MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INC
10-Q, 1997-11-13
SEMICONDUCTORS & RELATED DEVICES
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549



                                    FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 1997.

                                       OR

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

For the transition period from                    to                 .
                               ------------------   -----------------

                         Commission File Number: 0-21184
                                                --------------

                        MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

               Delaware                                       86-0629024
     (State or Other Jurisdiction of                      (I.R.S. Employer
     Incorporation or Organization)                       Identification No.)

                 2355 W. Chandler Blvd., Chandler, AZ 85224-6199
                                 (602) 786-7200
               (Address, Including Zip Code, and Telephone Number,
                      Including Area Code, of Registrant's
                          Principal Executive Offices)

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 the filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes  X    No
    ---      ---

The number of shares outstanding of the issuer's common stock, as of October 31,
1997:

                Common Stock, $.001 Par Value: 53,793,058        shares
                                              ------------------
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<PAGE>
               MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                      INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                               Page
                                                                                                               ----

<S>      <C>                                                                                                  <C>
PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION.

         Item 1.  Financial Statements

              Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets -
                  September 30, 1997 and March 31,1997.........................................................3

              Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income -
                  Three Months And Six Months Ended September 30, 1997
                  and September 30, 1996.......................................................................4

              Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -
                  Six Months Ended September 30, 1997 and September 30, 1996...................................5

              Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.............................................6

         Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                  Financial Condition and Results of Operations................................................9

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION.

         Item 1.  Legal Proceedings...........................................................................16

         Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.........................................16

         Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K............................................................18


SIGNATURES....................................................................................................19

EXHIBITS

         10.1     Credit Agreement Dated as of October 28, 1997 Among Microchip Technology
                  Incorporated, the Banks Named Therein, Bank One, Arizona, NA, as
                  Administrative Agent and The First National Bank of Chicago, as Documentation
                  Agent........................................................................................

         11       Computation of Net Income Per
                  Share........................................................................................21

</TABLE>
                                       2
<PAGE>
               MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
                     CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                      (in thousands except share amounts)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     ASSETS

                                                                  September 30, March 31,
                                                                       1997        1997
                                                                    ---------   ---------
                                                                   (Unaudited)
<S>                                                                 <C>         <C>      
Cash and cash equivalents                                           $  60,243   $  42,999
Accounts receivable, net                                               65,708      61,102
Inventories                                                            58,790      56,813
Prepaid expenses                                                        2,021       1,715
Deferred tax asset                                                     27,209      24,251
Other current assets                                                    2,120       2,656
                                                                    ---------   ---------
   Total current assets                                               216,091     189,536

Property, plant & equipment, net                                      287,532     234,058
Other assets                                                            4,486       4,498
                                                                    ---------   ---------

   Total assets                                                     $ 508,109   $ 428,092
                                                                    =========   =========


                      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY


Accounts payable                                                    $  49,418   $  35,281
Current maturities of long-term debt                                    2,416       2,470
Current maturities of capital  lease obligations                        3,549       3,776
Accrued liabilities                                                    50,631      36,392
Deferred income on shipments to distributors                           30,573      20,441
                                                                    ---------   ---------
   Total current liabilities                                          136,587      98,360

Long-term debt, less current maturities                                 2,425       3,616
Capital lease obligations, less current maturities                      1,113       2,383
Long-term pension accrual                                               1,085         980
Deferred tax liability                                                  6,122       6,169


Stockholders'  equity:

Preferred stock, $.001 par value; authorized 5,000,000 shares;
  no shares issued or outstanding                                        --          --
Common stock, $.001 par value; authorized 100,000,000 shares;
  issued and outstanding 53,734,666 shares at September 30, 1997;          
  53,196,037 shares at March 31, 1997                                      54          53
Additional paid-in capital                                            173,884     168,185
Retained  earnings                                                    186,839     149,825
Less shares of common stock held in treasury                             --        (1,479)
                                                                    ---------   ---------
   Net stockholders' equity                                           360,777     316,584

   Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                       $ 508,109   $ 428,092
                                                                    =========   =========
</TABLE>
     See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
                                       3
<PAGE>
               MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                    (in thousands except per share amounts)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Three Months Ended         Six Months Ended
                                               September 30,             September 30,
                                          ----------------------    ----------------------
                                            1997         1996         1997         1996
                                          ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
                                               (Unaudited)               (Unaudited)
<S>                                       <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>      
 Net sales                                $ 103,036    $  79,510    $ 200,264    $ 153,671
 Cost of sales                               50,895       39,722       98,730       77,247
                                          ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
    Gross profit                             52,141       39,788      101,534       76,424


 Operating expenses:
    Research and development                  9,380        7,651       18,590       14,571
    Selling, general and administrative      17,198       13,620       33,426       26,247
    Restructuring cost                         --           --           --          5,969
    Write-off of in-process technology         --           --           --          1,575
                                          ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
                                             26,578       21,271       52,016       48,362

 Operating income                            25,563       18,517       49,518       28,062

 Other income (expense):
    Interest income                             845          330        1,585          744
    Interest expense                           (287)      (1,001)        (568)      (1,760)
    Other, net                                  156          134          169           95
                                          ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------

 Income  before income  taxes                26,277       17,980       50,704       27,141

 Income taxes                                 7,095        4,854       13,690        7,329
                                          ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------

 Net income                               $  19,182    $  13,126    $  37,014    $  19,812
                                          =========    =========    =========    =========


  Net income per common and
    common equivalent share               $    0.34    $    0.24    $    0.65    $    0.37
                                          =========    =========    =========    =========


 Shares used in per share calculation        56,935       53,843       56,616       54,176
                                          =========    =========    =========    =========
</TABLE>
     See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
                                       4
<PAGE>
               MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (in thousands)


                                                             Six Months Ended 
                                                              September 30,
                                                           --------------------
                                                             1997        1996
                                                           --------    --------
Cash flows from operating activities:                          (Unaudited)
Net income                                                 $ 37,014    $ 19,812
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
net cash provided by operating
activities:
     Provision for doubtful accounts                            250          61
     Provision for inventory valuation                         (400)      3,430
     Provision for pension accrual                              697         622
     Provision for restructuring cost                          --         2,483
     Depreciation and amortization                           25,143      19,622
     Amortization of purchased technology                       150         150
     Deferred income taxes                                   (3,005)      1,620
     Compensation expense on stock options                     --            30
     Increase in accounts receivable                         (4,856)     (1,358)
     Increase in inventories                                 (1,577)     (6,382)
     Increase in accounts payable and accrued liabilities    28,376       2,718
     Change in other assets and liabilities                   9,631      (7,803)
                                                           --------    --------


Net cash provided by operating activities                    91,423      35,005
                                                           --------    --------


Cash flows from investing activities:
     Capital expenditures                                   (78,616)    (46,525)
                                                           --------    --------

Net cash used in investing activities                       (78,616)    (46,525)
                                                           --------    --------

Cash flows from financing activities:

     Net proceeds from lines of credit                         --        16,700
     Payments on long-term debt                              (1,245)     (1,412)
     Payments on capital lease obligations                   (1,497)     (1,485)
     Repurchase of common stock                                --       (19,463)
     Proceeds from sale of stock and put options              7,179       5,643
                                                           --------    --------

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities           4,437         (17)
                                                           --------    --------


Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents         17,244     (11,537)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period             42,999      31,059
                                                           --------    --------

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                 $ 60,243    $ 19,522
                                                           ========    ========

     See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements
                                       5
<PAGE>
               MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES
              NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(1)      Basis of Presentation

         The accompanying  condensed  consolidated  financial statements include
the  accounts  of  Microchip   Technology   Incorporated  and  its  wholly-owned
subsidiaries  (the "Company").  All intercompany  balances and transactions have
been eliminated in consolidation.

         In the six months ended  September  30, 1997,  the Company  changed its
method of accounting for inventories  from the last-in,  first-out (LIFO) method
to the first-in,  first-out  (FIFO)  method.  The change did not have a material
effect on the results of operations  for the six months.  The FIFO method is the
predominant accounting method used in the semiconductor industry.  Prior to this
change, the Company's inventory costs did not differ significantly under the two
methods.  Prior period  results of  operations  have not been  restated for this
change as the impact is not material.

         The accompanying  financial statements have been prepared in accordance
with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles,  pursuant  to the  rules  and
regulations  of the Securities  and Exchange  Commission.  In the opinion of the
Company,  the  accompanying  financial  statements  include all adjustments of a
normal  recurring  nature which are  necessary  for a fair  presentation  of the
results for the interim  periods  presented.  Certain  information  and footnote
disclosures  normally  included in financial  statements  have been condensed or
omitted  pursuant  to such rules and  regulations.  It is  suggested  that these
financial  statements be read in  conjunction  with the  consolidated  financial
statements and the notes thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended March 31, 1997.  The results of  operations  for the six
months ended September 30, 1997 are not necessarily indicative of the results to
be expected for the full fiscal year.

(2)      Accounts Receivable

         Accounts receivable consists of the following (amounts in thousands):

                                                 September 30,  March 31,
                                                      1997          1997
                                                 -------------------------

        Trade accounts receivable                  $67,066       $62,165
        Other                                          986         1,031
                                                   -------       -------
                                                    68,052        63,196
        Less allowance for doubtful accounts         2,344         2,094
                                                   -------       -------
                                                   $65,708       $61,102
                                                   =======       =======
                                       6
<PAGE>
(3)      Inventories

         The components of inventories are as follows (amounts in thousands):

                                                 September 30,   March 31,
                                                      1997          1997
                                                 --------------------------

       Raw materials                                $ 2,390       $ 2,310
       Work in process                               38,200        44,813
       Finished goods                                26,137        18,021
                                                    -------       -------
                                                     66,727        65,144

       Less allowance for inventory valuation         7,937         8,331
                                                    -------       -------
                                                    $58,790       $56,813
                                                    =======       =======

(4)      Property, Plant and Equipment

         Property,  plant and equipment  consists of the  following  (amounts in
thousands):

                                               September 30,    March 31,
                                                   1997           1997
                                               ---------------------------

        Land                                     $ 11,178       $ 10,837
        Building and building improvements         55,459         51,796
        Machinery and equipment                   277,849        218,284
        Projects in process                        67,038         52,608
                                                 --------       --------
                                                  411,524        333,525

        Less accumulated depreciation
        and amortization                          123,998         99,467
                                                 --------       --------
                                                 $287,532       $234,058
                                                 ========       ========

(5)      Lines of Credit

         During the  quarter  ended  September  30,  1997,  the  Company  had an
unsecured line of credit with a syndicate of U.S.  banks for up to  $90,000,000,
bearing  interest at the Prime Rate (8.5% at September 30, 1997) and expiring in
October, 1998. At March 31, 1997 and September 30, 1997 there were no borrowings
against the line of credit.  The agreement between the Company and the syndicate
of banks required the Company to achieve certain  financial ratios and operating
results.  The Company was in compliance with these covenants as of September 30,
1997.

         Subsequent  to  September  30,  1997,  the Company  replaced its credit
facility with a new credit agreement with a revised syndicate of U.S. banks. The
credit line was maintained at $90,000,000,  with substantially the same interest
rates and  covenants.  The line is a revolving  line of credit for a  three-year
period, expiring on October 28, 2001.
                                       7
<PAGE>
6)       Stockholders' Equity

         Stock  Repurchase  Activity.  In  connection  with a  stock  repurchase
program,  during the year ended March 31, 1997, the Company purchased a total of
1,326,477  shares of the Company's  Common Stock in open market  activities at a
total cost of $19,463,000.  As of June 30, 1997, the Company had reissued all of
these shares  through stock option  exercises and the Company's  employee  stock
purchase plan. Also, in connection with a stock repurchase  program,  during the
six months ended  September  30, 1997,  the Company sold put options for 350,000
shares of Common Stock at prices  ranging  from $29.50 to $30.86 per share.  The
net proceeds from the sale of these options, in the amount of $1,606,100 for the
six months ended  September 30, 1997,  has been  credited to additional  paid-in
capital.  As of September 30, 1997, the Company had  outstanding put options for
400,000  shares which have  expiration  dates  ranging from December 26, 1997 to
June 16, 1998 at prices ranging from $24.88 to $30.86 per share.

         Increase to the Number of Authorized  Shares. In April, 1997, the Board
of Directors  approved an amendment to the  Company's  Restated  Certificate  of
Incorporation, as amended, to increase the number of authorized shares of Common
Stock  from  65,000,000  to  100,000,000.   This  matter  was  approved  by  the
stockholders at the 1997 annual stockholders' meeting held on July 28, 1997, and
became  effective  upon the filing of a certificate of amendment to the Restated
Certificate of  Incorporation  with the Delaware  Secretary of State on July 28,
1997.
                                       8
<PAGE>
               MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

                      MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
                OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Results of Operations

         The following table sets forth certain operational data as a percentage
of net sales for the periods indicated:

                                          Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
                                             September 30,       September 30,
                                            1997      1996      1997      1996
                                           ------    ------    ------    ------

Net sales ..............................   100.0%    100.0%    100.0%    100.0%
Cost of sales ..........................    49.4      50.0      49.3      50.3
                                           ------    ------    ------    ------
Gross profit ...........................    50.6      50.0      50.7      49.7
Research and development ...............     9.1       9.6       9.3       9.4
Selling, general and administrative ....    16.7      17.1      16.7      17.1
Restructuring cost .....................     --        --        --         3.9
Write-off of in-process technology .....     --        --        --         1.0
                                           ------    ------    ------    ------
Operating income .......................    24.8%     23.3%     24.7%     18.3%
                                           ======    ======    ======    ======


         Net Sales.  The Company's net sales for the quarter ended September 30,
1997 were $103.0  million,  an increase of 29.6% over net sales of $79.5 million
for the  corresponding  quarter of the previous  fiscal year, and an increase of
6.0% from the previous  quarter's net sales of $97.2 million.  The Company's net
sales for the six months  ended  September  30,  1997 were  $200.3  million,  an
increase of 30.3% over net sales of $153.7 million for the corresponding  period
of the previous  fiscal year.  The  Company's  family of 8-bit  microcontrollers
represents   the   largest   component   of   Microchip's   total   net   sales.
Microcontrollers  and associated  application  development systems accounted for
68.8% and 65.0% of total net sales in the three months ended  September 30, 1997
and 1996,  respectively.  A related  component of the  Company's  product  sales
consists primarily of serial EEPROMs,  along with smaller quantities of parallel
EEPROM memories and high-speed and low-voltage EPROMs.  These products accounted
for 29.1% and 31.0% of net sales in the three  months ended  September  30, 1997
and 1996, respectively.  Microcontrollers and associated application development
systems accounted for 69.3% and 63.0% of total net sales in the six months ended
September  30, 1997 and 1996,  respectively.  Serial  EEPROMs,  parallel  EEPROM
memories and high speed and low-voltage  EPROMs accounted for 28.7% and 32.0% of
total  net  sales  in  the  six  months  ended  September  30,  1997  and  1996,
respectively.

         The  Company's  net sales in any given  quarter  are  dependent  upon a
combination  of orders  received in that  quarter for  shipment in that  quarter
("turns  orders") and shipments  from backlog.  The Company has  emphasized  its
ability  to  respond  quickly  to  customer  orders  as part of its  competitive
strategy. This strategy, combined with current industry conditions, is resulting
in customers  placing  orders with short  delivery  schedules.  This has had the
effect of increasing turns orders as a portion of the Company's  business in the
six months ended September 30, 1997, as compared to the corresponding  period of
the previous fiscal year and the turns order  percentage is expected to increase
in the current  quarter.  Because  turns  orders are more  difficult to predict,
there can be no assurance  that the  combination  of turns orders and backlog in
any quarter will be  sufficient to achieve  growth in net sales.  If the Company
does not achieve a sufficient level of turns orders in a particular quarter, the
Company's revenues and operating results would be materially adversely affected.
                                       9
<PAGE>
         In the quarter ended September 30, 1997, the Company was unable to ship
approximately  $4  million of product  for which it had firm  scheduled  orders,
approximately  the same as  shipment  delinquencies  at the end of the two prior
fiscal  quarters.  These shipment  delinquencies  were a result of inventory mix
issues which have been exacerbated by the rapid growth in the Company's  product
offerings and the low long-term order visibility.  The Company  anticipates that
low long-term order visibility will continue for the foreseeable  future and, as
a result,  the Company expects it may have shipment  delinquencies at the end of
each quarter which could adversely affect quarterly operating results.

         The Company's  overall average  selling prices for its  microcontroller
products have remained relatively constant,  while average selling prices of its
non-volatile  memory  products have declined over time. For the six months ended
September 30, 1997,  the Company has continued to experience  increased  pricing
pressure on its non-volatile  memory products due to the less proprietary nature
of these  products and  increased  competition.  There can be no assurance  that
average selling prices for the Company's  microcontroller or other products will
not experience  increased pricing pressure in the future. An increase in pricing
pressure could adversely affect the Company's operating results.

         The foregoing statements regarding product mix, turns orders,  shipment
delinquencies  and pricing  pressures are forward looking  statements within the
meaning of Section 27A of the  Securities  Act of 1933, as amended,  and Section
21E of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,  and are subject to the
safe harbors created thereby.  Actual results could differ materially because of
the following  factors,  among others: the level of orders that are received and
can be shipped  in a  quarter;  inventory  mix and  timing of  customer  orders;
competition  and  competitive  pressures  on pricing and  product  availability;
customers' inventory levels, order patterns and seasonality; the cyclical nature
of both the  semiconductor  industry and the markets  addressed by the Company's
products;  market  acceptance  of the  products  of  both  the  Company  and its
customers; demand for the Company's products; fluctuations in production yields,
production  efficiencies  and overall capacity  utilization;  changes in product
mix; and absorption of fixed costs, labor and other fixed manufacturing costs.

         Foreign sales represented 68.0% of net sales in the current quarter and
63.0% of net sales in the corresponding  quarter of the previous fiscal year and
70.0% of net sales in the previous quarter.  Foreign sales represented 69.0% and
65.0% for six  months  ended  September  30,  1997 and 1996,  respectively.  The
Company's foreign sales have been predominantly in Asia, Europe and Japan, which
the  Company  attributes  to the  manufacturing  strength  in  those  areas  for
consumer, automotive, office automation, communications and industrial products.
The  majority  of foreign  sales are U.S.  Dollar  denominated.  The Company has
entered into and,  from time to time,  will enter into hedging  transactions  in
order to minimize exposure to currency rate  fluctuations.  Although none of the
countries in which the Company conducts  significant foreign operations have had
a highly inflationary economy in the last five years, there is no assurance that
inflation rates or fluctuations in foreign currency rates in countries where the
Company conducts  operations will not adversely  affect the Company's  operating
results in the future.

         Several  countries,  predominantly  in Asia, have recently  experienced
economic difficulties  including high rates of loan defaults,  business failures
and currency devaluations. To date, the Company has not experienced any material
impact to its business from such economic issues.  However,  the Company derives
approximately  35% of its net sales from  customers  in Asia and Japan and there
can be no assurance that such economic  difficulties  will not adversely  affect
the Company's operating results in the future.
                                       10
<PAGE>
         Additional Factors Affecting  Operating  Results.  The Company believes
that future growth in net sales of its 8-bit family of microcontroller  products
and related memory  products will depend  largely upon the Company's  success in
having  its  current  and  new  products  designed  into  high-volume   customer
applications.  Design wins typically  precede the Company's  volume  shipment of
products for such  applications  by 15 months or more. The Company also believes
that shipment levels of its proprietary  application  development systems are an
indicator of potential future design wins and microcontroller sales. The Company
continued  to  achieve  a high  volume of design  wins and  shipped  significant
numbers of application  development  systems in the three months ended September
30,  1997.  There can be no assurance  that any  particular  development  system
shipment will result in a product design win or that any  particular  design win
will result in future product sales.

         The Company's operating results are affected by a wide variety of other
factors that could  adversely  impact its net sales and  profitability,  many of
which are beyond the  Company's  control.  These  factors  include the Company's
ability  to  design  and  introduce  new  products  on a  timely  basis,  market
acceptance  of products of both the Company and its  customers,  customer  order
patterns  and  seasonality,  changes  in  product  mix,  whether  the  Company's
customers  buy  from  a  distributor  or  directly  from  the  Company,  product
performance and  reliability,  product  obsolescence,  the amount of any product
returns, availability and utilization of manufacturing capacity, fluctuations in
manufacturing  yield, the availability and cost of raw materials,  equipment and
other supplies,  the cyclical nature of both the semiconductor  industry and the
markets addressed by the Company's products,  technological changes, competition
and competitive pressures on prices, and economic, political or other conditions
in the United States,  and other  worldwide  markets served by the Company.  The
Company believes its ability to continue to increase its manufacturing  capacity
to meet customer demand and maintain  satisfactory delivery schedules will be an
important  competitive  factor.  As a result of the  increase in fixed costs and
operating  expenses  related  to  expanding  its  manufacturing   capacity,  the
Company's  operating  results  may be  adversely  affected  if net  sales do not
increase  sufficiently to offset the increased costs. The Company's products are
incorporated  into a wide variety of consumer,  automotive,  office  automation,
communications and industrial  products. A slowdown in demand for products which
utilize the  Company's  products as a result of economic or other  conditions in
the worldwide markets served by the Company could adversely affect the Company's
operating results.

         Gross Profit. The Company's gross profit was $52.1 million in the three
months  ended   September  30,  1997,  as  compared  to  $39.8  million  in  the
corresponding  quarter  of the  prior  fiscal  year,  and $49.4  million  in the
previous  quarter.  Gross  profit as a percent of sales was 50.6% in the current
quarter,  50.0% in the corresponding  quarter of the prior fiscal year and 50.8%
in the previous  quarter.  Gross profit for the six months ended  September  30,
1997 was $101.5  million as  compared  to $76.4  million  for the  corresponding
period of the  previous  fiscal  year.  Gross  profit as a percent of sales were
50.7% and 49.7% for those periods,  respectively.  The Company  anticipates that
its cost of sales and gross profit  percentage will fluctuate over time,  driven
primarily  by the  product  mix of 8-bit  microcontroller  products  and related
memory products  manufacturing  yields, wafer fab loading levels and competitive
and economic conditions. Gross profit percentage increased from the prior period
levels,  primarily as a result of the  percentage of net sales  attributable  to
8-bit microcontrollers and improved wafer fabrication  utilization.  The Company
continues the process of  transitioning  products to smaller  geometries  and to
larger  wafer  sizes to reduce  future  manufacturing  costs.  Eight-inch  wafer
production  commenced at the Company's Tempe wafer fabrication facility in early
fiscal 1998, and the Company is continuing the transition of products to its 0.7
micron  process.  The Company expects that 20% of it's production will come from
eight-inch  wafers  during the quarter  ended  December 31, 1997.  The foregoing
statements  relating  to  anticipated  gross  margins,  cost of  sales,  and the
transition  to  higher  yielding  manufacturing  processes  are  forward-looking
statements within the meaning of Section 27A of
                                       11
<PAGE>
the  Securities  Act of 1933,  as amended,  and  Section  21E of the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934,  as amended,  and are subject to the safe harbors  created
thereby.  Actual  results  could  differ  materially  because  of the  following
factors, among others:  fluctuations in production yields, production efficiency
and  overall  capacity  utilization;  cost and  availability  of raw  materials;
absorption  of fixed costs,  labor and other  direct  manufacturing  costs;  the
timing and success of manufacturing process transition;  changes in product mix;
competitive  pressures on prices;  and other  economic  conditions in the United
States and other worldwide markets.

         All of  Microchip's  assembly  operations  and a portion of its product
final test  requirements  are performed by  third-party  contractors in order to
meet product  shipment  requirements.  Reliance on third  parties  involves some
reduction in the Company's level of control over these portions of its business.
While the Company  reviews the quality,  delivery and cost  performance of these
third-party contractors,  there can be no assurance that reliance on third-party
contractors will not adversely impact results in future reporting periods if any
third-party  contractor is unable to maintain assembly and test yields and costs
at approximately their current levels.

         The Company owns product final test  facilities  in Kaohsiung,  Taiwan,
Republic of China and  Chachoengsao,  Thailand.  The Company  also uses  various
third-party contractors in Thailand, Taiwan, the Philippines,  Republic of China
and  other  locations  in Asia for  product  assembly  and test.  The  Company's
reliance on facilities in these countries,  and maintenance of substantially all
of its finished goods inventory overseas, entails certain political and economic
risks,  including  political  instability and  expropriation,  labor disruption,
supply  disruption,  currency  controls  and exchange  fluctuations,  as well as
changes in tax laws, tariff and freight rates.  Microchip  currently employs the
Alphatec  Electronics  PCL  group of  companies  ("Alphatec")  headquartered  in
Bangkok,  Thailand,  for a portion of its product assembly.  Alphatec's assembly
operations have performed  reliably for the Company for several years,  however,
Alphatec has  experienced  difficulty in obtaining  financing in connection with
some  of  its  unrelated  joint  ventures  involving  semiconductor  fabrication
facilities in Thailand.  Microchip  currently  has multiple  sources for product
assembly  and test for most of its package  types and has shifted a  significant
portion of its assembly and test requirements to other factories.  Despite these
actions,  there can be no assurance that Microchip may not experience short-term
disruption,   including  possible  temporary  product  shortages  and  increased
assembly and test costs, compared to those received from the current subcontract
relationship  with Alphatec.  The Company has not  experienced  any  significant
interruptions  in its foreign  business  operations  to date.  Nonetheless,  the
Company's  business and operating results could be adversely affected if foreign
operations or international air transportation were disrupted.

         During  the  fourth  quarter  of fiscal  1997,  the  Company  commenced
construction of an additional 20,000 square foot wafer fabrication module at its
Tempe, Arizona,  facility.  Construction was completed during the second quarter
of fiscal  1998 and it is  anticipated  that the  additional  wafer  fabrication
module will begin wafer  production  in the fourth  quarter of fiscal  1998.  In
addition,  the Company also expanded  capacity at its Chandler wafer fabrication
facility and added an additional 3,000 square feet of capacity during the second
quarter  of fiscal  1998.  The  foregoing  statements  regarding  completion  of
construction and additional  available capacity are  forward-looking  statements
within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,  and are subject
to the safe harbors  created  thereby.  Actual  results could differ  materially
because of the following  factors,  among others:  delays in facilitation of the
expanded Tempe and Chandler wafer fabrication facilities;  production yields and
efficiencies;  factory  absorption rates;  capacity loading;  supply disruption;
operating cost levels; and the rate of revenue growth.
                                       12
<PAGE>
         Research  and  Development.  The  Company  is  committed  to  continued
investment  in new and enhanced  products,  including  its  development  systems
software  and  its  design  and  manufacturing  process  technology,  which  are
significant  factors in  maintaining  the Company's  competitive  position.  The
dollar  investment in research and  development  increased  22.6% in the current
quarter as compared to the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal year and
by 1.8% from the  previous  quarter.  The  dollar  investment  in  research  and
development  increased  by 27.6% in the six months ended  September  30, 1997 as
compared to the corresponding  period of the prior fiscal year. The Company will
continue to invest in research  and  development  in the  future,  including  an
investment  in process  and product  development  associated  with the  capacity
expansion of the Company's fabrication facilities.

         The  Company's  future  operating  results will depend to a significant
extent on its ability to continue to develop  and  introduce  new  products on a
timely basis which can compete effectively on the basis of price and performance
and  which   address   customer   requirements.   The  success  of  new  product
introductions   depends  on  various  factors,   including  proper  new  product
selection,   timely   completion  and   introduction  of  new  product  designs,
development  of support tools and  collateral  literature  that make complex new
products  easy for  engineers to  understand  and use and market  acceptance  of
customers' end products.  Because of the complexity of its products, the Company
has  experienced  delays from time to time in completing the  development of new
products.  In  addition,  there can be no assurance  that any new products  will
receive or maintain substantial market acceptance. If the Company were unable to
design, develop and introduce competitive products on a timely basis, its future
operating results would be adversely affected.

         The  Company's  future  success  will also  depend  upon its ability to
develop and implement new design and process technologies.  Semiconductor design
and process  technologies are subject to rapid technological  change,  requiring
large expenditures for research and development. Other companies in the industry
have  experienced  difficulty  in  effecting  transitions  to  smaller  geometry
processes  and  to  larger  wafers  and,  consequently,  have  suffered  reduced
manufacturing yields or delays in product deliveries.  The Company believes that
its transition to smaller  geometries and to larger wafers will be important for
the Company to remain  competitive,  and  operating  results  could be adversely
affected  if  the   transition  is   substantially   delayed  or   inefficiently
implemented.

         Selling,  General and  Administrative.  Through  expense  controls  and
operating   efficiencies,   the  Company  has  reduced   selling,   general  and
administrative  expenses in the  current  fiscal  quarter to 16.7% of sales,  as
compared to 17.1% of sales in the  corresponding  period of the previous  fiscal
year.  Selling,  general and administrative  expenses were 16.7% in the previous
quarter. Selling, general and administrative expenses were 16.7% of sales in the
six month  period  ending  September  30,  1997,  as  compared  to 17.1% for the
corresponding  period in the prior fiscal year. This has been achieved while the
Company has continued to invest significantly in incremental worldwide sales and
technical support resources to promote the Company's  embedded control products.
However,  there can be no assurance  that  revenue  growth in the future will be
sufficient  to  continue to reduce the  current  level of  selling,  general and
administrative expenses as a percentage of sales.

         Other  Income  (Expense).  Interest  expense in the three  months ended
September 30, 1997  decreased  over the same period of the previous  fiscal year
due  to  lower  borrowings  associated  with  the  Company's  capital  equipment
additions,  and was  essentially in line with interest  expense for the previous
quarter.  Interest income in the three months ended September 30, 1997 increased
from the same period of the previous year and from the previous  fiscal  quarter
primarily as a result of investing the proceeds of the Company's equity offering
completed in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1997. Other income represents numerous
immaterial non-operating items. The Company's interest expense could increase in
fiscal 1998
                                       13
<PAGE>
if the Company  increases its borrowings and interest expense would be adversely
impacted by increased interest rates.

         Provision for Income Taxes.  Provisions for income taxes reflect tax on
foreign earnings and federal and state tax on U.S. earnings.  The Company had an
effective  tax rate of 27.0% for each of the three  months ended  September  30,
1997 and 1996 and each of the six months ended  September 30, 1997 and 1996, due
primarily to lower tax rates at its foreign locations. The Company believes that
its tax  rate  for the  foreseeable  future  will be  approximately  27.0%.  The
foregoing  statement  regarding the Company's  anticipated  future tax rate is a
forward-looking  statement  within the meaning of Section 27A of the  Securities
Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended,  and is subject to the safe harbors created thereby.  Actual results
could differ materially because of the following factors, among others: taxation
rates in geographic  regions where the Company has significant  operations;  and
current tax holidays available in foreign locations.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

         The Company had $60.2 million in cash and cash equivalents at September
30, 1997, an increase of $17.2  million from the March 31, 1997 balance.  During
the  quarter,  the Company had an  unsecured  line of credit with a syndicate of
domestic  banks  totaling  $90.0  million.  There were no  borrowings  under the
domestic  line of credit as of September  30, 1997.  The domestic line of credit
required the Company to achieve certain financial ratios and operating  results.
The Company was in compliance  with these  covenants at September 30, 1997.  The
Company also has an unsecured  short term line of credit  totaling $23.6 million
with certain foreign banks.  There were no borrowings  under the foreign line of
credit as of September 30, 1997.  There are no covenants  related to the foreign
line of credit.

         Subsequent  to  September  30,  1997,  the Company  replaced its credit
facility with a new credit agreement with a revised syndicate of U.S. banks. The
credit line was maintained at $90,000,000,  with substantially the same interest
rates and  covenants.  The line is a revolving  line of credit for a  three-year
period, expiring on October 28, 2001.

         At  September  30,  1997,  an  aggregate  of  $113.6  million  of these
facilities was available,  subject to financial  covenants and ratios with which
the Company was in  compliance.  The  Company's  ability to fully  utilize these
facilities  is  dependent  on the  Company  remaining  in  compliance  with such
covenants and ratios.

         During the six months ended  September 30, 1997, the Company  generated
$91.4 million of cash from operating activities, an improvement of $56.4 million
from the six months ended  September 30, 1996. The improvement in cash flow from
operations was primarily due to increased profitability, the impact of increases
in  accounts  payable  and accrued  expenses  and an  increase  in  depreciation
expense.

         The Company's level of capital expenditures varies from time to time as
a result of actual and anticipated business conditions.  Capital expenditures in
the six months ended  September 30, 1997 and 1996,  were $78.6 million and $46.5
million, respectively.  Capital expenditures were primarily for the expansion of
production  capacity and the addition of research and  development  equipment in
each of these  periods.  The Company  currently  intends to spend  approximately
$60.0  million  during the balance of this fiscal year and  approximately  $65.0
million  for the first six months of next  fiscal  year for  additional  capital
equipment to increase capacity at its existing wafer fabrication facilities,  to
construct  additional  facilities  and to expand  product test  operations.  The
Company  expects  capital  expenditures  will  be  financed  by cash  flow  from
operations, available debt arrangements and other sources of
                                       14
<PAGE>
financing.  The Company believes that the capital expenditures anticipated to be
incurred   over  the  next  12  months  will   provide   sufficient   additional
manufacturing  capacity to meet its currently  anticipated  needs. The foregoing
statements regarding the anticipated level of capital expenditures over the next
12 months are  forward-looking  statements  within the meaning of Section 27A of
the  Securities  Act of 1933,  as amended,  and  Section  21E of the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934,  as amended,  and are subject to the safe harbors  created
thereby.  Actual capital  expenditures  could differ  materially  because of the
following  factors,  among  others:  the  cyclical  nature of the  semiconductor
industry and the markets addressed by the Company's products;  market acceptance
of the products of both the Company and its  customers;  utilization  of current
manufacturing  capacity;  the availability and cost of raw materials,  equipment
and other  supplies;  and the economic,  political  and other  conditions in the
United States and other worldwide markets served by the Company.

         Net cash provided by financing  activities was $4.4 million for the six
months ended  September  30, 1997.  Proceeds  from sale of stock and put options
were $7.2 million and $5.6 million for the six months ended  September  30, 1997
and 1996, respectively. Payments on long term debt and capital lease obligations
were $2.7 million and $2.9 million for the six months ended  September  30, 1997
and 1996 respectively. Proceeds from lines of credit were $ 16.7 million for the
six months  ended  September  30,  1996.  Cash  expended for the purchase of the
Company's  Common Stock was $19.5 million for the six months ended September 30,
1996.

         On July 26, 1996, the Company's  Board of Directors  authorized a share
repurchase plan which permits the Company to purchase up to 1,500,000  shares of
its Common  Stock and to sell up to 750,000 put  options.  Based on the price of
Microchip's stock and other pertinent factors, the Company may from time to time
purchase  shares on the open market or sell put  options.  See Footnote 6 to the
Company's Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

         The Company  believes that its existing  sources of liquidity  combined
with cash  generated  from  operations  will be sufficient to meet the Company's
currently  anticipated  cash  requirements  for at  least  the  next 12  months.
However,  the semiconductor  industry is capital  intensive.  In order to remain
competitive,  the Company  must  continue  to make  significant  investments  in
capital equipment, for both production and research and development. The Company
may seek additional  equity or debt financing  during the next 12 months for the
capital  expenditures  required  to  maintain  or  expand  the  Company's  wafer
fabrication  and  product  test  facilities.  The  timing and amount of any such
capital  requirements  will depend on a number of factors,  including demand for
the  Company's  products,  product  mix,  changes  in  industry  conditions  and
competitive  factors.  There can be no  assurance  that such  financing  will be
available on acceptable  terms, and any additional equity financing could result
in additional dilution to existing investors.

         Recent  Accounting  Pronouncements.  In February,  1997,  the Financial
Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No.
128, "Earnings per Share" ("Statement 128"). Statement 128 establishes standards
for computing and  presenting  earnings per share  ("EPS"),  and  supersedes APB
Opinion No. 15.  Statement 128 replaces  primary EPS with basic EPS and requires
dual  presentation  of basic and diluted EPS.  Statement  128 is  effective  for
annual and interim periods ending after December 15, 1997.  Earlier  adoption is
not permitted.  After  adoption,  all prior period EPS data shall be restated to
conform to Statement 128.  Proforma  basic and diluted EPS, as calculated  under
Statement  128 would  have been  $0.36  and  $0.34  for the three  months  ended
September  30, 1997 and $0.69 and $0.65 for the six months ended  September  30,
1997.
                                       15
<PAGE>
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION.

Item 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

         Microchip Technology Incorporated v. Lucent Technologies Inc. (District
of Arizona,  CIV97-1502 PHX EHC) On October 30, 1997,  Lucent  Technologies Inc.
("Lucent")  filed its answer  to,  and a  counterclaim  against  the  Company in
response to, the Company's action for declaratory relief filed against Lucent on
July 16, 1997. Lucent's answer,  among other matters,  admits that the court has
jurisdiction  to  address  the  matters  raised  in the  Company's  action.  The
counterclaims  asserted by Lucent  allege  infringement  by the Company of eight
Lucent  patents,  seven of which the  Company has sought  declaratory  judgement
relief  from  the  court  in  this  action.  The  counterclaim  seeks  permanent
injunction  relief  from  the  court  in this  action.  The  counterclaim  seeks
permanent  injunctive  relief and damages,  including treble damages for willful
infringement. The Company believes that it does not infringe any of the asserted
Lucent patents and will defend the counterclaim vigorously.  Prior to initiating
this  action,  Microchip  had engaged in good faith  license  negotiations  with
Lucent for over four years regarding alleged infringement of certain of Lucent's
semiconductor patents. Despite the continuing litigation, the Company intends to
continue  negotiations  with Lucent with the goal of obtaining a  resolution  of
this matter,  which could include a license on  commercially  reasonable  terms.
However, no assurances can be given that a mutually satisfactory conclusion will
be achieved and that  protracted  litigation  will not ensue.  Litigation  could
result in substantial cost to the Company and diversion of management effort. If
unsuccessful,  the Company  could be forced to pay  royalties on past and future
sales  and  be  subject  to an  injunction.  Such  litigation  the  grant  of an
injunction,  and/or royalty payments could have a material adverse impact on the
Company's business and operating results.

Item 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

(a)  The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company was held on July 28, 1997
     (the "Meeting").

(b)  Steve Sanghi, Albert J. Hugo-Martinez,  Jon H. Beedle, L.B. Day and Matthew
     W. Chapman were elected as Directors at the Meeting.
                                       16
<PAGE>
(c)  The  results of the vote on the matters  voted upon at the Meeting  were as
     follows:

     (i)  Election of Directors:

                                                    For       Withheld/Abstain
                                                    ---       ----------------

        Steve Sanghi                             47,611,063       52,179
        Albert J. Hugo-Martinez                  47,611,220       52,022
        Jon H. Beedle                            47,610,844       52,398
        L.B. Day                                 47,609,140       54,102
        Matthew W. Chapman                       47,609,070       54,172

     (ii) Approval  of  Amendment  to  the  Company's  Restated  Certificate  of
          Incorporation, as amended, to increase the number of authorized shares
          of Common Stock,  par value $0.001 per share (the "Common Stock") from
          65,000,000 to 100,000,000:

             For             Against     Withheld/Abstain   Broker Non-Votes
             ---             -------     ----------------   ----------------

         46,916,258          717,745           29,239                0

     (iii)Approval  of  Amendment  to the  Microchip  1993 Stock  Option Plan to
          increase by 2,000,000  the number of shares of Common  Stock  reserved
          for issuance thereunder:

             For             Against     Withheld/Abstain   Broker Non-Votes
             ---             -------     ----------------   ----------------

         35,868,682        11,606,004          37,311          151,245

     (iv) To approve an amendment to the Company's  Employee Stock Purchase Plan
          to increase by 300,000 the number of shares of Common  Stock  reserved
          for issuance thereunder:

             For             Against     Withheld/Abstain   Broker Non-Votes
             ---             -------     ----------------   ----------------

         39,644,096         7,835,877          32,024          151,245

     (v) Ratification  of  Appointment of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as the Company's
         independent auditors for the fiscal year ending March 31, 1998.

             For             Against                Abstain
             ---             -------                -------

         47,635,265           8,034                 19,943

The  foregoing  matters  are  described  in  more  detail  in  the  Registrant's
definitive proxy statement dated June 20, 1997 relating to the Meeting.
                                       17
<PAGE>
ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

         (a)      Exhibits

         10.1     Credit  Agreement Dated as of October 28, 1997 Among Microchip
                  Technology  Incorporated,  the Banks Named Therein,  Bank One,
                  Arizona,  NA, as  Administrative  Agent and The First National
                  Bank of Chicago, as Documentation Agent

         11       Computation of Net Income Per Share

         (b)      Reports on Form 8-K.

                  The registrant did not file any reports on Form 8-K during the
                  quarter ended September 30, 1997.
                                       18
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the  requirements  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.

                                        MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED


Date: November 11, 1997                 By: /s/ C. Philip Chapman
      ----------------------                ------------------------------------
                                            C. Philip Chapman
                                            Vice President, Chief Financial
                                            Officer and Secretary (Duly
                                            Authorized Officer, and Principal
                                            Financial and Accounting Officer)
                                       19
<PAGE>
                                  EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         Exhibit No.                                                                                 Page No.
         -----------                                                                                 --------
<S>               <C>                                                                                   <C>

         10.1     Credit Agreement Dated as of October 28, 1997 Among Microchip Technology
                  Incorporated, the Banks Named Therein, Bank One, Arizona, NA, as
                  Administrative Agent and The First National Bank of Chicago,
                  as Documentation Agent................................................................

         11       Computation of Net Income Per Share...................................................21
</TABLE>
                                       20

================================================================================


                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                      among

                        MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED


                             THE BANKS NAMED HEREIN


                              BANK ONE, ARIZONA, NA
                             as Administrative Agent

                                       and

                       THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
                             as Documentation Agent





                          Dated as of October 28, 1997


================================================================================
<PAGE>
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                -----------------

                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----

ARTICLE I    DEFINITIONS.......................................................2
     SECTION 1.1  Defined Terms................................................2
     SECTION 1.2  Terms Generally.............................................12

ARTICLE II   THE REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY....................................13
     SECTION 2.1  The Commitment..............................................13
     SECTION 2.2  Borrowings Under the Revolving Credit Facility..............13
     SECTION 2.3  Notice of Borrowings........................................13
     SECTION 2.4  Revolving Credit Loans......................................14
     SECTION 2.5  Refinancings................................................15
     SECTION 2.6  Fees........................................................15
     SECTION 2.7  Notes; Repayment of Revolving Credit Loans..................15
     SECTION 2.8  Interest on Revolving Credit Loans..........................16
     SECTION 2.9  Default Interest............................................16
     SECTION 2.10  Termination and Reduction of Commitments...................16
     SECTION 2.11  Conversion and Continuation of Borrowings..................17
     SECTION 2.12  Prepayment.................................................18
     SECTION 2.13  Reserve Requirements; Change in Circumstances..............18
     SECTION 2.14  Change in Legality.........................................20
     SECTION 2.15  Redeployment Loss..........................................21
     SECTION 2.16  Pro Rata Treatment.........................................22
     SECTION 2.17  Sharing of Setoffs.........................................22
     SECTION 2.18  Payments...................................................23
     SECTION 2.19  Taxes......................................................23
     SECTION 2.20  Termination or Assignment of Commitments Under Certain
                          Circumstances.......................................26

ARTICLE III  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES...................................27
     SECTION 3.1  Organization; Corporate Powers; Etc.........................27
     SECTION 3.2  Authorization; Etc..........................................27
     SECTION 3.3  Enforceability..............................................27
     SECTION 3.4  Financial Condition and Information.........................27
     SECTION 3.5  No Material Adverse Change..................................28
     SECTION 3.6  Litigation..................................................28
     SECTION 3.7  Federal Reserve Regulations.................................28
     SECTION 3.8  Investment Company Act......................................28
     SECTION 3.9  Public Utility Holding Company Act..........................28
     SECTION 3.10  Tax Returns................................................29
     SECTION 3.11  ERISA......................................................29
     SECTION 3.12  Title to Properties: Possession............................29
<PAGE>
     SECTION 3.13  Use of Proceeds............................................29
     SECTION 3.14  Environmental and Safety Matters...........................29
     SECTION 3.15  Subsidiaries...............................................29

ARTICLE IV   CONDITIONS TO CREDIT EVENTS......................................30
     SECTION 4.1  Credit Events...............................................30
     SECTION 4.2  First Credit Event..........................................30

ARTICLE V    AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS............................................32
     SECTION 5.1  Corporate Existence.........................................32
     SECTION 5.2  Insurance...................................................32
     SECTION 5.3  Taxes.......................................................32
     SECTION 5.4  Financial Statements; Reports, etc..........................32
     SECTION 5.5  Litigation and Other Notices................................33
     SECTION 5.6  Maintaining Records: Access to Premises and Records.........34
     SECTION 5.7  Use of Proceeds.............................................34
     SECTION 5.8  Operations and Properties...................................34
     SECTION 5.9  Compliance with Law.........................................34
     SECTION 5.10  ERISA Compliance...........................................34

ARTICLE VI   NEGATIVE COVENANTS...............................................36
     SECTION 6.1  Liens.......................................................36
     SECTION 6.2  Sale and Lease-Back Transactions............................37
     SECTION 6.3  Subsidiary Indebtedness.....................................37
     SECTION 6.4  Mergers, Consolidations, Sales of Assets....................37
     SECTION 6.5  Acquisitions................................................38
     SECTION 6.6  Business of Borrower........................................38
     SECTION 6.7  ERISA Liabilities...........................................38
     SECTION 6.8  Subordinated Indebtedness...................................38
     SECTION 6.9  Debt/EBITDA Ratio...........................................38
     SECTION 6.10  Consolidated Effective Tangible Net Worth..................39
     SECTION 6.11  Debt/Worth Ratio...........................................39
     SECTION 6.12  Continued Profitability....................................39

ARTICLE VII  EVENTS OF DEFAULT................................................40
     SECTION 7.1  Events of Default...........................................40
     SECTION 7.2  Remedies....................................................42
     SECTION 7.3  Occurrence and Declaration of an Event of Default...........43

ARTICLE VIII THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT; INTERBANK AGREEMENT....................44
     SECTION 8.1  Appointment.................................................44
     SECTION 8.2  Liability...................................................44
     SECTION 8.3  Action by Administrative Agent..............................45
     SECTION 8.4  Resignation.................................................46
                                      -ii-
<PAGE>
     SECTION 8.5  Agent as Bank...............................................46
     SECTION 8.6  Ownership and Possession of Loan Documents..................47
     SECTION 8.7  Indemnification.............................................47
     SECTION 8.8  Independent Credit Analysis.................................47
     SECTION 8.9  Process for Obtaining Approval of the Banks.................48
     SECTION 8.10  Communications to the Banks................................48
     SECTION 8.11  Relationship with the Borrower.............................49
     SECTION 8.12  Payments to or by the Banks................................49
     SECTION 8.13  Application of Payments....................................50
     SECTION 8.14  Defaulting Banks...........................................50
     SECTION 8.15  Purchase of Defaulting Bank's Interest After Default.......51
     SECTION 8.16  Purchase Price and Payment for Defaulting Bank's Interest..52

ARTICLE IX   MISCELLANEOUS....................................................53
     SECTION 9.1  Notices.....................................................53
     SECTION 9.2  Survival of Agreement.......................................53
     SECTION 9.3  Binding Effect..............................................53
     SECTION 9.4  Successors and Assigns......................................54
     SECTION 9.5  Expenses; Indemnity.........................................56
     SECTION 9.6  Right of Setoff.............................................57
     SECTION 9.7  Applicable Law..............................................58
     SECTION 9.8  Waivers; Amendment..........................................58
     SECTION 9.9  Interest Rate Limitation....................................58
     SECTION 9.10  Entire Agreement...........................................59
     SECTION 9.11  Severability...............................................59
     SECTION 9.12  Counterparts and Signature Pages...........................59
     SECTION 9.13  Headings...................................................59
     SECTION 9.14  Arbitration................................................59
     SECTION 9.15  Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process................61
     SECTION 9.16  Waiver of Jury Trial.......................................61
     SECTION 9.17  Confidentiality............................................62
                                      -iii-
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LIST OF EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES

<S>                <C>    <C>
Exhibit "A"        -      Form of Assignment and Acceptance
Exhibit "B"        -      Form of Borrowing Notice
Exhibit "C"        -      Form of Note
Exhibit "D"        -      Administrative Details Reply Form
Exhibit "E"        -      Matters to be Covered by the Legal Opinion of Borrower's Counsel
Exhibit "F"        -      Form of Quarterly Compliance and Margin Certificate
                       
Schedule 2.1       -      Commitments of Banks
Schedule 3.5       -      Material Adverse Change Since June 30, 1997
Schedule 3.15      -      Borrower's Subsidiaries
Schedule 6.1       -      Permitted Liens
</TABLE>
                                      -iv-
<PAGE>
                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

         BY  THIS   CREDIT   AGREEMENT   (together   with  any   amendments   or
modifications,  the  "Agreement"),  entered  into as of October  28, 1997 by and
among  MICROCHIP   TECHNOLOGY   INCORPORATED,   a  Delaware   corporation   (the
"Borrower"),  the banks listed in Schedule 2.1 (the "Banks"), BANK ONE, ARIZONA,
NA, a national banking  association,  as administrative  agent for the Banks (in
such  capacity,  the  "Administrative  Agent")  and THE FIRST  NATIONAL  BANK OF
CHICAGO, a national banking association, as Documentation Agent in consideration
of the mutual  promises herein  contained and for other valuable  consideration,
the parties hereto do agree as follows:

                                    RECITALS
                                    --------

         A.  The  Borrower  has  requested   that  the  Banks  provide   lending
commitments  in an  aggregate  principal  amount of  $90,000,000.00  at any time
outstanding on a revolving  credit basis on and after the date hereof and at any
time and from time to time prior to the Expiration Date.

         B. The Banks have  agreed to provide  financial  accommodations  to the
Borrower  pursuant  to this  Agreement  in an amount not to exceed  the  Maximum
Commitment, which amount is $90,000,000.00

         C. The  proceeds  of such  borrowing  are to provide  funds for general
corporate purposes, including without limitation, working capital.

         D. The Banks are willing to extend such credit (the  "Revolving  Credit
Facility") to the Borrower on the terms and subject to the conditions herein set
forth.

         E. Effective as of the delivery of this Agreement, the Credit Agreement
dated  October 31, 1996 by and among the  Borrower,  the banks  listed  therein,
Wells Fargo Bank,  N.A. as  administrative  agent for said banks and NBD Bank as
Co-Agent (the "Prior Agreement") will be terminated by Borrower.

         Accordingly, the Borrower, the Banks and the Administrative Agent agree
as follows:
<PAGE>
                                    ARTICLE I

                                   DEFINITIONS

         SECTION 1.1 Defined Terms.  Although terms may be defined  elsewhere in
this Agreement,  as used in this  Agreement,  the following terms shall have the
meanings specified below:

         "Administrative  Agent" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in
the Preamble, and any successor thereto.

         "Administrative  Details  Reply  Form"  shall  mean  an  Administrative
Details Reply Form substantially in the form of Exhibit "D".

         "Affiliate"  shall mean, when used with respect to a specified  person,
another person that directly,  or indirectly through one or more intermediaries,
Controls  or is  Controlled  by or is  under  common  Control  with  the  person
specified.

         "Agency Fee" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Section
2.6(b).

         "Agreement" shall mean this Credit Agreement.

         "Applicable Interest Rate" with respect to a given Borrowing shall mean
the interest rate in effect for that Borrowing as determined pursuant to Section
2.8 herein.

         "Applicable  Margin" shall mean on any date, with respect to the Loans,
the lowest  applicable  spread or factor set forth below  based upon  Borrower's
achievement of all of the conditions for that spread category.
                                       -2-
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   LIBOR                 Base Rate
                                   Borrowing             Borrowing          Facility
                                   Spread                Spread             Fee Factor
                                   ------                ------             ----------
<S>                                <C>                   <C>                <C>              
CATEGORY 1:  Conditions
- -----------------------

Debt/EBITDA Ratio less than
0.50                               32.5 basis points     0 basis points     17.5 basis points

CATEGORY 2:  Conditions
- -----------------------

Debt/EBITDA Ratio less than
0.65                               55.0 basis points     0 basis points     20.0 basis points

CATEGORY 3:  Conditions            
- -----------------------

Debt/EBITDA Ratio equal to or
less than 0.80                     77.5 basis points     0 basis points     22.5 basis points
</TABLE>

For purposes of the foregoing,  the Applicable  Margin shall be determined  for,
and as to future  LIBOR  Borrowings  and as to  existing  and  future  Base Rate
Borrowings  shall be  effective  as of the first day of, each  Margin  Period of
Borrower by reference to the above-specified  financial ratio (the "Loan Pricing
Qualifiers")  calculated  as of  the  end of the  immediately  preceding  fiscal
quarter,  where "Margin Period" shall mean a quarterly  period beginning two (2)
Business Days after the sixtieth (60th) day after the end of a fiscal quarter of
Borrower.

         "Assignment  and  Acceptance"  shall mean an assignment  and acceptance
entered into by a Bank and an assignee, accepted by the Administrative Agent, in
the form of Exhibit "A".

         "Bank" and "Banks" shall have the meaning assigned to such terms in the
Preamble.

         "Baseline Financial  Statements" shall mean the consolidated  financial
statements of Borrower and the  Subsidiaries  (including all footnotes  thereto)
for the  period  ending  June 30,  1997,  that  were  submitted  to the Banks in
connection  with  Borrower's  application  for  the  Loans  and are  more  fully
described in Section 3.4 hereof.

         "Base Rate" shall mean the Prime Rate in effect from time to time.

         "Base Rate Borrowing" shall mean a Borrowing bearing interest at a rate
determined by reference to the Base Rate.

         "Board" shall mean the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
of the United States.
                                       -3-
<PAGE>
         "Borrower" shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the
Preamble.

         "Borrowing"  shall mean an outstanding  principal  amount of one of the
Revolving  Credit  Loans as to which a single  Interest  Period is in effect and
with respect to which a single Applicable Interest Rate applies.

         "Borrowing  Maturity  Date" shall mean (a) with  respect to a Base Rate
Borrowing, the first day of each calendar month in arrears, and (b) with respect
to any LIBOR Borrowing,  the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto,
and (c) each of (i) the date of any  refinancing  or  conversion  of a Borrowing
with or to a Borrowing of a different  Type,  (ii) the date of  prepayment  of a
Borrowing and (iii) the Expiration Date.

         "Borrowing  Notice" shall mean a notice given  pursuant to Section 2.3,
as therein described.

         "Business  Day"  shall  mean  any  day  (other  than a day  which  is a
Saturday,  Sunday or legal holiday in the State of Arizona) on which  commercial
banks are open for business in Phoenix,  Arizona, San Francisco,  California and
Chicago, Illinois; provided, however, that, when used in connection with a LIBOR
Borrowing,  the term "Business Day" shall exclude any day on which banks are not
open for dealings in dollar deposits in the London interbank market.

         "Capital  Lease"  shall mean any lease of any property  (whether  real,
personal or mixed)  required by GAAP to be accounted for as a "capital lease" on
the balance sheet of the lessee.

         "Capital Lease Obligations" of any Person shall mean the obligations of
such  Person  to pay  rent  or  other  amounts  under  any  lease  of (or  other
arrangement  conveying  the  right  to use)  real  or  personal  property,  or a
combination  thereof,  which  obligations  are  required  to be  classified  and
accounted  for as Capital  Leases on a balance  sheet of such person  under GAAP
and, for the purposes of this Agreement,  the amount of such  obligations at any
time  shall  be the  capitalized  amount  thereof  at such  time  determined  in
accordance with GAAP.

         "Cash  Flow"  shall  mean  the sum of the  following  for the  relevant
period: (i) Consolidated Net Income,  (ii) tax expense,  (iii) interest expense,
(iv)  depreciation  expense,  and (v) amortization of intangibles  expense,  all
determined over a rolling period of four  consecutive  fiscal quarters ending on
(or,  if the date of  determination  is other  than the end of a fixed  quarter,
immediately preceding) the date of determination.

         A "Change in Control"  shall be deemed to have  occurred  if, after the
date hereof,  (a) any person or group  (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3,  as in
effect on the date  hereof,  promulgated  by the SEC under the 1934 Act),  shall
acquire, directly or indirectly,  beneficially or of record, shares representing
more than 50% of the aggregate  ordinary voting power  represented by the issued
and  outstanding  capital  stock of the  Borrower;  (b) a majority  of the seats
(other than vacant seats) on the board of directors  become  occupied by persons
not members of said board on the date hereof that were neither (i)  nominated by
the board of directors of the Borrower, nor (ii)
                                       -4-
<PAGE>
appointed by directors so nominated;  or (c) any person or group shall otherwise
directly or indirectly Control the Borrower.

         "Closing Date" shall mean October 28, 1997.

         "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as the same may be
amended from time to time.

         "Commitment"  shall mean,  with respect to each Bank, the commitment of
such Bank as to the Revolving Credit Facility hereunder as set forth in Schedule
2.1, as such Bank's  Commitment  may be  permanently  terminated or reduced from
time to time  pursuant to Section 2.10 or Section 2.20.  Each Bank's  Commitment
shall  not be  less  than  $10,000,000.00  except  to  the  extent  such  Bank's
Commitment shall have been permanently terminated or reduced pursuant to Section
2.10 or Section 2.20.  Each Bank's  Commitment  shall fully,  automatically  and
permanently terminate on the Expiration Date.

         "Consolidated  Debt" shall mean the total Debt of the  Borrower and its
Subsidiaries,   less  the  outstanding   principal  amount  of  its  Convertible
Subordinated  Indebtedness,  all computed on a consolidated  basis in accordance
with GAAP.

         "Consolidated  Effective  Tangible Net Worth"  shall mean  Consolidated
Tangible  Net  Worth  plus the  outstanding  principal  amount  of  Subordinated
Indebtedness.

         "Consolidated Net Income" shall mean, for any period, the aggregate net
income (or net deficit) of the Borrower  and its  Subsidiaries  for such period,
computed on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

         "Consolidated  Tangible  Net Worth"  shall  mean,  with  respect to the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries,  Stockholders Equity reduced by the book value of
all  Intangible  Assets,  all  to  be  determined  on a  consolidated  basis  in
accordance  with GAAP  consistent  with those applied in the  preparation of the
Baseline Financial Statements.

         "Control"  shall mean the power to direct or cause the direction of the
management or policies of a person,  whether  through rights of ownership  under
voting   securities,   under  contract  or  otherwise,   and  "Controlling"  and
"Controlled" shall have meanings correlative thereto.

         "Convertible   Subordinated   Indebtedness"   shall  mean  Subordinated
Indebtedness  that is convertible into equity of the Borrower,  which amount for
purposes of the  calculation of the ratio under Section 6.11 shall not exceed at
any time $100,000,000.00.

         "Credit Event" shall have the meaning  assigned to such term in Article
IV.

         "Current Bank" shall have the meaning  assigned to such term in Section
8.15. 
                                      -5-
<PAGE>
         "Debt"  shall  mean,  as at the date as of which any  determination  is
being or is to be made thereof and in respect of any Person, without duplication
and excluding  intercorporate debt and other  intercorporate  obligations solely
among  such  Person  and its  Subsidiaries,  all  liabilities  of  such  Person,
including  (without  limitation)  the  following  to the  extent  such  would be
presented as liabilities in the balance sheet of such Person prepared under GAAP
on a basis consistent with the Baseline Financial  Statements:  (i) indebtedness
of such Person for borrowed money,  (ii) obligations of such Person evidenced by
bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, (iii) obligations of such
Person  to pay the  deferred  purchase  price  of  property  or  services  under
conditional  sale or other similar  agreements which provide for the deferral of
the payment of the purchase  price for a period in excess of one year  following
the date of such Person's  receipt and  acceptance  of the complete  delivery of
such property and/or services, (iv) Capital Lease Obligations of such person and
(v)  Guarantees  by such  Person  and any of its  Subsidiaries  of Debt of third
parties.

         "Default  Rate"  shall mean a rate per annum  (computed  as provided in
Section  2.8(b))  equal to the Base Rate plus three percent (3%) and changing in
conformity with each change in the Base Rate.

         "Defaulting  Bank"  shall  have the  meaning  assigned  to such term in
Section 8.14(a).

         "Designated  Officer"  shall  mean any of the  Chairman  of the  Board,
President, any Vice President, the Chief Financial Officer, the General Counsel,
the Secretary, the Controller,  the Treasurer and any Assistant Treasurer of the
Borrower.

         "Documentation  Agent" shall mean The First National Bank of Chicago, a
national  banking  association.  The  Documentation  Agent shall have no rights,
duties or responsibilities under the Loan Documents beyond those of a Bank.

         "Dollars"  or "$"  shall  mean  lawful  money of the  United  States of
America.

         "Equipment"  shall mean tangible  personalty  that is not  "inventory,"
"farm equipment" or "fixtures," as the immediately preceding terms in quotations
are defined in Article Nine of the Uniform  Commercial  Code as in effect in and
for the State of Arizona.

         "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974,
as the same may be amended from time to time.

         "ERISA  Affiliate"  shall mean any trade or  business  (whether  or not
incorporated)  that is a member of a group of which the Borrower is a member and
which is treated as a single employer under Section 414 of the Code.

         "ERISA  Liabilities"  shall mean at any time the minimum liability with
respect  to Plans  that  would be  required  to be  reflected  at such time as a
liability on the consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower under GAAP.
                                       -6-
<PAGE>
         "Eurodollar  Lending  Office," with respect to any Bank (or transferee)
or the  Administrative  Agent, shall mean such office or branch as such Bank (or
transferee) or the Administrative Agent has designated to the Borrower herein in
Schedule  "2.1" as the  office or branch  of such  Bank (or  transferee)  or the
Administrative Agent which shall constitute the Lending Office thereof for LIBOR
Borrowings.

         "Event of  Default"  shall have the  meaning  assigned  to such term in
Section 7.1.

         "Expiration  Date" shall mean the  earliest of the  following:  (a) the
date the Banks  exercise their option to declare the Loans fully due and payable
after the occurrence of an Event of Default and the continuation thereof, or (b)
October 28, 2000.

         "Facility Fee" shall have the meaning  assigned to such term in Section
2.6(a).

         "Facility  Fee  Percentage"  shall  mean a rate per annum  equal to the
Applicable Margin for the Facility Fee except that in the event that interest is
payable  pursuant to Section 2.9 at the Default Rate,  "Facility Fee Percentage"
shall mean a rate per annum equal to 50.0 basis points.

         "Federal Funds Rate" shall mean,  for any day, the weighted  average of
the rates on overnight  Federal funds  transactions  with members of the Federal
Reserve  System  arranged by Federal  funds  brokers,  as  published on the next
succeeding  Business Day by the Federal  Reserve Bank of San  Francisco,  or, if
such rate is not so published  for any day which is a Business  Day, the average
of  the   quotations  for  the  day  of  such   transactions   received  by  the
Administrative  Agent from three Federal  funds  brokers of recognized  standing
selected by it.

         "Fee Letter" shall mean that letter agreement  between the Borrower and
the Administrative Agent with respect to the payment of the Agency Fee.

         "Fees" shall mean the  Facility  Fee, the Agency Fee and all other fees
and  charges,  if any,  (other than  interest)  payable  hereunder  or otherwise
payable in connection with the Revolving Credit Facility.

         "Financial  Officer" of any corporation  shall mean the chief financial
officer,   principal  accounting  officer,   treasurer  or  controller  of  such
corporation.

         "GAAP"  shall mean  generally  accepted  accounting  principles  in the
United States.

         "Governmental  Authority" shall mean any federal,  state, tribal, local
or  foreign  court  or  governmental  agency,   authority,   instrumentality  or
regulatory body.

         "Guarantee" of or by any Person shall mean any  obligation,  contingent
or  otherwise,  of such Person  guaranteeing  or having the  economic  effect of
guaranteeing any Indebtedness of any other Person (the "Primary Obligor") in any
manner,  whether directly or indirectly,  and including  without  limitation any
obligation of such Person, direct or indirect, (a) to purchase or pay (or
                                       -7-
<PAGE>
advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment of) such  Indebtedness or to
purchase  (or to advance or supply  funds for the  purchase of) any security for
the  payment of such  Indebtedness,  (b) to  purchase  property,  securities  or
services  for the  purpose of  assuring  the owner of such  Indebtedness  of the
payment of such Indebtedness or (c) to maintain working capital,  equity capital
or other financial statement condition or liquidity of the Primary Obligor so as
to enable the Primary Obligor to pay such Indebtedness;  provided, however, that
the term Guarantee shall not include  endorsements for collection or deposit, in
either case in the ordinary course of business.

         "Indebtedness"  of a Person shall mean each of the  following  (without
duplication)  that,  individually,  is in excess of  $100,000.00  in outstanding
amount (in Dollars or the equivalent at market  exchange rates) on the date such
obligation is incurred:  (a)  obligations of that Person to any other Person for
payment of borrowed money, (b) Capital Lease  Obligations,  (c) notes and drafts
drawn or  accepted by that Person  payable to any other  Person,  whether or not
representing   obligations  for  borrowed  money  (but  without  duplication  of
indebtedness for borrowed  money),  (d) any obligation for the purchase price of
property the payment of which is deferred for more than one year or evidenced by
a note or  equivalent  instrument,  (e)  Guarantees  of  Indebtedness  of  third
parties,  and (f) a recourse or  non-recourse  payment  obligation  of any other
Person that is secured by a Lien on any property of the first Person, whether or
not assumed by the first person, up to the fair market value (from time to time)
of such property  (absent  manifest  evidence to the  contrary,  the fair market
value of such property shall be the amount  determined  under GAAP for financial
reporting purposes).

         "Information"  shall have the meaning  assigned to such term in Section
9.17.

         "Intangible  Assets"  of any Person  shall  mean  those  assets of such
person that are (i) deferred  assets,  other than prepaid  insurance and prepaid
taxes; (ii) patents, copyrights,  trademarks,  tradenames, franchises, goodwill,
experimental  expenses,  and other  similar  assets which would be classified as
intangible assets on a balance sheet of such Person, prepared in accordance with
GAAP; and (iii) unamortized debt discount and expense.

         "Interest Period" shall mean (a) as to any LIBOR Borrowing,  the period
commencing  on the date of such  Borrowing  and  ending  the day  preceding  the
numerically corresponding day (or, if there is no numerically corresponding day,
on the last day) in the calendar  month that is 1, 2, 3 or 6 months  thereafter,
as the Borrower may elect, or, if earlier, on the Expiration Date, and (b) as to
any Base Rate Borrowing, the period commencing on the date of such Borrowing and
ending the day preceding the  Expiration  Date,  the day preceding the date such
Borrowing is converted to a Borrowing  of a different  Type in  accordance  with
Section  2.11 or the  date of  repayment  or  prepayment  of such  Borrowing  in
accordance  with Section 2.5 or 2.12;  provided,  however,  that if any Interest
Period would end on a day other than a Business Day, such Interest  Period shall
be extended to the next  succeeding  Business  Day unless,  in the case of LIBOR
Borrowings  only,  such next  succeeding  Business  Day  would  fall in the next
calendar  month,  in which  case  such  Interest  Period  shall  end on the next
preceding  Business Day. Interest shall accrue from and include the first day of
an Interest Period and include the last day of such Interest Period.
                                       -8-
<PAGE>
         "Lending  Office,"  with respect to any Bank or any  transferee  of the
Loans or the Administrative Agent, shall mean such office or branch as such Bank
or such  transferee or the  Administrative  Agent has designated to the Borrower
herein  as the  office  or  branch  of  that  Bank  or  such  transferee  or the
Administrative Agent from which Loans are to be made.

         "LIBO Rate" shall mean,  with  respect to any LIBOR  Borrowing  for any
Interest Period, an interest rate per annum (rounded upwards,  if necessary,  at
the third decimal place) determined by dividing (i) Base LIBOR by (ii) 100% less
the LIBOR Reserve Percentage; where "Base LIBOR" shall mean the offered rate for
United States dollar deposits  greater than $1 million as of 11:00 a.m., City of
London  time,  England,  two (2)  Business  Days  prior to the  first day of the
respective  Interest Period as quoted in the schedule of "British  Bankers LIBOR
Rates" as reported by Bloomberg  Financial Markets,  Inc. or as reported by such
other sources selected by the  Administrative  Agent, for a period of time equal
to the Interest Period.

         "LIBOR  Borrowing"  shall mean a Borrowing  bearing  interest at a rate
determined by reference to the LIBO Rate.

         "LIBOR Reserve Percentage" shall mean the reserve percentage prescribed
by the Board (or any successor) for  "Eurocurrency  Liabilities"  (as defined in
Regulation D, as amended), adjusted by Administrative Agent for expected changes
in such reserve percentage during the applicable Interest Period.

         "Lien" shall mean any mortgage, pledge, security interest or similar
lien.

         "Loans"  shall mean the  Revolving  Credit Loans made  available by the
Banks to Borrower under the Revolving Credit Facility.

         "Loan Documents"  shall mean this Agreement,  the Notes, the Fee Letter
and  all  other  documents,   instruments  and  agreements  of  every  kind  and
description at any time undertaken by any Person for the benefit of the Banks in
connection with the Loans.

         "Loan Pricing  Qualifiers" shall have the meaning assigned to such term
in the definition of "Applicable Margin."

         "Margin Stock" shall have the meaning given such term under  Regulation
U.

         "Material  Division"  shall  mean any  division  of the  Borrower  or a
Subsidiary  which  represents  more than 30% of the  consolidated  assets of the
Borrower.

         "Material  Subsidiary"  shall mean any Subsidiary which represents more
than 30% of the consolidated assets of the Borrower.

         "Maximum Commitment" shall mean $90,000,000.00.
                                       -9-
<PAGE>
         "Minimum Additional Amount" shall mean $100,000.00

         "Minimum Amount" shall mean $3,000,000.00.

         "Multiemployer  Plan"  shall  mean a  multiemployer  plan as defined in
Section  4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate (other
than one considered an ERISA Affiliate only pursuant to subsection (m) or (o) of
Section  414  of  the  Code)  is  making  or  accruing  an  obligation  to  make
contributions,  or has  within  any of the  preceding  five plan  years  made or
accrued an obligation to make contributions.

         "1934  Act" shall mean the United  States  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934, as amended.

         "Note" and "Notes" shall mean,  severally and  collectively,  revolving
credit notes of the Borrower  executed and delivered as provided in Section 2.7,
as such notes might be amended,  modified,  extended and  restated  from time to
time.

         "Operating  Plan"  shall  have the  meaning  assigned  to such  term in
Section 5.4(e).

         "PBGC" shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty  Corporation referred to
and defined in ERISA.

         "Permitted Lien" shall mean a Lien permitted under Section 6.1.

         "Person"  shall mean any  natural  person  (whether  or not acting in a
representative  capacity),  corporation,  limited  liability  company,  business
trust,  joint  venture,   association,   sole  proprietorship,   partnership  or
government, or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

         "Plan"  shall mean any pension plan (other than a  Multiemployer  Plan)
that is (1) a qualified plan under Section  401(a) of the Code,  (ii) subject to
the  provisions  of  Title  IV of ERISA  or  Section  412 of the Code and  (iii)
maintained for employees of the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate.

         "Potential  Default"  shall  mean any  event or  condition  which  upon
notice, lapse of time or both would constitute an Event of Default.

         "Prime  Rate"  shall mean at any time a rate of  interest  equal to the
"Prime Rate" as most  recently  published  in The Wall Street  Journal or, if no
longer so published, in other comparable sources.

         "Prior  Agreement"  shall have the meaning assigned to such term in the
Recitals.

         "Quarterly Certificate" shall mean that Quarterly Compliance and Margin
Certificate substantially in the form of Exhibit F.
                                      -10-
<PAGE>
         "Redeployment  Loss"  shall have the  meaning  assigned to such term in
Section 2.15.

         "Register"  shall  have the  meaning  assigned  to such term in Section
9.4(d).

         "Regulation  D" shall  mean  Regulation  D of the Board as from time to
time in effect  and all  official  rulings  and  interpretations  thereunder  or
thereof.

         "Regulation  G" shall  mean  Regulation  G of the Board as from time to
time in effect  and all  official  rulings  and  interpretations  thereunder  or
thereof.

         "Regulation  T" shall  mean  Regulation  T of the Board as from time to
time in effect  and all  official  rulings  and  interpretations  thereunder  or
thereof.

         "Regulation  U" shall  mean  Regulation  U of the Board as from time to
time in effect  and all  official  rulings  and  interpretations  thereunder  or
thereof.

         "Regulation  X" shall  mean  Regulation  X of the Board as from time to
time in effect  and all  official  rulings  and  interpretations  thereunder  or
thereof.

         "Reportable  Event"  shall  mean any  reportable  event as  defined  in
Section 4043(b) of ERISA or the regulations  issued thereunder with respect to a
Plan (other than a Plan  maintained by an ERISA Affiliate which is considered an
ERISA  Affiliate  only pursuant to  subsection  (m) or (o) of Section 414 of the
Code).

         "Required  Banks" shall mean,  at any time,  Banks  having  Commitments
representing at least 66 and 2/3% of the Total Commitment.

         "Revolving  Credit  Facility"  shall have the meaning  assigned to such
term in Recital D.

         "Revolving  Credit Loans" shall mean the revolving line of credit loans
made  available  by the Banks to the  Borrower  pursuant  to  Article  II.  Each
Revolving Credit Loan shall be composed of one or more LIBOR  Borrowings  and/or
Base Rate Borrowings.

         "Sale and Lease-Back  Transaction"  shall have the meaning  assigned to
such term in Section 6.2.

         "SEC" shall mean the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

         "Significant  Subsidiary"  shall have the meaning assigned to such term
in SEC Regulation S-X, 17 C.F.R. ss.210.1-02.

         "Stockholders  Equity" shall mean the excess of total assets over total
liabilities,  all to be determined on a  consolidated  basis in accordance  with
GAAP.
                                      -11-
<PAGE>
         "Subordinated Indebtedness" shall mean all indebtedness of the Borrower
subordinated  to payment of the principal of,  premium,  if any, and interest on
the obligations of the Borrower under the Loan Documents, pursuant to agreements
acceptable to the Required Banks.

         "Subsidiary"  of a Person shall mean any  corporation,  association  or
other business entity of which more than 50% of the total voting power of shares
of stock  entitled to vote in the  election of  directors,  managers or trustees
thereof is at the time owned or  controlled,  directly  or  indirectly,  by that
Person,  by one or more of the  other  Subsidiaries  of that  Person,  or by any
combination thereof.

         "Termination" shall mean the payment in full of the principal amount of
all Loans,  all  accrued  interest  thereon and all fees with  respect  thereto,
coupled  with  termination  of the  Revolving  Credit  Facility  and  all  other
obligations (if any) of all of the Banks to advance funds or extend credit to or
for the benefit of Borrower pursuant to this Agreement.

         "Termination  Date" shall mean the date of the  occurrence  of the last
event to occur required for Termination to occur.

         "Total  Commitment"  shall mean at any time the aggregate amount of the
Banks'  Commitments,  as in effect  from time to time,  which  amount  shall not
exceed the Maximum Commitment.

         "Type," when used in respect of any Borrowing,  shall refer to the rate
by reference to which  interest on such  Borrowing is  determined.  For purposes
hereof, "rate" shall mean the LIBO Rate or the Base Rate.

         SECTION 1.2 Terms Generally. The definitions in Section 1.1 shall apply
equally to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the
context may require,  any pronoun  shall  include the  corresponding  masculine,
feminine and neuter forms. All references herein to Articles, Sections, Exhibits
and  Schedules  shall be deemed  references  to  Articles  and  Sections of this
Agreement,  and Exhibits and  Schedules  to this  Agreement,  unless the context
shall otherwise  require.  Except as otherwise  expressly  provided herein,  all
terms of an accounting or financial nature shall be construed in accordance with
GAAP as in effect in the United  States of America from time to time;  provided,
however,  that,  for purposes of  determining  compliance  with any covenant set
forth in Article VI, such terms shall be construed in accordance with GAAP as in
effect on the date of this  Agreement  applied  on a basis  consistent  with the
application used in preparing the Baseline Financial Statements.
                                      -12-
<PAGE>
                                   ARTICLE II

                          THE REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY

         SECTION 2.1 The Commitment.

                  Subject to the terms and  conditions  herein  set forth,  each
Bank agrees,  severally and not jointly,  to make Revolving  Credit Loans to the
Borrower,  at any time and from time to time on and after  the date  hereof  and
until  the  Expiration  Date,  in an  aggregate  principal  amount  at any  time
outstanding  not to exceed  such Bank's  Commitment,  subject,  however,  to the
conditions that (a) at no time shall the outstanding  aggregate principal amount
of all Revolving  Credit Loans made by all Banks exceed the Maximum  Commitment,
and (b) at all times the outstanding aggregate principal amount of all Revolving
Credit  Loans made by each Bank shall  equal the  product of (y) the  percentage
which  its  Commitment  represents  of the  Maximum  Commitment  times  (z)  the
outstanding aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Credit Loans made by all
Banks.  Commitments  may be  terminated or reduced from time to time pursuant to
Sections 2.10 and 2.20.  Within the foregoing  limits,  the Borrower may borrow,
pay or prepay and reborrow hereunder,  on and after the date hereof and prior to
the Expiration Date, subject to the terms,  conditions and limitations set forth
herein.

         SECTION 2.2  Borrowings Under the Revolving Credit Facility.

                  Each advance under the Revolving  Credit  Facility  shall be a
single  LIBOR  Borrowing  or a single Base Rate  Borrowing,  as the Borrower may
request.  Borrowings of more than one Type may be  outstanding at the same time;
provided,  however,  that (i) the Borrower  shall not be entitled to request any
Borrowing which, if made, would result in an aggregate of more than ten separate
Borrowings being outstanding collectively under the Revolving Credit Facility at
any one time and (ii) each Borrowing shall be in a principal  amount which is an
integral multiple of the Minimum Additional Amount and not less than the Minimum
Amount.  For purposes of the foregoing,  Borrowings  having  different  Interest
Periods,  regardless  of  whether  they  commence  on the  same  date,  shall be
considered separate Borrowings.

         SECTION 2.3 Notice of Borrowings.

                  In order to request a Borrowing,  the  Borrower  shall give to
the  Administrative  Agent  written  or  telecopy  notice (or  telephone  notice
promptly  confirmed  in writing or by  telecopy)  in the form of Exhibit  "B" (a
"Borrowing Notice"),  (a) in the case of a LIBOR Borrowing,  not later than 9:00
a.m.,  Arizona time, three Business Days before a proposed  Borrowing and (b) in
the case of a Base Rate  Borrowing,  not later than 9:00 a.m.,  Arizona time, on
the day of a proposed Borrowing.  Each Borrowing Notice shall be irrevocable and
shall in each case specify (i) whether the Borrowing then being  requested is to
be a LIBOR Borrowing or a Base Rate  Borrowing;  (ii) the date of such Borrowing
(which shall be a Business Day) and the amount thereof;  (iii) if such Borrowing
is to be a LIBOR Borrowing,  the Interest Period with respect thereto;  and (iv)
if such Borrowing is to refinance all or any part of any outstanding
                                      -13-
<PAGE>
Borrowing,  the identity and amount of such Borrowing that the Borrower requests
to be refinanced. If no election as to the Type of Borrowing is specified in any
Borrowing Notice,  then the requested  Borrowing shall be a Base Rate Borrowing.
If no Interest  Period with  respect to any LIBOR  Borrowing is specified in any
Borrowing Notice, then the Borrower shall be deemed to have selected an Interest
Period of one month's  duration.  Subject to Section 2.11, if the Borrower shall
not have  given  notice in  accordance  with this  Section  of its  election  to
refinance a LIBOR  Borrowing  prior to the end of the Interest  Period in effect
for such  Borrowing,  then the Borrower  (unless such Borrowing is repaid at the
end of such Interest Period) shall be deemed to have given notice of an election
to refinance such Borrowing with a Base Rate Borrowing.

         SECTION 2.4 Revolving Credit Loans.

                  (a)  Each  Revolving  Credit  Loan  shall be made as part of a
Borrowing  made by the Banks  ratably  in  accordance  with  their  Commitments;
provided,  however,  that the failure of any Bank to make any  Revolving  Credit
Loan  shall  not in itself  relieve  any other  Bank of its  obligation  to lend
hereunder (it being understood,  however,  that no Bank shall be responsible for
the failure of any other Bank to make any  Revolving  Credit Loan required to be
made by such other Bank).

                  (b) Each Bank shall make any LIBOR Borrowing by causing either
at its option any domestic branch or the Eurodollar  Lending Office of such Bank
to make such  Revolving  Credit Loan;  provided that any exercise of such option
shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to repay such  Revolving  Credit
Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and the applicable Note.

                  (c)  Subject  to  Section  2.3,  each  Bank  shall  make  each
Revolving Credit Loan to be made by it hereunder on the proposed date thereof by
wire transfer of  immediately  available  funds to the  Administrative  Agent in
Phoenix,   Arizona,   not  later  than  11:30  a.m.,   Arizona  time,   and  the
Administrative  Agent shall by 12:00 noon,  Arizona time,  credit the amounts so
received to the general deposit account of the Borrower with the  Administrative
Agent (or such other account as the Borrower may  designate)  or, if a Borrowing
shall not occur on such date because any condition  precedent  herein  specified
shall not have been met, return the amounts so received to the respective Banks.
Revolving  Credit Loans shall be made by the Banks pro rata in  accordance  with
Section 2.16. Unless the Administrative  Agent shall have received notice from a
Bank  prior to any  Borrowing  that  such Bank  will not make  available  to the
Administrative  Agent such Bank's portion of such Borrowing,  the Administrative
Agent  may  assume  that  such  Bank  has made  such  portion  available  to the
Administrative  Agent on the date of such  Borrowing  in  accordance  with  this
paragraph  (c)  and  the  Administrative   Agent  may,  in  reliance  upon  such
assumption,  make available to the Borrower on such date a corresponding amount.
If and to the extent that such Bank shall not have made such  portion  available
to the Administrative Agent, such Bank and the Borrower severally agree to repay
to the  Administrative  Agent  forthwith  on demand  such  corresponding  amount
together with interest  thereon,  for each day from the date such amount is made
available  to  the  Borrower  until  the  date  such  amount  is  repaid  to the
Administrative  Agent  at (i) in the case of the  Borrower,  the  interest  rate
applicable at the time to
                                      -14-
<PAGE>
the Revolving  Credit Loans  comprising  such  Borrowing and (ii) in the case of
such  Bank,   the  Federal   Funds  Rate.  If  such  Bank  shall  repay  to  the
Administrative  Agent such  corresponding  amount,  such amount shall constitute
such Bank's Revolving Credit Loan as part of such Borrowing for purposes of this
Agreement.

         SECTION 2.5  Refinancings.  Subject to Section  2.11,  the Borrower may
refinance  all or any part of any  Borrowing  with a Borrowing  of the same or a
different  Type made  pursuant to Section  2.3,  and at any time may combine all
Base  Rate  Borrowings  into a single  Borrowing,  in each case  subject  to the
conditions and limitations set forth herein and elsewhere in this Agreement. Any
Borrowing or part thereof so refinanced or combined shall be deemed to have been
repaid in  accordance  with  Section 2.7 with the  proceeds  of a new  Borrowing
hereunder,  and the proceeds of the new Borrowing (except to the extent, if any,
they exceed the principal amount of the Borrowing(s) being refinanced) shall not
be disbursed to the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.4(c).

         SECTION 2.6 Fees.

                  (a) The  Borrower  agrees  to pay to each  Bank,  through  the
Administrative  Agent, (i) quarterly in arrears for each calendar quarter ending
each March 31, June 30,  September  30 and December 31, on a date not later than
five (5)  Business  Days  after such  calendar  quarter  has  ended,  commencing
December  31, 1997 and (ii) on the date on which the  respective  Commitment  of
such Bank shall be terminated as provided herein, for the period from the end of
the preceding  calendar quarter to the date of such termination,  a facility fee
(each a "Facility Fee") at a rate per annum equal to the Facility Fee Percentage
on the average daily amount of the  Commitment of such Bank during the preceding
calendar  quarter (or shorter period (1) commencing  with the date hereof or (2)
ending  with the  Expiration  Date or any  other  date on which  the  respective
Commitment of such Bank shall be terminated). The Facility Fee shall be computed
on the basis of the actual  number of days  elapsed  in a year of 360 days.  The
Facility  Fee due to each Bank shall  commence  to accrue on the date hereof and
shall cease to accrue on the earlier of the Expiration  Date and the termination
of the Commitment of such Bank as provided herein.

                  (b) The Borrower agrees to pay the  Administrative  Agent, for
its own account,  any fee  provided for in the Fee Letter (the "Agency  Fee") at
the times provided therein.

                  (c) All Fees shall be paid to each Bank on the dates  due,  in
Dollars  in  immediately   available  funds  to  the  Administrative  Agent  for
distribution,  if and as  appropriate,  among the Banks.  Once paid, none of the
Fees shall be refundable under any circumstances.

         SECTION 2.7 Notes;  Repayment of Revolving  Credit Loans. The Revolving
Credit  Loans  made by each  Bank  shall be  evidenced  by a single  Note,  duly
completed and executed on behalf of the Borrower,  dated the date of said Bank's
Commitment,  in substantially the form of Exhibit C hereto, payable to the order
of  such  Bank in a  principal  amount  equal  to said  Bank's  Commitment.  The
outstanding principal balance of each Borrowing under the Revolving Credit
                                      -15-
<PAGE>
Facility, as evidenced by the applicable Note, shall be payable on the Borrowing
Maturity  Date  applicable  to such  Borrowing  (if any).  Each Note  shall bear
interest from the date thereof on the outstanding  principal  balance thereof as
set  forth in  Section  2.8.  Each  Bank may (and is  hereby  authorized  by the
Borrower,  at said Bank's discretion,  to) endorse on a schedule attached to the
Note held by such Bank (or on a continuation  of such schedule  attached to each
such Note and made a part  thereof),  or  otherwise  to  record  in such  Bank's
internal records, an appropriate notation evidencing the date and amount of each
Revolving  Credit Loan of such Bank,  each payment or prepayment of principal of
any such Revolving  Credit Loan and the other  information  provided for on such
schedule;  provided,  however,  that  the  failure  of any  Bank to make  such a
notation or any error therein  shall not in any manner affect the  obligation of
the Borrower to repay each Revolving Credit Loan in accordance with the terms of
the relevant Note.

         SECTION 2.8 Interest on Revolving Credit Loans.

                  (a) Subject to the  provisions of Sections 2.9 and 2.11,  each
LIBOR Borrowing shall bear interest  (computed on the basis of the actual number
of days  elapsed over a year of 360 days) at a rate per annum equal to, the LIBO
Rate for the  Interest  Period  in  effect  for such  LIBOR  Borrowing  plus the
Applicable  Margin.  Interest on each LIBOR  Borrowing  shall be payable on each
applicable Borrowing Maturity Date and, in the case of a LIBOR Borrowing with an
Interest Period of more than three (3) months' duration, on the last day of each
three month period.  The LIBO Rate for each Interest  Period shall be determined
by the Administrative Agent in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement,
and  such   determination   shall  be  conclusive  absent  manifest  error.  The
Administrative  Agent shall  promptly  advise the Borrower and each Bank of such
LIBO Rate.

                  (b) Subject to the  provisions of Sections 2.9 and 2.11,  each
Base Rate  Borrowing  shall bear  interest  (computed on the basis of the actual
number of days  elapsed  over a year of 360 days,  as the case may be) at a rate
per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the  Applicable  Margin.  Interest on each
Base Rate Borrowing shall be payable on each applicable Borrowing Maturity Date.
The Base Rate shall be determined by the Administrative Agent in accordance with
the provisions of this  Agreement,  and such  determination  shall be conclusive
absent  manifest  error.  The  Administrative  Agent shall  promptly  advise the
Borrower and each Bank of such Base Rate.

         SECTION 2.9 Default  Interest.  If the  Borrower  shall  default in the
payment of the  principal  of or  interest on any  Revolving  Credit Loan or any
other amount becoming due hereunder,  whether by scheduled  maturity,  notice of
prepayment, acceleration or otherwise, the Borrower shall on demand from time to
time pay interest,  to the extent  permitted by law, on such defaulted amount up
to (but not  including  the date of  actual  payment  (after  as well as  before
judgment) at the Default Rate.

         SECTION 2.10  Termination and Reduction of  Commitments.  Upon at least
three (3) Business  Days' prior  irrevocable  written or telecopy  notice to the
Administrative Agent,  Borrower may at any time in whole permanently  terminate,
or from time to time in part permanently reduce,
                                      -16-
<PAGE>
each such  Commitment;  provided,  however,  that each partial  reduction of the
Maximum  Commitment shall be in an integral  multiple of the Minimum  Additional
Amount and in a minimum principal amount of $5,000,000.00; and provided further,
that the  Borrower  shall not be  permitted  to  terminate or reduce the Maximum
Commitment if, as a result  respectively,  the aggregate principal amount of the
Revolving Credit Loans outstanding hereunder would exceed such reduced amount of
the Maximum Commitment.

         SECTION 2.11 Conversion and  Continuation  of Borrowings.  The Borrower
shall  have  the  right  at  any  time  upon  prior  irrevocable  notice  to the
Administrative  Agent (i) not later than 9:00 a.m.,  Arizona time, on the day of
conversion,  to convert any LIBOR Borrowing into a Base Rate Borrowing, (ii) not
later than 9:00 a.m.,  Arizona time, three (3) Business Days prior to conversion
or continuation, to convert any Base Rate Borrowing into a LIBOR Borrowing or to
continue any LIBOR  Borrowing as a LIBOR  Borrowing for an  additional  Interest
Period,  and (iii) not later than 9:00 a.m.,  Arizona  time,  three (3) Business
Days prior to  conversion,  to convert the  Interest  Period with respect to any
LIBOR Borrowing to another permissible Interest Period,  subject in each case to
the following:

                  (a) if less than all the outstanding  principal  amount of any
Borrowing  shall be converted or continued,  the aggregate  principal  amount of
such  Borrowing  converted  or  continued  shall be an integral  multiple of the
Minimum Additional Amount and not less than the Minimum Amount;

                  (b) each conversion shall be effected by applying the proceeds
of the new Borrowing resulting from such conversion to the Borrowing (or portion
thereof) being  converted;  accrued interest on a Borrowing (or portion thereof)
being converted shall be paid by the Borrower at the time of conversion;

                  (c) any LIBOR  Borrowing  may be converted  only at the end of
the Interest Period applicable thereto;

                  (d) any  portion of a  Borrowing  maturing  or  required to be
repaid in less than one month may not be converted  into or continued as a LIBOR
Borrowing;

                  (e) any portion of a LIBOR Borrowing which cannot be continued
as a  LIBOR  Borrowing  by  reason  of  clauses  (c)  and  (d)  above  shall  be
automatically  converted  at the end of the  Interest  Period in effect for such
Borrowing into a Base Rate Borrowing; and

                  (f) each  conversion  or  continuation  shall be made pro rata
among the Banks in  accordance  with the  respective  principal  amounts  of the
converted or continued Borrowings.

                  Each notice  pursuant to this Section shall be irrevocable and
shall refer to this  Agreement  and specify (i) the  identity  and amount of the
Borrowing  that the Borrower  requests be converted or  continued,  (ii) whether
such Borrowing is to be converted to or continued as a LIBOR Borrowing or a Base
Rate Borrowing, (iii) if such notice requests a conversion, the date
                                      -17-
<PAGE>
of such conversion (which shall be a Business Day) and (iv) if such Borrowing is
to be converted to or continued as a LIBOR  Borrowing,  the Interest Period with
respect  thereto.  If no Interest  Period is  specified  in any such notice with
respect to any conversion to or continuation as a LIBOR Borrowing,  the Borrower
shall be deemed to have selected an Interest Period of one month's duration. The
Administrative  Agent shall advise the other Banks of any notice given  pursuant
to this  Section  and of each  Bank's  portion  of any  converted  or  continued
Borrowing.  If the Borrower shall not have given notice in accordance  with this
Section to continue any LIBOR  Borrowing into a subsequent  Interest Period (and
shall not otherwise have given notice in accordance with this Section to convert
such  Borrowing),  such  Borrowing  shall,  at the  end of the  Interest  Period
applicable  thereto (unless repaid pursuant to the terms hereof),  automatically
be continued as a Base Rate Borrowing.

         SECTION 2.12 Prepayment.

                  (a) The  Borrower  shall  have the  right at any time and from
time to time to prepay  any  Borrowing,  in whole or in part,  upon  written  or
telecopy notice (or telephone  notice promptly  confirmed by written or telecopy
notice) to the  Administrative  Agent, such notice to be three (3) Business Days
with  respect to a LIBOR  Borrowing  and one Business Day with respect to a Base
Rate Borrowing;  provided,  however, that each partial prepayment shall be in an
amount which is an integral  multiple of the Minimum  Additional  Amount and not
less than the Minimum Amount.

                  (b)  On  the  date  of  any  termination  or  reduction  of  a
Commitment  pursuant to Section 2.10, the Borrower shall pay or prepay an amount
of the  respective  Revolving  Credit  Loan such  that the sum of the  aggregate
principal  amount  of such  Loan  outstanding  will not  exceed  the  respective
Commitment after giving effect to such termination or reduction.

                  (c) Each notice of  prepayment  shall  specify the  prepayment
date and the  principal  amount of each  Borrowing  (or  portion  thereof) to be
prepaid,  shall be  irrevocable  and shall  commit the  Borrower  to prepay such
Borrowing (or portion  thereof) by the amount stated  therein on the date stated
therein. All prepayments under this Section shall be subject to Section 2.15 but
otherwise  without premium or penalty.  All prepayments under this Section shall
be accompanied  by a payment of accrued  interest on the amount being prepaid to
the date of payment.

         SECTION 2.13 Reserve Requirements; Change in Circumstances.

                  (a) If any Bank shall have  determined that the adoption after
the date hereof of any law,  rule,  regulation  or guideline  regarding  capital
adequacy,  or any change after the date hereof in any of the foregoing or in the
interpretation  or  administration  of any of the foregoing by any  Governmental
Authority,  central bank or comparable agency charged with the interpretation or
administration thereof, or compliance by any Bank (or any Lending Office of such
Bank) or any Bank's  holding  company with any request or directive  promulgated
after the date  hereof  regarding  capital  adequacy  (whether or not having the
force of law) of any such
                                      -18-
<PAGE>
Governmental Authority, central bank or comparable agency, has or would have the
effect of  reducing  the rate of return on such Bank's or on the capital of such
Bank's  holding  company,  if any, as a  consequence  of this  Agreement  or the
Revolving  Credit  Loans made by such Bank to a level below that which such Bank
or such Bank's holding company could have achieved but for such adoption, change
or compliance  (taking into  consideration such Bank's policies and the policies
of such Bank's  holding  company with respect to capital  adequacy) by an amount
deemed by such  Bank in good  faith to be  material,  then from time to time the
Borrower  shall pay to such  Bank such  additional  amount  or  amounts  as will
compensate  such Bank or such  Bank's  holding  company  for any such  reduction
suffered.

                  (b)  Notwithstanding  any other provision herein, if after the
date of this Agreement any change in applicable law or regulation (either by way
of changes in existing laws or regulations or the  introductions  of new laws or
regulations)  or  in  the  interpretation  or  administration   thereof  by  any
Governmental Authority charged with the interpretation or administration thereof
(whether  or not having the force of law) shall  change the basis of taxation of
payments to any Bank of the principal of or interest on any LIBOR Borrowing made
by such Bank,  Fees or other amounts  payable  hereunder  (other than changes in
respect  of taxes  imposed  on the net income of such  Bank),  or shall  impose,
modify or deem applicable any reserve,  special  deposit or similar  requirement
against  assets of,  deposits  with or for the account of or credit  extended by
such Bank,  including  without  limitation any reserve  requirement  that may be
applicable to "eurocurrency  liabilities"  under and as defined in Regulation D,
or shall impose on such Bank or the London  interbank market any other condition
affecting  this  Agreement  or any LIBOR  Borrowing  made by such Bank,  and the
result of any of the  foregoing  shall be to  increase  the cost to such Bank of
making or  maintaining  any LIBOR  Borrowing  or to reduce the amount of any sum
received or receivable by such Bank  hereunder or under the Notes (in respect of
LIBOR Borrowing only), whether of principal, interest or otherwise, by an amount
deemed by such Bank in good faith to be material, then, the Borrower will pay to
such Bank such  additional  amount or amounts as will  compensate  such Bank for
such additional costs incurred or reduction suffered.

                  (c) A  certificate  of a Bank,  setting  forth such  amount or
amounts as shall be necessary to compensate  such Bank or its holding company as
specified in paragraph  (a) or (b) above,  as the case may be, and setting forth
in  reasonable  detail  the manner in which  such  amount or  amounts  have been
determined,  shall be delivered to the Borrower and shall be  conclusive  absent
manifest error.  The Borrower shall pay each Bank the amount shown as due on any
such  certificate  delivered by it within ten (10) days after its receipt of the
same.

                  (d) Failure on the part of any Bank to demand compensation for
any increased costs or reduction in amounts  received or receivable with respect
to any  period  shall not  constitute  a waiver of said  Bank's  right to demand
compensation with respect to such period or any other period.  The protection of
this  Section  shall  be  available  to any  Bank  regardless  of  any  possible
contention of the invalidity or  inapplicability  of the law, rule,  regulation,
guideline  or other  change or  condition  which  shall  have  occurred  or been
imposed,  provided that if such Bank is compensated  for such increased costs or
reduction by any Governmental Authority or third party
                                      -19-
<PAGE>
in the event such invalidity or inapplicability is finally determined, then such
Bank shall return to Borrower the respective  compensation paid by Borrower,  up
to the lesser of such  amount as is  received by such Bank or such amount as was
paid by Borrower.

                  (e) Without  prejudice to the survival of any other  agreement
contained herein, the agreements and obligations contained in this Section shall
survive Termination,  provided that Borrower shall have no further obligation to
the Banks under this Section  unless a  certificate  setting forth the amount of
such obligation shall have been delivered by the Banks pursuant to paragraph (c)
above within ninety (90) calendar days after the Termination Date.

                  (f) Each  Bank or the  Administrative  Agent on  behalf of the
Banks shall give  notification to the Borrower of any event or prospective event
which will give rise to the operation of paragraphs  (a) or (b) of this Section,
such  notification  to be sent within thirty (30) days of the date of the public
promulgation of the effective date of any such law, rule, regulation, guidelines
or change therein.

         SECTION 2.14 Change in Legality.

                  (a)  Notwithstanding any other provision herein, if any change
in any law or regulation or in the  interpretation  thereof by any  Governmental
Authority charged with the  administration or interpretation  thereof shall make
it unlawful  for any Bank to make or  maintain  any LIBOR  Borrowing  or to give
effect to its  obligations  as  contemplated  hereby  with  respect to any LIBOR
Borrowing,  then by written  notice to the Borrower  setting forth in reasonable
detail the relevant circumstances and the effect thereof, such Bank may:

                           (i) declare that LIBOR Borrowings will not thereafter
         be made by such Bank  hereunder,  whereupon any request by the Borrower
         for a LIBOR  Borrowing  shall  be  deemed  a  request  for a Base  Rate
         Borrowing unless such declaration shall be subsequently withdrawn; and

                           (ii) require that all  outstanding  LIBOR  Borrowings
         made by it be  converted  to Base Rate  Borrowings,  in which event all
         such LIBOR  Borrowings  shall be  automatically  converted to Base Rate
         Borrowings  as of the  effective  date of such  notice as  provided  in
         paragraph (b) below.

In the event any Bank shall  exercise  its rights  under (i) or (ii) above,  all
payments and prepayments of principal which would otherwise have been applied to
repay  the  LIBOR  Borrowings  that  would  have  been  made by such Bank or the
converted  LIBOR  Borrowings  of such Bank shall instead be applied to repay the
Base  Rate  Borrowings  made by such  Bank in lieu  of,  or  resulting  from the
conversion of, such LIBOR Borrowings.

                  (b) For purposes of this Section,  a notice to the Borrower by
any Bank shall be effective as to each LIBOR Borrowing,  if lawful,  on the last
day of the Interest Period
                                      -20-
<PAGE>
currently  applicable  to such LIBOR  Borrowing;  in all other cases such notice
shall be effective on the date of receipt by the Borrower.

                  (c) Each  Bank  shall  use its  best  efforts  to give  prompt
notification  to the Borrower of any event or prospective  event which will give
rise to the operation of paragraph (a) of this Section.

         SECTION 2.15 Redeployment  Loss. The Borrower shall pay to each Bank on
demand against any Redeployment Loss (defined below) arising as a consequence of
any payment, prepayment or conversion of a LIBOR Borrowing required by any other
provision of this  Agreement  or  otherwise  made or deemed made on a date other
than the last day of the Interest Period applicable thereto. "Redeployment Loss"
shall mean, in each  circumstance,  the amount,  if any, equal to the product of
(i) the Average Lost Daily Interest  Income and (ii) the number of days from the
date of prepayment or conversion to the Borrowing  Maturity Date,  discounted to
present value at the Discount Rate over the number of days in (ii) above.

         As used in the preceding paragraph:

                  "Average  Lost  Daily   Interest   Income"  means  the  amount
         determined by dividing (i) the product of the Prepaid Principal and the
         Lost Rate, by (ii) 360, where:

                           "Prepaid  Principal"  means the  amount  equal to the
                  amount of principal actually being prepaid; and

                           "Lost  Rate"  means the rate per  annum  equal to the
                  percentage,  if any,  by which  (i) the yield to  maturity  of
                  United States Treasury debt obligations having a maturity date
                  nearest   to   the   Borrowing    Maturity   Date   ("Treasury
                  Obligations")  determined  on the  first  day of the  Interest
                  Period   exceeds  (ii)  the  yield  to  maturity  of  Treasury
                  Obligations determined on the date of prepayment.

                  "Discount Rate" means the rate per annum equal to the yield to
         maturity of Treasury Obligations determined on the date of prepayment.

The  maturity  date and  yield to  maturity  of  Treasury  Obligations  shall be
determined by the Administrative Agent, in its absolute and sole discretion,  on
the basis of quotations published in The Wall Street Journal or other comparable
sources.

A  certificate  of any Bank  setting  forth in  reasonable  detail any amount or
amounts  which Bank is entitled to receive  pursuant to this Section and setting
forth in reasonable detail the calculation of such amounts shall be delivered to
the Borrower and shall be conclusive absent manifest error. Without prejudice to
the survival of any other agreement contained herein, the agreements and
                                      -21-
<PAGE>
obligations  contained in this Section shall survive  Termination  provided that
Borrower shall have no further  obligation to any Bank under this Section unless
a  certificate  setting  forth the  amount of such  obligation  shall  have been
delivered by such Bank  pursuant to the  preceding  sentence  within ninety (90)
calendar days after the Termination Date.

         SECTION 2.16 Pro Rata Treatment.  Except as required under Section 2.14
or permitted by Section  2.20,  each  Borrowing,  each payment or  prepayment of
principal of any  Borrowing,  each payment of interest on the  Revolving  Credit
Loans,  each payment of the Facility and Facility  Fees,  each  reduction of the
Commitments and each  refinancing of any Borrowing with a Borrowing of any Type,
shall be allocated pro rata among the Banks in accordance with their  respective
Commitments (or, if such Commitments  shall have expired or been terminated,  in
accordance with the respective principal amounts of their outstanding  Revolving
Credit  Loans).  Each Bank agrees that in computing  such Bank's  portion of any
Borrowing to be made hereunder, the Administrative Agent may, in its discretion,
round each Bank's percentage of such Borrowing to the next higher or lower whole
dollar amount.

         SECTION  2.17  Sharing of  Setoffs.  Each Bank agrees that if it shall,
through the exercise of a right of banker's lien, setoff or counterclaim against
the  Borrower,  or pursuant to a secured  claim under Section 506 of Title 11 of
the United  States Code or other  security or interest  arising from, or in lieu
of, such secured claim,  received by such Bank under any applicable  bankruptcy,
insolvency  or other  similar law or  otherwise,  or by any other means,  obtain
payment  (voluntary or involuntary)  in respect of any Revolving  Credit Loan or
Revolving Credit Loans as a result of which the unpaid principal  portion of the
Revolving  Credit  Loans of such  Bank  shall be  proportionately  less than the
unpaid  principal  portion of the  Revolving  Credit Loans of any other Bank, it
shall be deemed  simultaneously  to have  purchased from such other Bank at face
value,  and shall  promptly  pay to such  other Bank the  purchase  price for, a
participation  in the  Revolving  Credit  Loans of such other Bank,  so that the
aggregate   unpaid   principal   amount  of  the  Revolving   Credit  Loans  and
participations  in the Revolving  Credit Loans held by each Bank shall be in the
same proportion to the aggregate unpaid principal amount of all Revolving Credit
Loans then  outstanding  as the principal  amount of its Revolving  Credit Loans
prior to such exercise of banker's lien,  setoff or  counterclaim or other event
was to the principal amount of all Revolving Credit Loans  outstanding  prior to
such exercise of banker's lien, setoff or counterclaim or other event; provided,
however,  that, if any such purchase or purchases or  adjustments  shall be made
pursuant to this Section and the payment giving rise thereto shall thereafter be
recovered,  such purchase or purchases or adjustments  shall be rescinded to the
extent of such recovery and the purchase price or prices or adjustment  restored
without interest.  The Borrower expressly consents to the foregoing arrangements
and agrees that any Bank  holding a  participation  in a  Revolving  Credit Loan
deemed to have been so  purchased  may  exercise  any and all rights of banker's
lien,  setoff or  counterclaim  with  respect to any and all moneys owing by the
Borrower  to such  Bank by  reason  thereof  as fully as if such Bank had made a
Revolving   Credit  Loan  directly  to  the  Borrower  in  the  amount  of  such
participation.
                                      -22-
<PAGE>
         SECTION 2.18 Payments.

                  (a) The Borrower  shall make each payment  (including  without
limitation  principal  of or  interest  on any  Borrowing  or any  Fees or other
amounts)  hereunder  and under any other Loan Document no later than 12:00 noon,
Arizona time, on the date when due in Dollars to the Administrative Agent at its
offices at Post Office Box 71,  Phoenix,  Arizona 85001,  Attention:  Commercial
Banking  AZ1-1178,  in immediately  available funds or at such other location as
the  Administrative  Agent may notify the Borrower in writing.  Borrower  agrees
that the Administrative  Agent may electronically debit an account designated by
Borrower in a separate written agreement with the Administrative Agent, for each
such  payment so long as the  Administrative  Agent  shall have  transmitted  by
facsimile  to the  Borrower at  602/786-7393  (or at such other number as may be
designated by Borrower to the Administrative Agent in writing) (i) at least five
Business Days before its due date a notice of the amount to be debited, and (ii)
on the due day a notice of the amount actually debited.  Any payment received by
the  Administrative  Agent after 12:00 noon,  Arizona time, other than a payment
made by  electronic  debit,  shall  be  deemed  to  have  been  received  by the
Administrative Agent on the next Business Day.

                  (b)  Whenever  any  payment   (including   without  limitation
principal  of or  interest  on any  Borrowing  or any  Fees  or  other  amounts)
hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall become due, or otherwise  would
occur, on a day that is not a Business Day, such payment may be made on the next
succeeding  Business  Day,  and such  extension  of time  shall in such  case be
included in the computation of interest or Fees, if applicable.

         SECTION 2.19 Taxes.

                  (a) All payments by the Borrower under this Agreement shall be
made without setoff or  counterclaim  and in such amounts as may be necessary in
order that all such payments after deduction or withholding for or on account of
any present or future taxes,  levies,  imposts,  duties,  withholdings  or other
charges of whatsoever  nature and all liabilities  with respect  thereto,  other
than any taxes on or measured  by the gross or net income of a Bank  pursuant to
(i) the income and/or franchise tax laws of the jurisdictions in which such Bank
is  incorporated  or organized or in which the principal  office of such Bank or
the branch that is a party to this  Agreement of that Bank is located,  and (ii)
the income and/or  franchise tax laws of the  jurisdictions in which the Lending
Office or the Eurodollar  Lending Office of that Bank are then located (all such
nonexcluded taxes, levies, imposts,  duties,  withholdings and liabilities being
hereinafter  referred  to as  "Taxes"),  shall  not be  less  than  the  amounts
otherwise  specified  to be paid by the  Borrower  to or for the  account of the
Administrative   Agent  or  Bank  (or  any  transferee  or  assignee   (each,  a
"Transferee"))  under this  Agreement.  Upon request of the Borrower in writing,
each Bank shall  designate  a different  Lending  Office or  Eurodollar  Lending
Office,  as the case may be, if such  designation  will avoid the  imposition of
Taxes and if such  designation  will not, in the sole  judgment of such Bank, be
otherwise  disadvantageous  to such  Bank.  With  respect to each  deduction  or
withholding  for or on account of any Taxes of the  Administrative  Agent or any
Bank (or  Transferee),  Borrower shall promptly (and in any event not later than
45
                                      -23-
<PAGE>
days thereafter) furnish to such Administrative  Agent or Bank (or Transferee) a
receipt evidencing payment thereof.

                  (b) In  addition,  the  Borrower  agrees to pay any present or
future stamp or documentary taxes or any other excise or property taxes, charges
or similar  levies  which  arise from any  payment  made  hereunder  or from the
execution,  delivery or  registration  of, or  otherwise  with  respect to, this
Agreement or any other Loan Document (hereinafter referred to as "Stamp Taxes").
Each Bank that is organized  outside the United States  represents  and warrants
that as of the  Closing  Date,  it is not aware of any Stamp Tax  imposed by the
jurisdiction in which it is  incorporated  that applies to this Agreement or any
payment made to such Bank hereunder.

                  (c) The Borrower will indemnify each Bank (or  Transferee) and
the Administrative Agent for the full amount of Taxes and Stamp Taxes (including
without  limitation  any Taxes or Stamp  Taxes  imposed by any  jurisdiction  on
amounts  payable under this Section)  paid by such Bank (or  Transferee)  or the
Administrative  Agent, as the case may be, and any liability  (including without
limitation  penalties,  interest and expenses) arising therefrom or with respect
thereto,  whether or not such Taxes or Stamp  Taxes  were  correctly  or legally
asserted by the relevant taxing authority or other Governmental Authority.  Such
indemnification  shall  be made  within  30 days  after  the  date  any Bank (or
Transferee)  or the  Administrative  Agent,  as the case may be,  makes  written
demand  therefor.  If a Bank, as the result of any Tax with respect to which the
Borrower is required to make a payment  pursuant to this Section shall realize a
tax credit or refund in its country or other  jurisdiction of  incorporation  or
organization  or in the  jurisdiction  in which its principal  office or Lending
Office or Eurodollar Lending Office is then located,  which tax credit or refund
would not have been  realized but for the  Borrower's  payment of such Tax, such
Bank shall pay to the  Borrower an amount equal to such tax credit or refund (to
the extent of amounts  that have been paid by the  Borrower  under this  Section
with respect to such credit or refund) net of all out-of-pocket expenses of such
Bank; provided that the Borrower, upon the request of the Bank, agrees to return
such credit or refund (plus  penalties,  interest or other charges) to such Bank
in the  event  such  Bank is  required  to repay  such  credit  or refund to the
relevant taxing authority. Any amount required to be calculated pursuant to this
Section  shall be calculated  in good faith by the Bank (or  Transferee)  or the
Administrative  Agent, and such calculation shall be conclusive and binding upon
the parties  hereto.  In the event the  Borrower is required to make any payment
pursuant to this  Section to a Bank,  such Bank shall  promptly  and in a timely
manner take all such actions as may be reasonably  available to it to pursue any
possible tax credit or refund of such payment.

                  (d) Without  prejudice to the survival of any other  agreement
contained herein, the agreements and obligations contained in this Section shall
survive Termination,  provided that Borrower shall have no further obligation to
the Banks under this Section  unless a  certificate  setting forth the amount of
such  obligation  shall have been delivered by the Banks to the Borrower  within
ninety (90) calendar days after the Termination Date.

                  (e) Each Bank (or  Transferee)  that is organized  outside the
United States (i) on or before the date it becomes a party to this Agreement and
(ii) with respect to each Lending
                                      -24-
<PAGE>
Office or Eurodollar  Lending Office  located  outside the United States of such
Bank (or  Transferee),  on or before  the date such  office or branch  becomes a
Lending Office or Eurodollar  Lending Office,  shall deliver to the Borrower and
the  Administrative  Agent such  certificates,  documents or other evidence,  as
required by the Code or Treasury Regulations issued pursuant thereto,  including
Internal  Revenue  Service Form 1001 or Form 4224,  properly  completed and duly
executed  by such  Bank (or  Transferee)  establishing  that  payments  received
hereunder are (i) not subject to withholding under the Code because such payment
is  effectively  connected  with the conduct by such Bank (or  Transferee)  of a
trade or business in the United States or (ii) totally exempt from United States
Federal  withholding  tax under a provision  of an  applicable  tax  treaty.  In
addition,  each such  Bank (or  Transferee)  shall,  if  legally  able to do so,
thereafter deliver such  certificates,  documents or other evidence from time to
time  establishing  that  payments  received  hereunder  are not subject to such
withholding  upon receipt of a written request therefor from the Borrower or the
Administrative  Agent.  Unless the  Borrower and the  Administrative  Agent have
received forms or other documents  satisfactory to them indicating that payments
hereunder  or  under  the  Notes  are  not  subject  to  United  States  Federal
withholding  tax, the Borrower or the  Administrative  Agent shall withhold such
taxes from such payments at the applicable statutory rate.

                  (f) The Borrower  shall not be required to pay any  additional
amounts to any Bank (or  Transferee) or the  Administrative  Agent in respect to
United  States  Federal  withholding  tax pursuant to paragraph (a) above if the
obligation  to pay such  additional  amounts  would  not have  arisen  but for a
failure by such Bank (or Transferee) or the Administrative  Agent to deliver the
certificates,  documents or other evidence specified in the preceding  paragraph
(e) unless  such  failure is  attributable  to (i) a change in  applicable  law,
regulation  or  official   interpretation   thereof  or  (ii)  an  amendment  or
modification  to or a  revocation  of any  applicable  tax treaty or a change in
official position regarding the application or interpretation  thereof,  in each
case on or after the date such Bank (or Transferee) or the Administrative  Agent
becomes a party to this  Agreement  (or, if  applicable,  on or after the date a
Lending  Office or Eurodollar  Lending  Office of such Bank (or  Transferee)  or
Administrative  Agent  became a Lending  Office  or  Eurodollar  Lending  Office
hereunder).

                  (g) Nothing  contained in this Section  shall require any Bank
(or  Transferee)  or the  Administrative  Agent to make available any of its tax
returns (or any other  information  relating to its taxes)  which it deems to be
confidential.

                  (h) Each  Bank or the  Administrative  Agent on  behalf of the
Banks shall give  notification to the Borrower of any event or prospective event
which will give rise to the  operation  of  paragraphs  (a),  (b) or (c) of this
Section, such notification to be sent within thirty (30) days of the date of the
public promulgation of the effective date of any such Taxes or Stamp Taxes.
                                      -25-
<PAGE>
         SECTION 2.20  Termination or Assignment of Commitments Under Certain
Circumstances.

                  (a) If any Bank (or  Transferee) or the  Administrative  Agent
claims any additional  amounts payable  pursuant to Section 2.13 or Section 2.19
or exercises its rights under Section 2.14, it shall  (consistent with legal and
regulatory   restrictions)   (i)  promptly  notify  the  Borrower  (through  the
Administrative  Agent)  of the  circumstances  giving  rise to  such  additional
amounts or the exercise of such rights and (ii) file any certificate or document
requested by the Borrower or change the  jurisdiction of its applicable  Lending
Office or take any other  action if the making of such a filing or change or the
taking of such action  would avoid the need for or reduce the amount of any such
additional amounts which may thereafter accrue or avoid the circumstances giving
rise to such exercise and would not, in the sole  determination of such Bank (or
Transferee), be otherwise disadvantageous to such Bank (or Transferee).

                  (b) In the event that any Bank shall have  delivered  a notice
or  certificate  pursuant  to Section  2.13 or 2.14,  or the  Borrower  shall be
required  to make  additional  payments  to any Bank  under  Section  2.19,  the
Borrower  shall have the right,  at its option and own  expense,  upon notice to
such Bank and the  Administrative  Agent, (i) in the case of Sections 2.13, 2.14
or 2.19 only,  to  terminate  the  Commitment  of such Bank or (ii) in all cases
described in this paragraph, to require such Bank to transfer and assign without
recourse  (in  accordance  with and  subject to the  restrictions  contained  in
Section 9.4) all its interests,  rights and obligations  under this Agreement to
another financial institution  reasonably acceptable to the Administrative Agent
which shall assume such  obligations;  provided that (i) no such  termination or
assignment  shall  conflict  with any law,  rule or  regulation  or order of any
Governmental  Authority and (ii) the Borrower or the  assignee,  as the case may
be, shall pay to the affected Bank in immediately available funds on the date of
such termination or assignment the principal of and interest accrued to the date
of payment on the  Revolving  Credit  Loans made by it  hereunder  and all other
amounts  accrued  for its  account or owed to it  hereunder,  including  without
limitation  amounts  payable and owed to it pursuant to Sections 2.13,  2.14 and
2.19.

                  (c) Each Bank  represents and warrants to the Borrower that as
of the date hereof it is not aware of any claims  available to it under  Section
2.13, 2.14 or 2.19 or any  circumstances  which it has determined will enable it
to make any such claims.
                                      -26-
<PAGE>
                                   ARTICLE III

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         The Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent
and the Banks as follows:

         SECTION 3.1 Organization;  Corporate Powers; Etc. (a) The Borrower is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the  jurisdiction  of its  incorporation;  (b) the Borrower has the corporate
power and  authority to own its property and assets and to carry on its business
as now  conducted  and is qualified to do business in every  jurisdiction  where
such  qualification is required except where the failure to so qualify would not
result in a material  adverse  effect on the  business,  assets,  operations  or
condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower; and (c) the Borrower has the
corporate  power to execute,  deliver and perform this  Agreement  and the other
Loan Documents and to borrow hereunder.

         SECTION 3.2 Authorization; Etc. The execution, delivery and performance
by the Borrower of this Agreement,  the Borrowings hereunder,  and the issuance,
execution  and  delivery  of the  Notes:  (a) have been duly  authorized  by all
requisite  corporate action;  (b) will not violate (i) any provision of law, any
order of any  court,  or any rule,  regulation  or order of any other  agency of
government,  (ii) the Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws of the Borrower or
(iii) any provision of any material indenture,  agreement or other instrument to
which the Borrower is a party, or by which the Borrower or any of its properties
or assets are or may be bound;  (c) will not be in  conflict  with,  result in a
breach of or  constitute  (alone,  with notice,  with lapse of time, or with any
combination of these factors) a default under any indenture,  agreement or other
instrument  referred  to in  (b)(iii)  above;  and (d)  will not  result  in the
creation or  imposition  of any Lien upon any property or assets of the Borrower
that is not a Permitted Lien. Except for filings which may be required under the
1934 Act, no  registration  with or consent or approval  of, or other action by,
any  Governmental  Authority  is  required  in  connection  with the  execution,
delivery and  performance of this  Agreement,  the execution and delivery of the
Notes or the Borrowings hereunder.

         SECTION 3.3 Enforceability.  This Agreement constitutes, and each other
Loan Document when duly executed and delivered by the Borrower will  constitute,
the  legal,  valid  and  binding  obligation  of the  Borrower,  enforceable  in
accordance  with its terms,  subject,  as to the  enforcement  of  remedies,  to
applicable bankruptcy, reorganization,  insolvency, moratorium and other laws of
general  applicability  relating to or affecting  creditors' rights from time to
time in effect and to general  principles of equity  (regardless of whether such
enforcement is considered in a proceeding at law or in equity).

         SECTION 3.4  Financial  Condition  and  Information.  The  Borrower has
heretofore  furnished to the Banks copies of (i) the consolidated balance sheets
of the  Borrower as of March 31, 1997 and as of June 30,  1997,  and the related
consolidated  statements of income,  shareholder's  equity and Cash Flows of the
Borrower for the year ended March 31, 1997 and for
                                      -27-
<PAGE>
the fiscal period ended June 30, 1997,  including  without  limitation as to the
March 31, 1997 balance sheets and  statements the related notes,  audited by and
including the opinion the independent  public  accountants of the Borrower,  and
(ii) the Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1997 of
the Borrower.  Such financial statements fairly state the consolidated financial
condition  of  the  Borrower  as  of  the  respective   dates  thereof  and  the
consolidated  results of the operations and changes in financial position of the
Borrower  for the  periods  covered  thereby.  All  such  financial  statements,
including related schedules and notes thereto,  have been prepared in accordance
with GAAP.

         SECTION 3.5 No Material Adverse Change. Since March 31, 1997, there has
been no material adverse change in the business, operations, assets or condition
(financial or otherwise) of the Borrower and its Significant Subsidiaries, taken
as a whole  (except as  disclosed  in the  financial  statements  referred to in
Section 3.4 or as otherwise disclosed on Schedule 3.5 attached hereto).

         SECTION  3.6  Litigation.  Except  as set forth in the  Borrower's  SEC
filing on Form 10-K for the year ended  March 31,  1997,  there are no  actions,
suits or  proceedings  at law or in  equity  or by or  before  any  governmental
instrumentality  or  other  agency  now  pending  or,  to the  knowledge  of the
Borrower, threatened against or affecting the Borrower or any property or rights
of the  Borrower  which  would be  reasonably  likely  in the  aggregate  to (i)
materially  impair the ability of the Borrower to perform its obligations  under
this Agreement or the Notes or materially  impair the ability of the Borrower to
carry on business  substantially  as now being  conducted  or (ii) result in any
material  adverse  change in the  business,  assets,  operations,  or  condition
(financial or otherwise) of the Borrower.

         SECTION 3.7 Federal Reserve Regulations.

                  (a) The Borrower is not engaged principally,  or as one of its
important  activities,  in the business of  extending  credit for the purpose of
purchasing or carrying Margin Stock.

                  (b) No part of the proceeds of any Loan will be used,  whether
directly or indirectly, and whether immediately, incidentally or ultimately, (i)
to purchase or carry Margin Stock or to extend  credit to others for the purpose
of  purchasing  or carrying  Margin Stock or to refund  indebtedness  originally
incurred for such purpose, or (ii) for any purpose which entails a violation of,
or which is  inconsistent  with, the provisions of the Regulations of the Board,
including Regulation G, U or X.

         SECTION 3.8 Investment  Company Act. The Borrower is not an "investment
company" or a company "controlled" by an "investment company" within the meaning
of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

         SECTION 3.9 Public Utility  Holding  Company Act. The Borrower is not a
"holding  company,"  or a  "subsidiary  company" of a "holding  company,"  or an
"affiliate" of a "holding
                                      -28-
<PAGE>
company" or of a "subsidiary company" of a "holding company," within the meaning
of the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended.

         SECTION 3.10 Tax Returns.  As of the filing date of the Borrower's Form
10-K,  Form 10-Q or Form 8-K most recently  filed with the SEC, the Borrower has
duly filed or caused to be filed all federal,  state and local tax returns which
are  required to have been filed and has paid or caused to be paid all  material
taxes  required to be paid by it,  except  taxes the  validity of which is being
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and with respect to which the
Borrower has set aside on its books such reserves as are required by GAAP.

         SECTION 3.11 ERISA.  As of the filing date of the Borrower's Form 10-K,
Form 10-Q or Form 8-K most  recently  filed with the SEC,  the  Borrower  had no
material  undisclosed  ERISA  Liabilities  under any Plans, and currently has no
Plans in effect.

         SECTION 3.12 Title to Properties: Possession. The Borrower has good and
indefeasible  title  to,  or valid  leasehold  interests  in,  all its  material
properties and assets, subject only to encumbrances,  adverse claims and defects
in title which do not involve any risk of loss that is material to the  Borrower
and the  Subsidiaries  taken as a whole. All such assets and properties are free
and clear of all Liens other than those  permitted  by Section 6.1. The Borrower
has  all  licenses  and  rights  necessary  to  enable  it to use  all  material
technology used by it in its operations.

         SECTION 3.13 Use of Proceeds. The Borrower will use the proceeds of any
borrowing  hereunder  solely for the  purposes set forth in the Recitals to this
Agreement.

         SECTION 3.14 Environmental and Safety Matters. As of the filing date of
the  Borrower's  Form 10-K,  Form 10-Q or Form 8-K most recently  filed with the
SEC, the Borrower and the Subsidiaries had no material undisclosed environmental
liabilities.

         SECTION 3.15 Subsidiaries.  All Significant  Subsidiaries are correctly
identified on Schedule "3.15" hereto.
                                      -29-
<PAGE>
                                   ARTICLE IV

                           CONDITIONS TO CREDIT EVENTS

         The  obligations  of the Banks to make each and every Loan, and to make
each and every advance of the proceeds  thereof  (each of the  foregoing  events
being  called a "Credit  Event")  are  subject  to the prior or  contemporaneous
satisfaction of the following conditions:

         SECTION 4.1 Credit Events. On the date of each Credit Event,  including
the date of each refinancing of a Borrowing as contemplated by Section 2.5:

                  (a) The Administrative Agent shall have received in respect of
         such advance or  refinancing a Borrowing  Notice as required by Section
         2.3.

                  (b) The  representations  and  warranties set forth in Article
         III hereof  shall have been true and correct in all  material  respects
         both (i) on the date  hereof  and (ii) as of such  date,  except to the
         extent such  representations  and warranties  expressly  relate and are
         limited to a different date.

                  (c) At the  time of and  immediately  after  such  advance  or
         refinancing  no  Event of  Default  or  Potential  Default  shall  have
         occurred and be continuing.

Each  advance  or  refinancing   hereunder  shall  be  deemed  to  constitute  a
representation  and warranty by the Borrower on the date of such Credit Event as
to the  satisfaction  of the  conditions  specified in paragraphs (b) and (c) of
this Section 4.1.

         SECTION 4.2 First Credit Event. On the Closing Date:

                  (a) Each Bank shall have received a duly executed copy of this
Agreement.

                  (b) The  Administrative  Agent  shall  have  received  the Fee
Letter and payment of all expenses owed to the Banks  pursuant to Section 9.5(a)
and of all Fees that are then due and payable.

                  (c)  Each  Bank  shall  have  received  duly  executed   Notes
complying with the provisions of Section 2.7.

                  (d) The Administrative Agent and each Bank shall have received
a favorable written opinion of Borrower's legal counsel, dated as of the Closing
Date and addressed to the Administrative  Agent and the Banks, to the effect set
forth in Exhibit "E" hereto,  and the Borrower hereby  instructs such counsel to
deliver such opinion to the Administrative Agent and each Bank.
                                      -30-
<PAGE>
                  (e) All legal matters incident to this Agreement and the first
Credit Event hereunder shall be reasonably  satisfactory to the Banks and to the
legal counsel for the Administrative Agent.

                  (f) The Administrative Agent and each Bank shall have received
(i) a copy of the  Certificate  or  Articles  of  Incorporation,  including  all
amendments thereto, of Borrower,  certified as of a recent date by the Secretary
of State of the state of Borrower's  organization,  and a certificate  from such
Secretary of State as of a recent date, as to the good standing of the Borrower;
(ii) a certificate of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of the Borrower dated
the Closing Date and certifying (A) that attached thereto is a true and complete
copy of the By-Laws of the  Borrower as in effect on the Closing Date and at all
times since a date prior to the date of the  resolutions  described  in the next
clause of this sentence,  (B) that attached  thereto is a true and complete copy
of  resolutions  duly  adopted  by  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  Borrower
authorizing  the execution,  delivery and  performance of the Loan Documents and
the Credit Events  hereunder,  and that such resolutions have not been modified,
rescinded or amended and are in full force and effect,  (C) that the Certificate
or Articles of  Incorporation  of the Borrower  have not been amended  since the
date of the last  amendment  thereto shown on the  certificate  of good standing
furnished  pursuant  to  clause  (i)  above,  and (D) as to the  incumbency  and
specimen  signature of each  officer  executing  any Loan  Document or any other
document delivered in connection herewith on behalf of the Borrower; and (iii) a
certificate of another  officer as to the  incumbency and specimen  signature of
the Secretary or Assistant Secretary executing the certificate  pursuant to (ii)
above.

                  (g)  The  Administrative  Agent  shall  have  received  (i)  a
certificate,  dated the Closing  Date and signed on behalf of the  Borrower by a
Financial  Officer of the Borrower,  confirming  compliance  with the conditions
precedent  set  forth  in  paragraphs  (b) and (c) of  Section  4.1,  and (ii) a
Quarterly  Certificate  as of the end of the  prior  fiscal  quarter  dated  the
Closing Date and signed on behalf of the Borrower by a Financial  Officer of the
Borrower.

                  (h) The  Administrative  Agent shall have received all amounts
due and payable  hereunder or under the other Loan  Documents on or prior to the
Closing Date.

                  (i) The  Administrative  Agent  shall have  received  evidence
satisfactory  to it that the Prior  Agreement has been or will be terminated and
all loans and other amounts outstanding  thereunder have been or will be paid in
full, on or prior to the Closing Date.

                  (j) Since March 31, 1997,  there has been no material  adverse
change  in  the  business,   operations,  assets  or  conditions  (financial  or
otherwise) of the Borrower and its  Significant  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole
(except as disclosed in the financial  statements  referred to in Section 3.4 or
as otherwise disclosed on Schedule 3.5 attached hereto).

                  (k) The Administrative Agent and each Bank shall have received
consolidated  financial  projections  for the  next  three  (3)  years as to the
Borrower and its Significant Subsidiaries.
                                      -31-
<PAGE>
                                    ARTICLE V

                              AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

         The  Borrower  covenants  and  agrees  that,  at  all  times  prior  to
Termination,  unless the Required Banks shall otherwise  consent in writing,  it
will:

         SECTION  5.1  Corporate  Existence.  Do or cause to be done all  things
necessary  to  preserve,  renew and keep in full force and effect its  corporate
existence,  material rights,  licenses,  permits and franchises  material to the
conduct of its business;  comply in all material  respects  with all  applicable
laws,  rules,  regulations,  and orders  (except that force majeure  events will
excuse  noncompliance so long as noncompliance  would not materially  impair the
creditworthiness  of the  Borrower)  whether now in effect or hereafter  enacted
where the  failure to so comply  would be  reasonably  likely to have a material
adverse effect on the business,  assets,  operations or condition  (financial or
otherwise) of the Borrower; and, at all times maintain and preserve all material
property  required  for the conduct of its  business as  presently  or hereafter
conducted.

         SECTION 5.2 Insurance. Maintain adequate insurance by financially sound
and  reputable  insurers of all  properties  of a character  usually  insured by
companies  engaged  in the same or a  similar  business  operating  on a similar
economic scale in the same vicinity  against loss or damage  resulting from fire
or other risks insured against by extended  coverage and of the kind customarily
insured against by such companies,  and maintain in full force and effect public
liability insurance against claims for personal injury, death or property damage
occurring  upon,  in,  about or in  connection  with  the use of any  properties
occupied  or  controlled  by it in such  amounts  as  shall be  customary  among
companies engaged in the same or similar  businesses and similarly  situated and
maintain such other insurance as may be required by law; provided, however, that
nothing in this Section 5.2 shall preclude the Borrower from being  self-insured
to the extent customary with companies in the same or similar business.

         SECTION 5.3 Taxes.  Pay and discharge  promptly any taxes,  assessments
and governmental charges or levies imposed upon it or upon its income or profits
or in respect of its material property (real or personal), before the same shall
become delinquent;  provided,  however, that neither the Borrower nor any of the
Subsidiaries  shall be required to pay and  discharge or to cause to be paid and
discharged any such obligation,  tax, assessment,  charge, levy or claim so long
as the  validity  or  amount  thereof  shall  be  contested  in  good  faith  by
appropriate  proceedings  and the Borrower or such  Subsidiary,  as appropriate,
shall set aside on its books such  reserves as are required by GAAP with respect
thereto.

         SECTION  5.4  Financial  Statements;  Reports,  etc. In the case of the
Borrower,  furnish to the  Administrative  Agent (as Information  subject to the
applicable requirements of Section 9.17 herein, if any):

                  (a) within 120 days after the end of each fiscal  year,  (i) a
consolidated balance sheet, (ii) a consolidated  statement of income and (iii) a
consolidated statement of cash flow, each
                                      -32-
<PAGE>
showing the financial  condition of the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries as of the
close of such fiscal year and the results of operations during such fiscal year,
all the foregoing  financial  statements to be prepared in accordance with GAAP,
audited  by an  accounting  firm  of  nationally  recognized  standing  with  an
unqualified opinion from such firm;

                  (b)  within 60 days  after the end of each  fiscal  quarter of
each fiscal year of the Borrower or, if earlier, when filed by the Borrower with
the SEC, Borrower's Form 10-Q for such fiscal quarter;

                  (c)  within 60 days  after the end of each  fiscal  quarter of
each fiscal year of the Borrower,  the Quarterly Certificate  certifying that to
the best of its, his or her  knowledge no Event of Default or Potential  Default
has occurred, or, if such an Event of Default or Potential Default has occurred,
specifying  the nature and extent  thereof and  accompanied  by a statement of a
Financial  Officer of the Borrower  specifying  any  corrective  action taken or
proposed to be taken with respect thereto;

                  (d) concurrently with each delivery of the statements referred
to in (a) and (b) above,  a certificate  of the firm or person  certifying  such
statements  (which  certificate,  when furnished by the independent  accountants
referred to in paragraph  (a) above,  may be limited to  accounting  matters and
disclaim responsibility for legal interpretations),  setting forth in reasonable
detail in the form of Exhibit F the calculation of financial measures and ratios
required to demonstrate compliance with the covenants, conditions and agreements
contained  in  Article  VI  hereof  and  the  calculation  of the  Loan  Pricing
Qualifiers,  all  determined  as of the  end  of  the  period  covered  by  said
statements;

                  (e) not later than the last  Business  Day of the first fiscal
quarter of each fiscal year of Borrower,  a financial  forecast of  consolidated
gross  operating  revenue  and  Consolidated  Net  Income  of  Borrower  and its
Subsidiaries  for each  fiscal  quarter of the said fiscal year as at the end of
each such fiscal quarter  (collectively,  the "Operating  Plan"),  in a form and
containing  such  additional   information  as  the  Administrative   Agent  may
reasonably require;

                  (f) within 10 days of their being filed,  in addition to those
delivered  by  Borrower  to Bank  pursuant  to (b) above,  copies of all reports
(other than preliminary proxy statements) filed by the Borrower with the SEC (or
any Governmental Authority succeeding to any or all of the functions of the SEC)
under the requirements of the 1934 Act, or any successor statute; and

                  (g)  promptly,  from  time to  time,  such  other  information
regarding  the  operations,  business  affairs and  financial  condition  of the
Borrower as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request.

         SECTION 5.5 Litigation and Other Notices. Give the Administrative Agent
prompt written or telecopy notice of the following:
                                      -33-
<PAGE>
                  (a) any Event of Default or  Potential  Default and the steps,
if any, proposed to be taken by the Borrower with respect thereto;

                  (b) the filing or commencement  of any action,  suit or formal
proceeding  at law or in equity or by or before any court or hearing  officer of
any Governmental Authority, or any other event or condition,  which has resulted
in, or which is reasonably likely to result in, a material adverse change in the
business,  operations or condition  (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower and
the  Subsidiaries  taken  as a whole  and  which  has not been  reported  in the
Borrower's most recent SEC filings on Form 10-K, 10-Q or 8-K.

         SECTION  5.6  Maintaining  Records:  Access to  Premises  and  Records.
Maintain all financial  records in  accordance  with GAAP,  and upon  reasonable
notice permit  representatives of the Administrative Agent and each Bank to have
access to such financial  records and the premises of the Borrower at reasonable
times and to make such  excerpts from such records as such  representatives  may
deem necessary,  provided that each person obtaining  information shall hold all
confidential  information obtained in accordance with the restrictions set forth
in Section 9.17.

         SECTION 5.7 Use of  Proceeds.  Use the proceeds of the Loans solely for
the purposes set forth in Recitals hereto.

         SECTION 5.8 Operations and  Properties.  Keep in good working order and
condition,  ordinary wear and tear  excepted,  all of its assets and  properties
which are necessary to the conduct of its business.

         SECTION  5.9  Compliance  with Law.  Comply with all  applicable  laws,
rules,  regulations,  and all final,  nonappealable  orders of any  Governmental
Authority  applicable  to it or any  of its  property,  business  operations  or
transactions,  a breach of which  could  have a material  adverse  effect on its
ability to repay the Loans.

         SECTION 5.10 ERISA  Compliance.  In the event that Borrower should,  at
any time in the future while this Agreement is in effect,  implement a Plan, (a)
at all times comply with the minimum funding  standards set forth in Section 302
of ERISA and Section 412 of the Code or shall have duly obtained a formal waiver
of such compliance from the proper authority;  (b) at the Administrative Agent's
request,  within  thirty  (30)  days  after  the  filing  thereof,   furnish  to
Administrative  Agent copies of each annual report/return (Form 5500 Series), as
well as all schedules and  attachments  required to be filed with the Department
of Labor and/or the Internal  Revenue  Service  pursuant to ERISA, in connection
with any such Plan for each  year of the Plan;  (c)  notify  the  Administrative
Agent within a reasonable time of any fact,  including,  but not limited to, any
Reportable  Event  arising  in  connection  with  any  such  Plan,  which  would
constitute grounds for termination thereof by the PBGC or for the appointment by
the  appropriate  United States  District Court of a trustee to administer  such
Plan, together with a statement, if requested by the Administrative Agent, as to
the reason  therefor and the action,  if any,  proposed to be taken with respect
thereto;  and (d) furnish to the Administrative  Agent within a reasonable time,
upon
                                      -34-
<PAGE>
the Administrative  Agent's request, such additional  information concerning any
such Plan as may be reasonably requested.
                                      -35-
<PAGE>
                                   ARTICLE VI

                               NEGATIVE COVENANTS

         The  Borrower  covenants  and  agrees  that,  at  all  times  prior  to
Termination, it will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to:

         SECTION 6.1 Liens. Incur,  create,  assume or permit to exist any Liens
on any of  Borrower's  property  or  assets,  or the  property  or assets of any
Subsidiary,  whether such property or assets are now owned or hereafter acquired
by  Borrower  or by a  Subsidiary,  or on any income or rights in respect of any
thereof, to secure any Indebtedness; provided that the foregoing shall not apply
to Liens on the property or assets of Borrower or any Subsidiary:

                  (i)  existing  on the date  hereof and  described  in Schedule
         "6.1" or,  with  respect  to the  property  or  assets of any  business
         association or sole  proprietorship  merged with,  consolidated with or
         acquired by the  Borrower or any of the  Subsidiaries  existing in such
         property or assets prior to such merger,  consolidation  or acquisition
         (excluding,  however,  such Liens as are incurred in  contemplation  of
         such  transaction),  provided  that such Liens shall  secure only those
         obligations  that they secure on the date hereof or on the date of (and
         immediately  prior  to)  such  merger,  consolidation  or  acquisition,
         respectively;

                  (ii) in favor of the United States, any state or any political
         subdivision or agency thereof which arise from  Indebtedness  of a sort
         not  described in any of clauses (a) through (e) of the  definition  of
         such term;

                  (iii) that are  deposits  to secure the  performance  of bids,
         trade  contracts  (other  than  for  Indebtedness),  leases,  statutory
         obligations,  surety  and  appeal  bonds,  performance  bonds and other
         obligations  of a like  nature  incurred  in  the  ordinary  course  of
         business;

                  (iv) that are Liens on property,  plant,  improvements thereto
         or equipment  acquired  after the Closing Date;  provided that (i) such
         Liens are incurred,  and the  Indebtedness  secured thereby is created,
         before   or   contemporaneously   with  such   acquisition,   (ii)  the
         Indebtedness  secured  thereby  does not  exceed  the cost of such real
         property or plant,  improvements or equipment,  and (iii) such security
         interests do not apply to any other  property or assets of the Borrower
         or any Subsidiary;

                  (v) which secure Indebtedness in an amount incurred during the
         term of this  Agreement  not  greater  than  $50,000,000.00  minus  the
         aggregate  purchase  price  of any  Sale  and  Lease-Back  Transactions
         entered into by the Borrower and the Subsidiaries during such term;
                                      -36-
<PAGE>
                  (vi) which (A) are incurred in the ordinary course of business
         or in  the  development  of  its  real  property,  (B)  do  not  exceed
         individually  $1,000,000.00,  and (C) do not  exceed at any time in the
         aggregate $10,000,000.00; and

                  (vii) that are any  extension,  renewal,  or  replacement  (or
         successive extensions,  renewals, or replacements) in whole or in part,
         of any Lien referred to in (i) through (v) hereof;  provided,  however,
         that  (1) the  Lien  shall be  limited  to all or part of the  property
         subject  to the  Lien  extended,  renewed,  or  replaced  and  (2)  the
         principal amount of Indebtedness secured thereby shall not be increased
         by such extension, renewal or replacement.

         SECTION  6.2  Sale  and   Lease-Back   Transactions.   Enter  into  any
arrangement,  directly or indirectly,  with any Person  whereby  Borrower or any
Subsidiary  shall sell or transfer any property,  real or personal,  whether now
owned or hereafter acquired, and thereafter rent or lease such property or other
property that it intends to use for  substantially  the same purpose or purposes
as the property being sold or transferred (a "Sale and Lease-Back Transaction"),
provided  that  the  Borrower  or any  Subsidiary  may  enter  into any Sale and
Lease-Back  Transaction  in the  ordinary  course of business  if the  aggregate
purchase  price of all  property  subject  to Sale and  Lease-Back  Transactions
during  the term of this  Agreement  does  not  exceed  $50  Million  minus  the
aggregate  amount of any  Indebtedness  referred to in clause (v) of Section 6.1
which shall be incurred by the Borrower and the  Subsidiaries  after the date of
this Agreement.

         SECTION 6.3 Subsidiary  Indebtedness.  Permit any  Indebtedness  of any
Subsidiary  to be  outstanding,  other  than (i)  intercorporate  debt and other
intercorporate  obligations exclusively among the Borrower and its Subsidiaries,
(ii)  Indebtedness  secured  by Liens in the  property  or assets of any  person
(including  the  Borrower or any  Subsidiary)  that,  if existing in property or
assets of the  Borrower or any  Subsidiary,  would be Liens  described in one or
more of subsections 6.1(i) through (vi), inclusive,  but only to the extent such
Indebtedness  is not greater  than the fair market  value of the  properties  or
assets  subject  to such  Liens at the  time  such  Liens  were  created,  (iii)
Indebtedness deemed to exist by reason of Sale and Lease-Back Transactions that,
if involving  properties or assets of the Borrower or any  Subsidiary,  would be
permitted  under  Section  6.2,  and (iv)  other  Indebtedness  (including  such
portions of  Indebtedness  permitted in part by the foregoing  subsections  (i),
(ii) or (iii) of this  Section 6.3 as are in excess of the amount so  permitted)
in an aggregate amount not to exceed $25 Million at any time.

         SECTION 6.4  Mergers,  Consolidations,  Sales of Assets.  Merge into or
consolidate  with any other Person,  or permit any other Person to merge into or
consolidate with it, or sell,  transfer,  lease or otherwise  dispose of (in one
transaction  or in a series of  transactions)  all or  substantially  all of its
assets or the assets of any  Material  Division,  whether now owned or hereafter
acquired,  or any  capital  stock  of any  Subsidiary  (including  any  sale  or
transfer,  by  merger  or  otherwise,  of one of the  Subsidiaries  or  Material
Divisions);  except that (a) the Borrower and any  Subsidiary may sell inventory
in  the  ordinary  course  of  business  and  (b)  if at the  time  thereof  and
immediately after giving effect thereto no Event of Default or Potential
                                      -37-
<PAGE>
Default shall have occurred and be  continuing  (i) any wholly owned  Subsidiary
may merge  into the  Borrower  in a  transaction  in which the  Borrower  is the
surviving  corporation,  (ii) any  wholly  owned  Subsidiary  may merge  into or
consolidate with any other wholly owned Subsidiary in a transaction in which the
surviving  entity is a wholly  owned  Subsidiary  and no person  other  than the
Borrower or a wholly  owned  Subsidiary  receives any  consideration,  (iii) any
other corporation may be merged with a Subsidiary of the Borrower, provided that
the surviving  corporation shall be a Subsidiary of the Borrower and no Event of
Default or  Potential  Default  has  occurred or would occur as a result of such
merger or  acquisition  and (iv) any other  corporation  may be merged  into the
Borrower if the  Borrower  shall be the  surviving  corporation  and no Event of
Default or  Potential  Default  has  occurred or would occur as a result of such
merger or acquisition;  but provided that in any merger of the Borrower pursuant
to (iv) above,  the  surviving  entity must be at least as  creditworthy  as the
Borrower was immediately  prior to such merger or acquisition and must expressly
fully  assume in  writing  all  obligations  of the  Borrower  pursuant  to this
Agreement.

         SECTION 6.5 Acquisitions.  Make either acquisitions of any other Person
or investments  in any other Person without the written  consent of the Required
Banks, which consent shall not be unreasonably  withheld or delayed, that exceed
$100,000,000.00 or that make use of more than  $50,000,000.00 of the proceeds of
the Loans.

         SECTION 6.6  Business of Borrower.  Substantially  change the nature of
the business conducted by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

         SECTION  6.7  ERISA  Liabilities.  Create  or  suffer  to  exist  ERISA
Liabilities in an aggregate amount in excess of $1,000,000.00  for all Plans, if
any, maintained by Borrower.

         SECTION 6.8 Subordinated Indebtedness.

                  (a) Amend or modify the terms of any Subordinated Indebtedness
if as a result such terms would become less favorable to the Banks.

                  (b) Amend or modify the covenants or default provisions of any
Subordinated  Indebtedness if as a result such covenants or provisions  would be
more restrictive of the Borrower.

                  (c) Cause or permit any  Subordinated  Indebtedness  to become
due prior to the Expiration Date.

                  (d) Directly or indirectly prepay, redeem, purchase,  defease,
retire or otherwise acquire for value any Subordinated Indebtedness.

         SECTION 6.9 Debt/EBITDA Ratio. At any time, permit the ratio of (i) the
sum of its  Consolidated  Debt plus its Convertible  Subordinated  Indebtedness,
less its  accruals and  accounts  payables,  to (ii) its Cash Flow to be greater
than 0.8 to 1.0.
                                      -38-
<PAGE>
         SECTION 6.10  Consolidated  Effective  Tangible  Net Worth.  Permit its
Consolidated Effective Tangible Net Worth at any time to be less than the sum of
(the "Minimum Net Worth Requirement") (i) $337,000,000.00, (ii) the aggregate of
fifty percent  (50%) of the  Consolidated  Net Income for each fiscal  quarterly
period,  commencing with that fiscal quarterly period ending September 30, 1997,
(iii) ninety percent (90%) of the aggregate net increase in Stockholders  Equity
after  September  30, 1997  arising  from the  issuance  and sale of  additional
capital stock, and (iv) one-hundred percent (100%) of the aggregate net increase
in  Stockholders  Equity after September 30, 1997 arising from the conversion of
any Convertible Subordinated  Indebtedness into its capital stock less the costs
of such conversion.  The Minimum Net Worth  Requirement  shall not be reduced by
any Consolidated Net Income for a fiscal quarterly period that is less than zero
(i.e. a net deficit or loss).  If the Borrower shall not have  delivered  timely
financial  statements under Section 5.4 which permit Bank to determine whether a
Potential Default or Event of Default under this Section exists,  the Bank shall
be entitled to take any and all actions  available to it upon the  occurrence of
such an Event of Default,  which shall be deemed to have  occurred upon the last
day of the period covered by such financial statements.

         SECTION  6.11  Debt/Worth  Ratio.  At any  time,  permit  the  ratio of
Consolidated  Debt to  Consolidated  Effective  Tangible Net Worth to be greater
than 1.0 to 1.0.

         SECTION 6.12  Continued  Profitability.  For any fiscal year or any two
consecutive fiscal quarterly periods, incur Consolidated Net Income of less than
zero (i.e., a net deficit or loss).
                                      -39-
<PAGE>
                                   ARTICLE VII

                                EVENTS OF DEFAULT

         SECTION 7.1 Events of Default.  In case of the  happening of any of the
following events (herein called "Events of Default"):

                  (a) default  shall be made in the payment of any  principal of
         any Loan, when and as the same shall become due and payable, whether at
         the due date thereof or by  acceleration  thereof or otherwise and such
         default  shall  continue for a period of five (5)  Business  Days after
         such default;

                  (b) default  shall be made in the  payment of any  interest on
         any Loan or any Fee,  indemnification  amount or any other  amount  due
         from the  Borrower  under  the Loan  Documents  (other  than an  amount
         referred  to in (a) above),  when and as the same shall  become due and
         payable,  and such  default  shall  continue  for a period  of five (5)
         Business  Days after the  earlier of (i) the day on which a  Designated
         Officer  knows or should have known of such  default in the exercise of
         prudent business  practices  customary to the industry and (ii) receipt
         by the Borrower of written or telecopy  notice from the  Administrative
         Agent of such default;

                  (c) any  representation or warranty made or deemed made by the
         Borrower  in  connection  with the  Loan  Documents  or in any  report,
         certificate or other instrument  furnished by the Borrower  pursuant to
         the Loan Documents or with the Borrowings hereunder shall prove to have
         been false or misleading in any material respect when made or delivered
         or when deemed made in accordance with the terms hereof;  provided that
         if any such breach of  representation or warranty has been subsequently
         remedied  (such that if made or given as of the date of remedy it is no
         longer false or misleading in any material respect) and such breach has
         caused no material  adverse  effect on the rights or  interests  of any
         Bank under this  Agreement,  such breach  shall no longer  constitute a
         Potential Default or Event of Default hereunder.

                  (d) default shall be made in the due observance or performance
         of any covenant or agreement to be observed or performed on the part of
         the  Borrower  contained  in  Section  5.1 or in  Article  VI, and with
         respect only to Section 5.1 (other than the covenant in such Section to
         preserve its corporate  existence)  and Section 6.1, such default shall
         continue for a period of thirty (30) calendar days after the earlier of
         (i) the day on which a Designated Officer knows or should have known of
         such default in the exercise of prudent business practices customary to
         the  industry  and (ii)  receipt by the Borrower of written or telecopy
         notice from the Administrative Agent of such default;
                                      -40-
<PAGE>
                  (e) default shall be made in the due observance or performance
         of any covenant,  condition or agreement to be observed or performed on
         the part of the  Borrower  pursuant to the terms  hereof  (other than a
         default  described  in one or  more  of the  other  provisions  of this
         Section 7.1) and such default  shall  remain  unremedied  for more than
         thirty (30)  calendar  days after the earlier of (i) the day on which a
         Designated  Officer  of  Borrower  knows or should  have  known of such
         default in the exercise of prudent business practices  customary to the
         industry or (ii) written  notice of such default  shall have been given
         to a Designated Officer by the Administrative Agent;

                  (f) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries shall fail to make
         when due any payment (of whatever  amount) on Indebtedness  aggregating
         in excess of $1,000,000.00 (whether due by scheduled maturity, required
         prepayment,  acceleration, demand or otherwise), and such failure shall
         continue after the applicable  grace period,  if any,  specified in the
         agreement or instrument  relating to such Indebtedness,  or any failure
         by the  Borrower to perform any covenant or agreement on its part to be
         performed  under any  agreement or  instrument  evidencing  or security
         relating to any Indebtedness in excess of $1,000,000.00 shall result in
         the  acceleration of the maturity of a portion of such  Indebtedness in
         excess of $100,000.00;

                  (g)  the  Borrower  or  any  Material   Subsidiary  shall  (i)
         voluntarily commence any proceeding or file any petition seeking relief
         under Title 11 of the United States Code or any other Federal, state or
         foreign  bankruptcy,  insolvency  or similar  law,  (ii) consent to the
         institution  of,  or fail to  controvert  in a timely  and  appropriate
         manner,  any such proceeding or the filing of any such petition,  (iii)
         apply  for  or  consent  to the  appointment  of a  receiver,  trustee,
         custodian, sequestrator or similar official for such corporation or for
         a substantial  part of its property,  (iv) file an answer admitting the
         material  allegations  of a  petition  filed  against  it in  any  such
         proceeding, (v) make a general assignment for the benefit of creditors,
         (vi) become unable, admit in writing its inability or fail generally to
         pay its debts as they become due,  or (vii) take  corporate  action for
         the purpose of effecting any of the foregoing;

                  (h)  an  involuntary  proceeding  shall  be  commenced  or  an
         involuntary   petition   shall  be  filed  in  a  court  of   competent
         jurisdiction  seeking  (i) relief in respect of the  Borrower or any of
         its Material  Subsidiaries or of a substantial  part of the property of
         any of them  under  Title 11 of the  United  States  Code or any  other
         Federal,  state or foreign bankruptcy,  insolvency or similar law, (ii)
         the  appointment of a receiver,  trustee,  custodian,  sequestrator  or
         similar  official for the Borrower or any of its Material  Subsidiaries
         or for a substantial  part of the property of any of them, or (iii) the
         winding-up  or  liquidation  of the  Borrower  or  any of its  Material
         Subsidiaries; and such proceeding or petition shall continue
                                      -41-
<PAGE>
         undismissed for 60 days or an order or decree approving or ordering any
         of the foregoing shall be entered;

                  (i) either of (A) the occurrence of any one or more Reportable
         Events  or  (B) a  failure  to  make a  "required  payment"  under  the
         provisions  of Section  412(n)(1) of the Code shall have  occurred with
         respect  to any Plan or Plans and the  occurrence  of either (A) or (B)
         above shall have  resulted in any of (1)  liability  of the Borrower to
         the  PBGC or to one or more  Plans  in an  aggregate  amount  exceeding
         $1,000,000.00,  (2) the  termination of the respective Plan or Plans by
         the PBGC, (3) the appointment by the appropriate United States District
         Court of a  trustee  to  administer  such  Plan or Plans or (4) for the
         imposition of a Lien in favor of such Plan or Plans;

                  (j) any material  provision of the Loan Documents ceases to be
         valid and binding on or enforceable against the Borrower;

                  (k) the  entry of any  non-appealable  judgment  in  excess of
         seven and one-half percent (7.5%) of Borrower's  Consolidated  Tangible
         Net Worth against the Borrower or any Material  Subsidiary  that is not
         adequately covered by insurance; or

                  (l) there shall have occurred a Change in Control.

         SECTION 7.2 Remedies.  Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default, and
at any time thereafter during the continuance of such event, the  Administrative
Agent, shall, at the sole option of the Required Banks and if so directed by the
Required Banks,  by written or telecopy notice to the Borrower,  take any of the
following actions, plus any other actions provided for under this Agreement, the
Loan Documents or applicable law, at the same or different times:

                           (A) terminate forthwith any or all Commitments of the
                  Banks, and

                           (B) declare  any or all of the Loans to be  forthwith
                  due and  payable,  whereupon  the  principal  of  such  Loans,
                  together with accrued  interest thereon and any unpaid accrued
                  Fees  and  all  other  liabilities  of  the  Borrower  accrued
                  hereunder and under the Notes,  shall become forthwith due and
                  payable  together with interest thereon as provided in Section
                  2.9, without presentment,  demand, protest or any other notice
                  of any kind, all of which are hereby  expressly  waived by the
                  Borrower,  anything  contained  herein  or in any  Note to the
                  contrary notwithstanding;

provided,  however,  that in the  case  of an  Event  of  Default  specified  in
paragraph  (g) or (h)  above  involving  the  Borrower,  without  notice  to the
Borrower or any other act by the Administrative
                                      -42-
<PAGE>
Agent or the Banks, the Commitments shall automatically  terminate and all Loans
together  with  all  such  interest,   Fees  and  other  amounts,  shall  become
immediately due and payable,  all without  presentment,  demand,  protest or any
other  notice  of any  kind,  all of which are  hereby  expressly  waived by the
Borrower,   anything   contained   herein  or  in  any  Note  to  the   contrary
notwithstanding.

         SECTION 7.3 Occurrence and  Declaration of an Event of Default.  If the
Administrative  Agent obtains actual  knowledge of the occurrence of an Event of
Default,  the  Administrative  Agent shall,  within  three (3) Business  Days of
obtaining such knowledge,  give written notice of such occurrence to each of the
Banks. In addition, if any Bank obtains actual knowledge of the occurrence of an
Event of Default,  that Bank shall,  within three (3) Business Days of obtaining
such  knowledge,  give written notice of such  occurrence to the  Administrative
Agent and the Administrative  Agent shall give written notice of such occurrence
to each of the Banks.
                                      -43-
<PAGE>
                                  ARTICLE VIII

                  THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT; INTERBANK AGREEMENT

         SECTION  8.1  Appointment.   In  order  to  expedite  the  transactions
contemplated  by this  Agreement,  Bank One,  Arizona,  NA, a  national  banking
association, is hereby appointed to act as Administrative Agent on behalf of the
Banks.  In addition,  The First  National  Bank of Chicago,  a national  banking
association, is hereby appointed as Documentation Agent; as Documentation Agent,
The  First   National  Bank  of  Chicago   shall  have  no  rights,   duties  or
responsibilities  under the Loan Documents  beyond those of a Bank.  Each of the
Banks, and each subsequent holder of any Note by its acceptance thereof,  hereby
irrevocably  authorizes  the  Administrative  Agent to take such  actions on its
behalf  and to  exercise  such  powers  as  are  specifically  delegated  to the
Administrative  Agent by the terms and  provisions  hereof and of the other Loan
Documents,  together with such actions and powers as are  reasonably  incidental
thereto.  The Administrative  Agent is hereby expressly authorized by the Banks,
without hereby limiting any implied  authority,  (a) to receive on behalf of the
Banks all  payments  of  principal  of and  interest  on the Loans and all other
amounts due to the Banks hereunder,  and promptly to distribute to each Bank its
proper share of each payment so received in accordance with this Agreement;  (b)
to give notice on behalf of each of the Banks to the  Borrower of any Default or
Event of Default specified in this Agreement of which the  Administrative  Agent
has actual knowledge  acquired in connection with its agency hereunder;  and (c)
to distribute to each Bank copies of all notices, financial statements and other
materials  delivered by the Borrower  pursuant to this  Agreement as received by
the Administrative Agent.

         SECTION 8.2 Liability.  Neither the Administrative Agent nor any of its
directors,  officers, employees or agents shall be liable as such for any action
taken or omitted by any of them  except for its or his own gross  negligence  or
wilful   misconduct,   or  be  responsible   for  any  statement,   warranty  or
representation  herein or the contents of any document  delivered in  connection
herewith,  or be required to  ascertain  or to make any inquiry  concerning  the
performance  or  observance  by the  Borrower  of any of the terms,  conditions,
covenants or agreements contained in any Loan Document. The Administrative Agent
shall not be  responsible  to the Banks or the  holders of the Notes for the due
execution,  genuineness,  validity,  enforceability  or  effectiveness  of  this
Agreement,  the  Notes or any  other  Loan  Documents  or other  instruments  or
agreements. The Administrative Agent may deem and treat the payee of any Note as
the owner thereof for all purposes  hereof until it shall have received from the
payee of such Note notice,  given as provided herein,  of the transfer  thereof.
The  Administrative  Agent shall in all cases be fully  protected in acting,  or
refraining from acting, in accordance with written instructions signed by either
the Required Banks (if the consent of only the Required Banks is required by the
provisions of this  Agreement with respect to an issue) or all the Banks (if the
consent of all the Banks is required by the  provisions of this  Agreement  with
respect to an issue),  as  applicable,  and,  except as  otherwise  specifically
provided herein,  such  instructions and any action or inaction pursuant thereto
shall be binding on all the Banks and each  subsequent  holder of any Note.  The
Administrative  Agent shall,  in the absence of knowledge  to the  contrary,  be
entitled to rely on any  instrument or document  believed by it in good faith to
be genuine and
                                      -44-
<PAGE>
correct and to have been signed or sent by the proper Person or Persons. Neither
the Administrative Agent nor any of its directors, officers, employees or agents
shall have any  responsibility  to the  Borrower on account of the failure of or
delay in performance or breach by any Bank of any of its  obligations  hereunder
or to any Bank on account of the failure of or delay in performance or breach by
any other Bank or the Borrower of any of their respective  obligations hereunder
or under any other Loan  Document or in connection  herewith or  therewith.  The
Administrative  Agent may  execute  any and all duties  hereunder  by or through
agents or  employees  and  shall be  entitled  to rely upon the  advice of legal
counsel  selected by it with respect to all matters arising  hereunder and shall
not be liable for any action taken or suffered in good faith by it in accordance
with the advice of such counsel.

         SECTION 8.3 Action by Administrative Agent.

                  (a) The Banks hereby acknowledge that the Administrative Agent
shall be under no duty to take any discretionary action permitted to be taken by
it pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement  unless it shall be requested in
writing to do so by the Required Banks.

                  (b)  Unless in each case  consented  to in  writing by all the
Banks,  the  Administrative  Agent  shall not (i) agree to the  modification  or
waiver of any of the terms of any of the Loan Documents,  or (ii) consent to any
act or  omission  by the  Borrower,  or (iii)  exercise  any  rights  which  the
Administrative  Agent may have with respect to the Loans,  the Notes,  or any of
the other Loan Documents, if any such agreement,  modification,  waiver, consent
or exercise would:

                           (i) change or modify the interest  rate and repayment
         provisions set forth in the Loan Documents;

                           (ii) increase the Maximum Commitment;

                           (iii) extend the Expiration Date of the Loans;

                           (iv)  postpone  any date for  payment or forgive  the
         payment of  principal  of, or interest  on, the Loans or the payment of
         any other sum due under the Loan Documents;

                           (v) waive any Event of Default;

                           (vi) allow any assignment by Borrower of any right or
         interest in the Loan Documents;

                           (vii)  change or  modify  the  Fees,  other  than the
         Agency Fee, or the payment of such Fees; or
                                      -45-
<PAGE>
                           (viii)  amend or modify the  provisions  of  Sections
         2.13, 2.14,  2.16,  2.19, 9.5, 9.6, 9.8(b) or this Section 8.3(b),  the
         definition of "Required Banks," or Sections 6.8 through Section 6.12.

                  (c) Upon receipt of a Borrowing Notice from the Borrower,  the
Administrative  Agent  shall  provide  to each  Bank a  telecopy  notice of such
Borrowing (or telephone  notice promptly  confirmed by telecopy) (i) in the case
of a LIBOR  Borrowing,  not later than 9:30 a.m.,  Arizona time,  three Business
Days  before a  proposed  LIBOR  Borrowing,  and (b) in the case of a Base  Rate
Borrowing,  not later than 9:30 a.m.,  Arizona  time,  on the  Business Day of a
proposed Base Rate Borrowing.

                  (d) The Administrative Agent agrees to distribute to each Bank
by 4:00 p.m.,  Arizona time, its pro rata share of each payment or prepayment of
principal of any Loan,  each payment of interest on the Loans,  and each payment
of the Facility Fee and Facility Fee that is received from the Borrower prior to
12:00 noon,  Arizona time. Any such payments received after 12:00 noon,  Arizona
time, on any Business Day shall be made available to the Banks on or before 4:00
p.m., Arizona time, on the immediately following Business Day.

                  (e) The Administrative  Agent agrees to distribute promptly to
each  Bank  a copy  of all  Information  received  from  the  Borrower  and  all
amendments and modifications of the Loan Documents.

                  (f) The Administrative  Agent agrees to distribute or cause to
be  distributed  no later than thirty  (30) days after the Closing  Date to each
Bank a copy of the Loan Documents.

         SECTION 8.4 Resignation.  The Administrative Agent may not, without the
consent of the Borrower,  resign at any time.  Upon receiving such consent,  and
subject to giving 30 days' prior written notice to the Banks, the Administrative
Agent may resign as Administrative  Agent hereunder.  Upon any such resignation,
the Required Banks, with the consent of the Borrower (which consent shall not be
unreasonably  withheld),  shall  have the  right  to  appoint  from the  Banks a
successor.  If no successor  shall have been so appointed by the Required  Banks
and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the Administrative
Agent gives notice of its  resignation,  then the  Administrative  Agent may, on
behalf of the Banks,  appoint a successor  Administrative Agent which shall be a
bank with an office in Phoenix,  Arizona,  having a combined capital and surplus
of at least $50,000,000.00 or an Affiliate of any such bank. Upon the acceptance
of any appointment as  Administrative  Agent hereunder by a successor bank, such
successor  shall  succeed  to and become  vested  with all the  rights,  powers,
privileges  and duties of the retiring  Administrative  Agent and such  retiring
Administrative  Agent  shall be  discharged  from  its  duties  and  obligations
hereunder.   After  the  Administrative  Agent's  resignation   hereunder,   the
provisions  of this  Article and  Section  9.5 shall  continue in effect for its
benefit in respect  of any  actions  taken or omitted to be taken by it while it
was acting as an Administrative Agent.

         SECTION  8.5  Agent as  Bank.  With  respect  to the  Loans  made by it
hereunder and the Notes issued to it, the Administrative Agent in its individual
capacity and not as an Administrative
                                      -46-
<PAGE>
Agent shall have the same  rights and powers as any other Bank and may  exercise
the same as though it were not the Administrative  Agent, and the Administrative
Agent and its Affiliates may accept  deposits from,  lend money to and generally
engage in any kind of  business  with the  Borrower or any  Subsidiary  or other
Affiliate thereof as if it were not the Administrative Agent.

         SECTION 8.6 Ownership and Possession of Loan Documents. Each Bank shall
own an undivided  interest in the Borrowings and the Loan Documents equal to its
pro rata Commitment from time to time. The  Administrative  Agent shall hold the
Loan Documents in its  possession,  as agent, at its office at 201 North Central
Avenue, Phoenix,  Arizona 85004, or at such other location as the Administrative
Agent  shall  designate  in writing to the  Banks,  for the pro rata  benefit of
itself as one of the Banks and each of the other Banks; provided,  however, that
the Administrative  Agent shall deliver to each Bank an original promissory note
executed  by  the  Borrower  and   evidencing   such  Bank's   Commitment.   The
Administrative  Agent shall keep and maintain  complete  and accurate  files and
records of all matters  pertaining  to the  Borrowings.  Upon  reasonable  prior
notice to the  Administrative  Agent by a Bank,  the files and records  shall be
made  available to such Bank and its respective  representatives  and agents for
inspection and copying during normal business hours.

         SECTION  8.7  Indemnification.  Each Bank agrees (i) to  reimburse  the
Administrative  Agent, on demand,  in the amount of its pro rata share (based on
its Commitment  hereunder) of any expenses incurred for the benefit of the Banks
by the Administrative  Agent,  including counsel fees and compensation of agents
and employees paid for services rendered on behalf of the Banks, which shall not
have been reimbursed by the Borrower and (ii) to indemnify and hold harmless the
Administrative Agent and any of its directors, officers, employees or agents, on
demand,  in the  amount of such pro rata  share,  from and  against  any and all
liabilities, taxes, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments,
suits,  costs,  expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which
may be imposed on,  incurred by or  asserted  against it in its  capacity as the
Administrative  Agent or any of them in any way  relating  to or arising  out of
this  Agreement or any other Loan  Document or any action taken or omitted by it
or any of them under this  Agreement or any other Loan  Document,  to the extent
the same shall not have been reimbursed by the Borrower; provided that no Person
shall be liable to the Administrative Agent for any portion of such liabilities,
obligations,  losses,  damages,  penalties,  actions,  judgments,  suits, costs,
expenses  or  disbursements  resulting  from  the  gross  negligence  or  wilful
misconduct  of the  Administrative  Agent  or any  of its  directors,  officers,
employees or agents.

         SECTION 8.8 Independent Credit Analysis. Each Bank acknowledges that it
has,  independently  and without reliance upon the  Administrative  Agent or any
other  Bank  and  based  on such  documents  and  information  as it has  deemed
appropriate,  made its own  credit  analysis  and  decision  to enter  into this
Agreement.  Each Bank also acknowledges that it will,  independently and without
reliance  upon the  Administrative  Agent or any  other  Bank and  based on such
documents  and  information  as it shall  from  time to time  deem  appropriate,
continue to make its own decisions in taking or not taking action under or based
upon this  Agreement or any other Loan  Document,  any related  agreement or any
document furnished hereunder or thereunder.
                                      -47-
<PAGE>
         SECTION 8.9 Process for Obtaining Approval of the Banks.

                  (a) With  respect  to  obtaining  the  consent,  approval,  or
determination of all of the Banks or of the Required Banks,  the  Administrative
Agent or any Bank may request  that the Banks make a  determination  pursuant to
this Agreement.  In the case of a request by any such Bank, the request shall be
made through the Administrative Agent and the Administrative Agent shall request
a  determination  of  the  Banks  in  accordance  with  this  Section  8.9.  All
communications from the Administrative  Agent to the Banks requesting the Banks'
determination, consent, approval, disapproval and/or joinder shall:

                           (i) Be given in the form of a written  notice to each
         of the Banks;

                           (ii) Be accompanied by a description of the matter or
         thing as to which such determination, approval, consent, disapproval or
         joinder is  requested,  and shall  advise  each of the Banks where such
         matter  or  thing  may be  inspected,  or  shall  otherwise  adequately
         describe the matter or issue to be resolved;

                           (iii) Include,  to the extent not previously provided
         to the Banks, all written materials (to the extent necessary to make an
         informed  decision) and a description of all oral  information  (to the
         extent  necessary  to  make  an  informed  decision)  provided  to  the
         Administrative  Agent in respect of the matter or issue to be resolved;
         and

                           (iv)    Include    such   other    information    and
         recommendations  as  the  Administrative   Agent  may  reasonably  deem
         appropriate.

                  (b) Subject to  Paragraph  (c) of this  Section 8.9, the Banks
shall reply within seven (7) Business Days after such written notice is given by
the Administrative  Agent;  provided,  however, that if the Administrative Agent
notifies the Banks that, pursuant to the Loan Documents, the matter with respect
to which such consent, approval,  disapproval or joinder is sought requires that
the  Administrative  Agent respond within a certain time period and/or  provides
that if a response is not given  within a certain  time period such  approval or
consent shall be deemed given, the Banks shall reply by the earlier of (i) three
(3)  Business  Days  before  such time  period  expires  (as  designated  by the
Administrative  Agent) or (ii) five (5) Business Days after such written  notice
is given by the Administrative Agent.

                  (c)  With  respect  to each  Bank,  unless a Bank  shall  give
written  notice to the  Administrative  Agent that such Bank does  consent to or
approve any matter as to which such Bank's  consent or approval is sought within
the applicable time frame,  such Bank shall be deemed to have disapproved of and
not consented to such recommendation or determination.

         SECTION 8.10  Communications to the Banks. All communications  from the
Borrower to the Banks relating to the Loan Documents and the Borrowings shall be
sent by or through the Administrative Agent.
                                      -48-
<PAGE>
         SECTION 8.11 Relationship with the Borrower. Consistent with the agency
established  hereunder,  the Banks acknowledge and agree that the Administrative
Agent,  in  accordance  with its  respective  rights and  duties  under the Loan
Documents,   shall  have  the  sole  and   exclusive   authority   to  bind  the
Administrative  Agent and the Banks with respect to matters relating to the Loan
Documents.  To the extent that any matter has been  approved by all of the Banks
or by the Required Banks in accordance  with the  provisions of this  Agreement,
the Administrative Agent is authorized to execute such documents and instruments
as the  Administrative  Agent may deem  prudent to  evidence  and  confirm  such
approval.

         SECTION 8.12  Payments to or by the Banks.

                  (a) The Banks  shall be  entitled to interest on the amount of
Borrowings  held by each  Bank  for the  period  of  time  such  Borrowings  are
outstanding  at the rates set forth in this  Agreement,  to the extent that such
payments are  actually  received  from the  Borrower.  If permitted  pursuant to
Section 2.9 of this Agreement, the Administrative Agent shall charge and collect
interest at the Default Rate unless the Required Banks otherwise agree.

                  (b) Other Fees to the extent  applicable  shall be paid to the
Banks in accordance with Section 2.6.

                  (c) Amounts paid by the Borrower  pursuant to any provision of
the Loan Documents providing for payment,  compensation, or reimbursement to one
or more,  but not  necessarily  all, of the Banks,  shall be paid to the Bank or
Banks incurring such expenses or otherwise entitled to compensation under any of
those provisions, with each Bank entitled to receive any payment, reimbursement,
or  compensation  pursuant  to any of such  Sections or other  provisions  being
obligated to provide to the Administrative  Agent and the Borrower a certificate
setting forth in  reasonable  detail the basis for the amount of any request for
compensation,  payment or  reimbursement  under any of those  Sections  or other
provisions.

                  (d)  Regular  monthly  payments  of  interest  and  any  other
payments to the Administrative Agent on behalf of the Banks (other than payments
to be applied to the outstanding principal amount of Borrowings,  which payments
will be applied as provided  in Section  8.13),  received by the  Administrative
Agent shall be made available to the Banks entitled  thereto in accordance  with
Section 8.3(d).

                  (e) If and to the  extent  any Bank  shall  not have  made any
payment  required  pursuant  to  Section  2.4,  such  Bank  agrees  to  pay  the
Administrative Agent,  forthwith on demand, such amount,  together with interest
thereon at the Federal  Funds  Rate,  for each day from such date until the date
such amount is paid to the  Administrative  Agent as provided in Section 2.4(c).
The failure of any Bank to make available to the Administrative Agent any amount
required  pursuant  to  Section  2.4 shall  not  relieve  any other  Bank of its
obligation  hereunder to make available as aforesaid such payment,  as specified
above,  nor shall any Bank be relieved of its  obligations to make such payments
for any other reason.
                                      -49-
<PAGE>
                  (f) Funds shall be transferred to the Banks in accordance with
the funds transfer  instructions  given to the  Administrative  Agent and by the
Administrative  Agent to the  Banks  from  time to time on or  before  the times
specified in Section 8.3(d).

                  (g) If and to the extent the  Administrative  Agent  shall not
have made any  payment  required  pursuant  to  Section  8.3(d)  to a Bank,  the
Administrative  Agent agrees to pay such Bank forthwith on demand,  such amount,
together with interest thereon at the Federal Funds Rate, for each day from such
date until the date such amount is paid pursuant to Section 8.3(d).

         SECTION 8.13 Application of Payments.  All monies collected or received
by the  Administrative  Agent on account of the Loans or in respect of  security
for the Loans,  directly or indirectly,  shall be applied in the following order
of  priority,  except to the  extent  otherwise  required  by Article II of this
Agreement, in which case the provisions of Article II shall control:

                  (a) To  the  payment  of all  costs  and  expenses  due to the
Administrative Agent and/or the Banks pursuant to the Loan Documents,  including
costs incurred in collection of such monies, including,  without limitation, the
payment to the Banks of the amounts described in Section 8.12(d);

                  (b) To outstanding  interest on the Loans,  which amount shall
be allocated between the Banks in accordance with the actual principal amount of
Loans held by each Bank  throughout  the period in question as determined by the
Administrative  Agent  on a daily  basis;  provided,  however,  that if  amounts
received by the Administrative  Agent are not sufficient to pay in full all such
outstanding  interest on the Loans,  such amount  shall be  allocated  among the
Banks pro rata in  accordance  with the amount of Loans held by each Bank during
the period in question; and

                  (c) To the  payment of  principal  on the Loans in  accordance
with the principal amount of Loans held by each Bank.

         SECTION 8.14  Defaulting Banks.

                  (a) If for any reason any of the Banks shall fail or refuse to
abide by its obligations  under the Loan Documents  (each a "Defaulting  Bank"),
then,  in  addition  to the rights and  remedies  that may be  available  to the
Administrative  Agent and the other  Banks at law and in equity,  but subject to
the notice and cure periods  hereinafter set forth, such Defaulting Bank's right
to  participate  in the  administration  of the  Loans  and the Loan  Documents,
including without  limitation,  any rights to consent to or direct any action or
inaction  of the  Administrative  Agent,  all of the Banks,  or to be taken into
account in the  calculation  of the Required Banks (other than the right to vote
with  respect  to a  decision  as to its Loans to  extend  the  Expiration  Date
thereof,  or to amend the interest rate and repayment  provisions  thereof or to
modify such Bank's  Commitment),  shall be suspended during the pendency of such
failure or refusal.  A Bank shall be deemed to be a Defaulting  Bank if (i) such
Bank  shall  have  failed  to pay to the  Administrative  Agent any  amount  due
pursuant to this Agreement within five (5) Business Days after written
                                      -50-
<PAGE>
notice by the Administrative Agent to such Bank stating such payment is due from
such Bank to the  Administrative  Agent;  (ii) such Bank  shall  have  failed to
perform any of its other  obligations under this Agreement or the Loan Documents
in any material  respect.  and such failure  shall not have been cured within 30
days  after  written  notice  by the  Administrative  Agent to such Bank of such
failure,  or if such  failure  cannot  reasonably  be cured  within  such 30 day
period,  within such longer  period of time as may be necessary to complete such
cure,  so long as such Bank  commences  such cure within such 30-day  period and
thereafter  diligently  pursues such cure to completion within not more than 120
days after such written notice; or (iii) such Bank shall institute or be subject
to any bankruptcy, insolvency,  receivership,  conservatorship,  reorganization,
liquidation  or  similar  proceedings  under  state or  federal  law;  provided,
however, in the case of a failure described in clause (i) or clause (ii) of this
sentence,  if within the 5-Business Day period described in clause (i) or the 30
day period described in clause (ii), as applicable, the Bank in question in good
faith  disputes such default  asserting  that such default has not occurred (and
provided that such Bank has satisfied  its funding  obligations  pursuant to the
provisions  of Section  2.4),  such Bank shall not be deemed to be a  Defaulting
Bank until such Bank is found to be in default  pursuant to a final  judicial or
arbitration  determination  and such Bank does not  thereafter  take the  action
necessary to cure the default  within 10 Business Days following the date of the
final determination.

                  (b) With  respect to each  Defaulting  Bank,  any Current Bank
shall,  in addition to any other rights or remedies  available at law or equity,
be entitled, in the case of the failure of a Defaulting Bank to pay its pro rata
share (the "Defaulting Bank's Share") in a Loan made pursuant to Section 2.4, to
pay to the Administrative Agent the Defaulting Bank's Share (pro rata if made by
more than one Current  Bank,  based on the pro rata shares of the Current  Banks
making the  payment).  If one or more of the Current  Banks pays the  Defaulting
Banks'  Share,  in addition to any other  rights and  remedies  available to the
Banks,  each  Current  Bank  making  such  payment may elect to do either of the
following with respect to the payment made by such Current Bank:

                           (i) Notify the Administrative Agent to adjust the pro
         rata shares of the Defaulting  Bank and the Current Bank making payment
         of the Defaulting Bank's Share,  allocating the Defaulting Bank's Share
         to the Current Bank as of the date the Loan was made; or

                           (ii) Receive all amounts  which the  Defaulting  Bank
         would otherwise be entitled to receive  pursuant to this Agreement with
         respect to the Defaulting  Bank's Share  (including  interest  accruing
         under the Loan  Documents on the Loan, to the extent of the  Defaulting
         Bank's  Share of such Loan),  pro rata  according to the portion of the
         Defaulting  Bank's Share paid by such Current Bank,  until such Current
         Bank has been repaid the full amount of the  Defaulting  Bank's  Share,
         together with accrued interest paid by the Borrower under the Agreement
         with respect thereto.

         SECTION 8.15 Purchase of Defaulting Bank's Interest After Default. If a
Bank  becomes a Defaulting  Bank under  Section  8.14,  each Bank which is not a
Defaulting Bank (a "Current
                                      -51-
<PAGE>
Bank") shall have the right,  but not the obligation,  in its sole discretion to
acquire  (or if more than one  Current  Bank  exercises  such  right,  each such
Current Bank shall have the right to acquire, pro rata according to its pro rata
shares, or in such other  proportions as they may mutually agree),  the interest
in the  Commitment and the Loans of a Defaulting  Bank.  Upon any such purchase,
the  Defaulting  Bank's  interest in the Commitment and the Loans and its rights
hereunder as a Bank (but not its liability in respect  thereof or under the Loan
Documents or this Agreement for events  occurring  prior to such purchase) shall
terminate  at the date of  purchase,  and the  Defaulting  Bank  shall  promptly
execute all  documents  reasonably  requested  to surrender  and  transfer  such
interest including an Assignment and Acceptance  agreement and the canceled Note
shall be returned to the Borrower.  Current  Banks  exercising  purchase  rights
under this  Agreement  must, as a  precondition  to the exercise of such rights,
concurrently exercise their corresponding purchase rights under this Agreement.

         SECTION 8.16 Purchase Price and Payment for Defaulting Bank's Interest.
The  purchase  price  for the  interest  in the  Commitment  and the  Loans of a
Defaulting  Bank  shall be  equal to the  total  outstanding  Loans  owed by the
Borrower  to the  Defaulting  Bank as of the  date of such  purchase,  including
without  limitation any outstanding  interest  related thereto up to the date of
such  purchase,  together  with any  accrued  but  unpaid  Fees  payable  to the
Defaulting  Bank  through  such  date.  Payment  of the  purchase  price for the
Defaulting  Bank's interest in the Commitment and the Loans so acquired shall be
made on the date of such purchase.
                                      -52-
<PAGE>
                                   ARTICLE IX

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         SECTION 9.1  Notices.  Notices and other  communications  provided  for
herein shall be in writing and shall be  delivered by hand or overnight  courier
service,  mailed or sent by  telecopy,  graphic  scanning  or other  telegraphic
communications equipment of the sending party, as follows:

                  (a) if to the Borrower, to it at 2355 West Chandler Boulevard,
         Chandler,   Arizona   85224,   Attention:   Treasurer   (Telecopy   No.
         602/917-4112);

                  (b) if to the  Administrative  Agent, to it at Post Office Box
         71,  Phoenix,  Arizona 8501,  Attention:  Commercial  Banking  AZ1-1178
         (Telecopy No. 602/221- 1761).

                  (c) if to a Bank,  to it at its address (or  telecopy  number)
         set forth in Schedule 2.1 or in the Assignment and Acceptance  pursuant
         to which such Bank shall have become a party hereto.

All notices and other  communications  given to any party  hereto in  accordance
with the provisions of this Agreement  shall be deemed to have been given on the
date of receipt if  delivered by hand or  overnight  courier  service or sent by
telecopy or other telegraphic  communications equipment of the sender, or on the
date five  Business  Days after  dispatch by  certified  or  registered  mail if
mailed,  in each case  delivered,  sent or mailed  (properly  addressed) to such
party as provided in this  Section or in  accordance  with the latest  unrevoked
direction from such party given in accordance with this Section.

         SECTION  9.2  Survival  of  Agreement.   All   covenants,   agreements,
representations   and  warranties  made  by  the  Borrower  herein  and  in  the
certificates  or other  instruments  prepared or delivered in connection with or
pursuant to this  Agreement or any other Loan  Document  shall be  considered to
have been relied upon by the Banks and shall  survive the making by the Banks of
the Loans,  and the execution and delivery to the Banks of the Notes  evidencing
such  Loans,  regardless  of any  investigation  made by the  Banks  or on their
behalf,  and shall  continue  in full force and  effect  until  Termination  has
occurred.

         SECTION 9.3 Binding Effect.  This Agreement shall become effective when
it shall have been  executed by the  Borrower and the  Administrative  Agent and
when the  Administrative  Agent shall have received  copies  hereof which,  when
taken  together,  bear the  signatures  of each Bank,  and  thereafter  shall be
binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrower,  the Administrative Agent
and each Bank and their  respective  successors  and  assigns,  except  that the
Borrower shall not have the right to assign its rights hereunder or any interest
herein without the prior consent of all the Banks and the Administrative Agent.
                                      -53-
<PAGE>
         SECTION 9.4 Successors and Assigns.

                  (a) Whenever in this  Agreement  any of the parties  hereto is
referred  to,  such  reference  shall be deemed to include  the  successors  and
assigns of such party;  and all  covenants,  promises  and  agreements  by or on
behalf of the Borrower, the Administrative Agent or the Banks that are contained
in this  Agreement  shall  bind and  inure to the  benefit  of their  respective
successors and assigns.

                  (b) Each  Bank at its own  expense  may  assign to one or more
assignees all or a portion of its interests,  rights and obligations  under this
Agreement  (including all or a portion of its  Commitment,  and the Loans at the
time owing to it and the Notes held by it); provided,  however,  that (i) except
in the case of an assignment to a Bank or an Affiliate of any Bank, the Borrower
and the  Administrative  Agent must give  their  prior  written  consent to such
assignment  (which consent shall not be unreasonably  withheld),  (ii) each such
assignment  shall be of a  constant,  and not a varying,  percentage  of all the
assigning  Bank's rights and obligations  under this Agreement,  (iii) except in
the case of an assignment  to a Bank or an Affiliate of any Bank,  the amount of
the Commitment of the assigning Bank subject to each such assignment (determined
as of the date the Assignment and Acceptance  with respect to such assignment is
delivered to the Administrative  Agent) shall not be less than $10,000,000.00 or
such lesser  amount if such  amount is the entire  Commitment  of the  assigning
Bank, (iv) the parties to each such assignment  shall execute and deliver to the
Administrative  Agent an Assignment  and  Acceptance,  together with the Note or
Notes subject to such  assignment  and, except in the case of an assignment to a
Bank or an Affiliate of any Bank, a  processing  and  recordation  fee of $2,500
(which fee shall not in any way be the responsibility of the Borrower),  (v) the
assignee,  if it shall not be a Bank, shall deliver to the Administrative  Agent
an  Administrative  Details Reply Form and (vi) any increased costs by reason of
any such  assignment  will not be borne by the  Borrower.  Upon  acceptance  and
recording  pursuant to paragraph  (e) of this  Section  9.4,  from and after the
effective date specified in each Assignment and Acceptance, which effective date
shall be at least  five  Business  Days  after the  execution  thereof,  (A) the
assignee  thereunder  shall be a party hereto and, to the extent of the interest
assigned by such Assignment and Acceptance,  have all the rights and obligations
of a Bank under this Agreement and (B) the assigning Bank  thereunder  shall, to
the extent of the  interest  assigned  by such  Assignment  and  Acceptance,  be
released  from its  obligations  under this  Agreement  (and,  in the case of an
Assignment and Acceptance  covering all or the remaining portion of an assigning
Bank's rights and obligations under this Agreement,  such Bank shall cease to be
a party  hereto (but shall  continue to be entitled to the  benefits of Sections
2.13,  2.15,  2.19  and  9.5,  as well as to any Fees  accrued  for its  account
hereunder and not yet paid)).

                  (c) By executing and delivering an Assignment and  Acceptance,
the assigning  Bank  thereunder and the assignee  thereunder  shall be deemed to
confirm to and agree with each other and the other  parties  hereto as  follows:
(i) such assigning  Bank warrants that it is the legal and  beneficial  owner of
the interest being assigned thereby free and clear of any adverse claim and that
its Commitment and the outstanding  balances of its Loans, without giving effect
to assignments thereof which have not become effective, are as set forth in such
Assignment and Acceptance, (ii) except as set forth in (i) above, such assigning
Bank makes no representation or
                                      -54-
<PAGE>
warranty  and  assumes  no  responsibility   with  respect  to  any  statements,
warranties or representations  made in or in connection with this Agreement,  or
the execution, legality, validity, enforceability,  genuineness,  sufficiency or
value of this  Agreement,  any other Loan  Document or any other  instrument  or
document furnished pursuant hereto or the financial condition of the Borrower or
any  Subsidiary  or  the  performance  or  observance  by  the  Borrower  or any
Subsidiary  of any of its  obligations  under  this  Agreement,  any other  Loan
Document or any other instrument or document  furnished  pursuant hereto;  (iii)
such assignee  represents  and warrants  that it is legally  authorized to enter
into such  Assignment and  Acceptance;  (iv) such assignee  confirms that it has
received  a copy of this  Agreement,  together  with  copies of the most  recent
financial  statements delivered pursuant to Section 5.4 and such other documents
and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and
decision to enter into such  Assignment and  Acceptance;  (v) such assignee will
independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent, such assigning
Bank or any other Bank and based on such  documents and  information as it shall
deem  appropriate  at the time,  continue  to make its own credit  decisions  in
taking or not taking action under this  Agreement;  (vi) such assignee  appoints
and  authorizes  the  Administrative  Agent to take such  action as agent on its
behalf and to exercise such powers under this  Agreement as are delegated to the
Administrative  Agent by the terms  hereof,  together  with  such  powers as are
reasonably  incidental  thereto;  and (vii) such  assignee  agrees  that it will
perform in accordance with their terms all the obligations which by the terms of
this Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Bank.

                  (d) The  Administrative  Agent  shall  maintain  at one of its
offices in Phoenix,  Arizona, a copy of each Assignment and Acceptance delivered
to it and a  register  for the  recordation  of the names and  addresses  of the
Banks,  and the Commitment of, and principal  amount of the Loans owing to, each
Bank  pursuant  to the terms  hereof  from time to time  (the  "Register").  The
entries in the Register shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error and
the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Banks may treat each Person whose
name  is  recorded  in the  Register  pursuant  to the  terms  hereof  as a Bank
hereunder for all purposes of this  Agreement.  The Register  shall be available
for  inspection  by the Borrower and any Bank, at any  reasonable  time and from
time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

                  (e)  Upon  its  receipt  of a duly  completed  Assignment  and
Acceptance  executed by an assigning Bank and an assignee together with the Note
or Notes  subject  to such  assignment,  an  Administrative  Details  Reply Form
completed in respect of the assignee  (unless the  assignee  shall  already be a
Bank hereunder), the processing and recordation fee referred to in paragraph (b)
above  and,  if  required,   the  written   consent  of  the  Borrower  and  the
Administrative  Agent to such  assignment,  the  Administrative  Agent shall (i)
accept such  Assignment and Acceptance,  (ii) record the  information  contained
therein in the Register and (iii) give prompt notice thereof to the Borrower and
the Banks.  Within five Business Days after receipt of notice, the Borrower,  at
its own  expense,  shall  execute and deliver to the  Administrative  Agent,  in
exchange for the surrendered  Note or Notes, a new Note or Notes to the order of
such  assigning Bank in a principal  amount equal to the  applicable  Commitment
retained by it. Such new Note or Notes shall be in an aggregate principal amount
equal to the aggregate  principal amount of such surrendered Note or Notes; such
new Notes shall be dated the date of the  surrendered  Notes which they  replace
and
                                      -55-
<PAGE>
shall otherwise be in substantially  the form of Exhibit C. Canceled Notes shall
be returned to the Borrower.

                  (f) Each Bank may without  the consent of the  Borrower or the
Administrative  Agent sell participations to one or more banks or other entities
in  all  or a  portion  of its  rights  and  obligations  under  this  Agreement
(including  all or a portion of its Commitment and the Loans owing to it and the
Notes held by it);  provided,  however,  that (i) such Bank's  obligations under
this  Agreement  shall  remain  unchanged,  (ii) such Bank shall  remain  solely
responsible to the other parties hereto for the performance of such obligations,
(iii) the participating banks or other entities shall be entitled to the benefit
of the cost protection  provisions  contained in Sections 2.13, 2.15 and 2.19 to
the same extent as if they were Banks (however no  participating  bank or entity
shall be entitled to claim a greater  amount than could have been claimed by the
Bank  from whom the  participation  was  acquired)  and (iv) the  Borrower,  the
Administrative  Agent and the other  Banks  shall  continue  to deal  solely and
directly  with such Bank in connection  with such Bank's rights and  obligations
under this  Agreement,  and such Bank shall retain the sole right to enforce the
obligations of the Borrower  relating to the Loans and to approve any amendment,
modification or waiver of any provision of this Agreement. No entity acquiring a
participation   pursuant  to  this   paragraph  (f)  shall  by  virtue  of  such
participation have any direct voting rights under this Agreement.

                  (g) Any  Bank or  participant  may,  in  connection  with  any
assignment or participation or proposed assignment or participation  pursuant to
this Section 9.4,  disclose to the assignee or participant or proposed  assignee
or participant any information  relating to the Borrower  furnished to such Bank
by or on behalf of the Borrower;  provided that, prior to any such disclosure of
such  information,  each such assignee or  participant  or proposed  assignee or
participant  shall  execute an agreement  whereby such  assignee or  participant
shall agree to preserve the confidentiality of such information on terms no less
restrictive than those applicable to Banks pursuant to Section 9.17.

                  (h) Any Bank may at any time  assign all or any portion of its
rights  under this  Agreement  and the Notes  issued to it to a Federal  Reserve
Bank;  provided  that no such  assignment  shall  release a Bank from any of its
obligations hereunder.

                  (i) The  Borrower  shall  not  assign or  delegate  any of its
rights or duties hereunder without the prior written consent of the Banks.

         SECTION 9.5 Expenses; Indemnity.

                  (a) The  Borrower  agrees  to pay all  out-of-pocket  expenses
reasonably incurred by the Administrative  Agent and any Bank in connection with
the  preparation of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents or in connection
with any  amendments,  modifications  or  waivers  of the  provisions  hereof or
thereof  (whether  or  not  the  transactions   hereby   contemplated  shall  be
consummated) or reasonably incurred by the Administrative  Agent and any Bank in
connection with the enforcement or protection of their rights in connection with
this Agreement and the other
                                      -56-
<PAGE>
Loan  Documents  or in  connection  with  the  Loans  made or the  Notes  issued
hereunder,  including  without  limitation  the  reasonable  fees,  charges  and
disbursements of the counsel for the Administrative  Agent and any Bank, and, in
connection with any such enforcement or protection, the reasonable fees, charges
and  disbursements  of counsel for the  Administrative  Agent and any Bank.  The
Borrower further agrees that it shall indemnify the Administrative Agent and any
Bank from and hold them harmless against any documentary  taxes,  assessments or
charges  made by any  Governmental  Authority  by  reason of the  execution  and
delivery of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.

                  (b) The Borrower agrees to indemnify the Administrative Agent,
each  Bank  and  each  of  their  respective  affiliates,  directors,  officers,
employees  and agents (each such person being called an  "Indemnitee")  against,
and to hold each Indemnitee harmless from, any and all losses, claims,  damages,
liabilities  and  related  expenses,  including  without  limitation  reasonable
counsel fees,  charges and  disbursements,  incurred by or asserted  against any
Indemnitee  arising out of, in any way connected with, or as a result of (i) the
execution  or  delivery  of this  Agreement  or any other Loan  Document  or any
agreement or instrument  contemplated  thereby,  the  performance by the parties
thereto of their  respective  obligations  thereunder or the consummation of the
transactions  contemplated  thereby,  (ii) the use of the  proceeds of the Loans
pursuant  to the  request  of the  Borrower  or  (iii)  any  claim,  litigation,
investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing, whether or not any
Indemnitee is a party thereto; provided that such indemnity shall not, as to any
Indemnitee,  be  available  to the extent  that such  losses,  claims,  damages,
liabilities  or  related  expenses  are  determined  by  a  court  of  competent
jurisdiction by final and nonappealable judgment to have resulted from the gross
negligence or wilful misconduct of such Indemnitee.

                  (c) The provisions of this Section shall remain  operative and
in full  force  and  effect  regardless  of the  expiration  of the term of this
Agreement,  the  consummation  of  the  transactions  contemplated  hereby,  the
repayment of any of the Loans, the invalidity or unenforceability of any term or
provision of this  Agreement or any other Loan  Document,  or any  investigation
made by or on behalf of the  Administrative  Agent and any Bank. All amounts due
under this Section shall be payable on written demand therefor.

         SECTION 9.6 Right of Setoff. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.17,
if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing  and any Bank shall
have requested the Administrative Agent to declare the Loans immediately due and
payable pursuant to Article VII, each Bank is hereby  authorized at any time and
from time to time, to the fullest extent  permitted by law, to set off and apply
any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand,  provisional or final)
at any time held and other indebtedness at any time owing by such Bank to or for
the credit or the account of the Borrower against any of and all the obligations
of the Borrower now or hereafter  existing  under this  Agreement  and any other
Loan Documents held by such Bank, irrespective of whether or not such Bank shall
have made any demand  under this  Agreement  or such  other  Loan  Document  and
although such  obligations may be unmatured;  provided that such right of setoff
shall not apply to amounts which may be held in (i) trust accounts or (ii) asset
management  accounts,  including without  limitation  brokerage  accounts,  cash
management
                                      -57-
<PAGE>
accounts or other money  management or investment  accounts of a  non-depository
nature with any Bank. The rights of each Bank under this Section are in addition
to other rights and remedies  (including other rights of setoff) which such Bank
may have.

         SECTION 9.7  Applicable Law.  THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENTS  SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE
STATE OF ARIZONA APPLICABLE TO CONTRACTS MADE AND TO BE ENFORCED ENTIRELY WITHIN
THAT STATE.

         SECTION 9.8 Waivers; Amendment.

                  (a) No failure or delay of a party  hereto in  exercising  any
power or right hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single
or  partial  exercise  of  any  such  right  or  power,  or any  abandonment  or
discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right or power,  preclude any other or
further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right or power. The rights
and remedies of the parties  hereunder  and under the other Loan  Documents  are
cumulative  and are not  exclusive  of any rights or  remedies  which they would
otherwise  have. No waiver of any provision of this  Agreement or any other Loan
Document or consent to any departure by a party  therefrom shall in any event be
effective  unless the same shall be permitted  by Paragraph  (b) of this Section
and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance
and for the purpose for which given.  No notice or demand on a party in any case
shall entitle that party to any other or further  notice or demand in similar or
other circumstances.

                  (b) Neither this  Agreement  nor any  provision  hereof may be
waived,  amended or modified  except  pursuant to an agreement or  agreements in
writing entered into by the Borrower and the Required Banks; provided,  however,
that any such  agreement  shall have been  consented  to by all the Banks to the
extent required  pursuant to the provisions of Section 8.3(b);  provided further
that no such  agreement  shall amend,  modify or otherwise  affect the rights or
duties of the  Administrative  Agent hereunder without the prior written consent
of the Administrative  Agent. Each Bank and each holder of a Note shall be bound
by any waiver,  amendment or modification  authorized by this Section regardless
of whether its Note shall have been marked to make  reference  thereto,  and any
consent by any Bank or holder of a Note  pursuant to this Section shall bind any
Person  subsequently  acquiring  a Note from it,  whether or not such Note shall
have been so marked.

         SECTION 9.9 Interest Rate Limitation.  Notwithstanding  anything herein
or in the Notes to the contrary,  if at any time the  applicable  interest rate,
together  with all  fees  and  charges  which  are  treated  as  interest  under
applicable law (collectively,  the "Charges"),  as provided for herein or in any
other document  executed in connection  herewith,  or otherwise  contracted for,
charged,  received,  taken or  reserved  by any Bank,  shall  exceed the maximum
lawful rate (the "Maximum  Rate") which may be contracted for,  charged,  taken,
received or reserved by such Bank in accordance with applicable law, the rate of
interest  payable  under the Notes held by such Bank,  together with all Charges
payable to such Bank,  shall be limited to the  Maximum  Rate.  Borrower  hereby
agrees to the payment of interest with respect to the Loans and Borrowings under
the
                                      -58-
<PAGE>
Loans at the respective  applicable rates determined pursuant to this Agreement,
in each case as increased by any rate of interest  resulting from any charges in
the nature of interest paid or payable in connection  with the Loans,  the Notes
and/or this Agreement.

         SECTION  9.10  Entire  Agreement.  This  Agreement  and the other  Loan
Documents  constitute the entire  contract  between the parties  relating to the
subject  matter  hereof.  Any previous  agreement  among any of the parties with
respect to the subject matter  hereof,  including  without  limitation the Prior
Agreement, is superseded by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Nothing
in this  Agreement  or in the other Loan  Documents,  expressed  or implied,  is
intended to confer upon any party other than the parties  hereto and thereto any
rights,  remedies,  obligations  or  liabilities  under  or by  reason  of  this
Agreement or the other Loan Documents.

         SECTION  9.11  Severability.  In  the  event  any  one or  more  of the
provisions  contained in this Agreement or in any other Loan Document  should be
held invalid,  illegal or unenforceable in any respect,  the validity,  legality
and  enforceability  of the remaining  provisions  contained  herein and therein
shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby. The parties shall endeavor
in  good-faith  negotiations  to replace the invalid,  illegal or  unenforceable
provisions with valid  provisions the economic effect of which comes as close as
possible to that of the invalid, illegal or unenforceable provisions.

         SECTION 9.12  Counterparts and Signature  Pages.  This Agreement may be
executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original
but all of which when taken together shall constitute but one contract. Delivery
of an executed  counterpart  of a signature  page to this Agreement by facsimile
transmission  shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed  counterpart
of this  Agreement.  All parties hereto  authorize the  Administrative  Agent to
gather and attach manually executed  counterpart  signature pages to counterpart
copies of this Agreement in order to constitute one or more counterparts bearing
evidence of manual execution by all parties.

         SECTION 9.13  Headings.  Article and Section  headings and the Table of
Contents used herein are for convenience of reference only, are not part of this
Agreement  and are not to  affect  the  construction  of,  or to be  taken  into
consideration in interpreting, this Agreement.

         SECTION 9.14 Arbitration.

                  (a)  Arbitration.  Upon the demand of any party,  any  Dispute
shall be resolved by binding  arbitration  in accordance  with the terms of this
Agreement.  A "Dispute" shall mean any action,  dispute, claim or controversy of
any kind,  whether  in  contract  or tort,  statutory  or common  law,  legal or
equitable,  now existing or hereafter arising under or in connection with, or in
any way pertaining to, any of the Loan Documents, or any past, present or future
extensions of credit and other  activities,  transactions  or obligations of any
kind related  directly or  indirectly  to any of the Loan  Documents,  including
without limitation, any of the foregoing arising in connection with the exercise
of any  self-help,  ancillary  or  other  remedies  pursuant  to any of the Loan
Documents.  Any party  may by  summary  proceedings  bring an action in court to
compel
                                      -59-
<PAGE>
arbitration  of a  Dispute.  Any  party  who  fails  or  refuses  to  submit  to
arbitration  following  a lawful  demand by any other party shall bear all costs
and expenses incurred by such other party in successfully compelling arbitration
of any Dispute.

                  (b)  Governing  Rules.   Arbitration   proceedings   shall  be
administered  by the  American  Arbitration  Association  ("AAA")  or such other
administrator  as the parties shall mutually  agree upon in accordance  with the
AAA Commercial Arbitration Rules. All Disputes submitted to arbitration shall be
resolved in accordance  with the Federal  Arbitration Act (Title 9 of the United
States Code),  notwithstanding any conflicting choice of law provision in any of
the Loan Documents.  The arbitration shall be conducted at a location in Arizona
selected  by the AAA or  other  administrator.  If  there  is any  inconsistency
between the terms hereof and any such rules,  the terms and procedures set forth
herein shall control. All statutes of limitation applicable to any Dispute shall
apply to any arbitration proceeding. All discovery activities shall be expressly
limited to matters directly relevant to the Dispute being  arbitrated.  Judgment
upon any award  rendered in an  arbitration  may be entered in any court  having
jurisdiction; provided however, that nothing contained herein shall be deemed to
be a waiver by any party that is a bank of the protections  afforded to it under
12 U.S.C. ss.91 or any similar applicable state law.

                  (c)   No   Waiver;   Provisional   Remedies,   Self-Help   and
Foreclosure.  No provision hereof shall limit the right of any party to exercise
self-help  remedies such as setoff,  foreclosure  against or sale of any real or
personal property collateral or security,  or to obtain provisional or ancillary
remedies,   including  without  limitation  injunctive  relief,   sequestration,
attachment,  garnishment  or the  appointment  of a  receiver,  from a court  of
competent  jurisdiction  before, after or during the pendency of any arbitration
or other  proceeding.  The exercise of any such remedy shall not waive the right
of any party to compel arbitration hereunder.

                  (d) Arbitrator Qualifications and Powers; Awards.  Arbitrators
must be active  members of the Arizona State Bar or retired  judges of the state
or federal judiciary of Arizona with expertise in the substantive law applicable
to the subject  matter of the  Dispute.  Arbitrators  are  empowered  to resolve
Disputes  by summary  rulings in  response  to motions  filed prior to the final
arbitration  hearing.  Arbitrators  (i) shall resolve all Disputes in accordance
with the substantive  law of the state of Arizona,  (ii) may grant any remedy or
relief  that a court of the state of  Arizona  could  order or grant  within the
scope hereof and such  ancillary  relief as is necessary to make  effective  any
award,  and (iii) shall have the power to award recovery of all reasonable costs
and  fees,  to impose  sanctions  and to take such  other  actions  as they deem
necessary  to the same  extent a judge could  pursuant  to the Federal  Rules of
Civil  Procedure,  the Arizona Rules of Civil Procedure or other applicable law.
Any Dispute in which the amount in controversy is $5,000,000.00 or less shall be
decided by a single  arbitrator  who shall not  render an award of greater  than
$5,000,000.00  (including damages, costs, fees and expenses). By submission to a
single  arbitrator,  each party  expressly  waives any right or claim to recover
more than $5,000,000.00.  Any Dispute in which the amount in controversy exceeds
$5,000,000.00 shall be decided by majority vote of a panel of three arbitrators;
provided however,  that all three  arbitrators must actively  participate in all
hearings and deliberations.
                                      -60-
<PAGE>
                  (e) Miscellaneous. To the maximum extent practicable, the AAA,
the  arbitrators  and the parties shall take all action required to conclude any
arbitration  proceeding  within 180 days of the filing of the  Dispute  with the
AAA. No arbitrator or other party to an arbitration  proceeding may disclose the
existence,  content or results thereof, except for disclosures of information by
a party  required in the ordinary  course of its business,  by applicable law or
regulation,  or to the extent  necessary to exercise any judicial  review rights
set forth herein.  If more than one agreement for  arbitration by or between the
parties  potentially  applies  to a  Dispute,  the  arbitration  provision  most
directly  related to the Loan  Documents  or the  subject  matter of the Dispute
shall control. This arbitration  provision shall survive termination,  amendment
or  expiration  of any of the Loan  Documents  or any  relationship  between the
parties.

         SECTION 9.15 Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process.

                  (a)  Each  of  the  parties  hereto  hereby   irrevocably  and
unconditionally  submits,  for  itself  and its  property,  to the  nonexclusive
jurisdiction  of Arizona  State court or Federal  court of the United  States of
America sitting in Phoenix,  Arizona,  and any appellate court from any thereof,
in any action or proceeding  arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the
other Loan  Documents,  or for  recognition or enforcement of any judgment,  and
each of the parties hereto hereby  irrevocably and  unconditionally  agrees that
all  claims  in  respect  of any such  action  or  proceeding  may be heard  and
determined  in such  Arizona  State or, to the extent  permitted by law, in such
Federal  court.  Each of the parties  hereto agrees that a final judgment in any
such  action or  proceeding  shall be  conclusive  and may be  enforced in other
jurisdictions  by suit on the judgment or in any other  manner  provided by law.
Nothing in this  Agreement  shall  affect any right that any Bank may  otherwise
have to bring any action or proceeding  relating to this  Agreement or the other
Loan  Documents  against  the  Borrower or its  properties  in the courts of any
jurisdiction.

                  (b)  Each  of  the  parties  hereto  hereby   irrevocably  and
unconditionally  waives, to the fullest extent it may legally and effectively do
so, any objection  which it may now or hereafter  have to the laying of venue of
any suit,  action or proceeding  arising out of or relating to this Agreement or
the other  Loan  Documents  in any  Arizona  State or Federal  court  sitting in
Phoenix,  Arizona.  Each of the parties hereto hereby irrevocably waives, to the
fullest  extent  permitted by law, the defense of an  inconvenient  forum to the
maintenance of such action or proceeding in any such court.

                  (c)  Each  party to this  Agreement  irrevocably  consents  to
service of process in the manner provided for notices in Section 9.1. Nothing in
this  Agreement  will affect the right of any party to this  Agreement  to serve
process in any other manner permitted by law.

         SECTION 9.16 Waiver of Jury Trial.  Each party hereto hereby waives, to
the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any right it may have to a trial
by jury in respect of any  litigation  directly  or  indirectly  arising out of,
under or in connection  with this Agreement or any of the other Loan  Documents.
Each party hereto (a) certifies that no representative, agent or attorney of any
other party has represented, expressly or otherwise, that such other party would
                                      -61-
<PAGE>
not, in the event of  litigation,  seek to enforce the foregoing  waiver and (b)
acknowledges  that it and the other  parties  hereto have been  induced to enter
into this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, as applicable, by (among other
things) the mutual waivers and certifications in this Section.

         SECTION  9.17  Confidentiality.  Each Bank agrees to keep  confidential
(and to cause its officers, directors,  employees, agents and representatives to
keep  confidential)  the Information  (as defined  below),  except that any Bank
shall  be  permitted  to  disclose  Information  (i)  to  such  of its  and  its
Affiliates'   officers,   directors,   employees,   agents  and  representatives
(including outside counsel) as need to know such Information; (ii) to the extent
required by applicable  laws and regulations or by any subpoena or similar legal
process, or requested by any bank regulatory  authority (provided that such Bank
shall, except for Information  requested by any such bank regulatory  authority,
promptly notify Borrower (to the extent practicable and lawful,  notice shall be
given to the Borrower before such disclosure is made so as to permit Borrower to
seek  a  protective  order)  of the  circumstances  and  content  of  each  such
disclosure  and shall  request  confidential  treatment  of any  Information  so
disclosed);  (iii) to the extent such Information (A) becomes publicly available
other than as a result of a breach of this Agreement,  (B) becomes  available to
such Bank on a  nonconfidential  basis  without a breach  of  confidence  from a
source other than the Borrower or its  Affiliates  or (C) was  available to such
Bank on a  nonconfidential  basis  prior to its  disclosure  to such Bank by the
Borrower or its Affiliates; (iv) to the extent the Borrower shall have consented
to such  disclosure in writing;  or (v) to prospective  successors or assigns so
long as each such person shall have agreed in writing to abide by the provisions
of  this  Section  9.17.  As  used  in  this  Section  9.17,  as  to  any  Bank,
"Information"  shall  mean  any  financial   statements,   reports,   materials,
documents,  certificates  and other  information that the Borrower or any of its
Affiliates may have furnished or may hereafter furnish to such Bank in
                                      -62-
<PAGE>
connection  with this  Agreement  or any other  materials  prepared  by any such
person from any of the foregoing.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the Borrower,  the  Administrative  Agent and the
Banks  have  caused  this  Agreement  to be duly  executed  by their  respective
authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

                                   MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED,
                                   a Delaware corporation


                                   By: /s/ Gordon W. Parnell
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                   Name: Gordon W. Parnell
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                   Its: Vice President, Controller and Treasurer
                                       -----------------------------------------

                                                                      "Borrower"

                                   BANK ONE, ARIZONA, NA


                                   By: /s/ Steve Reinhart
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                   Name: Steve Reinhart
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                   Its: Vice President
                                       -----------------------------------------

                                                          "Administrative Agent"

                                   BANK ONE, ARIZONA, NA


                                   By: /s/ Steve Reinhart
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                   Name: Steve Reinhart
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                   Its: VP
                                       -----------------------------------------

                                                                          "Bank"
                                      -63-
<PAGE>
                                        THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO, a
                                        national banking association


                                        By: /s/ Mark A. Isley
                                           -------------------------------------
                                        Name: Mark A. Isley
                                             -----------------------------------
                                        Its: First Vice President
                                            ------------------------------------

                                                "Documentation Agent" and "Bank"

                                        WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.


                                        By: /s/ Jenny L. Apker
                                           -------------------------------------
                                        Name: Jenny L. Apker
                                             -----------------------------------
                                        Its: Vice President
                                            ------------------------------------

                                                                          "Bank"

                                        NORWEST BANK ARIZONA, N.A.


                                        By: /s/ Mae G. DelaBarre
                                           -------------------------------------
                                        Name: Mae G. DelaBarre
                                             -----------------------------------
                                        Its: Assistant Vice President
                                            ------------------------------------

                                                                          "Bank"

                                        THE INDUSTRIAL BANK OF JAPAN, LIMITED,
                                        San Francisco Agency


                                        By: /s/ T Takahide Ajkiyama
                                           -------------------------------------
                                        Name: T Takahide Akiyama
                                             -----------------------------------
                                        Its: General Manager
                                            ------------------------------------

                                                                          "Bank"
                                      -64-
<PAGE>
                                   EXHIBIT "A"

                            ASSIGNMENT AND ACCEPTANCE
                            -------------------------

                              ______________, 19___

           Reference  is made to the Credit  Agreement  dated as of October  28,
1997 (the  "Credit  Agreement"),  among  MICROCHIP  TECHNOLOGY  INCORPORATED,  a
Delaware  corporation (the "Borrower"),  the lenders named therein (the "Banks")
and BANK ONE,  ARIZONA,  NA, a national banking  association,  as Administrative
Agent for the Banks (in such capacity, the "Administrative Agent") and THE FIRST
NATIONAL  BANK OF CHICAGO,  a national  banking  association,  as  Documentation
Agent.  Terms defined in the Credit  Agreement and not otherwise  defined herein
shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

           1. The Assignor hereby sells and assigns,  without  recourse,  to the
Assignee, and the Assignee hereby purchases and assumes,  without recourse, from
the  Assignor,  effective  as of the  Effective  Date set  forth on the  reverse
hereof, the interests set forth on the reverse hereof (the "Assigned  Interest")
in the Assignor's rights and obligations under the Credit Agreement,  including,
without  limitation,  the  interests  set  forth on the  reverse  hereof  in the
Commitment  of the  Assignor  on the  Effective  Date and the Loans owing to the
Assignor  which are  outstanding  on the  Effective  Date,  together with unpaid
interest accrued on the assigned Loans to the Effective Date and the amount,  if
any, set forth on the reverse  hereof of the Fees accrued to the Effective  Date
for the account of the  Assignor.  Each of the Assignor and the Assignee  hereby
makes  and  agrees  to be  bound  by all  the  representations,  warranties  and
agreements set forth in Section 9.4(c) of the Credit Agreement,  a copy of which
has been received by each such party.  From and after the Effective Date (i) the
Assignee  shall  be a party  to and be bound  by the  provisions  of the  Credit
Agreement  and, to the extent of the interests  assigned by this  Assignment and
Acceptance,  have the rights and  obligations of a Bank thereunder and under the
Loan  Documents  and (ii) the  Assignor  shall,  to the extent of the  interests
assigned  by this  Assignment  and  Acceptance,  relinquish  its  rights  and be
released from its obligations under the Credit Agreement.

           2.  This   Assignment  and  Acceptance  is  being  delivered  to  the
Administrative  Agent together with (i) the Notes  evidencing the Loans included
in the  Assigned  Interest,  (ii) the  appropriate  forms  specified  in Section
2.19(e) of the Credit  Agreement,  duly completed and executed by such Assignee,
(iii) if the  Assignee  is not  already a Bank  under the Credit  Agreement,  an
Administrative  Details  Reply  Form in the form of  Exhibit  "D" to the  Credit
Agreement and (iv) a processing fee of $2,500.00.

           3. This Assignment and Acceptance  shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of the State of Arizona.
<PAGE>
Date of Assignment:

Legal Name of Assignor:

Legal Name of Assignee:

Assignee's Address for Notice:

Effective  Date of  Assignment  
(may not be fewer than 5 Business 
Days after the Date of Assignment):

                                                  Percentage     Assigned     of
                                                  Commitment  (set forth,  to at
                                                  least   8   decimals,   as   a
                                                  percentage  of the  Commitment
                                                  and the aggregate  Commitments
                                                  of all Banks thereunder)

                     Principal Amount Assigned

  Commitment                  
  Assigned:          $________________            ______________%

  Loans:

  Fees Assigned
  (if any):

The terms set forth above and
on the reverse side hereof are
hereby agreed to:                                      Accepted

__________________, as Assignor         ________________________________________


By__________________________                  By________________________________
     Its____________________                       Its__________________________


__________________, as Assignor         ________________________________________


By__________________________                  By________________________________
     Its____________________                       Its__________________________
                                       -2-
<PAGE>
                                   EXHIBIT "B"

                                BORROWING NOTICE
                                ----------------

Bank One, Arizona, NA
Post Office Box 71
Phoenix, AZ  85001

Attention:   Commercial Banking AZ1-1178                     Date:______________
             (Telecopy No. 602/221-1761)                     Time:______________

Dear Sir or Madam:

           The  undersigned,   Microchip  Technology  Incorporated,  a  Delaware
corporation ("Borrower"), refers to the Credit Agreement dated as of October 28,
1997 (as it may hereafter be amended,  modified,  extended or restated from time
to time, the "Credit Agreement"),  among Borrower,  the Banks named therein, and
Bank  One,  Arizona,  NA,  as  Administrative  Agent for the Banks and The First
National  Bank of Chicago,  a national  banking  association,  as  Documentation
Agent. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have
the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement. The Borrower hereby
gives notice that it requests a Borrowing  pursuant to Section 2.3 of the Credit
Agreement and sets forth below the terms of such requested Borrowing:

           A.   Type of Borrowing1                          ____________________

           B.   Advance date of Borrowing                   ____________________

           C.   Principal Amount of Borrowing2              ____________________


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

1        LIBOR Borrowing or Base Rate Borrowing

2        Each  Borrowing  shall  be a  principal  amount  which  is an  integral
multiple of $100,000.00 and not less than $3,000,000.00.
<PAGE>
                                                      From:          Through:
                                                      -----          --------
         D.   LIBOR Borrowing Interest
              Period3                            _______________  ______________
              Borrowing Maturity Date            _______________  ______________

         E.       Refinancing Election (Identity
                  of Borrowing to be refinanced)4
                      Date                                  ____________________
                      Type                                  ____________________
                      Amount                                ____________________
                      Borrowing Maturity Date               ____________________

         Upon acceptance of the Borrowing to be made by the Banks in response to
this request,  Borrower shall be deemed to have represented and warranted to the
Banks that, as of the date of such Credit  Event,  the  conditions  specified in
Section 4.1 of the Credit Agreement are satisfied.

                                      Sincerely,

                                      MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED,
                                      a Delaware corporation



                                      By________________________________________

                                      Its      V.P. Controller and Treasurer
                                               An Officer of Borrower duly
                                               authorized to request
                                               Borrowings under the Credit
                                               Agreement


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

3        Which shall be subject to the  definition of "Interest  Period" and end
not later than the Expiration Date.

4        Identity shall include the date and amount of Borrowing,  the Type and,
with respect to LIBOR Borrowings, the Borrowing Maturity Date. -2-
<PAGE>
                                   EXHIBIT "C"

                                      NOTE


$-------------                                            --------------, ------
                                                                Phoenix, Arizona


         FOR VALUE  RECEIVED,  MICROCHIP  TECHNOLOGY  INCORPORATED,  a  Delaware
corporation (hereinafter called "Maker"), hereby promises to pay to the order of
_____________________________________  (the "Bank"),  at the office of Bank One,
Arizona,  NA, a national banking  association (the  "Administrative  Agent"), at
Post  Office Box 71,  Phoenix,  Arizona  85001,  Attention:  Commercial  Banking
AZ1-1178 or at such other  location as the  Administrative  Agent may notify the
Maker in writing in Dollars,  in immediately  available funds, the principal sum
of ____________________________________  AND NO/100 DOLLARS ($_________________)
or the aggregate  unpaid principal amount of all Revolving Credit Loans (as such
terms and each other  capitalized  term used  herein  are  defined in the Credit
Agreement  hereinafter  referred  to) made by the Bank  pursuant  to the  Credit
Agreement,  whichever  is less,  and to pay interest in like funds from the date
hereof on the unpaid  balance  thereof at the rates of interest per annum and at
the times specified in the Credit Agreement.

         Principal  hereof  shall be payable in the amounts and at the times set
forth in the Credit Agreement.

         This Note is one of the revolving  credit notes  referred to in Section
2.7 of the Credit Agreement dated as of October 28, 1997 by and among Maker, the
Banks named  therein,  the  Administrative  Agent and The First National Bank of
Chicago, a national banking association, as Documentation Agent (as the same may
be amended, modified or restated from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"). All
of the terms,  conditions  and  covenants of the Credit  Agreement are expressly
made a part of this  Note by  reference  in the  same  manner  and with the same
effect as if set forth herein at length and Bank or any  transferee of this Note
(sequentially,  the  "Holder")  is  entitled  to the  benefits  of and  remedies
provided in the Credit  Agreement and any other  agreements by and between Maker
and Bank. Reference is made to the Credit Agreement for provisions regarding the
maturity,  payment,  prepayment and acceleration of the  indebtedness  evidenced
hereby.

         After maturity and as otherwise  provided in the Credit Agreement,  all
unpaid  amounts of this Note shall bear  interest  at the  Default  Rate.  Maker
agrees to pay all collection expenses,  including reasonable attorneys' fees and
court costs,  incurred in the  collection or  enforcement  of all or any part of
this Note in which the Holder is the prevailing party. In the event of any court
proceedings,  court costs and attorneys'  fees shall be set by the court and not
by jury and shall be included  in any  judgment  obtained  by the Holder.  Maker
agrees to an effective  rate of interest  that is the rate stated above plus any
additional rate of interest resulting from any other charges
<PAGE>
in the nature of  interest  paid or to be paid by or on behalf of Maker,  or any
benefit  received or to be received by holder  hereof,  in connection  with this
Note.

         Failure  of the  Holder to  exercise  any  option  hereunder  shall not
constitute a waiver of the right to exercise same in the event of any subsequent
default, or in the event of continuance of any existing default after demand for
strict performance hereof.

         This Note is entitled to the  benefit of the Credit  Agreement  and the
other Loan Documents.

         This Note shall be binding  upon Maker and its  successors  and assigns
and  shall  inure  to the  benefit  of the  payee  hereof,  and  any  subsequent
transferees of this Note, and their successors and assigns.

         This Note shall be governed by and  construed  according to the laws of
the State of Arizona.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  Maker has caused  this Note to be executed by its
duly authorized corporate agent as of the day and year first above written.

                                        MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED,
                                        a Delaware corporation



                                        By______________________________________

                                        Its_____________________________________

                                                                         "MAKER"
                                       -2-
<PAGE>
                                   EXHIBIT "D"

                        ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS REPLY FORM
                        ---------------------------------

Re:  $90,000,000 Revolving Credit Facility for Microchip Technology Incorporated


1.   Name of Entity For Signature Page: ________________________________________

2.   Name of Entity as it Should
     Appear in Any Publicity:           ________________________________________
     (if different than above)

3.   Name of Person to Receive Draft
     Credit Agreement at Bank:          ________________________________________

4.   Name of Person to Sign
     Credit Agreement:                  ________________________________________

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
5.   Contacts:     Credit Contact            Operations Contact             Legal Counsel
                   --------------            ------------------             -------------
<S>               <C>                       <C>                       <C>

     Name:        _______________________   _______________________   ________________________

     Title:       _______________________   _______________________   ________________________

     Address:     _______________________   _______________________   ________________________

                  _______________________   _______________________   ________________________

                  _______________________   _______________________   ________________________

     Telephone:   _______________________   _______________________   ________________________

     Facsimile #: _______________________   _______________________   ________________________

     Telex #      _______________________   _______________________   ________________________

     Answerback:  _______________________   _______________________   ________________________
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
     Payment Instructions:

     Method of Payment:     Fedwire   _________________ Chips___________________

     Pay to:                ____________________________________________________

     Name of Bank:          ____________________________________________________

     City, State, Zip:      ____________________________________________________

     ABA Number:       _______________________ Reference:_______________________

     Account Number:   _______________________ Account Name:____________________

     Attention:        _________________________________________________________
                                       -2-
<PAGE>
                                   EXHIBIT "E"

                  MATTERS TO BE COVERED BY THE LEGAL OPINION OF
                               BORROWER'S COUNSEL

         1. The Borrower is a corporation  duly  incorporated,  validly existing
and in good  standing  under  the  laws of the  State of  Delaware,  and has all
corporate power and all material governmental licenses, authorizations, consents
and approvals required to carry on its business as now conducted.

         2.  Each  Subsidiary  identified  in  Schedule  "3.15"  of  the  Credit
Agreement is a corporation  duly  incorporated,  validly  existing,  and in good
standing under the laws of the  jurisdiction of its  incorporation,  and has all
corporate power and all material governmental licenses, authorizations, consents
and approvals to carry on its business as now conducted.

         3. The execution,  delivery and performance by the Borrower of the Loan
Documents are within  Borrower's  corporate power,  have been duly authorized by
all necessary  corporate  action,  and require no action by or in respect of, or
filing with, any  Governmental  Authority and neither the execution and delivery
thereof  nor the  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  thereby  nor
compliance by the Borrower with any, nor the  Borrower's  performance of all, of
the  terms  and  provisions  of the  Loan  Documents  will  contravene  any  law
applicable to it or conflict  with,  result in any breach of, or constitute  any
default under,  its certificate of  incorporation or by-laws (both as amended to
date) or conflict with, result in any breach of, or constitute default under, or
result in the creation of a Lien under, or require the consent of any trustee or
creditor pursuant to, any indenture,  mortgage, chattel mortgage, deed of trust,
conditional  sales contract,  lease,  bank loan or credit agreement to which the
Borrower is a party or by which it or its assets are bound, known to us.

         4. Each Loan  Document has been duly  authorized  and  delivered by the
Borrower,  and is the  legal,  valid and  binding  obligation  of the  Borrower,
enforceable  against  it in  accordance  with its terms,  except as  enforcement
thereof may be limited by  applicable  bankruptcy,  insolvency  or other laws or
equitable  principles  of general  application  relating to the  enforcement  of
creditors' rights.

         5. To the best  knowledge of such counsel after due inquiry,  there are
no actions,  suits or  proceedings  pending or threatened in any court or before
any regulatory  commission,  board or other administrative or other governmental
entity against or affecting the Borrower  which could  reasonably be expected to
have a material  adverse  effect on its  ability  to enter  into or perform  its
obligations  under any of the Loan  Documents or on the condition  (financial or
otherwise),  operations,  business or  prospects of the  Borrower,  except those
described in the Borrower's report on Form 10-K for its most recently  completed
fiscal year ended March 31, 1997, delivered to the Bank.
<PAGE>
         6. No consent,  approval,  waiver,  license or  authorization  or other
action by or filing with any  governmental  authority is required in  connection
with the execution and delivery by the Borrower of the Loan Documents except for
those which have already been obtained and are in full force and effect.

         7.  The  Borrower  is  not  an  "investment   company"  nor  a  company
"controlled"  by an "investment  company,"  within the meaning of the Investment
Company Action of 1940, as amended.
                                       -2-
<PAGE>
                                   EXHIBIT "F"

                   QUARTERLY COMPLIANCE AND MARGIN CERTIFICATE
                            FOR FISCAL QUARTER ENDING
                             ________________, 19__
                              ("Reporting Quarter")

Bank One, Arizona, NA
Post Office Box 71
Phoenix, Arizona  85001

Attn: Commercial Banking AZ1-1178                Date:                         1
                                                      -------------------------

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

         This Quarterly  Compliance and Margin  Certificate refers to the Credit
Agreement  dated  as of  October  28,  1997  (as it may  hereafter  be  amended,
modified, extended or restated from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), among
Microchip  Technology  Incorporated,  a Delaware corporation  ("Borrower"),  the
Banks named therein,  Bank One, Arizona, NA, a national banking association,  as
Administrative  Agent for the Banks and The First  National  Bank of Chicago,  a
national banking association, as Documentation Agent. Capitalized terms used and
not otherwise  defined herein shall have the meanings  assigned to such terms in
the Credit Agreement.

         Pursuant to Section 5.4 of the Credit  Agreement,  the  undersigned,  a
Financial Officer of Borrower, hereby certifies that:

         1.  Enclosed are the required  financial  statements  for the [quarter]
[fiscal  year] ending for Borrower as required  under  Section 5.4 of the Credit
Agreement.

         2. To the best of the undersigned's knowledge, no "Event of Default" or
Potential  Default  has  occurred  [or if so,  specifying  the nature and extent
thereof and any corrective actions taken or to be taken].

         3. As of the last day of the Reporting Quarter,  the computations below
were true and correct:



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

1        To be submitted  within 60 days after the end of each fiscal quarter of
         each fiscal year of Borrower.
<PAGE>
I.   Section 6.9 - Debt/EBITDA Ratio                              (in thousands)

          Numerator:  Debt (which includes Convertible                 $_______
                      Subordinated Indebtedness)

               less accruals                                           $_______

               less accounts payable                                   $_______

               equals                                                  $      A
                                                                       --------
                                                  divided by

           Denominator:  Cash Flow (rolling 4 quarters)                       B
                                                                       --------

                                                      equals                A/B
                                                                       ========
                                                     maximum               0.8x
                                                                       ========

II.  Section 6.10 - Consolidated Effective Tangible Net Worth     (in thousands)

          Company Net Worth (Stockholders Equity)                      ________

          less:  Intangible Assets                                    (________)
            
          plus:  Subordinated Indebtedness                             ________

          equals                                                       $      A
                                                                       --------
          Covenant Requirement:

                    Beginning Consolidated Effective
                    Tangible Net Worth                                 $337,000

                    plus:  50% of positive quarterly net
                    income beginning with the third quarter
                    of fiscal 1998 Consolidated Net Income             $_______
                                                                              
                    plus:  90% of the aggregate increase in
                    Stockholders Equity after September 30, 1997
                    arising from the issuance and sale of
                    additional capital stock                           $_______
                                       -2-
<PAGE>
                    plus:  100% of the aggregate increase in
                    Stockholders Equity arising from the
                    conversion of Convertible Subordinated
                    Indebtedness                                       $_______
                    less:  the costs of such conversion               ($_______)
                    equals                                             $      B
                                                                       --------

          A is required to be greater than or equal to B                  A > B
                                                                       ========

III. Section 6.11 - Debt/Worth Ratio                              (in thousands)

     Numerator:  Debt                                                  $_______

                    less  Convertible Subordinated Indebtedness
                         (not to exceed $100,000)                      $_______
                                                                               
                    equals Consolidated Debt                           $_______

                                                  divided by
     Denominator:   Consolidated Effective
                    Tangible Net Worth                                 $      B
                                                                       --------
                                                      equals                A/B
                                                                       ========
                                                     maximum               1.0x
                                                                       ========
                                       -3-
<PAGE>
IV.  Applicable Margin for LIBOR Borrowings and Facility Fee:

                                            1             2               3
                                         -------       -------         -------
                                                    
                                                                     equal to or
A.   6.9 Debt/EBITDA Ratio:             less than     less than       less than
                                          0.50          0.65            0.80
                                                    
     If A, then the Applicable                      
       Margin is (basis points)                     
         *   LIBOR Borrowing              32.5          55.0            77.5
         *   Facility Fee                 17.5          20.0            22.5
                                                   
     Actual Applicable Margin is Category __________.

                                        MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED



                                        By:__________________________________
                                        Name:________________________________
                                        Its:_________________________________
                                      -4-
<PAGE>
                                  SCHEDULE 2.1

                              COMMITMENTS OF BANKS
                       as to the Revolving Credit Facility
                             as of October 28, 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     Euro Dollar
          Bank                         %               $             Lending Office
    ----------------                -------       -----------        --------------

<S>                                 <C>           <C>                <C>
1.  Bank One, Arizona, NA           27.777778     25,000,000.00      _________________

2.  The First National Bank         22.222222     20,000,000.00      _________________
      of Chicago

3.  Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.          22.222222     20,000,000.00      _________________

4.  The Industrial Bank of Japan,
    Limited, San Francisco
    Agency                          16.666667     15,000,000.00      _________________

5.  Norwest Bank Arizona,           11.111111     10,000,000.00      _________________
      N.A.

    Maximum Commitment                 100%       $90,000,000.00     _________________
</TABLE>

Addresses
- ---------

    1.   P.O. Box 71
         Phoenix, Arizona 85001
         Attention: Commercial Banking,
         Dept. AZ1-1178

    2.   777 South Figueroa Street, 4th Floor
         Los Angeles, California  90017-5800

    3.   100 West Washington
         Phoenix, Arizona  85003
         Attention:  Jenny Apker #4101-251

    4.   555 California Street, S. 3110
         San Francisco, California  94104
<PAGE>
    5.   3300 North Central Avenue MS9004
         Phoenix, Arizona  85012-2501
         Attention:  Mae DelaBarre
                                       -2-
<PAGE>
                                  SCHEDULE 3.15

                             BORROWER'S SUBSIDIARIES

MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY TAIWAN
9-1 West 1st Street
Kaohsiung Export Processing Zone
Kaohsiung, Taiwan
R.O.C.

ARIZONA MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY LTD.
Unit 3, The Courtyard
Meadowbank
Furlong Road
Bourne End
Buckinghamshire
SL8 5AJ England

MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY (THAILAND) COMPANY LIMITED
14 Moo 1, T. Wangtakien
A. Muangchacherngsao,
Chacherngsao 24000,
Thailand
Physical and Registered Address
<PAGE>
                                  SCHEDULE 3.5

                   MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE SINCE JUNE 30, 1997

None
<PAGE>
                                  SCHEDULE 6.1

                                 PERMITTED LIENS

1.       Loan and Security Agreement dated as of February 4, 1994 by and between
         Microchip Techonology Incorporated and Financings, Inc.

2.       Master   Lease   Agreement   by  and  between   Microchip   Techonology
         Incorporated  and General Electric  Corporation  dated as of August 17,
         1993.

3.       Master Lease Agreement by and between Microchip Technology Incorporated
         and Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. dated as of October 20, 1993.

               MICROCHIP TECHNOLOGY INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES

                EXHIBIT 11 - COMPUTATION OF NET INCOME PER SHARE
                    (in thousands, except per share amounts)


                                          Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
                                             September 30,       September 30,
                                            1997      1996      1997      1996
                                            ----      ----      ----      ----

Net income                                 $19,182   $13,126   $37,014   $19,812
                                           =======   =======   =======   =======

Weighted average shares:
     Common shares outstanding              53,535    50,909    53,334    51,320

     Common equivalent shares
         representing shares issuable
         upon exercise of stock options(1)   3,400     2,934     3,282     2,856
                                           -------   -------   -------   -------

              Total weighted average
                  shares - primary          56,935    53,843    56,616    54,176
                                           =======   =======   =======   =======

     Incremental common equivalent
         shares (calculated using the
         higher of end of period or
         average market value)(2)              203       360       391       428
                                           -------   -------   -------   -------

              Total weighted average
                  shares - fully diluted    57,138    54,203    57,007    54,604
                                           =======   =======   =======   =======

Primary net income per common and
     common equivalent share               $  0.34   $  0.24   $  0.65   $  0.37
                                           =======   =======   =======   =======

Fully diluted net income per common
     and common equivalent share           $  0.34   $  0.24   $  0.65   $  0.37
                                           =======   =======   =======   =======



- ---------------------------
(1)  Amount calculated using the treasury stock method and fair market values
     for stock.
(2)  This calculation is submitted in accordance with Regulation S-K Item
     601(b)(11) although not required by footnote 2 to paragraph 14 of APB
     Opinion No. 15 because it results in dilution of less than 3%.
                                       21

<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1000
<CURRENCY>                                     U.S. Dollars
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                    MAR-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                                       APR-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                                         SEP-30-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                                                1
<CASH>                                                                     60243
<SECURITIES>                                                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                              65708
<ALLOWANCES>                                                                   0
<INVENTORY>                                                                58790
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                          216091
<PP&E>                                                                    287532
<DEPRECIATION>                                                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                            508109
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                     136587
<BONDS>                                                                     3538
                                                          0
                                                                    0
<COMMON>                                                                      54
<OTHER-SE>                                                                360723
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                              508109
<SALES>                                                                   200264
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                          200264
<CGS>                                                                      98730
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                              98730
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                               0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                           568
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                            50704
<INCOME-TAX>                                                               13690
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                        37014
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                                0
<CHANGES>                                                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                                               37014
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                               0.65
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                               0.65
                                                                     

</TABLE>


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