPANY

________________________                             By:

                                                     Its

ATTEST:                                              LINVATEC CORPORATION

________________________                             By:

                                                     Its


                                   EXHIBIT 11

                               CONMED Corporation
        Computation of Weighted Average Number of Shares of Common Stock

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         Year Ended December,
                                                                                            (in thousands)

                                                                                     1996           1997           1998
                                                                                    ------         ------         ------
<S>                                                                                 <C>            <C>            <C>   
Shares outstanding at beginning of period.................................          11,000         14,989         15,062
Weighted average shares issued............................................           3,045              8             23
                                                                                    ------         ------         ------

Shares used in the calculation of basic EPS
     (weighted average shares outstanding)................................          14,045         14,997         15,085

Effect of dilutive potential securities........................................        451              -            236
                                                                                    ------         ------         ------

Shares used in the calculation of diluted EPS.............................          14,496         14,997         15,321
                                                                                    ======         ======         ======
</TABLE>

                                   EXHIBIT 12


                               CONMED Corporation
      Statement Showing Computations of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           1994         1995         1996         1997         1998     
                                                         ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
<S>                                                      <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>      
                                                                                  
Income (loss) before income taxes                                                 
  and extraordinary item                                 $   8,306    $  16,763    $  25,447    $ (10,705)   $  30,276
Interest expense                                               628        1,991          217            -       30,891
Portion of rentals representative of                                              
     interest factor                                           146          146          108          147          875
                                                         ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
Total earnings available for fixed                                                
     charges                                              $  9,080      $18,900      $25,772     $(10,558)   $  62,042
                                                         =========    =========    =========    =========    =========
                                                                                  
                                                                                  
Interest expense                                        $      628    $   1,991    $     217   $       -     $  30,891
                                                                                                       
Portion of rentals representative of                                              
    interest factor                                            146          146          108          147          875
                                                         ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
Total fixed charges                                     $      774    $   2,137    $     325   $      147    $  31,766
                                                         =========    =========    =========    =========    =========
                                                                                  
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges                           11.73         8.84        79.30          (A)         1.95
                                                         =========    =========    =========    =========    =========
</TABLE>
(A) As a result of the loss  incurred  in 1998,  the Company was unable to fully
cover the indicated fixed charges.



                                   EXHIBIT 21


                               CONMED Corporation
                         Subsidiaries of the Registrant
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



     Name                                                    State of Incorporation

<S>                                                                 <C>
Aspen Laboratories,  Inc.                                           Colorado

Consolidated Medical Equipment International,  Inc.                 New York

CONMED Andover Medical,  Inc.                                       New York

Birtcher Medical Systems,  Inc.                                     California

Envision Medical Corporation                                        California

Linvatec Corporation                                                Florida

NDM,  Inc.                                                          New York
</TABLE>

                                   EXHIBIT 23

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

We  hereby  consent  to the  incorporation  by  reference  in  the  Registration
Statements  on Form S-8  (Nos.  33-23514,   33-48693,  33-49422,  33-49526,  and
33-74497) of CONMED  Corporation  of our report dated February 9, 1999 appearing
on page F-1 of the 1998 Annual Report on Form 10-K.


Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP

Syracuse, New York
March 30, 1999

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1998
<CASH>                                           5,906
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   69,032
<ALLOWANCES>                                   (2,213)
<INVENTORY>                                     78,058
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               159,620
<PP&E>                                          90,194
<DEPRECIATION>                                (29,407)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 628,784
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           66,196
<BONDS>                                        384,872
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                           152
<OTHER-SE>                                     182,016
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   628,784
<SALES>                                        336,442
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               336,442
<CGS>                                          169,559
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  169,599
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              30,891
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 30,276
<INCOME-TAX>                                    10,899
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             19,377
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                (1,569)
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    17,808
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.18
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.16
        

</TABLE>


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