TELESCAN INC
S-1, 1998-06-15
COMPUTER PROGRAMMING, DATA PROCESSING, ETC.
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      AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JUNE 15, 1998
                                                     REGISTRATION NO. 333-

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM S-1

                        REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE
                             SECURITIES ACT OF 1933


                                 TELESCAN, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                             <C>                            <C>       
          DELAWARE                              7373                           72-1121748
(State or other jurisdiction         (Primary Standard Industrial            (I.R.S. Employer   
     of incorporation or             Classification Code Number)            Identification No.)
        organization)                  
</TABLE>

                        5959 CORPORATE DRIVE, SUITE 2000
                              HOUSTON, TEXAS 77036
                                 (281) 588-9700
       (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area
    code, of registrant's principal executive offices and place of business)

                                  RONALD WARREN
                             CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
                        5959 CORPORATE DRIVE, SUITE 2000
                              HOUSTON, TEXAS 77036
                                 (281) 588-9700
            (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
                   including area code, of agent for service)


                                   Copies to:
                                 DAVID F. TAYLOR
                  LIDDELL, SAPP, ZIVLEY, HILL & LABOON, L.L.P.
                                3400 CHASE TOWER
                              HOUSTON, TEXAS 77002
                                 (713) 226-1200


        APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
     From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.


If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a
delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, check the following box. [X]

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

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

                         Calculation of Registration Fee
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                         <C>               <C>             <C>                <C> 
- ------------------------ -------------- ------------------- ---------------- --------------
                                                               Proposed
Title of each class of                   Proposed maximum       maximum        Amount of
   securities to be      Amount to be     offering price       aggregate     registration
      registered          registered       per unit (1)     offering price        fee
- ------------------------ -------------- ------------------- ---------------- --------------
 Convertible Preferred
         Stock              120,000           $25.00          $3,000,000         $885
- ------------------------ -------------- ------------------- ---------------- --------------
     Common Stock             (2)
- ------------------------ -------------- ------------------- ---------------- --------------
</TABLE>
(1) Calculated pursuant to Rule 457(i), based on the per share price of the 
    Convertible Preferred Stock.
(2) Such number of shares of Common Stock as may be issuable upon conversion of 
    the Convertible Preferred Stock registered hereby.

THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR DATES
AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL FILE
A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
<PAGE>
******************************************************************************
*                                                                            *
*   INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A    *
*   REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED       *
*   WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT    *
*   BE SOLD NOR MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE          *
*   REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT      *
*   CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR   *
*   SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH   *
*   OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR   *
*   QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.               *
*                                                                            *
******************************************************************************

                    SUBJECT TO COMPLETION DATED JUNE 15, 1998

PROSPECTUS
                                 TELESCAN, INC.
                  120,000 SHARES OF CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
                      AND UNDERLYING SHARES OF COMMON STOCK

This Prospectus relates to the resale by the holders thereof (the "Selling
Stockholders") of (i) 120,000 shares of the Series A Convertible Preferred Stock
(the "Convertible Preferred Stock") of Telescan, Inc. (the "Company" or
"Telescan") having a liquidation preference equal to $25 per share (the
"Liquidation Preference") and (ii) the underlying shares of common stock, par
value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), of the Company that may be acquired
upon conversion of the Convertible Preferred Stock. At the option of the holders
thereof, the Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible into such number of
fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock as is determined by dividing
the Liquidation Preference on the date notice of conversion is given by the
Conversion Price (as hereinafter defined). On the third anniversary of the
Closing Date (as hereinafter defined), all then outstanding shares of
Convertible Preferred Stock shall automatically be converted into Common Stock
at the Conversion Price. The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale
of Convertible Preferred Stock and Common Stock by the Selling Stockholders. See
"Description of Securities - Convertible Preferred Stock".

The Company's Common Stock is quoted on the Nasdaq Small-Cap Market under the
symbol "TSCN". On June 11, 1998 the last closing bid price of the Common Stock
as reported by the Nasdaq Small-Cap Market was $7.688 per share. See "Market
Prices and Dividend Policy".

PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER THE MATTERS DISCUSSED UNDER
"RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 6.

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

THE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED FOR SALE UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF
ANY STATE OR JURISDICTION AS OF THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS. BROKERS OR DEALERS
EFFECTING TRANSACTIONS IN THE SECURITIES SHOULD CONFIRM THE REGISTRATION THEREOF
UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF THE STATE IN WHICH SUCH TRANSACTIONS OCCUR, OR THE
EXISTENCE OF ANY EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION.

                    THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS _________________, 1998.

                                       1
<PAGE>
NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN
THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, ANY SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION
MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR ANY OTHER
PERSON. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER
SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE, CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO
CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY OR ITS SUBSIDIARIES SINCE THE DATE HEREOF.
THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN
OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES OTHER THAN THOSE TO WHICH IT RELATES OR AN OFFER TO
ANY PERSON IN ANY STATE WHERE SUCH OFFER WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

Available Information..................................................3

Prospectus Summary.....................................................4

Risk Factors...........................................................6

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges and Preferred Dividends............13

Market Prices and Dividend Policy.....................................14

Use of Proceeds.......................................................14

Capitalization........................................................15

Selected Consolidated Financial Data..................................16

Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and 
 Results of Operations................................................18

Business..............................................................22

Management............................................................34

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions........................41

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management........43

Selling Stockholders..................................................45

Plan of Distribution..................................................46

Description of Securities.............................................47

Legal Matters.........................................................53

Experts...............................................................53

Index to Financial Statements........................................F-1

                                       2
<PAGE>
                              AVAILABLE INFORMATION

The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy
statements and other information filed by the Company can be inspected and
copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Regional
Offices of the Commission at Seven World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, NY
10048 and at 500 West Madison Street, 14th Floor, Chicago, IL 60661. Copies of
such material can be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the
Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed
rates. The Company is an electronic filer and the Commission maintains a website
(http//www.sec.gov) that contains reports, proxy and information statements and
other information regarding the Company.

The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form S-1
(the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Act") with respect to the resale of shares of Convertible Preferred Stock and
Common Stock covered by this Prospectus. This Prospectus does not contain all of
the information set forth in the Registration Statement and the exhibits and
schedules thereto, to which reference is hereby made. Statements contained
herein concerning the provisions of documents are necessarily summaries of such
documents, and each statement is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
copy of the applicable document filed with the Commission. Any person to whom
this Prospectus is delivered may obtain a copy of the Registration Statement,
including the exhibits and schedules thereto, without charge upon written or
oral request to the Secretary of the Company at 5959 Corporate Drive, Suite
2000, Houston, Texas 77036.

                                       3
<PAGE>
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

THE FOLLOWING SUMMARY INFORMATION IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY THE MORE
DETAILED INFORMATION AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS APPEARING ELSEWHERE IN THIS
PROSPECTUS.

THE COMPANY

The Company provides state-of-the-art Internet services, innovative solutions
for online technology and sophisticated networks and data retrieval tools. The
Company develops, markets, and operates Internet sites and major online networks
serving the financial industry. The Company's products and services, which are
based upon its proprietary online operating system and user software, allow its
customers to electronically access and analyze information through their own
personal computer systems.

The Company's primary product line is a system of Internet and online financial
services and products provided directly to users as well as under private label
agreements with third parties, which allow investors to (1) obtain financial
news and information; (2) perform fundamental and technical analyses; (3) design
and backtest personalized searches using current and historical information on
more than 222,000 equities, indices and currencies; and (4) perform portfolio
management and personal investment planning.

Telescan, Inc. is a Delaware corporation, and unless otherwise indicated, all
references to the Company or Telescan refer to Telescan, Inc. and its
predecessors. The executive offices of the Company are located at 5959 Corporate
Drive, Suite 2000, Houston, Texas 77036 and its telephone number is (281)
588-9700.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

In May 1998, the Company retained NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC to
advise the Company in exploring strategic alternatives, including a potential
change in ownership of the Company in order to maximize stockholder value.

THE OFFERING

This Prospectus relates to the resale of 120,000 shares of Convertible Preferred
Stock and the underlying Common Stock (collectively, the "Shares") by Selling
Stockholders. Each share of Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible, at any
time through May 15, 2001, into shares of Common Stock at 95% of the lowest
trade price as reported by Nasdaq Small-Cap Market for ten consecutive days
prior to the Conversion Date (as hereinafter defined). Two days will be added to
this time period each month after November 15, 1998 until the time period is
lengthened to 22 days. The maximum conversion price is $8.62. Upon issuance of
the Convertible Preferred Stock, an imputed dividend will be reflected based
upon the discounted conversion feature, such dividend totaling approximately
$44,000 will be deducted from earnings available to common stockholders. See
"Description of Securities - Convertible Preferred Stock".

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

                                       4
<PAGE>
SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA
   
The summary financial data presented below for the five-year period ended
December 31, 1997, have been derived from the audited historical consolidated
financial statements of the Company. The summary financial data for the three
months ended March 31, 1998 and 1997 have been derived from the unaudited
historical financial statements of the Company. The historical financial data
include the results of continuing operations, discontinued operations and
operations of acquired businesses from their dates of acquisition. The summary
financial data should be read in conjunction with "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included elsewhere
herein and the Company's consolidated financial statements and the notes
thereto.

                           ($ in thousands, except per share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                  MARCH 31,                       YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                          ----------------------    ----------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS:                      1998         1997         1997          1996          1995          1994        1993
                                          ---------    ---------    ---------     ---------     ---------     ---------   ---------
<S>                                           <C>          <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>         <C>  
Total revenues .......................        3,032        3,626       14,939        12,129        10,935         8,524       6,515
Income  (loss)  from
  continuing operations ..............         (812)         221          810        (2,274)       (1,326)       (2,572)        251
Income  (loss)  from
  discontinued operations ............          (46)        (207)        (558)         (660)          112           (59)       (282)
Provision for operating
  loss during phase out
  period .............................         --           --            (56)         --            --            --          --
                                          =========    =========    =========     =========     =========     =========   =========
Net income (loss) ....................         (858)          14          196        (2,934)       (1,214)       (2,631)        (31)
                                          =========    =========    =========     =========     =========     =========   =========


Income (loss) per
common share from
  continuing operations:
    Basic ............................        (0.07)        0.02         0.08         (0.21)        (0.14)        (0.01)       0.03
    Diluted ..........................        (0.07)        0.02         0.07         (0.21)        (0.14)        (0.01)       0.03
Income (loss) per
common share from
discontinued operations
  -including phase out
  period:
    Basic ............................         0.00        (0.02)       (0.06)        (0.06)         0.01         (0.27)      (0.04)
    Diluted ..........................         0.00        (0.02)       (0.06)        (0.06)         0.01         (0.27)      (0.04)
Net income (loss):
    Basic ............................        (0.08)        --           0.02         (0.28)        (0.12)        (0.28)       --
    Diluted ..........................        (0.08)        --           0.02         (0.28)        (0.12)        (0.28)       --

                                          THREE MONTHS
                                          ENDED MARCH 31,                    YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                          --------------   ------------------------------------------------------------
BALANCE SHEET DATA:                              1998       1997         1996         1995           1994          1993
- ---------------------------------------   -------------    ------      ------        ------         -----         -----   
Working capital .......................             (29)      745         455         2,143         1,370         5,174
Total assets ..........................          11,584    12,259      11,408        10,136         7,780         9,712
Total long-term                              
obligations ...........................             353       466         457           441           541           311
Total stockholders'                          
  equity ..............................           8,125     8,749       7,964         7,965         6,022         8,617
</TABLE>                                     
                                       5     
    
<PAGE>                                    
                                  RISK FACTORS

AN INVESTMENT IN THE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK AND THE COMMON STOCK COVERED
HEREBY INVOLVES A SIGNIFICANT DEGREE OF RISK. IN ADDITION TO THE OTHER
INFORMATION SET FORTH IN THIS PROSPECTUS, PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS OF THE
CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK AND THE COMMON STOCK SHOULD CONSIDER CAREFULLY THE
FOLLOWING FACTORS IN EVALUATING AN INVESTMENT IN THE COMPANY.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
   
In accordance with the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the Company notes that certain statements in this
Prospectus which are forward-looking and which provide other than historical
information, involve risks and uncertainties that may impact the Company's
results of operations. These forward-looking statements include, among others,
statements concerning the Company's general business strategies, financing
decisions, and expectations for funding capital expenditures and operations in
the future. When used herein, the words "believe", "anticipate", "hope",
"estimate", "project", "intend", "expect", and similar expressions are intended
to identify such forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the
expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on
reasonable assumptions, no statements contained in this Prospectus should not be
relied upon as predictions of future events. Such statements are necessarily
dependent on assumptions, data or methods that may be incorrect or imprecise and
may be incapable of being realized. The risks and uncertainties inherent in
these forward-looking statements could cause actual results to differ materially
from those expressed in or implied by these statements.
    
FLUCTUATING RESULTS; INABILITY TO PROJECT PROFITABILITY
   
The Company has reported substantial losses from continuing operations in three
of the last five years and in the quarter ended March 31, 1998. As of March 31,
1998 the Company had an accumulated deficit in retained earnings of $10,191,000.
Continued operating losses could affect working capital, future capital
expenditures, marketing promotions and the Company's ability to meet current
obligations. See "Risk Factors - Material Contracts", "Business" and
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations".

For the three months ended March 31, 1998, the Company incurred a loss of
$812,000 from continuing operations and a net loss of $858,000. Compared to the
year earlier period, the first quarter loss reflects a reduction of $522,000 in
service revenue associated with private label agreements. Approximately
one-third of the Company's first quarter 1997 revenues was associated with such
agreements. The Company expects revenues from such agreements to continue to
rise as a percentage of total revenues. Under these agreements, the Company's
private label affiliates are responsible for all marketing efforts. Accordingly,
the Company has no control over the success of such programs.

In the quarter ended March 31, 1998, the Company reported $33,000 in development
fees and no licensing fees. During those quarters of 1997 in which the Company
reported profitable operations it reported significant licensing and development
fees. There is no assurance that the Company will be able to generate
significant licensing and development fees in any period.

Online revenues from the Company's customer base have declined and efforts to
increase customer usage have not been as successful as anticipated. Marketing
strategies to increase product sales were not achieved during the first three
months of 1998. To address these losses, management is considering increased
sales promotion campaigns and has employed a new director of Marketing. The
success of new sales campaigns is not assured.
    
                                       6
<PAGE>
LIMITED CAPITAL

The Company's primary capital requirements are for computer equipment and
software program development. The Company has been able to arrange financing for
computer equipment through capital and operating leases. Due to the nature and
unreliability of future revenues the Company may need to seek additional
borrowing venues to provide adequate funding for capital requirements in the
next 12 months. There is no assurance the Company will be able to obtain
additional capital at such time and on terms acceptable to the Company. See
"Business" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and
Results of Operations Liquidity and Capital Resources".

NEGATIVE WORKING CAPITAL
   
At March 31, 1998 the Company had negative working capital of $29,000. In May
1998 the Company raised $3,000,000 for working capital purposes through the
issuance of the Convertible Preferred Stock. The Company's predominant assets
are capitalized software. Should the results of operations continue to be
negative, it is unlikely that the Company would be able to raise funds through
commercial banks. There is no assurance that the Company would be able to raise
funds through the issuance of equity securities on a basis satisfactory to the
Company.
    
NEGATIVE CASH FLOW
   
For the three months ended March 31, 1998, the Company had a negative cash flow
of $775,000 primarily due to the net loss of $858,000. For the year ended
December 31, 1997, the Company had a positive cash flow of $423,000 reflecting
the Company's net income of $196,000, and $493,000 in proceeds from the issuance
of Common Stock . In 1996 the Company had negative cash flow of $694,000,
reflecting a net loss of $2,934,000, and proceeds from the issuance of common
stock of $2,683,000. In 1995 the Company had positive cash flow of $515,000,
reflecting a loss of $1,214,000, and proceeds from the issuance of common stock
of $3,157,000. There can be no assurance the Company will not incur negative
cash flows in the future depending upon operating results and successful stock
issuances. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations".
    
RELIANCE ON THE FUTURE OF THE INTERNET
   
In 1997 approximately 25% of the Company's revenues were tied to the Internet.
In 1998 the Company expects that 50% of its revenues will be derived from the
Internet. This transition principally reflects the predominant use of the
Internet underlying new private label and other alliances, and secondarily the
growth of the Company's Wall Street City website. There is no assurance that the
popularity of the Internet will continue.

The majority of the Company's direct customers access the Company's services
through dial up services and require software purchased from the Company. The
growth of the Internet may result in new and/or existing customers accessing the
Company's services over the Internet in preference to the dial up services
resulting in a decrease in product revenue and communication costs.
    
The demand for the Company's informational Internet and online services is
highly influenced by the general economic conditions, individual investor
interest and popularity in the stock market. In general, the subscriber base
tends to increase with rising market conditions and decline in depressed
periods. A protracted downturn in the market place could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's results of operations. There is no assurance Internet
and online revenue will not decline with a change in market activity and
participation. See "Business".

RISK OF LITIGATION

There is the potential for substantial litigation in the Internet and software
industry. While the Company does not believe it has infringed on the protected
rights of other companies, there is no assurance future claims may not arise.
Such claims could have a substantial adverse effect on the Company in terms of
expenses incurred to defend the Company. Currently 

                                       7
<PAGE>
there is no regulation on investment information provided to customers, however
there is no assurance that in the future the Company could be required to comply
with restrictions placed on brokerage firms and investment advisors. The
Company's information is provided to assist investors in trading and investment
decisions. Although specific warnings and disclosures are provided in the
Company's literature and online, there is no assurance claims will not be
brought against the Company and that insurance would cover the liability
exposure. While no such claims have been brought to the attention of the
Company, there is no assurance this will not occur in the future.

POTENTIAL FOR ACQUISITION
   
The Company recently announced the engagement of an investment banking firm to
explore strategic alternatives to maximize shareholder value, including a
potential sale of the Company or a substantial change in control or ownership of
the Company. The Company will review any offers received; however, there is no
assurance any offers will be received or that any will be acceptable or
satisfactory to the Company and its stockholders.
    
COMPUTER AND NETWORK OPERATIONS
   
The Company's operations are dependent on its ability to protect its computer
equipment, telecommunications network, and the information stored in its data
center against damage caused by unexpected events, including fire, power loss,
telecommunications failures, and unauthorized intrusion from outside third party
"hackers" or from "computer viruses" introduced into the system. The Company has
undertaken certain precautionary measures for its data center, including system
redundancy, separate air conditioning systems, full "zero downtime" emergency
generator onsite, authorization procedures and other security measures. Software
and related databases are backed up regularly and stored off-site, and the
Company's host computer system is based upon commonly available computers,
storage devices, and telecommunications equipment. Further, there is no incoming
access to the Company's systems which would allow the introduction of a
"computer virus" into the operating system or that would allow a third party
"hacker" from altering any of the system's data. There can be no assurances that
these measures are sufficient to eliminate the risk of interruption in the
Company's operations resulting from unexpected events. Any damage or failure
that causes interruptions in the Company's operations could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business. The Company has reduced the potential
loss with business interruption insurance, which provides for some compensation
during the period business is interrupted. The Company does not currently have
an alternative off-site computer system available for use in the event of damage
to its data center. While the Company believes that the property and business
interruption insurance is consistent with computer industry practices, the
coverage may not be adequate to compensate the Company for all losses that may
occur. See "Business - Computer and Network Operations".
    
DEPENDENCE ON PROTECTION OF PROPRIETARY RIGHTS
   
The Company's ability to compete successfully and develop new products may be
materially dependent upon its proprietary information and technologies. The
Company was granted a patent in 1997 by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for
its core database development technology for quickly building customized online
systems for multiple users. The Company has filed a patent application with the
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a new patent for an online system for a
plurality of online service providers. The Company relies on a combination of
trade secret and contract protection to establish and protect its proprietary
rights in its products and technology. The Company generally enters into
confidentiality agreements with key employees and limits access to and
distribution of its proprietary information. There can be no assurance that
precautions taken by the Company will be adequate to protect proprietary rights
or independent third party development of substantially similar products and
technology. Litigation may be necessary in the future to protect and defend the
Company's proprietary rights from infringement, which may be costly and time
consuming. The invalidation of key proprietary rights owned or claimed by the
Company could have an adverse effect on the Company and its business prospects.
See "Business - Proprietary Rights".
    
                                       8
<PAGE>
DEPENDENCE UPON OUTSIDE DATA SOURCES
   
The Company's business is dependent upon its ability to enter into contracts
with private information compilers to provide access to information, both real
time and historical, electronically for inclusion in the Company's database. The
Company also obtains information pursuant to non-exclusive licenses from private
information compilers, some of which are current or potential competitors of the
Company. The private sector contracts typically provide for royalties based on
usage or minimums. The Company has such licenses from certain data suppliers to
provide business information that such suppliers also market in competition with
the Company. While the Company is not aware of any material data supplier
contracts that are in jeopardy of being terminated or not renewed, there can be
no assurance that the Company will be able to renew its current contracts with
data sources, maintain comparable price levels for information, or negotiate
additional contracts with data sources as necessary to maintain existing
products or introduce new products. There is no assurance comparable alternative
sources of information could be obtained should existing contracts be terminated
or not renewable. Termination of the Company's relationship with one or more
information suppliers could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
operation. See "Business - Products and Services".
    
MATERIAL CONTRACTS
   
In 1997 the Company earned 10.1% of its revenue from American Express. In 1998
the Company entered into a Master Development, License and Revenue Sharing
Agreement with Citibank, N.A. The Company has also entered into agreements with
Independent Economic Analysis (Holdings) Pte Limited, Standard and Poor's, Time
Inc. New Media and others. It is possible that one or more of these
relationships could result in a concentration of revenues in a single or a few
customers.
    
GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS
   
The Company is not subject to direct regulation other than regulation applicable
generally to business. While not currently regulated, there is a possibility
that because the Company's information is used to develop investment strategies,
the Company may become subject to laws governing investment advisors or other
security professionals. Regulations in this area are complex and ensuring
compliance could cause a financial burden and become a time consuming process.
There is no assurance the Company could make the necessary adjustments to
achieve compliance.
    
DEPENDENCE ON KEY EMPLOYEES

The Company is dependent upon the services of its Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer, David L. Brown, and Vice Chairman and Chief Technology Officer and
original software developer, Dr. Richard K. Carlin. The Company and Mr. Brown
entered into an employment and non-compete agreement. The Company does not have
employment contracts providing for continued services or non-compete from other
key employees; however, it is now the Company's policy to have employees sign a
nondisclosure and inventive agreement. In the event a key employee of the
Company's management team becomes unable or unwilling to continue to serve, the
Company's business could be adversely affected. The Company does not currently
maintain key life insurance on any of its employees. The Company also depends on
its continued ability to attract and retain highly skilled and qualified
employees. Competition for such personnel is intense, and there can be no
assurance that the Company will be successful in attracting and retaining such
personnel. See "Management".

COMPETITION
   
The Company competes with many companies who operate proprietary and/or Internet
websites and online systems, many of which have significantly greater financial,
technical and marketing resources than the Company. In addition, a substantial
number of new competitors are entering the Internet and online services market
as a result of the recent growth and the perceived future opportunities in this
market. The Company believes the principal competitive factors in the online
services market include system performance, product differentiation, quality and
quantity of content, user 

                                       9
<PAGE>
friendliness, price, customer support and effective marketing techniques. The
Company believes that it competes effectively in these areas. Competitive
pressures could result in reduced market share, price reductions and increased
spending on marketing and product development, which could adversely affect the
Company's financial condition and operating results. However, the Company
believes that its business strategy of building marketing relationships with
larger strategic partners and expanding the range of its Internet and online
offerings may serve to lessen the impact of future competitive pressures of the
Company. There is no assurance these marketing strategies will be successful.
See "Business - Competition".
    
DEPENDENCE ON LICENSING/DEVELOPMENT FEES
   
The Company does not currently operate on a profitable basis in periods without
licensing/development fee recognition. Licensing fee revenue is recognized in
the period access is allowed into the Company's base technology of proprietary
operating systems and development fee revenue is normally recognized based on a
percentage-of-completion basis. The continuation and timing of revenue
recognition is critical to the Company's ability to report a profit. In the
past, periods with no licensing or development revenue recognition have resulted
in a loss. There is no assurance the Company will be able to attract licensing
and development fees in the future and without such, there is no assurance the
Company can produce a profit.
    
POTENTIAL SPIN-OFF
   
In November 1997, the Company announced that the non-financial business segment
of its business would be spun-off. Although progress has been made in the
divestiture, it is possible that the Company could be unable to effect the
spin-off on satisfactory terms. Should the non-financial business segment be
retained by the Company, the income (loss) from discontinued operations would be
combined with continuing operations results. Certain assets included in
discontinued operations may incur significant write-downs if the Company is
unable to support profitability of capitalized projects. See "Business -
Potential Spin-off".
    
SERVICE CONTRACT WITH TELEBUILD, L.C.

The Company has performed services under contract for Telebuild, L.C.
("Telebuild") since its inception in January 1990. Telebuild is owned 14.168% by
the Company, 25.44% by the Brown Family Partnership and 45.42% by Friedman
Interests, Inc. ("Friedman Interests"). The Brown Family Partnership is managed
by David L. Brown, and Friedman Interests is an affiliate of G. Robert Friedman,
both of whom are significant stockholders of the Company. See "Security
Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management". The services provided by
the Company to Telebuild during the three months ended March 31, 1998 and the
year ended December 31, 1997 were primarily maintaining and operating the
Telebuild database system and providing administrative and facility services
including office space, equipment and furniture. The service contract between
the Company and Telebuild was negotiated on an arms-length basis by a senior
vice president and director of the Company, who is not an officer or member of
Telebuild, and an officer of Telebuild, who is not an officer or director of the
Company. The terms of the agreement were approved in principal by the Company's
Board of Directors and were ratified by the unanimous consent of the owners of
Telebuild. The agreement continues until notice of termination of either party.
For the three months ended March 31, 1998, the Company recognized revenue of
approximately $340,000 or 11.2% of total revenues, on services provided to
Telebuild and earned a gross profit of approximately $22,000. The Company
recorded revenues related to such services of approximately $1,322,000, or 8.8%
of total revenues in 1997, and approximately $735,000, or 6.1% of total revenues
for 1996, and recognized a gross profit margin of approximately $91,000 and
$114,000 in 1997 and 1996, respectively. As of March 31, 1998, $220,000, plus
approximately $207,000 of unbilled revenues, was due to the Company from
Telebuild.

The Company currently charges Telebuild a monthly fee based upon the number of
employees to reimburse the Company for various overhead expenses which include
rent, supplies and other administrative costs. In addition, a monthly accounting
software fee and administrative expenses are billed to Telebuild.

                                       10
<PAGE>
The spin-off announced in November 1997 includes the Company's interest in
Telebuild. Upon completion of this divestiture, revenues from affiliates will no
longer be included in the Company's consolidated statements of operations. See
"Certain Relationships and Related Transactions".

MAJORITY INTEREST IN KNOWLEDGE EXPRESS DATA SYSTEMS, L. C.

The operating results of Knowledge Express Data Systems, L. C. ("KE"), owned
55.58% by the Company, are consolidated with the Company and subsequently
combined with the non-financial segment of the Company in discontinued
operations. The subsidiary had a substantial contract with the Department of
Energy ("DOE") which ended in early 1996. Since this period, KE has not been a
profitable operation or been able to generate a positive cash flow. The Company
made capital contributions totaling $830,000 in 1997 and $78,000 in the first
quarter of 1998. It is the Company's intention to spin-off the operations of KE
and accordingly the results of KE have been included in discontinued operations.
However, should the spin-off not occur, the Company could be required to make
additional capital contributions with no assurance that KE's potential future
earnings could recoup the Company's investment. The carrying value of the
investment may be written down to fair market value if future earnings can not
be predicted with some certainty. See "Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions".

SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
   
The number of shares of Common Stock to be issued upon conversion of the
Convertible Preferred Stock is a function of the trading price of the Common
Stock during a defined look back period (initially ten days). The minimum number
of shares which would be issued if all the Convertible Preferred Stock was
converted is approximately 348,000. However, if the market price of the Common
Stock dropped significantly and the conversion options were exercised at such
time, the number of shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion would increase
significantly. The dilution of outstanding shares may have an adverse effect on
trading prices of the Common Stock.
    
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
   
Certain of the officers and directors of the Company currently own interests in
entities which conduct business with the Company. Although it is the Company's
policy to enter into transactions with related parties only upon terms
comparable to or better than those that would be available from unaffiliated
parties, the existence of certain interrelationships could give rise to
conflicts of interest. See "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions".
    
NET OPERATING LOSS CARRYFORWARD

As of December 31, 1997, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards for
tax purposes, available to offset future taxable income, of approximately $13.3
million, which expire in years 2000 through 2012. There is no assurance the
Company will report operating profits to fully utilize the net loss carryforward
by 2012. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations".

VULCAN VENTURES TRANSACTION

In 1992, Vulcan Ventures, Inc. ("Vulcan") was granted certain rights in
association with Common Stock and redeemable warrants sold to Vulcan by the
Company. One of the rights included the appointment of one member of the
Company's Board of Directors for as long as Vulcan owned 540,000 shares. Vulcan
has met the minimum stock holding requirement and retains one board member. See
"Certain Relationships and Related Transactions".

                                       11
<PAGE>
TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES
   
There has been constant technological development in the Internet and online
industry. The Company has developed its online software and hardware systems in
modular configurations that take advantage of standard components available from
a variety of hardware manufacturers, which allows the Company to quickly upgrade
its system as new technology is developed. The Company believes that its online
systems are structured to incorporate new changes or innovations within its
industry in order to maintain its competitiveness. In 1997, the Company was
granted a patent by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for its core database
development technology for quickly building customized online systems for
multiple users. The Company has filed a patent application for a new patent.
Failure by the Company to maintain its competitiveness or development of a new
breakthrough technology could have a material adverse effect on the Company. See
"Business - Proprietary Rights".
    
ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECTS OF ISSUANCE OF PREFERRED STOCK
   
The Board of Directors has the authority to issue up to 10,000,000 shares of
preferred stock, $.01 par value per share, in one or more series, to fix the
number of shares constituting any such series, and to fix the rights and
preferences of the shares constituting any series, without any further vote or
action by the stockholders. The issuance of preferred stock by the Board of
Directors could adversely affect the rights of the holders of Common Stock. For
example, such issuance could result in a class of securities outstanding that
would have preferences with respect to voting rights and dividends and in
liquidation over the Common Stock, and could (upon conversion or otherwise)
enjoy all of the rights appurtenant to Common Stock. The Board's authority to
issue preferred stock could discourage potential takeover attempts and could
delay or prevent a change in control of the Company through merger, tender
offer, proxy contest or otherwise by making such attempts more difficult to
achieve or more costly. There are no issued and outstanding shares of preferred
stock other than the 120,000 shares of Convertible Preferred Stock which are the
subject of this Prospectus; there are no agreements or understandings for the
issuance of additional preferred stock; and the Board of Directors has no
present intention to issue such preferred stock.
    

                                       12
<PAGE>
           RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED DIVIDENDS

                                ($ in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            QUARTER
                                                             ENDED
                                                            MARCH 31,                    YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                            ---------   ------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               1998     1997         1996          1995          1994       1993
                                                            ---------   ----        ------        ------        ------        ---
<S>                                                         <C>         <C>        <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Income (loss) from                                              
    continuing operations ..........................             (812)   810        (2,274)       (1,326)       (2,572)       251
                                                                
Interest on indebtedness ...........................               22     76            72            66            40         19
                                                            ---------   ----        ------        ------        ------        ---
Income  (loss) as adjusted                                      
(earnings deficiency) ..............................             (790)   886        (2,202)       (1,260)       (2,532)       270
                                                            =========    ===        ======        ======        ======        ===
                                                                
Fixed charges:                                                  
                                                                
Interest in indebtedness ...........................               22     76            72            66            40         19
                                                                
Ratio of earnings to fixed                                      
    charges ........................................               (1)   11.7           (1)           (1)           (1)        14.21
                                                                
Pro-forma earnings to fixed                                     
    charges and preferred                                       
    dividends (2) ..................................               (1)   8.11
</TABLE>                                                   
(1) Earnings are inadequate to cover fixed charges.
(2) The pro forma ratio of earnings to fixed charges and preferred dividends is
    based on earnings for the period and annual dividends of $150,000 on
    Convertible Preferred Stock offered in this Prospectus.

                                       13
<PAGE>
                        MARKET PRICES AND DIVIDEND POLICY

MARKET INFORMATION

The Common Stock is traded on the Nasdaq Small-Cap Market under the symbol
"TSCN". The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the high and
low closing bid prices for the Common Stock as reported by the Nasdaq Small-Cap
Market. The bid prices reflect inter-dealer quotations, do not include retail
markups, markdowns or commissions and do not necessarily represent actual
transactions.

                                HIGH          LOW
                               --------     ---------
           1996
Quarter ended March 31          $8.31        $6.50
Quarter ended June 30           $9.12        $6.87
Quarter ended September 30      $8.12        $5.00
Quarter ended December 31       $7.62        $4.75

           1997
Quarter ended March 31          $5.88        $3.25
Quarter ended June 30           $5.31        $3.13
Quarter ended September 30      $7.63        $4.75
Quarter ended December 31       $8.13        $5.88

           1998
Quarter ended March 31          $8.13        $5.06
Quarter ended June 30
(through June 11)               $9.88        $5.00
   
On June 11, 1998, the last closing price of the Common Stock as reported by the
Nasdaq Small-Cap Market was $7.688. As of June 11, 1998, the Company had
approximately 3,260 beneficial stockholders.
    
DIVIDEND POLICY

The Company has never declared a cash dividend on its Common Stock. The
Convertible Preferred Stock dividend rate is 5% paid quarterly. Other than these
dividends, the Board of Directors presently intends to retain all earnings for
use in the Company's business, and therefore, does not anticipate paying any
other cash dividends in the foreseeable future. The declaration of dividends, if
any, in the future would be subject to the discretion of the Board of Directors,
which may consider factors such as the Company's results of operations,
financial condition, capital needs and acquisition strategy, among others. See
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations".

                                 USE OF PROCEEDS

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

                                       14
<PAGE>
                                 CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth the unaudited capitalization of the Company as of
March 31, 1998. The historical column represents amounts previously reported,
whereas the as adjusted column gives effect on a pro forma basis to the issuance
of 120,000 shares of Convertible Preferred Stock.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            Historical         As Adjusted
                                                          ---------------    ----------------

Long-term debt:
<S>                                                       <C>                <C>            
    Notes payable, less current installments............  $      112,000     $       112,000
    Obligations under capital leases, less current
     installments.......................................         241,000             241,000

        Total long-term debt............................         353,000             353,000

Stockholders' equity:

    Preferred stock, $.01 par  value; 10,000,000
     shares authorized; 120,000 issued (as
     adjusted)..........................................  $         ----     $         1,200

    Common stock, $.01 par value; 15,000,000 shares
     authorized; 11,044,568 shares issued and
     outstanding........................................         110,000             110,000

    Additional capital..................................      18,206,000          21,204,800

    Accumulated deficit.................................     (10,191,000)       (10,191,000)
                                                           --------------     ---------------

        Total stockholders' equity......................       8,125,000          11,125,000
                                                           --------------     ---------------

Total capitalization....................................  $    8,478,000     $    11,478,000
                                                          ===============    ================
</TABLE>

                                       15
<PAGE>
                      SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

The selected consolidated financial data presented below for the five-year
period ended December 31, 1997, have been derived from the audited historical
consolidated financial statements of the Company. The selected consolidated
financial data for the three months ended March 31, 1998 and 1997 have been
derived from the unaudited historical financial statements of the Company. The
historical financial data include the results of continuing operations,
discontinued operations and operations of acquired businesses from their dates
of acquisition. The selected financial data should be read in conjunction with
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" and the Company's consolidated financial statements and the notes
thereto.

                                       16
<PAGE>
                           ($ in thousands, except per share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                  MARCH 31,                                YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                            -------------------       --------------------------------------------------------------
STATEMENT OF
OPERATIONS:                                   1998         1997          1997          1996          1995         1994         1993
                                            ------       ------       -------       -------       -------       ------       ------
<S>                                          <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>          <C>  
Total revenues .......................       3,032        3,626        14,939        12,129        10,935        8,524        6,515
Cost of services and products ........       2,006        1,917         7,800         7,578         6,037        5,410        3,452
Marketing, general &
 administrative ......................       1,816        1,466         6,239         6,753         6,161        5,670        2,791
Interest expense, net ................          22           22            90            72            63           16           21
                                            ------       ------       -------       -------       -------       ------       ------
Income  (loss)  from
 continuing operations ...............        (812)         221           810        (2,274)       (1,326)      (2,572)         251
Income  (loss)  from
 discontinued operations .............         (46)        (207)         (558)         (660)          112          (59)        (282)
Provision for operating
 loss during phase out
 period ..............................        --           --             (56)         --            --           --           --
                                            ======       ======       =======       =======       =======       ======       ======
Net income (loss) ....................        (858)          14           196        (2,934)       (1,214)      (2,631)         (31)
                                            ======       ======       =======       =======       =======       ======       ======

Income (loss) per
 common share from
 continuing operations:
    Basic ............................       (0.07)        0.02          0.08         (0.21)        (0.14)       (0.01)        0.03
    Diluted ..........................       (0.07)        0.02          0.07         (0.21)        (0.14)       (0.01)        0.03
Income (loss)  per
 common share from
 discontinued
 operations
 - including phase out
 period:
    Basic ............................        0.00        (0.02)        (0.06)        (0.06)         0.01        (0.27)       (0.04)
    Diluted ..........................        0.00        (0.02)        (0.06)        (0.06)         0.01        (0.27)       (0.04)
Net income (loss):
    Basic ............................       (0.08)        --            0.02         (0.28)        (0.12)       (0.28)        --
    Diluted ..........................       (0.08)        --            0.02         (0.28)        (0.12)       (0.28)        --

<CAPTION>
                           THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                MARCH 31,                   YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                -------       ----------------------------------------------------
BALANCE SHEET DATA:               1998        1997        1996       1995       1994         1993
- -----------------------------   -------       ------      ------      ------      -----      -----

Working capital .............       (29)         745         455       2,143      1,370      5,174
Total assets ................    11,584       12,259      11,408      10,136      7,780      9,712
Total long-term
 obligations ................       353          466         457         441        541        311
Total stockholders'
 equity .....................     8,125        8,749       7,964       7,965      6,022      8,617
</TABLE>
                                       17
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS

THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION SHOULD BE READ IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE COMPANY'S
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND RELATED NOTES, AND "SELECTED CONSOLIDATED
FINANCIAL DATA" INCLUDED ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS. THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION
CONTAINS FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS THAT INVOLVE RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES. ACTUAL
RESULTS COULD VARY SUBSTANTIALLY FROM THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. FACTORS
THAT MAY CONTRIBUTE TO THESE DIFFERENCES ARE DISCUSSED IN "RISK FACTORS" AND
ELSEWHERE IN THIS PROSPECTUS.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

OVERVIEW

The Company provides state-of-the-art Internet services, innovative solutions
for online technology and sophisticated data retrieval tools. The Company
develops, markets, and operates Internet sites and major online networks serving
the financial industry. The Company's products and services, which are based
upon its proprietary online operating system and user software, allow its
customers to electronically access and analyze information through their
personal computer systems.

The Company's primary product line is a system of Internet and online financial
services and products provided directly to users as well as under private label
agreements with third parties, which allow investors to (1) obtain financial
news and information; (2) perform fundamental and technical analyses; (3) design
and backtest personalized searches using current and historical information on
more than 220,000 equities, indices and currencies; and (4) perform portfolio
management and personal investment planning.

Revenue is generated in the form of Internet and online service fees, fees from
third parties, product sales, and affiliate contract and advertising revenue.
The Company's Internet and online service revenue is composed of individual
subscribers paying recurring monthly usage fees and annual subscription fees,
together with fees from third parties for providing private label versions of
the Company's database applications. Product revenue is generated from the sale
of online system software, software and service enhancements, major product
upgrades and related educational and training products such as books and
videotapes. The Company's software products generally reflect a common base
technology to which additional features can be added to satisfy the various
needs of the sophisticated user. Accordingly, product revenue primarily consists
of revenue from product enhancements and major upgrades. Advertising revenue is
generated by displaying the advertisers medium on the Company's website with
rates tied to thousands of impressions. The Company's contract revenue is
generated from providing contract service to related parties. These contract
services include developing, operating and maintaining online database systems
and providing administrative services.

THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998  COMPARED TO THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1997

For the three months ended March 31, 1998, service revenues were lower by
$541,000, or 18%, as compared to March 31, 1997. An agreement with American
Express terminated during 1997 and combined with other American Express revenues
in 1997 accounted for a revenue decrease of $390,000 for the quarter ended March
31, 1998 compared with March 31, 1997. Revenue from other private label
agreements was lower by $136,000 for the same time period. Online revenue
totaled $1,791,000 and $1,864,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 1998 and 1997,
respectively. The decreases in service revenue and online revenue were partially
offset by a $69,000 increase in advertising revenue for the quarter ended March
31, 1998 over the same period in 1997.

Product revenue decreased from $332,000 for the three months ended March 31,
1997 to $238,000 for the three months ended March 31, 1998. Marketing efforts
targeted at increasing software product sales were not as successful as
anticipated in the first quarter.

                                       18
<PAGE>
Contract revenue from affiliates was higher by $41,000, or 13%, for the quarter
ended March 31, 1998 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 1997, due
to increased revenues from Telebuild.

Cost of service for the quarter ended March 31, 1998 was $1,906,000 as compared
to $1,739,000 for the three months ended March 31, 1997, representing an
increase of $167,000, or 10%. Amortization of software development costs totaled
$307,000 for the three months ended March 31, 1998 as compared to $209,000 for
the quarter ended March 31, 1997. Data costs rose $57,000, or 24%, due to new
data providers and increases in minimum fees. Costs associated with the higher
Telebuild revenue increased $37,000 for the three months ended March 31, 1998 as
compared to the same period in 1997. These increases were partially offset by a
$51,000 decrease in communication expense.

Cost of products decreased $78,000, or 44%, for the three months ended March 31,
1998 compared to March 31, 1997, reflecting a decrease in products sold.

Selling and marketing expenses increased $72,000, or 14%, from $499,000 to
$571,000 for March 31, 1997 versus March 31, 1998. Advertising/sales promotion
expenses increased by $92,000 compared to the prior year quarter.

General and administrative expenses were higher for the three months ended March
31, 1998 over March 31, 1997 by $278,000, or 29%. Of the total increase, $70,000
was attributable to higher net salary expenses. Net salary expense includes
gross salary reduced by amounts capitalized as software development costs.
Depreciation/equipment rental was higher by $45,000 for the period ended March
31, 1998 over the same time period in 1997. Public relation/shareholder expenses
were higher by $29,000 for the period ended March 31, 1998 as compared to the
same time period in 1997. Accruals for tax expense increased by $30,000 for the
same time period comparison.

1997 COMPARED TO 1996

Revenue for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 increased $2,810,000, or
23%, from 1996 reflecting higher revenues under private label agreements and
increased subscription and advertising revenue from the Company's Wall Street
City website. Service revenues from the Company's alliance with American Express
were $1,037,000 higher in 1997. The additional fees were for licenses,
development, website management and customer service support. License fees of
$750,000 from Citibank were included in service revenue in 1997. Revenues from
Wall Street City rose by $502,000 from 1996 to 1997. Product revenues declined
$383,000 due to greater emphasis placed on development of the Company's website
in preference to online software products and reduced marketing expenditures.
Contract revenue from affiliates was higher by $485,000, or 56%, reflecting
higher development expenses.

Cost of services was higher by 11%, or $680,000, between the year ended December
31, 1997 and 1996. Royalty/data costs remained relatively consistent at
approximately $2,000,000 for both 1997 and 1996. Amortization expense rose
$256,000 in 1997 from 1996. Costs associated with affiliated revenue increased
by $523,000 over 1996. Cost of products was $458,000, or 40%, lower for the year
ended December 31, 1997 as compared to the same period in 1996. In 1997 the
Company eliminated unprofitable seminars which resulted in a $204,000 reduction
in seminar expense. The reduction in product sales and the reduced seminar
expenses accounted for the lower product costs.

Selling expense was lower by $199,000, or 10%, for the year ended December 31,
1997 as compared to December 31, 1996. Sales promotion expenses were
approximately $47,000 lower in the current year. Also contributing to the
reduction were decreases in travel and entertainment and tradeshows/seminars
expense.

General and administrative expenses decreased from 1996 to 1997 by $315,000, or
7%. Consulting fees and legal fees were each lower by approximately $150,000.
Telephone expenses allocated to general and administrative expenses were
$130,000 lower. Some leases previously considered to be operating leases and
categorized as lease expense have been determined to be capital leases and the
related expense has been reclassified as depreciation expense. Notwithstanding
this adjustment, lease expenses were higher in 1997 than in 1996 by $230,000.

                                       19
<PAGE>
1996 COMPARED TO 1995

Total revenue increased $1,194,000, or 11%, from 1995 to 1996. Service revenue
accounted for the majority of the increase with the addition of the American
Express contract for a total of $473,000. Other new private label agreements
added $544,000 to service revenue. Product revenue decreased $370,000, or 16%.
Product revenue was higher in 1995 due to the release of Telescan Investor's
Platform ("TIP") for Windows during the year. This was partially offset by the
release of ProSearch 5.0 in 1996. Contract revenue from affiliates increased
$295,000 as Telebuild development activities increased significantly.

Cost of service and products increased from $6,037,000 for the year ended
December 31, 1995 to $7,578,000 for the year ended December 31, 1996. Due to
increased service revenue, royalty and data costs increased by $464,000.
Amortization of capitalized costs was higher by $366,000. Costs of services
associated with contract revenues from affiliates increased $261,000 from 1995
to 1996.

Marketing expenses decreased $381,000, or 16%, from the fiscal year 1995 to
1996. In 1995, there was no capitalization of salaries within marketing
expenses. In 1996, the effect of salary capitalization was a net reduction in
expense of $421,000.

General and administrative expense was higher in 1996 as compared to 1995 by
$973,000. Salary expense, net of capitalization as software development,
increased by $383,000. Certain departments included in marketing expense in 1995
were reclassified to general and administrative expense in 1996. Legal expense
increased by $138,000 in 1996 and depreciation expense was higher by $168,000.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
   
At March 31, 1998 the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $315,000 and
($29,000) of negative working capital. The Company expects the cash position to
improve over the next several months from revenue associated with recently
signed contracts. However, in light of the possibility that the timing of cash
flows may not be sufficient to satisfy current obligations, the Board of
Directors determined that it was appropriate to raise working capital and
authorized the issuance of 120,000 shares of Convertible Preferred Stock for
proceeds of $3,000,000.

The Company's primary capital needs are for the continued investment in
technology through its software development activities and the purchase of
computers. The Company estimates that it may invest up to an additional $800,000
in capital expenditures, to include both hardware and software, over the next
twelve months.

The Company believes that the cash generated from expected improvements in
operations, proceeds from long-term capital leasing and the proceeds from the
issuance of the Convertible Preferred Stock will meet the Company's working
capital requirements in the foreseeable future.
    
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1998

At March 31, 1998, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $315,000,
representing a decrease of $775,000 since December 31, 1997. Net cash used by
operating activities was $87,000 for the three months ended March 31, 1998,
compared to cash provided by operations of $492,000 for the three months ended
March 31, 1997. This $579,000 decrease in cash used by operations primarily
reflects the loss of $858,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 1998, partially
offset by a reduction in discontinued operation losses and an increase in
accounts payable.

The Company's primary capital needs are for the continued investment in
technology through its software development activities and the purchase of
computers equipment. During the three months ended March 31, 1998, the Company
invested $631,000 in software development costs.

                                       20
<PAGE>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1997

At December 31, 1997, the Company had cash and cash equivalents aggregating
$1,090,000, which represents a $423,000 increase from the prior year. Net cash
provided by operating activities was $2,257,000 for the year ended December 31,
1997 compared to cash used by operations of $666,000 for the year ended December
31, 1996. This $2,923,000 increase in cash provided by operations was primarily
due to the turnaround from a net loss of $2,934,000 in 1996 to a profit of
$196,000 in 1997.

During the year ended December 31, 1997, the Company invested $2,188,000 in
software development costs and acquired property and equipment totaling $483,000
(including equipment financed by long-term debt and capital leases).

SEASONALITY

The Company does not believe that seasonality has a discernible effect on the
Company's aggregate results of operations, which is influenced by an array of
other diverse factors, including general economic and stock market conditions,
new product releases, and the existence or absence of significant contracts.

YEAR 2000 ISSUE

The Company has developed a task force to review its computer programs and
systems and ensure that the programs and systems will function properly and be
Year 2000 compliant. In this process, the Company expects to upgrade some
existing systems. The Company presently believes that, with modifications to
existing software, the Year 2000 problem will not pose significant operational
problems for the Company's computer systems. The estimated cost of these efforts
are not expected to be material to the Company's financial position or any
year's results of operations.


                                       21
<PAGE>
                                    BUSINESS

GENERAL

The Company provides state-of-the-art Internet services, innovative solutions
for online technology and sophisticated data retrieval tools. The Company
develops, markets, and operates Internet sites and major online networks serving
the financial industry. The Company's products and services, which are based
upon its proprietary online operating system and user software, allow its
customers to electronically access and analyze information through their
personal computer systems.

The Company's primary product line is a system of Internet and online financial
services and products provided directly to users as well as under private label
agreements with third parties, which allow investors to (1) obtain financial
news and information; (2) perform fundamental and technical analyses; (3) design
and backtest personalized searches using current and historical information on
more than 220,000 equities, indices and currencies; and (4) perform portfolio
management and personal investment planning.

The Company's Internet and online financial services and products contain
proprietary software technologies, developed or acquired by the Company, which
increase the speed, power and user friendliness of information retrieval while
lowering costs to users. The Company's primary Internet site, Wall Street
City(R) (www.wallstreetcity.com), also employs software provided by others on a
fee and/or revenue sharing basis.

The core of the Company's technology is its unique modular and parallel host
configuration, designed and developed by the Company's founder, Dr. Richard K.
Carlin. This configuration permits simultaneous reception of multiple inputs
from a large array of information sources while permitting simultaneous output
to thousands of users with entirely different information processing requests.
The system supports the addition of a wide variety of specialty designed modular
tools created by both the Company and outside vendors. In addition, the Company
has interfaced the host configuration to a wide variety of communication
sources, including the Internet, several major package switch carriers, a number
of wireless interfaces and other gateways to online hosts. The hardware
configuration and the operating system that make it so powerful and responsive
are all the proprietary design of the Company. In 1997, the Company was awarded
a patent on its core database development technology for quickly building
customized online systems for multiple users.

The most important retrieval technique developed by the Company is the optimal
search technology, which replaces the outmoded sequential elimination type
search used by most competitors. The Company fully supports the earlier search
methodology as well. The optimal search allows for a large number of criteria to
be used in a scoring type system with full weighting capability. This allows the
user to retrieve a list of "search hits" in order of their ability to satisfy
the user's requirements on an optimal basis as opposed to an elimination basis.
In addition, the Company has developed graphical interfaces for Windows.

Revenue is generated in the form of Internet and online service fees, fees from
third parties, product sales, and affiliate contract and advertising revenue.
The Company's significant increase in revenue over the past three years is
primarily attributable to the expansion of private labeling agreements,
increases in the Company's subscriber base and the growing popularity of the
Company's financial website, Wall Street City. This growth reflects an increase
in the Internet and online services market, the growth of the discount brokerage
market and the Company's continued investment in customer acquisition through
technology development and marketing.

The Company's Internet and online service revenue is generated from individual
subscribers paying recurring monthly usage fees and annual subscription fees,
together with fees from third parties for providing private label versions of
the Company's database applications. Product revenue is generated from the sale
of online system software, software and service enhancements, major product
upgrades and related educational and training products such as books and
videotapes. The Company's software products generally reflect a common base
technology to which additional features 

                                       22
<PAGE>
can be added to satisfy the various needs of the sophisticated user.
Accordingly, product revenue primarily consists of revenue from product
enhancements and major upgrades. The Company's contract revenue is generated
from providing contract service to related parties. These contract services
include developing, operating and maintaining online database systems and
providing administrative services. The Company's website serves as an
advertising medium with rates tied to thousands of impressions.

The Company's primary market has historically been the sophisticated individual
investor. However, the growth of the Internet in concert with the burgeoning
discount brokerage market has broadened the appeal of the Company's products and
services. The Company has responded by expanding editorial content and
availability of newsletters, redesigned its Wall Street City website to
facilitate its user friendliness, and increased the level of educational
information and aids it provides.

The Company currently operates the following non-financial businesses that have
been classified as discontinued operations as of November 1997: (1) numerous
non-financial third party Internet and online services which are developed and
operated via alliances with third parties in the publishing, entertainment, and
space industries; (2) sports entertainment operations, which offers online
computer sports games to golf and baseball enthusiasts; and (3) KE, an online
database system for the commercialization and transfer of technology which
serves corporations, government agencies, universities, and research
institutions. The Board has approved the spin-off of these segments to
concentrate efforts and resources on core financial business and its potential
growth opportunities. See "Potential - Spin-Off".

The business of the Company has been operated by the Company or its predecessors
since 1983. The Company, which is a Delaware Company, was incorporated in 1988
under the name Max Ret, Inc. for the purpose of acquiring or participating in a
business opportunity. In 1989 the Company issued 75% of its outstanding common
stock to acquire all of the outstanding common stock of D.B. Technology, Inc.
("DB") d.b.a. Telescan, Inc., and DB's wholly owned subsidiary, Computer Sports
Network ("CSN"). After the acquisition of DB and CSN by the Company, DB was
merged into the Company and the Company changed its name from Max Ret, Inc. to
Telescan, Inc. In December 1991, CSN was merged into the Company.

INDUSTRY

Online services allow personal computer users to access outside sources of
information and interact with other users via telephone line connections
channeled through a central host computer or computers. Online services
typically include information databases and specialized search and retrieval
software maintained by the service provider on the host computer. Interface
software, which is used on the customer's computer, permits users to access
information through the online system. The service provider usually rents or
purchases databases on a non-exclusive basis from third parties and then further
develops such databases for use within the provider's online system. Customers
typically subscribe to an online system for an initial base charge for which
they are granted a license for the interface software needed to access the
online service. Following their subscription, customers are typically charged in
one of two ways. The most common method used by consumer based services is a
periodic subscription fee for which users receive a fixed allotment of time on
the online system, after which they are charged on a per-minute basis. The
second method bills users at varying per minute rates, according to time
actually spent online on the databases. Under both of these methods there are
often additional charges for specific services used within the databases.

Fees for Internet access are similar to online service charges, though lower due
to reduced communication costs. Customers select from several rate plans that
offer varying levels of information and technical features.

The industry's dynamic growth in recent years has resulted from a number of key
factors which are expected to contribute to continued growth in future years.
Some of these key factors include (1) the increasing market awareness of the
Internet and online services; (2) growth in the availability, quality and
marketing of Internet and online products and services; (3) growth in the home
and personal computer markets including mobile "laptop" computing; (4) increased
use of modems for telecommunications; and (5) the development of alternative
access devices such as dedicated 

                                       23
<PAGE>
communications terminals and pagers. The Company believes that as the market
continues to expand, important competitive factors will be system performance,
product differentiation, quality and quantity of content, user friendliness,
price, customer support and effective marketing techniques.

BUSINESS STRATEGY

The Company's mission is to be a worldwide leader in the development of
sophisticated interactive Internet sites and online information systems for
individuals and businesses, through the delivery of superior, cost effective
data retrieval technology, customer user interface programs and communications
services. To achieve this mission, the Company's business strategy is to (1)
increase Telescan's Internet and online customer base and recurring revenue; (2)
build revenue by providing private label financial database access; (3) increase
usage of its Wall Street City website to build advertising revenue; (4) continue
investing in the development of new technology; and (5) increase current
customer usage.

Management believes that the continued investment in customer acquisition, the
continued addition of third party alliances and the resulting increase in
recurring revenue is crucial to the future growth of the Company. This is
achieved by creatively marketing its services and exploiting the Company's
existing proprietary software technologies in the development of new Internet
sites and online systems. Joint marketing relationships with companies selling
related products or services and having large, preexisting customer bases are
also a major source of growth for the Company. Typically the Company is
responsible for software design, development and programming services while the
partner is responsible for supplying the data and marketing the service. The net
revenues of the project are allocated between the parties as agreed.

Developing state-of-the-art technology is key to establishing the Company as a
leader in the industry and is important to the long-term growth and success of
the Company. The Company is continually investing its resources in the
development of new products and services that provide powerful Internet and
online capabilities to users. The Company recently announced a joint venture to
expand its technological base, which includes interfaces to wireless hosts
managed by Wireless Services Corporation. This program will allow the Company
and its partners to launch innovative wireless services such as a powerful alert
system for stock monitoring, utilizing most major pager networks.

Current customers are a valuable Company asset and are an integral component in
the Company's overall business strategy. With customer acquisition costs high,
maintaining current customer usage is of key importance. Maintaining usage is
accomplished by (1) providing access to an increasing array of comprehensive,
high-quality data coupled with powerful and easy-to-use search and analytical
tools; (2) providing free customer training and support to educate existing
customers on the capabilities of the system; and (3) conducting reactivation
campaigns to encourage inactive subscribers to log back onto the system.

The Company has sought to develop brand awareness through public relations
efforts and increasing web links. The Company's services have been frequently
cited in local and national publications and on television. Wall Street City has
received top rankings on the Internet and in the press from Barron's, Lycos, and
Net Guide, among others.

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES

The Company has attempted to develop the market for Internet and online services
by creating and marketing products that build and expand upon the Company's base
technology of proprietary operating systems and user software for database
applications. The Company's single product line is the Telescan system of
financial databases and software programs accessed over the Internet and online.
In 1996, the Company substantially expanded its private labeling arrangements
under agreements with such major corporations as American Express, Charles
Schwab, Fidelity Investments, NETCOM and Standard & Poor's. In 1997, the Company
continued this expansion by signing agreements

                                       24
<PAGE>
with Time Inc. New Media, a subsidiary of Fidelity Investments, and Citibank,
N.A. Telescan receives per user fees, fees for providing "premium" services
and/or reports, and development and licensing fees from such third parties.
Certain agreements guarantee minimum monthly or quarterly payments.

In October 1995, Telescan launched an Internet website which provides access to
the Company's online databases and search and retrieval services. In February
1996, the Company launched its successor site, Wall Street City, a new enhanced
financial website, which it has continuously broadened and upgraded. By March,
1998, Wall Street City was receiving 5.6 million page impressions monthly. The
Company has devoted significant development resources to this part of its
business.

The website also serves as an advertising medium with rates tied to thousands of
impressions. Advertising revenues, while not significant in 1997, are expected
to grow proportionately with the popularity of Wall Street City.

TELESCAN FINANCIAL SERVICES

WALL STREET CITY(R). Wall Street City is a powerful financial supersite on the
Internet that provides investors with the most comprehensive database,
state-of-the-art financial analysis and research tools. The site is an effective
combination of Telescan's most dynamic, innovative analysis tools built into one
supersite located at www.wallstreetcity.com. In November 1997, the Company
introduced a new, revamped Wall Street City, providing investors with an even
easier-to-navigate format and new features.

The site features:

o   Customizable Technical Analysis Charts - Allows users to select multiple
    indicators they want to see on a single chart for individual stocks or
    groups of stocks. Users can also create technical analysis profiles for a
    variety of stocks and save up to 10 separate profiles, which will appear
    each time the stocks are called up on their personal computers.

o   What's Working Now - A major step forward in automated backtesting and
    optimization, wherein the system runs in excess of 35 million searches
    weekly to identify the "best" and "worst" combinations of characteristics
    and generates a list of stocks or funds having the most similar
    characteristics.

o   Multiple Portfolios - Each user can configure up to seven portfolios with a
    maximum of 150 symbols per portfolio.

o   Portfolio Scanning - Portfolios can be scanned for end-of-day technical and
    positive breakouts, stock cycle strengths, and comparative rankings.

o   ActiveX Stock Graph with Technical Analysis - Internet Explorer users with
    Windows '95 or NT can download a powerful ActiveX control to allow technical
    analysis on stock graphs.

o   Search Capabilities - An investor can categorize up to 40 criteria from a
    selection of 300 to identify the top stocks that "fit" the criteria.

o   Personal Investment Planner - Allows investors to assess risks in their
    stock and mutual fund portfolios and provides alternatives to better meet
    their financial goals.

o   Availability of Intranets - Institutions and corporations can provide
    information for brokers, financial planners or employees by buying a site
    license for their Intranets. With the addition of a Common Gateway Interface
    (CGI) program to the Internet server, each employee can log onto Wall Street
    City without separate ID's and passwords.

                                       25
<PAGE>
o   Calculators - Under an agreement with SmartCalc Financial Calculators,
    Inc., users can access SmartCalc's powerful and programmable calculators.
    Investors can use the calculators to answer questions on stock, mutual funds
    and bond returns. Consumers can use the calculators to compute answers on
    home purchases and refinancing, credit cards and household budgeting.

Wall Street City is one of the premier investment analysis products of Telescan.
Wall Street City provides the broad range of services described above for all
levels of investors, as well as quotes, news and fundamentals. It also gives
users access to educational tools, discussion groups and brokers who can help
them make more profitable investment decisions.

TIP@WALLSTREET(TM). Combines TIP software with the Wall Street City Internet
supersite. The program uniquely embeds a web browser in the software to combine
the extraordinary screening tools and analytical capabilities of the Company's
TIP program with the comprehensive database of market information and the
graphics and ease of use of Wall Street City.

TELESCAN INVESTOR'S PLATFORM 2.0(R). Telescan Investor's Platform is the MS
Windows version of the Company's popular financial research, screening and
analysis software described below. Introduced in 1995, TIP offers numerous
enhancements over the DOS-based Analyzer 3.0 software. Some of its features are
improved charting capabilities, unique portfolio-based control for greater
flexibility and faster data retrieval, additional database information such as
end-of-day quotes for most major international exchanges, full-text analyst's
reports, a Market Snapshot for major indexes, improved communications options
including TCP/IP access and interactive roundtables, a Top Picks screening
feature, and expanded automation tools. Features such as multi-tasking and
graphic toolbars that are inherent in the Windows operating environment make TIP
more user-friendly and lead to its improved data presentation options.

TELESCAN ANALYZER(TM) 3.0. This is the most recent DOS-based version of the
Telescan Analyzer product with the capability of accessing other Telescan
products, such as ProSearch and Mutual Fund Search. This product features a
graphical user interface similar to the Microsoft Windows and Apple Macintosh
operating environments. The software allows the user to access the Telescan
database of over 20,000 stocks, over 7,000 mutual funds, over 80,000 active
options, 1,000 market indexes and more than 1,200 futures and commodities
contracts. Telescan Analyzer 3.0 helps the investor evaluate stock portfolios
and mutual fund holdings. Over 80 fundamental and technical indicators such as
price, volume, insider trading, key company facts, volume indexes, trend lines,
news releases, Moving Average Convergence/Divergence ("MACD") and relative
strength are available for analyzing securities. Users can retrieve historical
price and volume charts of up to 23 years of data. Additional features include
multiple graphs per screen, higher graphics resolution, 28,800 baud modem
support, mouse interface and pull down menus, and enhanced system integration
and visual presentation.

PROSEARCH(TM) 5.0. ProSearch is a powerful search program that allows the user
to develop custom screening routines to select securities that best meet the
individual's specific investment goals. The program was designed for serious
investors as a tool for identifying stocks to meet virtually any investment
objective as defined by a wide variety of fundamental and technical indicators.
ProSearch allows the user to select up to 40 parameters from a list of about 300
criteria for building a search strategy. Additionally, investors can utilize
composite, weighted indicators (i.e., short/long term value and technical ranks)
fundamental, momentum, and volume ranks for simplified searches that meet one's
specific investment strategies. ProSearch users can test and retest strategies
by searching their historical performance back to 36 months. The program is
shipped with 30 pre-defined search strategies that can also be used for
narrowing the list of potentially profitable investments.

ESEARCH. Built as a complement to the ProSearch program, ESearch adds the
ability to screen for investment candidates based on earnings estimate
information. Earnings estimates are very important to investors in that they are
often a preview of Wall Street's positive or negative perception of a particular
stock.

                                       26
<PAGE>
OPTIONS SEARCH. This product is a screening program that allows an investor to
sort through more than 80,000 equity and index options using the Company's
unique scoring system to pick the options that best fit the user's investment
objectives. The investor chooses up to 30 of the 122 screening criteria to
produce a list of options that are best suited to his or her needs.

QUOTELINK. This product permits users of competing financial analysis software
and spreadsheet programs to download information from the Telescan database into
such programs. QuoteLink is compatible with all the major competitive programs
such as AIQ, Metastock, Super Charts, OmniTrader, OmniPro, Indigo, Quicken,
Lotus and Excel.

TELESCAN MUTUAL FUND SEARCH. This product is a mutual fund screening program
that allows an investor to sort through more than over 7,000 mutual funds using
the Company's unique scoring system to pick the funds that best fit the user's
investment objectives. The selection criteria are grouped into three main
categories: purchase requirements, performance and consistency characteristics,
and portfolio composition. The investor then chooses up to 30 of the 80
individual criteria contained within the categories to produce a list of mutual
funds that are best suited to their needs.

TELESCAN PORTFOLIO MANAGER. Telescan Portfolio Manager is a DOS-based securities
portfolio management program that was developed as a joint venture between the
Company and The Pilot Group, Inc. The program offers a wide variety of report
options and was designed to provide speed and power in a user-friendly manner
that forgives many common user mistakes and accepts corrections with ease.

TELESCAN DIRECT(TM). A customizable wireless service that helps consumers keep
track of their investments anywhere, any time, via their alpha-numeric pagers,
PCS mobile phones or personal e-mail addresses. An investor can schedule and
receive stock price updates up to 15 times a day for their custom portfolio.
Telescan Direct also automatically tracks and delivers news alerts, price and
volume alerts on 30 stocks based on parameters the consumer selects.

PRIVATE-LABELED FINANCIAL ALLIANCES

AMERICAN EXPRESS. In September 1996, the Company entered into an alliance
agreement with American Express Financial Direct ("American Express"), a
division of American Express Company, under which Telescan's online financial
services are available as part of American Express' InvestDirect, a
state-of-the-art Internet-based trading and investment research and analysis
service. Under the agreement Telescan provides a proprietary assortment of
investment decision support services.

CITIBANK, N.A. In September 1997, the Company entered into an initial letter
agreement with Citibank, N.A. ("Citibank") setting out in broad terms various
services that the Company would provide to Citibank. In February, 1998, the
Company and Citibank entered into a master agreement, which contemplates the
issuance of work orders for specific projects and services to be provided on an
ongoing basis. Telescan expects to receive and carry out a number of such work
orders for Internet tools and services. The first work order was signed in March
1998.

FIDELITY. In October 1996, the Company announced that Fidelity Investments, one
of the nation's leading providers of financial services, began offering a
customized assortment of Telescan's financial information resources and
analytical tools as part of its newly introduced Windows-based investment
management and trading software package - Fidelity On-line Xpress+(TM).

FIDELITY STOCK SHOP. In July 1997, the Company signed a multi-year contract with
a subsidiary of Fidelity Investments to provide the database of financial
information for the new guide to investing, The Stock Shop with Peter Lynch(TM),
an interactive CD-ROM that links with the Internet. The program helps consumers
learn how to become more informed investors based on key concepts taken from
Peter Lynch's best-selling personal finance books. Users can then apply these
concepts to assess financial information about markets and companies. Telescan's
online stock research is the source of much of that information.

                                       27
<PAGE>
I.D.E.A. In May 1996, the Company announced an alliance with Independent
Economic Analysis (Holdings) Pte. Limited ("I.D.E.A."), a leading international
provider of independent financial and economic analysis, servicing 1,700 major
trading rooms worldwide. Telescan has been developing private-labeled online
services for I.D.E.A. Commencement of services to the public by I.D.E.A. will
take place in 1998.

INFORMATION HIGHWAY. In December 1997, the Company reached an agreement with
Information Highway, Inc. to develop and manage financial content for the
Canadian-based Internet company's Unique Networks division. Telescan's financial
content will be co-branded for Unique Network's The Executive Club website. The
Executive Club (www.theexecutiveclub.com) is a dedicated suite of services for
business professionals and executives. Commencement of these services will take
place in 1998.

SCHWAB. Under the terms of a 1993 agreement, Telescan provides customers of
Charles Schwab & Co. ("Schwab") access to Telescan's data and third party
reports. In 1996, Schwab and Telescan entered into a second agreement under
which the Company provides its financial research and screening software, TIP,
as part of Schwab's electronic trading platform, Streetsmart Pro, that Schwab is
offering at no charge to its most active retail traders. The Company and Schwab
are in the process of converting those users to direct Telescan subscribers.

STANDARD & POOR'S. In July 1996, the Company and Standard & Poor's ("S&P"), a
division of the McGraw-Hill companies, announced the introduction of an online
platform built and hosted by Telescan. The application allows the investment
community to access a suite of S&P's financial information products. In 1998,
the Company introduced S&P's Daily Dividend Record to the Internet.

TIME INC. NEW MEDIA. In October 1997, the Company and Time Inc. New Media
announced a strategic agreement to develop FORTUNEInvestor, an Internet website
for investors that combines FORTUNE editorial content with Telescan's
comprehensive stock and mutual fund information and analysis tools. Under the
agreement, Time Inc. New Media, in addition to providing FORTUNE editorial
content for the website, will be responsible for sales and marketing. Telescan
will provide its financial database, state-of-the-art financial analysis and
research tools, web development and site management.

OTHER

In addition to its online database services, the Company also performs software
design, development, and programming under contract for third parties and for
related parties. The Company also offers video training tapes, financial books,
and monthly newsletters in conjunction with its Telescan financial products.

The Company's online services employ databases that consist of information
typically obtained from public and private third-party sources, usually on a
non-exclusive basis. Therefore, the Company's business is dependent upon its
ability to obtain and maintain, on an ongoing basis, information for inclusion
in the Company's databases. Acquisition of databases typically involves the
payment by the Company of a one-time fee and/or royalties based on some
combination of user subscriptions and actual database usage. Information
suppliers typically license access to data on a yearly renewable basis, subject
to termination by either party upon 90 to 180 days notice. The Company also
obtains information pursuant to non-exclusive licenses from private sector
information compilers, some of which currently are or in the future may be
direct or indirect competitors of the Company.

MARKETING

The Company's online services are sold to customers for an initial licensing fee
followed by monthly charges under either a monthly fixed fee package or on a per
minute basis based upon actual online usage. Internet services are sold on fixed
fee plans that are differentiated by the data and reports that can be accessed.
To attract new subscribers, the 

                                       28
<PAGE>
Company typically offers initial money back guarantees and trial subscriptions.
The Company also offers free trial periods for one month to subscribers of Wall
Street City.

The Company's marketing objectives for its Internet and online services are to
increase the number of subscribers, to sell additional products to existing
subscribers and to increase average monthly online use per subscriber. The
channels for increasing the number of subscribers include public relations,
joint marketing agreements, trade shows and seminars, advertising, direct sales
and word-of-mouth. The Company advertises in Investor's Business Daily,
Barron's, Stocks & Commodities, other print media, and through Internet banner
ads.

The Company's primary market has historically been the sophisticated individual
investor. The Company has significantly increased its individual subscriber base
through advertising and marketing arrangements with major discount brokerage
firms including American Express, Fidelity Investments Retail Services, Quick &
Reilly, AccuTrade, and Schwab. These marketing arrangements typically call for
the brokerage firm to incorporate and package the Telescan financial software
and a gateway to the Telescan database into their software products, or to
incorporate an application interface in their software that allows access to the
Telescan database. Typically, these third parties are responsible for their own
marketing programs.

The Company actively seeks additional private labeling relationships for its
financial products. In 1997, the Company entered into agreements with Citibank,
a subsidiary of Fidelity Investments, Standard & Poor's and Time Inc. New Media.

Telescan markets advertising space on Wall Street City and shares in advertising
revenue marketed by affiliates.

Because of the breadth and cost effectiveness of the Company's financial online
system, the Company targets users of competitors' financial analysis software
packages as a source of online revenue. The Company has application interface
products facilitating the downloading of information from the Telescan database
to users of competitors' analysis software. The Company has continued to
leverage the opportunity to tap the large data downloading market through
cooperative alliances with several major charting software publishers including
AIQ, Metastock, Omega, OmniPro, Indigo and Nirvana.

MATERIAL CUSTOMERS

Revenue earned from American Express amounted to 10.1% and 3.9% of consolidated
revenue during the years ended December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively. No
revenues were earned from American Express during the fiscal year 1995. For the
three months ended March 31, 1998 revenue from American Express accounted for
4.3% of consolidated revenue. During 1997 and 1996, the Company provided
contract services for Telebuild, accounting for 8.8% and 6.1% of consolidated
revenues. For the three months ended March 31, 1998, Telebuild revenue totaled
11.2% of consolidated revenues.

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

The Company has developed and acquired proprietary software technologies to make
its products easy to use and to achieve efficient searching of extensive
databases using simple, non-Boolean logic search queries. Consequently, the
Company believes that by using its proprietary technologies it can deliver
superior Internet and online database services. The Company intends to employ
its proven software technologies in developing additional products serving new
markets and customers.

   
Telescan's software development staff develop new products and provide
maintenance support for existing products. During the years ended December 31,
1997, 1996 and 1995, the Company spent approximately $2,188,000, $1,547,000 and
$1,107,000, respectively, for the software development activities, all of which
was capitalized. For the three months ended March 31, 1998, the Company
capitalized $631,000 as software development costs. All software development

                                       29
<PAGE>
costs are charged to expense until technological feasibility is established,
after which remaining software production costs are capitalized and amortized
over periods ranging from three to five years. Maintenance costs are charged to
expense in the period incurred. The Company also continuously evaluates
opportunities to obtain new products through acquisition.
    

PROPRIETARY RIGHTS

The Company relies upon a combination of contract provisions and copyrights,
patents, trademarks and trade secret laws to protect its proprietary rights in
its products. The Company attempts to protect its trade secrets and other
proprietary information through software licenses, nondisclosure agreements with
product development partners, employees and consultants. Although the Company
intends to protect and defend its proprietary rights vigorously, there can be no
assurance that these measures will be successful.

With respect to software technologies that the Company has licensed to third
parties for use in specific applications, the Company has entered into licensing
agreements which are intended to protect the proprietary rights of the Company
in such technologies. The Company seeks to protect the source code of its
products as a trade secret and as an unpublished copyright work.

The Company was granted a patent in 1997 by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
for its core database development technology for quickly building customized
online systems for multiple users. The patent was awarded for Telescan's
"Multi-provider online communications system, an interactive system for remotely
creating, editing and administering communications systems for online service
providers". The Company has filed a patent application with the U.S. Patent and
Trademark Office for a new patent, "Interactive systems for remotely creating,
editing and administering an online communication system for a plurality of
online service providers". In addition, the Company has filed patent
applications in certain foreign countries. The Company believes that its
products, trademarks and other proprietary rights do not infringe on the
proprietary rights of third parties, and the Company is not aware of any current
infringement claims against the Company. There can be no assurance that third
parties will not assert infringement claims against the Company in the future
with respect to current or future features or contents of services or that any
such assertion may not require the Company to enter into royalty arrangements or
result in litigation.

COMPUTER AND NETWORK OPERATIONS

The Company's data center computer system consists of commonly available PC
processors, disk storage devices and telecommunications equipment, operated by a
common operating system which is proprietary to the Company. The Company
typically screens and filters incoming data feeds from third parties, using
specific software routines, in order to detect errors and certain detectable
viruses.

The Company's data center is located at the Company's headquarters facility. The
data center has separate air conditioning units and the equipment room has a
raised floor. The power system includes power conditioning, back-up battery, and
full "zero downtime" emergency generator support on site, which is supplied by
the facility owner. Data is regularly backed up and stored off-site and certain
data is duplicated on separate storage devices within the data center. The
building in which the data center is located has off-hours card key access, card
key access to the Company's officers, separate card key access to the data
center and 24 hour on site security personnel. The Company believes that data
center system redundancy is afforded by the Company's ability to use commonly
available computer processors, storage devices, and communications equipment,
including the Company's non-data center computer systems, in its data center in
case of equipment failure or other emergency. The Company's telecommunications
network consists of the public packet switching networks provided by Sprint,
Network Two, UUNET and MCI. Through these networks, subscribers in hundreds of
cities in the U.S. and Canada can dial a local number to connect to the
Company's online services.

                                       30
<PAGE>
The Company believes that its computer and communications hardware systems are
adequate for existing operations. The Company purchases additional hardware as
required in order to accommodate any significant increases in the customer base
for the Company's existing products and services, and to accommodate additional
products and services.

The Company continually upgrades its computers and peripheral hardware to take
advantage of technological advances. Further, the Company believes that future
hardware and software advances will serve to improve the performance of the
Company's systems.

COMPETITION

The Company competes with many companies who operate proprietary and/or Internet
websites and online systems, many of which have significantly greater financial,
technical and marketing resources than the Company. In addition, a substantial
number of new competitors are entering the Internet and online services market
as a result of the recent growth and the perceived future opportunities in this
market. The Company believes the principal competitive factors in the online
services market include system performance, product differentiation, quality and
quantity of content, user friendliness, price, customer support and effective
marketing techniques. The Company believes that it competes effectively in these
areas. Competitive pressures could result in reduced market share, price
reductions and increased spending on marketing and product development, which
could adversely affect the Company's financial condition and operating results.
However, the Company believes that its business strategy of building marketing
relationships with larger partners and expanding the range of its Internet and
online offerings may serve to lessen the impact of future competitive pressures
on the Company.

EMPLOYEES
   
As of March 31, 1998, the Company had 131 full-time employees, with 23 employed
in sales and marketing; 29 in customer service; 18 in computer operations; 33 in
product development; and 28 in general management and contract administration.
In addition, there are 19 employees in the operations subject to the proposed
spin-off. None of the Company's employees is represented by a labor union, and
the Company has never experienced a work stoppage.
    
GOVERNMENTAL REGULATION

The Company is not subject to direct regulation other than regulation generally
applicable to businesses. However, changes in the regulatory environment
relating to the telecommunications and media industries could have an effect on
the Company's business, including regulatory changes which directly or
indirectly affect telecommunication costs or increase the likelihood or scope of
competition from regional telephone and cable television companies. The Company
cannot predict the impact, if any, future regulation may have on its business.

                                       31
<PAGE>
POTENTIAL SPIN-OFF
   
In the fourth quarter of 1997, the Board of Directors approved the spin-off of
the Company's non-financial assets and operations in a move to focus on its core
financial services information-technology business. Under the preliminary plan
approved by the Company's Board of Directors, the Company intends to spin-off
its online publishing and sports entertainment lines of business. The Company
will also dispose of its approximate 56% interest KE, a provider of online
databases for the governmental, educational and research markets, and its
approximate 15 percent interest in Telebuild, which provides online services and
software products to the building and construction industry. The Company had
expected to announce detailed plans for the spin-off during the first half of
1998. However, in light of the Company's decision to engage NationsBanc
Montgomery Securities LLC to advise the Company in exploring strategic
alternatives, the Company will solicit such advice before taking further action
related to the potential spin-off. Results of the operations and assets to be
disposed of are treated as discontinued operations.
    
The Company's publishing industry operations encompass the development and
operation of online and database services for a variety of publications. The
Company, for example, operates Billboard Online, Adweek Online and the Hollywood
Reporter for BPI Communications, L.P. Its sports entertainment operations
include database and online support for The Links Tour interactive computer golf
tournaments under an agreement with Access Software, Inc. Also included is Pure
Baseball, an online game designed for fantasy baseball enthusiasts, under an
agreement with Reality Sports, Inc.

Telebuild provides architects, engineers and construction professionals access
to business-related information and services via the Internet and enables
municipal building departments to provide access to their information on the
Internet. Telebuild's Online Permits service allows tracking and researching the
building permits process from any personal computer without having to visit the
municipal building departments. Its AIAOnline service, in conjunction with the
American Institute for Architects, provides architects with content and services
to assist them with their daily professional lives.

KE provides multiple databases combining proprietary information on ongoing
research, emerging technologies and new invention abstracts with third-party
databases. The Company's customers are typically decision-makers for research
and invention sources seeking to supplement their research and development or
product pipelines, and researchers and scientists in search of partners or
sponsors.

FACILITIES

The Company's principal executive offices, as well as its principal marketing,
computer operations and product development activities, are located in leased
facilities in Houston, Texas, consisting of a total of approximately 54,108
square feet. The current monthly rental for this facility is approximately
$53,000. The lease expires in 2007. The Company believes that its facilities are
adequate for its present needs and that suitable space will be available to
accommodate its anticipated future needs. The Company has a 5 year option for
15,769 square feet of contiguous office space.

LITIGATION

In 1997, Gregory Reagan filed a suit against the Company in the District Court
of Harris County Texas. The plaintiff has asserted a claim under a verbal
agreement (the "Omega Agreement") to pay a royalty or finder's fee incident to a
reciprocal marketing agreement which Telescan signed with Omega Research, Inc.
("Omega"). Under the Omega Agreement, Omega is given a financial incentive to
encourage Omega's customers to subscribe for the Company's current stock market
data services. The plaintiff claims a share of the net revenues derived by the
Company under the Omega Agreement. By letter dated February 28, 1996, the
Company gave notice of cancellation of the Omega Agreement with Gregory Reagan
based on the breaches of Reagan's duties under such verbal agreement. The
Company 

                                       32
<PAGE>
has made offers of settlement. The Company maintains that the Omega Agreement
was properly canceled. The trial, which was set to begin March 30, 1998, has
been postponed and has been rescheduled for June 22, 1998. Reagan recently
amended his petition to add a fraud claim to the case with a request for
punitive damages. The Company vigorously denies that there is a proper basis for
the fraud claim on the merits.

                                       33
<PAGE>
                                   MANAGEMENT

DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The following persons are the directors and executive officers of the Company:

                                                  
NAME                               POSITION     

David L. Brown                     Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive 
                                   Officer
                                    

Dr. Richard K. Carlin              Vice Chairman of the Board and Chief 
                                   Technology Officer

Luiz V. Alvim                      Executive Vice President and Chief Operating 
                                   Officer

Ronald Warren                      Chief Financial Officer

Roger C. Wadsworth                 Senior Vice President

Joseph F. Frantz II                Vice President

Daniel C. Hollander                Vice President

Danny E. Hoover                    Vice President

William T. Melton                  Vice President

Jerrold B. Smith                   Vice President

Neil S. Waldman                    Vice President

Dr. Ronald W. Hart                 Director

Burt H. Keenan                     Director

Russell I. Pillar                  Director

William D. Savoy                   Director

Stephen C. Wood                    Director

Each director holds office until the next annual meeting of stockholders or
until his successor shall have been elected and qualified. The Compensation
Committee and Audit Committee of the Board of Directors are composed of Messrs.
Hart, Keenan, Pillar, Savoy and Wood (Chairman).

DAVID L. BROWN, age 57, Chairman of the Board and CEO, has served as a director
of the Company since 1989. Mr. Brown is co-author of CYBER-INVESTING: CRACKING
WALL STREET WITH YOUR PERSONAL COMPUTER, a book on computerized investing and
WALL STREET CITY, a book on investing on the Internet, both published by John
Wiley & Sons, Inc. From 1978 to 1986, Mr. Brown was president and from 1992 to
1993, a director of Time Energy Systems, Inc., a public 

                                       34
<PAGE>
company, which changed its name to ACR Group, Inc. He has served as chairman of
the U.S. Science and Technology Commission for the Emerging Leaders Summit
Conference series with the USSR. For the past ten years, he has served as a
director of the Alliance for Aging Research, based in Washington, D.C. He has
also served as chairman of the New Millennium Committee of the Planetary
Society, a group based in Pasadena, California, which supports space
exploration. He has served as chairman of the Advisory Board of the Southwest
Council of Public CEOs and on the boards of several banks and financial
institutions. Mr. Brown began his career in the space program at NASA, where he
headed the team of engineers who designed the landing gear for the first lunar
module. Mr. Brown holds a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from the
University of Pittsburgh and an M.B.A. from the University of Houston.

DR. RICHARD K. CARLIN, age 42, Vice Chairman of the Board and Chief Technology
Officer, was one of the founders of Telescan and has served as a director of the
Company since 1989. From 1988 to April 1990, Dr. Carlin served as the director
of Technology Information Center, a subsidiary of Maxwell Communications, where
he managed the development and maintenance of a technology transfer online
database. From 1983 to 1988, he was with D.B. Technology, Inc., the predecessor
to the Company. From 1981 to 1983, Dr. Carlin was assistant professor at
Rockefeller University. Dr. Carlin holds a B.S. degree in biophysical sciences
from the University of Houston and a Ph.D. in biochemistry, also from the
University of Houston. Dr. Carlin also is co-inventor of the technology for a
`multi-provider online communications system' for which the Company received a
patent in 1997.

LUIZ V. ALVIM, age 67, was appointed Chief Operating Officer in May 1996. He was
named Executive Vice President and "Acting" Chief Operating Officer of Telescan
in March 1996, after having served as the Company's Director of Financial
Research and Chairman of the International Committee since 1994. From 1975 to
1977 Mr. Alvim was the director of special operations at A. Schulman, Inc. From
1977 through 1987, Mr. Alvim served as president of Intergulf, Inc. In 1987, Mr.
Alvim joined Telescan as the Special Assistant to the CEO where he served until
1988 when he joined PanAtlantica SA. as executive vice president and chief
operating officer. Mr. Alvim returned to Telescan in 1994. Mr. Alvim holds a
Masters degree in civil engineering from the University of Porto in Portugal.

RONALD WARREN, age 51, was appointed Chief Financial Officer of Telescan in
October 1996. From 1986 to 1996, Mr. Warren served as vice president and chief
financial officer of CogniSeis Development, Inc., a multinational company that
developed and sold computer software, hardware and systems to a worldwide
customer base. From 1975 to 1985, Mr. Warren held various financial management
positions at Sonat Offshore Drilling, Inc., a large international drilling
contractor, including treasurer and controller. Mr. Warren holds M.B.A. and B.A.
degrees from Hofstra University and is a Certified Public Accountant.

ROGER C. WADSWORTH, age 50, Senior Vice President, has served as a director
since 1989. From 1988 to 1990, Mr. Wadsworth served as President of the Company.
From 1983 to 1988, Mr. Wadsworth was employed as vice president of Information
Management Services, Inc., in Houston, Texas, where he provided management
services to investment vehicles such as limited partnerships and joint ventures.
From 1979 to 1983, he served as co-owner of D. Russell Smith Associates, a
restaurant and tenant finish general contractor. Mr. Wadsworth holds a B.B.A.
degree from the University of Houston.

JOSEPH F. FRANTZ II, age 34, Vice President of the Company since May 1995,
previously held the positions of Computer Operations Manger, End-User Software
Product Manager and Senior Programmer. Mr. Frantz joined the Company in 1987 as
a Technical Support Representative. Mr. Frantz holds a B.S. in Applied
Mathematics from the University of Houston and a M.S. in Management Computing
and Systems from Houston Baptist University. He is co-inventor of the technology
for a `multi-provider online communications system' for which the Company
received a patent in 1997.

DANIEL C. HOLLANDER, age 41, was appointed Vice President in November 1996.
Prior to the appointment, he held the position of Director of Client Services.
Before joining the Company in March 1995, Mr. Hollander served as regional
technology manager for Ernst & Young and manager of information systems support
for Ericsson Radio Systems. Mr. Hollander holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from
Ohio State University.

                                       35
<PAGE>
DANNY E. HOOVER, age 50, Vice President since September 1996, previously held
the positions of Manager of Development, Manager of Windows Development and
Senior Windows Programmer. Before joining the Company in 1992, Mr. Hoover was
employed as operations manager for Praxis Incorporated, a supervisory control
automation company in Houston, Texas. Mr. Hoover holds a B.S. in Electrical
Engineering from Texas A&M University.

WILLIAM T. MELTON, age 61, Vice President since January 1995, previously held
the position of Manager of Project Development. Before joining the Company in
October 1993, Mr. Melton served as a project manager with IBM, having previously
served in other sales positions as a 30-year employee of that company. Mr.
Melton holds both a B.S. in Business Administration and an M.B.A. from the
University of Arkansas.

JERROLD B. SMITH, age 45, Vice President since March 1998, has been with the
Company since 1995. Mr. Smith previously held the positions of Business
Development Manager for Telescan's Internet site, Wall Street City(R), and
Technical Support Supervisor. From 1976 to 1986, Mr. Smith was a salesman and
ultimately regional vice president of Donmoor, Inc. of New York, a wholesale
apparel manufacturer. From 1986 to 1988, Mr. Smith was national sales manager
for USOne Apparel, also of New York. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Smith
practiced financial planning and asset management in Houston, Texas. Mr. Smith
holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Houston.

NEIL S. WALDMAN, age 41, Vice President since May 1995, previously held the
position of Director of Institutional Sales. Before joining the Company in 1993,
Mr. Waldman was employed as manager of business development for IDD Information
Services, Inc., where he was instrumental in the introduction of three new
products for the investment management and brokerage communities. From 1989 to
1991, Mr. Waldman served as vice president of sales and marketing for Vista
Computer, Inc., where he directed sales and marketing for the developer of
integrated software solutions targeted at international commodities traders. Mr.
Waldman holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Northeastern University.

DR. RONALD W. HART, age 56, has been a Distinguished Scientist in Residence for
the Food and Drug Administration, Public Health Service, since 1992. From 1980
to 1992, he was the director for the National Center for Toxicological Research,
Food and Drug Administration, Public Health Service, Department of Health and
Human Services in Jefferson, Arkansas. From 1987 to 1993, Dr. Hart served on the
Board of Directors of First Commercial Bank Company of Little Rock, Arkansas.
Dr. Hart has received over 30 awards and recognition for his research and
administrative accomplishments and is an internationally recognized scientist
and science manager holding the position of distinguished professor at a number
of universities and colleges, including Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt; Gangzou
University, Gangzou, China; and Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia. Dr.
Hart also serves as a professor at the University of Arkansas for Medical
Sciences and the University of Tennessee Center for Health Sciences. Dr. Hart
has published over 500 manuscripts on various topics, including research
management and administration and is a fellow of the American College of
Toxicology, American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the
Gerontology Society of America. Dr. Hart received his B.A. in 1967 from Syracuse
University, an M.S. in 1970 and a Ph.D. in 1971 at the University of Illinois,
Urbana. Dr. Hart has been a director since 1990.

BURT H. KEENAN, age 59, is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Independent
Energy Holdings, plc, a London Stock Exchange listed company, which is the
largest non-privatized generator/supplier of electricity in the deregulated
markets of the United Kingdom. He was appointed to the Board of Directors in
1988. From 1969 to 1986, Mr. Keenan was the founder, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of Offshore Logistics, Inc., a Nasdaq quoted marine and
aviation oil and gas service company. Mr. Keenan is a director of Halter Marine,
Inc., an American Stock Exchange listed company engaged in U.S. shipbuilding. He
has a bachelors and masters degree from Tulane University and resides in London.

RUSSELL I. PILLAR, age 32, was appointed to the Board of Directors in February
1997. Mr. Pillar joined the Prodigy, Inc. Board of Directors in October 1996 as
part of the group which purchased the pioneer online service provider from IBM
and Sears, and became president and chief executive officer of its Prodigy
Internet operating company subsidiary in September 1997. Since October 1991, Mr.
Pillar has served as managing partner of Critical Mass, a private investment

                                       36
<PAGE>
firm that provides capital and strategic planning services to companies in the
information technology industry. From December 1993 through October 1996, he
served as president, chief executive officer and director of Precision Systems,
Inc., a publicly traded provider of voice, data and video-based enhanced service
communications software. In addition to his service on a number of private
corporate boards of directors, Mr. Pillar is a director of Summa Four, Inc. Mr.
Pillar graduated Phi Beta Kappa, cum laude from Brown University with an A.B. in
East Asian Studies, where he was a Japan Airlines International Scholar, a
Harold T. Wilson Award winner and a national finalist in the Rhodes Scholarship
Competition.

WILLIAM D. SAVOY, age 33, currently serves as vice president of Vulcan Ventures
Incorporated, a venture capital fund wholly-owned by Paul G. Allen, co-founder
of Microsoft Company. From 1987 until November 1990, Mr. Savoy was employed by
Layered, Inc., a company controlled by Mr. Allen, and became its president in
1988. From November 1990 until the present, Mr. Savoy has served as president
for Vulcan Northwest Inc., a company which manages the personal financial
activities of Mr. Allen. Mr. Savoy serves on the Advisory Board of Dream Works
SKG of Los Angeles, California and serves on the Board of Directors of CNET,
Inc. of San Francisco, California, Harbinger Company of Atlanta, Georgia,
Metricom, Inc. of Los Gatos, California, Ticketmaster Company of Los Angeles,
USA Networks, Inc. of St. Petersburg, Florida and U.S. Satellite Broadcasting of
Minneapolis, Minnesota. He also represents Mr. Allen in a wide variety of other
personal financial transactions. Mr. Savoy holds a B.S. in Computer Science,
Accounting and Finance from Atlantic Union College. Mr. Savoy was appointed as a
director of the Company in 1993.

STEPHEN C. WOOD, age 46, is currently president and chief executive officer of
Wireless Services Company based in Bellevue, Washington. Until May 1996, Mr.
Wood was president and CEO of Notable Technologies, L.L.C., which filed for
bankruptcy in 1996. From 1993 through 1994, Mr. Wood served as vice president of
Information Broadcasting for McCaw Development Company located in Kirkland,
Washington. Until February 1993, he was president of Starwave Company, a company
he formed in 1991 with Microsoft Company co-founder Paul G. Allen to develop and
market data and information products. From 1986 through 1991, Mr. Wood served in
several executive positions at Asymetrix Company, a software development and
marketing firm founded by Mr. Allen. From 1980 until 1985, Mr. Wood was in
charge of building a microcomputer software development organization for
Datapoint Company in Austin, Texas, after serving in Research & Development and
marketing positions. Mr. Wood began his career in 1976 when he became the sixth
employee of Microsoft Company, where he was general manager from 1977 to 1980.
Mr. Wood holds a B.S. in Computer Engineering from Case Western Reserve
University and an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University. Mr.
Wood is a member of the Board of Directors of CyberAction Limited, a
Bermuda-based company that intends to market online services internationally,
including services licensed from Telescan. Mr. Wood was appointed to the Board
of Directors in 1992.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The following table reflects all forms of compensation for services to the
Company for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, of the Chief
Executive Officer and the Company's other most highly compensated executive
officers who were serving as executive officers at the end of 1997 and who
earned more than $100,000 that year. No other executive officers of the Company
received compensation which exceeded $100,000 during 1997.

                                       37
<PAGE>
                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             LONG-TERM
                                    ANNUAL COMPENSATION                     COMPENSATION
                          ----------------------------------------     ------------------------
<S>                       <C>          <C>                                     <C>   
                                                                        SECURITIES UNDERLYING
NAME                      YEAR          SALARY            BONUS                OPTIONS

David L. Brown            1997         $138,425            ---                 31,443
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER   1996         $124,906            ---                 12,000
                          1995         $107,625            ---                 11,740

Richard K. Carlin         1997         $101,598          $2,911                15,941
CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER  1996          $89,257            ---                  7,500
                          1995          $78,875            ---                  7,340

Luiz V. Alvim             1997         $105,404            ---                 16,505
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER   1996          $87,894            ---                 22,000
                          1995          $61,405            ---                  8,000

Neil S. Waldman           1997         $111,755          $6,267                 7,474
VICE PRESIDENT            1996         $103,216            ---                  2,500
                          1995         $117,072            ---                 10,000
</TABLE>
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION

The Company does not currently pay any cash directors' fees, but it reimburses
expenses incurred by its directors to attend board meetings. Directors who are
not officers of the Company were granted stock options on February 1, 1998 for
5,000 shares at an exercise price of $6.44 exercisable until January 31, 2008
for services provided to the Company as directors.

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS

The Company entered into an Employment Agreement with David L. Brown, its Chief
Executive Officer, on March 10, 1994 for a term of three years, which
automatically extends for successive one-year periods unless either party gives
prior written notice of termination of the agreement. The agreement contains
noncompetition provisions which restrict Mr. Brown from engaging in a
competitive business for a period of twenty-four months after its termination.

STOCK OPTION PLAN

While the Company has been successful in attracting and retaining qualified
personnel, the Company believes that its future success will depend in part on
its continued ability to attract and retain highly qualified personnel. The
Company pays wages and salaries which it believes are competitive, and it has
group health and life insurance plans. The Company also believes that equity
ownership is an important factor in its ability to attract and retain skilled
personnel. In 1990 the Board of Directors of the Company adopted a stock option
plan, which was amended in 1994, for employees and directors, and in 1995 the
Board of Directors of the Company adopted the 1995 Stock Option Plan
(collectively, the "Stock Option Plans").

                                       38
<PAGE>
The purpose of Stock Option Plans is to further the interest of the Company,
its subsidiaries and its stockholders by providing incentives in the form of
stock options to key employees and directors who contribute materially to the
success and profitability of the Company. The grants will recognize and reward
outstanding individual performances and contributions and will give such persons
a proprietary interest in the Company, thus enhancing their personal interest in
the Company's continued success and progress. Stock Option Plans also assist the
Company and its subsidiaries in attracting and retaining key employees and
directors. The options granted under the Stock Option Plans may be either
Incentive Stock Options, as that term is defined in Section 422 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"), or nonstatutory options taxed
under Section 83 of the Code. The Stock Option Plans are administered by the
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, which has the exclusive power
to select the participants in the Stock Option Plans, to establish the terms of
the options granted to each participant, and to make all determinations
necessary or advisable under the Stock Option Plans.

A total of 1,425,000 shares may be optioned and sold under the Stock Option
Plans. From inception of each of the Stock Option Plans through December 31,
1997, 1,476,500 options had been granted, 509,496 options had been exercised and
223,920 options had been canceled. An additional 60,000 nonqualified options
have been granted to nonemployees. Accordingly, 803,084 options were outstanding
as of December 31, 1997.

STOCK OPTIONS

The following tables set forth information relating to the named executive
officers with respect to (i) stock options granted in 1997, (ii) the total
number of unexercised options through 1997 and (iii) the value of the
unexercised in-the-money options. Stock options were exercised by David L.
Brown, Chief Executive Officer, during 1997. During 1997, David L. Brown, Chief
Executive Officer, exercised 113,738 stock options, including 9,435 shares that
had not vested, as to which the Board of Directors gave early dispensation to
exercise.

                            OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
                                   (Individual Grants)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         PERCENT OF
                                           TOTAL                               POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
                           NUMBER OF      OPTIONS                            VALUE AT ASSUMED ANNUAL
                          SECURITIES     GRANTED TO   EXERCISE                       RATE OF
                          UNDERLYING     EMPLOYEES    PRICE                  STOCK PRICE APPRECIATION
                            OPTIONS      IN FISCAL      PER     EXPIRATION       FOR OPTION TERM
NAME                        GRANTED         YEAR       SHARE       DATE          5%            10%
- ----                        -------         ----       -----       ----         ---            ---
<S>                        <C>              <C>        <C>      <C>            <C>           <C>    
David L. Brown ..........  19,500(1)        9.6%       $4.75    8/13/2000      $17,504       $37,337
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER    11,933(2)        5.8%       $5.13    8/13/2000      $ 7,074       $20,602

Richard K. Carlin .......  12,188(1)        6.0%       $4.75    8/13/2000      $10,940       $23,336
CHIEF TECHNOLOGY
OFFICER                     3,753(2)        1.8%       $5.13    8/13/2000      $ 3,081       $ 6,479

Luiz V. Alvim ...........  11,375(1)        5.6%       $4.75    8/13/2000      $10,211       $21,780
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER     5,130(2)        2.5%       $5.13    8/13/2000      $ 4,212       $ 8,857

Neil S. Waldman .........  5,000(1)         2.4%       $4.75    8/13/2000      $4,488        $ 9,574
VICE PRESIDENT             2,474(2)         1.2%       $5.13    8/13/2000      $2,031        $ 4,271
</TABLE>

(1) Options vest 33% annually beginning 12 months after the date of grant. 
(2) Options vest immediately upon grant date.

                                       39
<PAGE>
               AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND
                          FISCAL YEAR END OPTION VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       NUMBER OF
                                                      SECURITIES
                                                      UNDERLYING        VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                                                      UNEXERCISED       IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
                                                      OPTIONS AT                 AT
                                                    FISCAL YEAR END        FISCAL YEAR END
                            SHARES                   ____________          ______________
                         ACQUIRED ON     VALUE       EXERCISABLE/           EXERCISABLE/
NAME                       EXERCISE    REALIZED      UNEXERCISABLE          UNEXERCISABLE

<S>                        <C>         <C>           <C>    <C>                   <C>    
David L. Brown             113,738     $513,690      18,000/29,935          ---- /$37,670  
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Richard K. Carlin            None        None        78,048/24,733        $337,358/$37,443
CHIEF TECHNOLOGY
OFFICER                

Luiz V. Alvim                None        None        27,776/28,729         $31,337/$33,183  
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

Neil S. Waldman              None        None        13,099/11,875         $16,511/$23,450  
VICE PRESIDENT         

</TABLE>
                                       40
<PAGE>
                 CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

In the normal course of business some members of the Board of Directors have
proposed business alliances with companies with which they are associated. In
the opinion of management, each of these transactions or arrangements were
entered into on terms as favorable to the Company as could have been obtained in
transactions or arrangements with unaffiliated third parties.

VULCAN VENTURES, INCORPORATED

Pursuant to the terms of a May 20, 1992 stock purchase agreement between Vulcan,
which is 100% owned by Paul G. Allen, and the Company, Vulcan has the right to
designate one director to the Company's Board of Directors for as long as Vulcan
(or its affiliate) owns at least 540,000 shares of Common Stock of the Company.
In addition, the Company has agreed not to take any corporate action to increase
its number of directors without the unanimous written consent of all directors
for as long as Vulcan (or its affiliate) owns at least 540,000 shares of Common
Stock of the Company.

KNOWLEDGE EXPRESS DATA SYSTEMS, L.C.

KE, of which the Company owns 55.58%, is 30% owned by GRF Interests, Inc.
("GRF"), a company controlled by G. Robert Friedman, a significant stockholder
and a former director of the Company. The Company provides computer hardware,
programming, systems maintenance, data loading, telecommunications and certain
administrative services to KE. The Company charges KE a fixed monthly fee for
the use of its systems operations plus 140% of the actual salaries for personnel
working on KE services. Non-personnel expenditures are billed at the Company's
actual cost. During 1997, the maximum indebtedness of KE to the Company was
approximately $490,000, representing the amount due under the service contract
and amounts loaned to KE for operating expenses. As of December 31, 1997 KE had
no indebtedness to the Company. At March 31, 1998 the Company had a payable to
KE of $26,000 for amounts not yet funded for its share of the capital
contribution call. For the year ended December 31, 1997, KE had a net loss of
$921,000, of which $512,000 was recognized by the Company. For the quarter ended
March 31, 1998 KE had a net loss of $110,000 of which the Company recognized
$61,000. The operating results of KE have been included in the financial
statements as discontinued operations for all periods presented.

TELEBUILD, L.C.

Friedman Interests, a company controlled by G. Robert Friedman, owns 45.42% of
Telebuild. The Company and the Brown Family Partnership own 14.168% and 25.44%,
respectively of Telebuild. The Brown Family Partnership is owned by David L.
Brown, the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and other members of
the Brown family. The Company performs services under contract for Telebuild
which consist primarily of the development, maintenance and operation of the
Telebuild database system and the provision of office space, equipment and
furniture. The Company charges Telebuild for its personnel at a stipulated rate
which reflects the full absorption of overhead costs to the Company plus an
appropriate profit margin determined by management and approved by the outside
directors. Non-personnel expenditures under the agreement are billed at actual
cost. For the year ended December 31, 1997, $1,322,000, or 8.8%, of the
Company's total revenue was from services provided to Telebuild. Telebuild paid
the Company approximately $1,094,000 for these services during 1997. As of
December 31, 1997, Telebuild owed the Company $266,000. For the quarter ended
March 31, 1998 the Company derived revenue from Telebuild of $340,000, or 11.2%
, of total revenue. As of this date Telebuild owed the Company $220,000 with
unbilled revenue of $207,000.

CYBERACTION LIMITED

During 1996, the Company entered into a marketing license and revenue sharing
agreement with CyberAction Limited. Dr. Ronald W. Hart and Mr. Stephen C. Wood
are on the Board of Directors of CyberAction. No royalties were paid to
CyberAction in 1997 and none are expected to be paid in 1998.

                                       41
<PAGE>
NOTABLE TECHNOLOGIES, L.L.C.

During 1997, the Company acquired the assets of Notable Technologies, L.L.C. for
$100,000 through the issuance of 25,197 shares of restricted stock. Stephen C.
Wood, a director of the Company, served as President and Chief Executive Officer
of Notable Technologies, L.L.C., which filed for bankruptcy in April 1996.

WIRELESS SERVICES COMPANY

The Company has entered into a service agreement with Wireless Services Company.
Stephen C. Wood, a director of the Company, is the Chief Executive Officer of
Wireless Services Company. Dr. Ronald W. Hart, also a director of the Company,
serves on the Board of Directors for Wireless Services Company. The service
became operational during 1997 and the Company does not expect to pay minimum
fees or royalties in excess of $60,000 in 1998.

                                       42
<PAGE>
         SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth information, as of May 29, 1998, unless otherwise
indicated with respect to the number of shares of Common Stock beneficially
owned by (1) each director and/or named executive officer individually, (2) all
executive officers and directors of the Company as a group, and (3) each
stockholder known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of
the Company's Common Stock. The number of shares is exclusive of shares
allocated to the person's account through the Company's 401(k) plan. Except as
noted below, each stockholder has sole voting and investment power with respect
to the shares shown.

                                                 NUMBER OF SHARES
OWNERS                                           BENEFICIALLY OWNED  % OF CLASS

David L. Brown ....................................   932,056(1)        8.4

Dr. Richard K. Carlin .............................   245,806(2)        2.2

Luiz V. Alvim .....................................    48,504(3)        0.4

Roger C. Wadsworth ................................   121,953(4)        1.1

Neil S. Waldman ...................................     6,250(5)        0.1

Dr. Ronald W. Hart ................................    49,500(6)        0.4

Burt H. Keenan ....................................    76,500(7)        0.7

William D. Savoy ..................................    44,277(8)        0.4

Stephen C. Wood ...................................    31,100(9)        0.3

Paul G. Allen ..................................... 1,290,000(10)      11.7
Vulcan Ventures Incorporated
        110 110th Avenue  N.E.,
        Suite 685
        Bellevue, WA 98004-5840

G. Robert Friedman ................................ 1,053,919           9.5
        Friedman & Associates
        Five Post Oak Park, Suite 1800
        Houston, Texas 77027

                                       43
<PAGE>
                                                  NUMBER OF SHARES
OWNERS (CONTINUED)                               BENEFICIALLY OWNED  % OF CLASS

Paul F. Glenn .....................................   588,861           5.3
Paul F. Glenn Revocable Trust
    P.O. Box 50310
    Santa Barbara, CA 93108

Lacy J. Harber .................................... 1,500,000          13.5
    Route 2, Box 49Y
    Denison, Texas 75020

WisdomTree Capital Management, Inc. ...............   592,100(11)       5.4
    1633 Broadway, 38th Floor
    New York, New York 10019

All directors and executive officers .............. 1,601,384          14.1
        As a group (16 persons)


(1)     Includes 702,818 shares owned by the Brown Family Partnership. David L.
        Brown has shared voting and investment power in the Brown Family
        Partnership along with other family members who are not officers and/or
        directors of the Company. Includes 185,738 shares owned by David L.
        Brown personally. Also includes options to purchase 26,000 shares which
        are exercisable within the next sixty days.

(2)     Includes options to purchase 30,030 shares which are exercisable within
        the next sixty days.

(3)     Includes options to purchase 46,504 shares which are exercisable within
        the next sixty days.

(4)     Includes options to purchase 12,885 shares which are exercisable within
        the next sixty days.

(5)     Includes options to purchase 6,250 shares which are exercisable within
        the next sixty days.

(6)     Includes options to purchase 20,500 shares which are exercisable within
        the next sixty days.

(7)     Includes options to purchase 55,500 shares which are exercisable within
        the next sixty days.

(8)     Includes options to purchase 14,277 shares which are exercisable within
        the next sixty days.

(9)     Includes options to purchase 25,500 shares which are exercisable within
        the next sixty days.

(10)    Vulcan is owned 100% by Paul G. Allen.

(11)    Pursuant to Schedule 13G filed February 26, 1998, reporting entity is
        the general partner of WisdomTree Associates, L.P. and the investment
        manager of WisdomTree Offshore Ltd., and may be deemed to have direct
        beneficial ownership of each of their shares.

                                       44
<PAGE>
                              SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

The Selling Stockholders are Q Funding, L.P., a limited partnership organized
and existing under the laws of the State of Texas, and R2 Funding, Ltd., an
Exempted Company organized and existing under the laws of the Cayman
Islands, with their principal places of business located at 301 Commerce Street,
Suite 2975, Fort Worth, Texas 76102. Other than as a result of the ownership of
the Shares, neither of the Selling Shareholders has had any position, office or
other material relationship with the Company within the past three years.

The table below sets forth the names of the Selling Stockholders, the number of
shares of Convertible Preferred Stock and Common Stock currently owned
beneficially by the Selling Stockholders (all of which are being offered
hereby), and the number of shares of Convertible Preferred Stock and Common
Stock to be owned by the Selling Stockholders upon completion of the offering if
all the Shares are resold. Any or all of the Shares listed below may be offered
for sale by the Selling Stockholders from time to time.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                         <C>                     <C>                                       <C>
  
                             Convertible Preferred Stock                       Common Stock
                       ---------------------------------------   ---------------------------------------
                                                Amount of            Amount of            Amount of
                          Amount of         Securities to be        Securities          Securities to
                          Securities          Beneficially         Beneficially        be Beneficially
   Selling               Beneficially          Owned After        Owned Prior to         Owned After
 Stockholder               Owned               Offering           Offering (1)            Offering
- -----------------      -----------------    ------------------   ------------------    -----------------

Q Funding, L.P.(2).....     60,000                  0                  210,526                0
R2 Funding, Ltd.(2)....     60,000                  0                  210,526                0

</TABLE>
(1)     Assumes Conversion Price of $7.125, which is 95% of the lowest trade 
        price in the 10 trading day period ending June 11, 1998.

(2)     Excludes an aggregate of 52,720 shares of Common Stock held by 
        affiliates of the Selling Stockholders.

                                       45
<PAGE>
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

The Shares may be sold from time to time by the Selling Stockholders, or by
pledgees, donees, transferees, or other successors in interest. Such sales may
be made in an underwritten public offering, on The Nasdaq Stock Market, on any
national securities exchange on which the Common Stock is listed or traded, in
negotiated transactions or otherwise, at prices when prevailing or related to
the then current market price or at negotiated prices. The Shares may be sold
directly or through brokers or dealers. The methods by which the Shares may be
sold include: (a) a block trade (which may involve crosses) in which the broker
or dealer so engaged will attempt to sell Shares as agent but may position and
resell a portion of the block as principal to facilitate the transaction; (b)
purchases by a broker or dealer as principal and resale by such broker or dealer
for its account pursuant to this Prospectus; (c) ordinary brokerage transactions
and transactions in which the broker solicits purchasers; and (d) privately
negotiated transactions. In effecting sales, brokers and dealers engaged by
Selling Stockholders may arrange for other brokers or dealers to participate.
Brokers or dealers may receive commissions or discounts from Selling
Stockholders (or, if any such broker-dealer acts as agent for the purchaser of
such Shares, from such purchaser) in amounts to be negotiated which are not
expected to exceed those customary in the types of transactions involved.
Broker-dealers may agree with the Selling Stockholders to sell a specified
number of such Shares at a stipulated price per share, and, to the extent such
broker-dealer is unable to do so acting as agent for a Selling Stockholder, to
purchase as principal any unsold Shares at the price required to fulfill the
broker-dealer commitment to such Selling Stockholder. Broker-dealers who acquire
Shares as principal may thereafter resell such Shares from time to time in
transactions (which may involve crosses and block transactions and sales to and
through other broker-dealers, including transactions of the nature described
above) in the over-the-counter market or otherwise at prices and on terms then
prevailing at the time of sale, at prices then related to the then-current
market price or in negotiated transactions and, in connection with such resales,
may pay to or receive from the purchasers of such Shares commissions as
described above.

In connection with the distribution of the Shares, the Selling Stockholders may
enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers. In connection with such
transactions, broker-dealers may engage in short sales of the Shares in the
course of hedging the positions they assume with the Selling Stockholders. The
Selling Stockholders may also sell the Shares short and redeliver the Shares to
close out the short positions. The Selling Stockholders may also enter into
option or other transactions with broker-dealers which require the delivery to
the broker-dealer of the Shares. The Selling Stockholders may also loan or
pledge the Shares to a broker-dealer and the broker-dealer may sell the Shares
so loaned or upon a default the broker-dealer may effect sales of the pledged
Shares. In addition to the foregoing, the Selling Stockholders may enter into,
from time to time, other types of hedging transactions.

The Selling Stockholders and any broker-dealers participating in the
distributions of the Shares may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the
meaning of Section 2(11) of the Act and any profit on the sale of Shares by the
Selling Stockholders and any commissions or discounts given to any such
broker-dealer may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts under
the Act.

The Shares may also be sold pursuant to Rule 144 under the Act beginning one
year after the Shares were issued.

The Company has filed the Registration Statement, of which this Prospectus forms
a part, with respect to the sale of the Shares. The Company has agreed to use
its best efforts to keep the Registration Statement current and effective for a
period commencing on the effective date of the Registration Statement and
terminating 24 months after the Registration Statement is declared effective by
the Commission. There can be no assurance that the Selling Stockholders will
sell any or all of the Shares offered hereunder.

The Company will pay all of the expenses incident to the offering and sale of
the Shares, other than commissions, discounts and fees of underwriters, dealers
or agents.

                                       46
<PAGE>
                            DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES

The authorized capital of the Company consists of 15,000,000 shares of Common
Stock, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $.01 par value per share. There
are 11,071,442 shares of Common Stock and 120,000 shares of preferred stock
issued and outstanding as of the date hereof.

COMMON STOCK

The following summary description of the Common Stock of the Company is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of the Company. Subject to the prior rights of the holders of any
shares of preferred stock that may from time to time be issued and outstanding,
the holders of shares of Common Stock (i) have equal pro rata rights to
dividends from funds legally available for the payment of dividends as, if, and
when declared by the Board of Directors, and (ii) are entitled to share pro rata
in all assets of the Company available for distribution to holders of Common
Stock upon liquidation of the Company. The holders of shares of Common Stock do
not have any preemptive subscription or conversion rights and have one vote per
share on all matters upon which the stockholders of the Company may vote at all
meetings of stockholders. All shares of Common Stock outstanding are fully paid
and nonassessable. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable
to the Common Stock.

The holders of the Common Stock of the Company do not have cumulative voting
rights, which means that the holders of more than 50% of the voting rights of
outstanding shares of Common Stock voting for the election of directors can
elect all directors they choose to elect, and the holders of the remaining
shares will not be able to elect any of the Company's directors.

PREFERRED STOCK

Under the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the power to
designate the relative rights and preferences of the preferred stock, when and
if issued, is delegated to the Board of Directors. Such rights and preferences
may include liquidation, redemption, dividend and voting rights which are
preferential to the rights afforded to the shares of Common Stock. The Board of
Directors has the power, without obtaining stockholder approval, to issue
preferred stock with rights and preferences that could adversely effect the
voting power of the holders of Common Stock and could be used to delay or deter
a change in control of the Company. Shares of preferred stock may be issued in
multiple series, with different rights and preferences, in the discretion of the
Board of Directors.

CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

The following summary of the terms and provisions of the Convertible Preferred
Stock does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety be
reference to the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, which includes
the express terms of the Convertible Preferred Stock. The Restated Certificate
of Incorporation is filed as an exhibit to this Registration Statement.

                                       47
<PAGE>
DIVIDENDS. Holders of the Convertible Preferred Stock shall be entitled to
receive out of any assets legally available therefor cumulative dividends at the
rate of $1.25 per share per annum, payable quarterly on March 31, June 30,
September 30 and December 31 of each year, when and as declared by the Board of
Directors of the Company, in preference and priority to any payment of any
dividend on the Common Stock or any other class or series of stock of the
Company. Such dividends shall accrue on any given share from the day of original
issuance of such share and shall accrue from day to day whether or not earned or
declared. If at any time dividends on the outstanding Convertible Preferred
Stock at the rate set forth above shall not have been paid or declared and set
apart for payment with respect to all preceding periods, the amount of the
deficiency shall be fully paid or declared and set apart for payment, but
without interest, before any distribution, whether by way of dividend or
otherwise, shall be declared or paid upon or set apart for the shares of any
other class or series of stock of the Company.

LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding
up of the Company, either voluntary or involuntary, the holders of the
Convertible Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, prior and in
preference to any distribution of any assets of the Company to the holders of
any other class or series of shares, the amount of $25 per share plus any
accrued but unpaid dividends.

FORCED CONVERSION. The Company, subject to certain price and registration
limitations, at its option may cause all outstanding shares of the Convertible
Preferred Stock to be converted into Common Stock at any time beginning 24
months after the date of issuance, on at least 20 days' notice, at the
Conversion Price (as hereinafter defined) as of the date specified in such
notice (the "Conversion Date").

At least 30 days, but not more than 60 days, prior to the Conversion Date,
written notice (the "Conversion Notice") shall be mailed, first class postage
prepaid, by the Company to each holder of record of the Convertible Preferred
Stock, notifying such holder of the conversion which is to be effected,
specifying the Conversion Date and calling upon each such holder to surrender to
the Company, in the manner and at the place designated, a certificate or
certificates representing the number of shares of Convertible Preferred Stock
held by such holder. Subject to limitations set forth below, on or after the
Conversion Date, each holder of Convertible Preferred Stock shall surrender to
the Company the certificate or certificates representing the shares of
Convertible Preferred Stock owned by such holder as of the Conversion Date, in
the manner and at the place designated in the Conversion Notice, and thereupon
the shares issuable upon such conversion shall be delivered.

If at the Conversion Date the Registration Statement is for any reason no longer
effective, then no shares shall be converted and the Conversion Notice shall be
deemed to be withdrawn. In such event, any certificates for Convertible
Preferred Stock which have been surrendered for conversion shall be returned to
the persons surrendering the same; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if a holder shall
have received shares of Common Stock upon conversion of Convertible Preferred
Stock after the Conversion Notice was given but before the Conversion Date, such
holder may elect either to retain such Common Stock or rescind such conversion
by tendering such shares of Common Stock to the Company. On the third
anniversary of the day (the "Closing Date") on which shares of the Convertible
Preferred Stock are first issued by the Company (the "Termination Date"), all
then outstanding shares of Convertible Preferred Stock shall be automatically
converted into Common Stock at the Conversion Price.

OPTIONAL CONVERSION. The holders of the Convertible Preferred Stock shall have
optional conversion rights as follows:

        (a) RIGHT TO CONVERT. Each share of Convertible Preferred Stock shall be
        convertible, at any time at the option of the holder thereof, into such
        number of fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock as is
        determined by dividing (i) the Liquidation Preference of the Convertible
        Preferred Stock hereof on the date the notice of conversion is given, by
        (ii) the Conversion Price determined as hereinafter provided in effect
        on said date.

                                       48
<PAGE>
        (b) MECHANICS OF CONVERSION. To convert shares of Convertible Preferred
        Stock into shares of Common Stock, the holder shall give written notice
        to the Company that such holder elects to convert the same and shall
        state therein the number of shares to be converted and the name or names
        in which such holder wishes the certificate or certificates for shares
        of Common Stock to be issued. Promptly thereafter the holder shall
        surrender the certificate or certificates representing the shares to be
        converted, duly endorsed, at the office of the Company or of any
        transfer agent for such shares, or at such other place designated by the
        Company. The Company shall, immediately upon receipt of such notice,
        issue and deliver to or upon the order of such holder, against delivery
        of the certificates representing the shares which have been converted, a
        certificate or certificates for the number of shares of Common Stock to
        which such holder shall be entitled. The person or persons entitled to
        receive the shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion shall
        be treated for all purposes as the record holder or holders of such
        shares of Common Stock at the close of business on the date the
        Conversion Notice is given.

        (c) PAYMENTS IN THE EVENT OF NON-CONVERSION. If, at any time, the
        Company fails for any reason to timely deliver certificates representing
        such number of shares of Common Stock to which the holder is entitled
        upon such conversion, then the Company shall pay to such holder $0 per
        share of such non-converted Convertible Preferred Stock for each
        calendar day of such non-delivery period on the first day of each week
        following the date of any such failed delivery. In addition, if (i) the
        Company fails for any reason to timely deliver shares of Common Stock to
        the holder upon a conversion of the Convertible Preferred Stock and (ii)
        after the expiration of three business days, the holder purchases (in an
        open market transaction or otherwise) shares of Common Stock to make
        delivery upon a sale by the holder of the shares of Common Stock (the
        "Sold Shares") which such holder anticipated receiving upon such
        conversion, the Company shall pay such holder within two business days
        following receipt of written notice of a claim (in addition to any other
        remedies available to the holder) the amount by which (x) such holder's
        total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the
        shares of Common Stock so purchased exceeds (y) the net proceeds
        received by such holder from the sale of the Sold Shares.

        (d) DETERMINATION OF CONVERSION PRICE. The Conversion Price at any date
        shall be 95% of the lowest trade price (as defined below) of the Common
        Stock as reported by Nasdaq during a period of ten consecutive trading
        days immediately preceding such date; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that two days
        shall be added to such period each month, commencing on the first day
        following the date that is six months after the date of the original
        issuance of the Convertible Preferred Stock, until such period shall
        have been lengthened to 22 days. The Conversion Price at any date shall
        not be greater than $8.62 (the "Conversion Cap").

        The "lowest trade price" of the Common Stock on any day shall be the
        lowest reported sale price of the Common Stock on Nasdaq or any other
        principal securities price quotation system or market on which prices of
        the Common Stock are reported. The term "trading day" means a day on
        which trading is reported on the principal quotation system or market on
        which prices of the Common Stock are reported.

        If, during any period of consecutive trading days provided for above,
        the Company shall declare or pay any dividend on the Common Stock
        payable in Common Stock or in rights to acquire Common Stock, or shall
        effect a stock split or reverse stock split, or a combination,
        consolidation or reclassification of the Common Stock, then the
        Conversion Price and the Conversion Cap shall be proportionately
        decreased or increased, as appropriate, to give effect to such event.

                                       49
<PAGE>
        (e) DISTRIBUTIONS. If the Company shall at any time or from time to time
        make or issue, or fix a record date for the determination of holders of
        Common Stock entitled to receive, a dividend or other distribution
        payable in securities of the Company or any of its subsidiaries other
        than additional shares of Common Stock, then in each such event
        provision shall be made so that the holders of Convertible Preferred
        Stock shall receive, at the same time as the holders of Common Stock,
        the securities of the Company which they would have received had they
        been the owners on such record date of the number of shares of Common
        Stock issuable to them upon conversion on such record date.

        (f) NOTICE OF RECORD DATE. In the event of any taking by the Company of
        a record of the holders of any class of securities for the purpose of
        determining the holders thereof who are entitled to receive any dividend
        (other than a cash dividend) or other distribution, any security or
        right convertible into or entitling the holder thereof to receive
        additional shares of Common Stock, or any right to subscribe for,
        purchase or otherwise acquire any shares of stock of any class or any
        other securities or property, or to receive any other right, the Company
        shall mail to each holder of Convertible Preferred Stock at least 10
        days prior to the date specified therein, a notice specifying the date
        on which any such record is to be taken for the purpose of such
        dividend, distribution, security or right and the amount and character
        of such dividend, distribution, security or right. 

        (g) ISSUE TAXES. The Company shall pay any and all issue and other
        taxes, excluding any income, franchise or similar taxes, that may be
        payable in respect of any issue or delivery of shares of Common Stock on
        conversion of shares of Convertible Preferred Stock pursuant hereto;
        PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company shall not be obligated to pay any
        transfer taxes resulting from any transfer requested by any holder in
        connection with any such conversion.

        (h) RESERVATION OF STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION. The Company shall at
        all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued
        shares of Common Stock, solely for the purpose of effecting the
        conversion of the shares of the Convertible Preferred Stock, such number
        of its shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient
        to effect the conversion of all outstanding shares of the Convertible
        Preferred Stock, subject to the limitation set forth in Subsection (l)
        below, and if at any time the number of authorized but unissued shares
        of Common Stock shall not be sufficient to effect the conversion of all
        then outstanding shares of the Convertible Preferred Stock, the Company
        will take such corporate action as may, in the opinion of its counsel,
        be necessary to increase its authorized but unissued shares of Common
        Stock to such number of shares as shall be sufficient for such purpose.

        (i) FRACTIONAL SHARES. No fractional shares shall be issued upon the
        conversion of any share or shares of Convertible Preferred Stock. All
        shares of Common Stock (including fractions thereof) issuable upon
        conversion of more than one share of Convertible Preferred Stock by a
        holder thereof shall be aggregated for purposes of determining whether
        the conversion would result in the issuance of any fractional share. The
        Company shall, in lieu of issuing any fractional share, pay the holder
        otherwise entitled to such fraction a sum in cash equal to the fair
        market value of such fraction on the date of conversion.

        (j) NOTICES. Any notice required by the provisions of this Section to be
        given to the holders of shares of Convertible Preferred Stock shall be
        deemed given if deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid,
        and addressed to each holder of record at its address appearing on the
        books of the Company.

        (k) REORGANIZATION OR MERGER.

               (i) Subject to clause (ii) below, in case of any reorganization
               or any reclassification of the capital stock of the Company or
               any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other
               company or companies or a sale of all or substantially all of the
               assets of the Company to any other person, the holders of
               Convertible Preferred Stock shall thereafter have the right to
               receive upon conversion of their Convertible Preferred Stock
               shares such stock securities or other assets which the holder
               would 

                                       50
<PAGE>
               have been entitled to receive in such transaction had the
               Convertible Preferred Stock been converted immediately prior to
               such transaction.

               (ii) In case of any reorganization or any reclassification of the
               capital stock of the Company or any consolidation or merger of
               the Company with or into any other company or companies or a sale
               of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to any
               other person, and where all, or a part, of the consideration paid
               in connection with any such event to the holders of Common Stock
               consists of common stock of the surviving company, such surviving
               company shall establish, as of the effective time of any such
               event, a new series or class of preferred securities having terms
               essentially identical to those of the Convertible Preferred Stock
               so as to carry out fully the terms of these reorganization
               provisions; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (A) the Conversion Cap shall
               be set at an amount equal to the Conversion Cap in effect
               immediately prior to the effective time of such event multiplied
               by the appropriate exchange ratio or conversion factor
               established in connection with such event (subject to clause (C)
               below, the "Exchange Ratio"), (B) if there shall be a conversion
               on a date sooner than ten trading days after such event, the
               Conversion Price shall be determined as set forth above except
               that, in the case of trading days prior to the effective time of
               any such event, the trade price of the Common Stock shall be
               multiplied by the Exchange Ratio and (C) if only part of such
               consideration paid in connection with such event consists of such
               common stock, the Exchange Ratio shall be appropriately adjusted
               by the Board of Directors of the Company, acting in good faith.
               The Company shall not effect any transaction described in these
               reorganization provisions unless the resulting successor or
               acquiring entity (if not the Company) assumes by written
               instrument the obligations of the Company under this Certificate
               of Designation including these reorganization provision.

               (iii) Notwithstanding clauses (i) and (ii) above, in case of any
               consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other
               company or companies or a sale of all or substantially all of the
               assets of the Company to any other person, the Company may, at
               its option, redeem the shares of Convertible Preferred Stock, in
               whole and not in part, on the date of the consolidation or merger
               of the Company with or into any other company or companies or a
               sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company to
               any other person (the "Redemption Date"). In any such case, the
               redemption price (the "Redemption Price") shall be an amount in
               cash such that the holders of the Convertible Preferred Stock
               shall have received, through the Redemption Date, a compounded
               internal rate of return on their investment in the Convertible
               Preferred Stock of 20% per annum (using quarterly compounding and
               including any dividends paid). Such Redemption Price shall be
               payable on the Redemption Date.

       (l) RESTRICTED NUMBER OF CONVERSION SHARES. The Company shall not be
       obligated to issue, in the aggregate, shares of Common Stock upon
       conversion of the Convertible Preferred Stock if issuance of such shares
       would (i) constitute a breach of the Company's obligations under its
       agreements with the NASD or Nasdaq or the rules of such organizations or
       (ii) cause the Company to exceed the number of shares authorized in its
       charter or articles of incorporation. If further issuances of shares of
       Common Stock upon redemption of the Convertible Preferred Stock would
       cause the Company to exceed either of the limitations specified in
       clauses (i) and (ii) above, then so long thereafter as such limitation
       shall continue to be applicable and any shares of Convertible Preferred
       Stock are submitted for conversion, such shares shall receive in cash an
       amount equal to the current value of the Common Stock which such shares
       would otherwise be entitled to receive upon conversion, in lieu of the
       Common Stock such shares would otherwise be entitled to receive upon
       conversion, and such shares will be deemed canceled. Such maximum number
       of shares of Common Stock shall be proportionately and equitably adjusted
       in the event of stock splits, stock dividends, reverse stock splits,
       reclassifications or other such events, in such manner as the Board of
       Directors of the Company shall reasonably determine. The Company shall,
       at any time upon the oral or written request of any

                                       51
<PAGE>
       holder, forthwith inform such holder, orally or in writing, of the
       highest Common Stock trade price at which any cash payment under this
       paragraph (l) would then be required.

LIMITATION ON CONVERSION. The Convertible Preferred Stock shall not be
convertible by a holder or the Company or at the Termination Date to the extent
(but only to the extent) that, if so converted the holder would beneficially own
in excess of 4.9% of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company.
To the extent this limitation applies, the determination of whether any
particular shares of Convertible Preferred Stock shall be convertible shall be
in the sole discretion of the holder thereof and submission of the Convertible
Preferred Stock for conversion shall be deemed to be the holder's determination
of whether such Convertible Preferred Stock is convertible, subject to such
aggregate percentage limitation. No prior inability to convert Convertible
Preferred Stock shall have any effect on the applicability of its provisions
with respect to any subsequent determination of convertibility. For the purposes
of the above limitation, beneficial ownership and all calculations including,
without limitation, with respect to calculations of percentage ownership, shall
be determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Exchange Act.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, each holder shall have the right to waive such
restriction upon 90 days' prior notice to the Company. No transferee of
Convertible Preferred Stock shall be bound by such restriction unless the
transferee expressly so agrees.

VOTING RIGHTS. In connection with any right to vote, each holder of Convertible
Preferred Stock will have one vote for each share held. Any shares of
Convertible Preferred Stock held by the Company or any entity controlled by the
Company shall not have voting rights hereunder and shall not be counted in
determining the presence of a quorum.

So long as at least 20,000 shares of the Convertible Preferred Stock shall
remain outstanding, whenever (i) dividends on the Convertible Preferred Stock
shall be in arrears in an amount equal to at least two quarterly dividends
(whether or not consecutive), (ii) the Company shall not have timely paid to the
holders of the Convertible Preferred Stock up to 1% of the Conversion Price
thereof for each 15 day period a registration statement covering the Convertible
Preferred Stock and the Common Stock into which it shall be convertible and
certain other registrable securities is not available for use by the holders,
all as specified in the investment agreement pursuant to which the Convertible
Preferred Stock was issued on the Closing Date, (iii) the Company, for five
consecutive trading days, shall not have sufficient shares of Common Stock
authorized and reserved for issuance to cover the number of shares of Common
Stock into which the Convertible Preferred Stock shall then be convertible
hereunder, then, in the case of any of the events specified in the foregoing
clauses (i) through (iii), (A) the number of members of the Board of Directors
of the Company shall be increased to create such number of vacancies as may be
required to permit the holders of Convertible Preferred Stock to elect forthwith
one member of the Board of Directors, or such other appropriate action shall be
taken to permit such election, effective as of the time of election of such
director as hereinafter provided and (B) the holders of the Convertible
Preferred Stock (voting separately as a class) will have the exclusive right to
vote for and elect such additional director of the Company at any meeting of
stockholders of the Company at which directors are to be elected held during the
period the defaults specified in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above continue and
remain uncured. The right of the holders of the Convertible Preferred Stock to
vote for such additional director shall terminate when the applicable defaults
specified in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above shall be cured. The term of
office of the director so elected shall terminate immediately upon the
termination of the right of the holders of the Convertible Preferred Stock to
vote for such additional director.

The holders of the Convertible Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class,
shall have the right to remove without cause at any time and replace any
director such holders shall have elected pursuant to the above paragraph.

                                       52
<PAGE>
                                  LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the issuance of the Shares offered hereby has been passed upon
by Liddell, Sapp, Zivley, Hill and LaBoon, L.L.P.

                                     EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 1997,
and for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1997 have
been audited by Hein + Associates LLP, independent certified public accountants,
as set forth in their reports thereon appearing elsewhere herein and in the
Registration Statement, and are included in reliance upon such reports upon the
authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.


                                       53
<PAGE>
                        INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
      Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1997 and
        March 31, 1998 ..................................................   F-2
      Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended
        March 31, 1997 and 1998 .........................................   F-3
      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended
        March 31, 1997 and 1998 .........................................   F-4
      Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements ........................   F-5

AUDITED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
      Report of Independent Public Accountants ..........................   F-6
      Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1996 and 1997 ......   F-7
      Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended
        December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997 ................................   F-8
      Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the
        Years Ended December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997 ....................   F-9
      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended
        December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997 ................................   F-10
      Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements ........................   F-11

                                      F-1
<PAGE>
                         TELESCAN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
                      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                    (in thousands, except per share amounts)

                                                        MARCH 31,   DECEMBER 31,
                                                          1998         1997
                                                        --------     --------
                                                       (UNAUDITED)
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
  Cash and cash equivalents ..........................  $    315     $  1,090
  Accounts receivable, net ...........................     1,487        1,650
  Receivables from affiliates ........................       220          155
  Prepaid expenses ...................................       454          455
  Inventory ..........................................        68           77
  Other current assets ...............................       299          198
  Discontinued operations ............................       234          164
                                                        --------     --------
    TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS .............................     3,077        3,789

Property and equipment, net ..........................     1,764        2,048
Software development costs, net ......................     4,794        4,469
Software technology rights, net ......................       250          176
Capitalized data costs, net ..........................       223          252
Other assets, net ....................................        63           68
Discontinued operations ..............................     1,413        1,457
                                                        --------     --------
  TOTAL ASSETS .......................................  $ 11,584     $ 12,259
                                                        ========     ========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Accounts payable ...................................  $  2,252     $  2,021
  Accrued liabilities ................................       410          402
  Accrual for phase out costs of discontinued
    operations .......................................         6           20
  Current portion of long-term debt and capital
    lease obligations ................................       438          447
  Amounts due to stockholders and affiliates .........      --            154
                                                        --------     --------
    TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES ........................     3,106        3,044

Long-term debt .......................................       112          152
Capital lease obligations ............................       241          314

CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 2) ...............................      --           --

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
  Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 10,000,000
    shares authorized; none issued ...................      --           --
  Common stock; $.01 par value; 15,000,000 shares
    authorized; 11,044,568 and 10,924,382 shares
    issued and outstanding in 1998 and 1997,
    respectively .....................................       110          109
  Additional paid-in capital .........................    18,206       17,972
  Accumulated deficit ................................   (10,191)      (9,332)
                                                        --------     --------
    TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY .......................     8,125        8,749
                                                        --------     --------
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY .......  $ 11,584     $ 12,259
                                                        ========     ========

   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

                                       F-2
<PAGE>
                         TELESCAN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
                CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                    (in thousands, except per share amounts)

                                                            QUARTER ENDED
                                                               MARCH 31,
                                                         ----------------------
                                                           1998          1997
                                                         --------      --------
REVENUE:
  Service ..........................................     $  2,444      $  2,985
  Products .........................................          238           332
  Contract revenue earned from affiliates ..........          350           309
                                                         --------      --------
    Total revenue ..................................        3,032         3,626

COSTS AND EXPENSES:
  Cost of service ..................................        1,906         1,739
  Cost of products .................................          100           178
  Selling and marketing expenses ...................          571           499
  General and administrative expenses ..............        1,245           967
  Interest expense .................................           22            22
                                                         --------      --------
    TOTAL COSTS AND EXPENSES .......................        3,844         3,405

INCOME (LOSS) FROM:
  Continuing operations ............................         (812)          221
  Discontinued operations...........................         --            (207)
  Provision for operating losses during phase out...          (46)         --
                                                         --------      --------
NET INCOME (LOSS) ..................................     $   (858)     $     14
                                                         ========      ========
INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE:
  Income (loss) from continuing operations
   per common share:
    Basic ..........................................        (0.07)         0.02
    Diluted ........................................        (0.07)         0.02
    Income (loss) from discontinued operations
     per common share:
    Basic ..........................................         0.00         (0.02)
    Diluted ........................................         0.00         (0.02)
    Net income (loss):
    Basic ..........................................        (0.08)         --
    Diluted ........................................        (0.08)         --

Weighted average shares - basic ....................       10,939        10,735
Dilutive effect of options .........................         --             196
                                                         --------      --------
Adjusted weighted average shares - diluted .........       10,939        10,931

   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

                                       F-3
<PAGE>
                         TELESCAN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (in thousands)

                                                              THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                              ------------------
                                                                1998      1997
                                                               -------    -----
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss) ..........................................   $  (858)   $  14
  Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to
   net cash provided (used) by operating activities:
    Accrued loss on discontinued operations ................       (14)    --
    Depreciation and amortization ..........................       566      474
    Provision for doubtful accounts ........................         6       10
Changes in assets and liabilities
  Receivables and advances .................................        92      148
  Other current assets .....................................       (91)      10
  Accounts payable .........................................       231       47
  Other current liabilities ................................         7      (15)
  Discontinued operations ..................................       (26)    (196)
                                                               -------    -----
    NET CASH PROVIDED (USED) BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES .......       (87)     492

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Additions to property and equipment ......................       (15)      21
  Additions to software development costs ..................      (631)    (483)
  Additions to capitalized data costs ......................      --         (4)
  Other ....................................................      --         (4)
                                                               -------    -----
    NET CASH USED BY INVESTING ACTIVITIES ..................      (646)    (470)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Proceeds from issuances of common stock ..................       235       22
  Proceeds from notes payable ..............................      --         40
  Payments to stockholder ..................................      (154)    --
  Payments on notes payable and capital lease obligations ..      (123)    (103)
                                                               -------    -----
    NET CASH PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES ..............       (42)     (41)

DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS ......................      (775)     (19)

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:
  Beginning of period ......................................     1,090      667
                                                               -------    -----
  End of period ............................................   $   315    $ 648
                                                               =======    =====

   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

                                       F-4
<PAGE>
1. Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements reflect the accounts of Telescan, Inc. and
its majority owned subsidiary ("Telescan" or the "Company"), and the effect of
discontinued operations. The Company's consolidated statements of operations,
which include the results of Knowledge Express Data Systems, L.C. ("KE"), have
been adjusted to reflect KE in discontinued operations. The discontinued
operations also include Computer Sports Network, entertainment, advertising and
other non-financial operations.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been
prepared in accordance with Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X for interim financial
statements required to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and
do not include all information and footnotes required by generally accepted
accounting principles. However, in the opinion of management, the information
furnished reflects all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments,
which are necessary to make a fair presentation of financial position and
operating results for the interim periods.

Amounts in the March 31, 1997 condensed consolidated financial statements have
been reclassified whenever necessary to conform with the current period's
presentation.

The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in
conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements for the year
ended December 31, 1997. The results of operations for the three-month period
ended March 31, 1998, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be
expected for the full year.

2. Contingencies

In 1997, Gregory Reagan filed a suit against the Company in the District Court
of Harris County Texas. The plaintiff has asserted a claim under a verbal
agreement to pay a royalty or finder's fee incident to a reciprocal marketing
agreement which Telescan signed with Omega Research, Inc. ("Omega Research").
Under the Omega Agreement, Omega is given a financial incentive to encourage
Omega's customers to subscribe for Telescan's current stock market data
services. The plaintiff claims a share of the net revenues derived by Telescan
under the Omega Agreement. By letter dated February 28, 1996, Telescan gave
notice of cancellation of the verbal agreement with Gregory Reagan based on the
breaches of Reagan's duties under such verbal agreement. Telescan has made
offers of settlement. Telescan maintains that the verbal agreement was properly
canceled. The trial, which was set to begin March 30, 1998, has been postponed
and has been rescheduled for June 22, 1998. Reagan recently amended his petition
to add a fraud claim to the case with a request for punitive damages. Telescan
vigorously denies that there is a proper basis for the fraud claim on the
merits.

3. Convertible Preferred Stock

In May 1998 the Company issued 120,000 shares of Convertible Preferred Stock.
The shares are convertible into Common Stock at any time through May 15, 2001 at
95% of the lowest trade price as reported by Nasdaq for 10 days prior to the
conversion date. Two days will be added to this lookback period each month after
November 15, 1998 until the time period is lengthened to 22 days. Upon issuance
of the Convertible Preferred Stock, an imputed dividend will be reflected based
upon the discounted conversion feature. Such dividend totaling approximately
$44,000 will be deducted from earnings available to common stockholders.


4. New Accounting Pronouncement

In the first quarter of 1998, the Company adopted SFAS No. 130 (Reporting
Comprehensive Income). The adoption did not have a material impact between
Income as presented and comprehensive net income under SFAS No. 130.

                                      F-5
<PAGE>
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT

BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS
TELESCAN, INC.
HOUSTON, TEXAS

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Telescan, Inc.
and subsidiary as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the related statements of
operations, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 1997. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are
free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An
audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects, the financial position of Telescan, Inc. and subsidiary
as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the results of their operations and cash
flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1997, in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

HEIN + ASSOCIATES LLP
Houston, Texas
February 24, 1998

                                      F-6
<PAGE>
                         TELESCAN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
               (in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

                                                               YEARS ENDED
                                                               DECEMBER 31,
                                                           ---------------------
                                                             1997        1996
                                                           --------    --------
ASSETS
Current Assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents ............................   $  1,090    $    667
  Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $105
   and $86, respectively ...............................      1,650       1,791
  Receivable from affiliates ...........................        155         342
  Prepaid expenses .....................................        455         360
  Inventory ............................................         77         101
  Other current assets .................................        198         181
  Discontinued operations ..............................        164        --
                                                           --------    --------
    TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS ...............................      3,789       3,442

Property and equipment, net of accumulated
 depreciation of $3,121 and $2,319, respectively .......      2,048       2,448
Software development costs, net ........................      4,469       3,248
Software technology rights, net ........................        176         246
Capitalized data costs, net ............................        252         377
Other assets ...........................................         68          82
Discontinued operations ................................      1,457       1,565
                                                           --------    --------
  TOTAL ASSETS .........................................   $ 12,259    $ 11,408
                                                           ========    ========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Accounts payable .....................................   $  2,021    $  1,892
  Accrued liabilities ..................................        402         434
  Accrual for phase out costs on discontinued operations         20        --
  Current portion of long-term debt and capital
   lease obligations ...................................        447         404
  Amounts due to stockholders and affiliates ...........        154        --
  Discontinued operations ..............................       --           257
                                                           --------    --------
    TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES ..........................      3,044       2,987

Long-term debt .........................................        152         237
Capital lease obligations ..............................        314         220

Commitments and contingencies (Note 6 and 10) ..........       --          --

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
  Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares
   authorized; none issued .............................       --          --
  Common stock, $.01 par value; 15,000,000 shares
  authorized; 10,924,382 and 10,733,114 shares
  issued and outstanding in 1997 and 1996, respectively         109         107
  Additional paid-in capital ...........................     17,972      17,385
  Accumulated deficit ..................................     (9,332)     (9,528)
                                                           --------    --------
    TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY .........................      8,749       7,964
                                                           --------    --------
    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY .........   $ 12,259    $ 11,408
                                                           ========    ========

   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

                                       F-7
<PAGE>
                         TELESCAN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                    (in thousands, except per share amounts)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             Years Ended December 31,
                                                         --------------------------------
                                                           1997        1996        1995
                                                         --------    --------    --------
<S>                                                      <C>         <C>         <C>     
Revenue:
  Service ............................................   $ 12,084    $  9,376    $  8,107
  Products ...........................................      1,504       1,887       2,257
  Contract revenue earned from affiliates ............      1,351         866         571
                                                         --------    --------    --------
    TOTAL REVENUE ....................................     14,939      12,129      10,935

COSTS AND EXPENSES:
  Cost of service ....................................      7,120       6,440       4,877
  Cost of revenue - products .........................        680       1,138       1,160
  Marketing expenses .................................      1,867       2,066       2,447
  General and administrative expenses ................      4,372       4,687       3,714
  Interest expense, net ..............................         90          72          63
                                                         --------    --------    --------
    TOTAL COSTS AND EXPENSES .........................     14,129      14,403      12,261

Income (loss) from:
  Continuing operations ..............................        810      (2,274)     (1,326)
  Discontinued operations ............................       (558)       (660)        112
  Provision for operating losses during phase out ....        (56)       --          --
                                                         --------    --------    --------
Net income (loss) ....................................   $    196    $ (2,934)   $ (1,214)
                                                         ========    ========    ========
Income (loss) per share: 
Income (loss) from continuing
 operations per common share:
    Basic ............................................   $   0.08    $  (0.21)   $  (0.14)
    Diluted ..........................................   $   0.07    $  (0.21)   $  (0.14)
  Income (loss) from discontinued
   operations per common share:
    Basic ............................................   $  (0.06)   $  (0.06)   $   0.01
    Diluted ..........................................   $  (0.06)   $  (0.06)   $   0.01
  Net income (loss):
    Basic ............................................   $   0.02    $  (0.28)   $  (0.12)
    Diluted ..........................................   $   0.02    $  (0.28)   $  (0.12)

  Weighted average shares - basic ....................     10,766      10,615       9,777
  Dilutive effect of options .........................        173        --          --
                                                         --------    --------    --------
Adjusted weighted average shares - diluted ...........     10,939      10,615       9,777
</TABLE>
   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

                                       F-8
<PAGE>
                         TELESCAN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                  Years Ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995
                                 (in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           COMMON STOCK               ADDITIONAL                          TOTAL
                                                     -------------------------         PAID-IN        ACCUMULATED     STOCKHOLDERS'
                                                      SHARES           AMOUNT          CAPITAL          DEFICIT          EQUITY
                                                     --------         --------        --------         --------         --------
<S>                                                  <C>              <C>             <C>              <C>              <C>     
BALANCE - JANUARY 1, 1995 ...................           9,500         $     95        $ 11,307         $ (5,380)        $  6,022
Issuances of common stock under
  stock option plan .........................             280                3             618             --                621
Issuance of common stock for
  acquired business .........................              44             --               232             --                232
Other issuances of common stock .............             428                4           2,355             --              2,359
Other .......................................             (10)            --               (55)            --                (55)
Net loss ....................................            --               --              --             (1,214)          (1,214)
                                                     --------         --------        --------         --------         --------
BALANCE - DECEMBER 31, 1995 .................          10,242              102          14,457           (6,594)           7,965
Issuances of common stock under
  stock option plan .........................              75                1             152             --                153
Other issuance of common stock ..............             416                4           2,776             --              2,780
Net loss ....................................            --               --              --             (2,934)          (2,934)
                                                     --------         --------        --------         --------         --------
BALANCE - DECEMBER 31, 1996 .................          10,733              107          17,385           (9,528)           7,964
Issuances of common stock under
  stock option plan .........................             166                2             478             --                480
Other issuance of common stock ..............              25             --               100             --                100
Other .......................................            --               --                 9             --                  9
Net income ..................................            --               --              --                196              196
                                                     --------         --------        --------         --------         --------
BALANCE - DECEMBER 31, 1997 .................          10,924         $    109        $ 17,972         $ (9,332)        $  8,749
                                                     ========         ========        ========         ========         ========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

                                   F-9
<PAGE>
                         TELESCAN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                -----------------------------
                                                                  1997       1996      1995
                                                                -------    -------    -------
<S>                                                             <C>        <C>        <C>     
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss) ...........................................   $   196    $(2,934)   $(1,214)
  Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash
    provided (used) by operating activities:
      Accrued loss on discontinued operations ...............        20       --         --
      Depreciation and amortization .........................     2,021      1,721      1,188
      Gain on the sale of equipment .........................      --         --           (4)
      Provision for doubtful accounts .......................       119         31         22
Changes in assets and liabilities
      Receivables and advances ..............................       209       (711)      (338)
      Other current assets ..................................       (88)       (19)       (69)
      Accounts payable ......................................       129        658        246
      Other current liabilities .............................       (36)       238        188
      Discontinued operations ...............................      (313)       350       (787)
                                                                -------    -------    -------
        Net cash provided (used) by operating activities ....     2,257       (666)      (768)

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Proceeds from sale of equipment ...........................       147       --           32
  Additions to property and equipment .......................      (219)      (743)      (620)
  Additions to software development costs ...................    (2,188)    (1,547)    (1,107)
  Additions to capitalized data costs .......................        (5)       (72)       (73)
  Other .....................................................        (5)       (18)       (10)
                                                                -------    -------    -------
    Net cash used by investing activities ...................    (2,270)    (2,380)    (1,778)

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Proceeds from issuances of common stock ...................       493      2,683      3,157
  Proceeds from notes payable ...............................       109       --          181
  Advance from stockholder ..................................       154       --         --
  Capital lease obligations .................................       143       --         --
  Payments on notes payable and capital lease obligations ...      (463)      (331)      (277)
                                                                -------    -------    -------
    Net cash provided by financing activities ...............       436      2,352      3,061

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS ............       423       (694)       515

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS:
Beginning of year ...........................................       667      1,361        846
                                                                -------    -------    -------
End of year .................................................   $ 1,090    $   667    $ 1,361
                                                                =======    =======    =======
SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
  Cash paid for:
    Interest ................................................   $    90    $    73    $    66
                                                                =======    =======    =======
  Common stock issued to purchase software technology rights        100        249       --
  Computer equipment  acquired under long-term capital leases       264        452         75
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

                                        F-10
<PAGE>
                  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

BASIS OF PRESENTATION. The consolidated financial statements reflect the
accounts of Telescan, Inc. and its majority owned subsidiary ("Telescan" or the
"Company"), and the effect of discontinued operations. The Company's
consolidated statements of operations which include the results of Knowledge
Express Data Systems, L.C. ("KE"), have been adjusted to reflect KE in
discontinued operations. The discontinued operations also include Computer
Sports Network, entertainment, advertising and other non-financial operations.

NATURE OF BUSINESS. The Company is an industry leader in providing innovative
solutions for online technology, data retrieval and Internet services. The
Company develops, markets, and operates major online networks serving the
financial industry. The Company's products and services, which are based upon
its proprietary online operating system and user software, allow its customers
to electronically access and analyze information through their personal computer
systems either on an online basis or through the Internet.

The Company's primary products are the Telescan system of online and Internet
financial databases and software tools, which offer current and historical
financial news and information as well as search and analytical tools provided
directly by the Company and under private label arrangements with third parties.

SIGNIFICANT ESTIMATES. Preparation of financial statements in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates
and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the
disclosed amounts of contingent assets and liabilities, and the reported amounts
of revenues and expenses. Actual results could differ from those estimates. (See
Note 2)

CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK. The Company markets its products to a diverse
customer base, and as such does not have any significant concentrations of
credit risk. In 1997 American Express accounted for 10.1% of consolidated
revenue. The Company maintains deposits in banks which may exceed the amount of
federal deposit insurance available. Management believes the potential risk of
loss on these accounts is minimal.

INVENTORIES.   Inventories  are  carried  at  the   lower-of-cost  or  market,
determined on the specific identification method.

EQUIPMENT. Equipment is recorded at cost and depreciated over the estimated
useful life of the related assets. Equipment under capital lease is amortized
over the lease term. Depreciation and amortization expense is determined
principally on the straight-line method. The estimated useful lives of the
Company's equipment is as follows:

Computer and other equipment  5 years
Furniture and fixtures        7 years
Other                         5 years

SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT COSTS. Costs incurred in the research, design and
development of software are charged to expense until technological feasibility
is established, after which remaining software production costs are capitalized
and amortized on a product-by-product basis on the straight-line basis over
periods of three to five years. Amortization of capitalized software development
costs begins when the related product is available for general release to
customers. The Company periodically reviews software development costs to assess
impairment. Amounts impaired are charged to expense as identified. Amortization
of software development costs is included in cost of service in the accompanying
statements of operations and totaled $967,000, $653,000, and $319,000 for the
years ended December 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995, respectively. Accumulated
amortization totaled $2,818,000 and $1,851,000 at December 31, 1997 and 1996,
respectively.

SOFTWARE TECHNOLOGY RIGHTS. The Company has acquired rights to certain core
software technologies. These rights are recorded at cost and amortized over a
period of five years. Amortization of software technology rights is included in
cost of service in the accompanying statements of operations and totaled
$69,000, $80,000 and $55,000 for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996, and
1995, respectively. Accumulated amortization totaled $176,000 and $258,000 at
December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.

                                      F-11
<PAGE>
CAPITALIZED DATA COSTS. Costs incurred to acquire data are capitalized and
amortized on a straight-line basis over three to five years. Capitalized data
costs include actual costs to acquire the data plus personnel costs specifically
related to loading the purchased data and performing the required programming.
Amortization of capitalized data costs is included in cost of service in the
accompanying statements of operations and totaled $131,000, $178,000 and
$171,000 for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
Accumulated amortization totaled $930,000 and $800,000 at December 31, 1997 and
1996, respectively. The Company periodically reviews capitalized data costs to
assess impairment. Amounts impaired are charged to expense as identified.

DIRECT-RESPONSE   ADVERTISING  COSTS.  The  Company  expenses  direct-response
advertising costs in the period in which the costs are incurred.

GOODWILL. Goodwill totaling $94,000 at December 31, 1997 and at December 31,
1996 represents the cost in excess of the fair value of the net assets of
companies acquired and is being amortized on the straight-line basis over
periods ranging from ten to fifteen years. Accumulated amortization totaled
$52,000 and $44,000 at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively. Goodwill
amortization totaled approximately $8,000, $8,000 and $8,000 for the years ended
December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

EQUITY INVESTMENTS. The Company accounts for its investments in less than
majority-owned entities using the equity method of accounting, provided its
ownership is not less than 20 percent. The Company discontinues recognition of
losses on such investments once the Company's investment has been reduced to
zero, provided the Company is not committed to fund the operations of the joint
venture and is not contingently liable for obligations of such joint ventures.
The Company accounts for investments in entities in which its ownership is less
than 20 percent on the cost method.

REVENUE RECOGNITION. The Company recognizes service revenue when the service is
provided. Software license fee revenue is recognized upon contract signing
unless significant future obligations remain. In these instances, revenue is not
recognized until obligations have been satisfied or are no longer significant.
Product revenue is recognized when the product is shipped.

INCOME TAXES.  The Company  accounts for income taxes on the liability  method
as prescribed by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109.

EARNINGS PER SHARE. Basic earnings per share is computed based on the weighted
average number of common shares outstanding. Diluted earnings per share is
calculated under the treasury stock method and reflects the potential dilution
that could occur if certain options were exercised.

RECENT ACCOUNTING  PRONOUNCEMENTS.  The Financial  Accounting  Standards Board
(the "FASB") issued Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards ("SFAS") No.
121  "Accounting  for the  Impairment of Long-Lived  Assets and for Long-Lived
Assets to be Disposed  of". This  statement  was effective  beginning in 1996.
The adoption of this  pronouncement  in 1996 did not have a material impact on
the financial statements.

The FASB issued SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock Based Compensation". This
statement allows companies to choose to adopt the statement's new rules for
accounting for employee stock-based compensation plans. For those companies who
choose not to adopt the new rules, the statement requires disclosures as to what
earnings per share would have been if the new rules had been adopted. Management
adopted the disclosure requirements of this statement in 1996.

The FASB also issued SFAS No. 128, "Earnings Per Share", during February 1997.
The new statement, which is effective for financial statements issued after
December 31, 1997, including interim periods, establishes standards for
computing and presenting earnings per share. The new statement requires
retroactive restatement of all prior-period earnings per share data presented.
The Company has adopted the new statement and has retroactively restated
previously presented earnings per share information. The adoption of this
statement had no effect on the financial statements.

                                      F-12
<PAGE>
The FASB also issued SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income" and SFAS No.
131, "Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information". SFAS
No. 130 establishes standards for reporting and display of comprehensive income,
its components and accumulated balances. Comprehensive income is defined to
include all changes in equity except those resulting from investments by owners
and distributions to owners. Among other disclosures, SFAS No. 130 requires that
all items that are required to be recognized under current accounting standards
as components of comprehensive income be reported in a financial statement that
displays with the same prominence as other financial statements. SFAS No. 131
supersedes SFAS No. 14, "Financial Reporting for Segments of a Business
Enterprise". SFAS No. 131 establishes standards on the way that public companies
report financial information about operating segments in annual financial
statements and requires reporting of selected information about operating
segments in interim financial statements issued to the public. It also
establishes standards for disclosures regarding products and services,
geographic areas and major customers. SFAS No. 131 defines operating segments as
components of a company about which separate financial information is available
that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in deciding
how to allocate resources and in assessing performance.

SFAS Nos. 130 and 131 are effective for financial statements for periods
beginning after December 15, 1997 and require comparative information for
earlier years to be restated. Because of the recent issuance of these standards,
management has been unable to fully evaluate the impact, if any, SFAS No. 130
may have on the future financial statement disclosures. Results of operations
and financial position, however, will be unaffected by implementation of this
standard. The Company has implemented SFAS No. 131 and has restated its prior
disclosures to be comparable. The effect of adopting this statement was to
segregate the Company's financial and non-financial assets. During 1997, the
Company adopted a plan to spin-off the non-financial segment. All non-financial
segment information has been disclosed and classified as a discontinued
operation (See Note 2).

MAJOR CUSTOMERS. Revenue earned from a private label agreement with American
Express amounted to 10.1% and 3.9% for the years ended December 31, 1997 and
1996, respectively. There were no revenues generated from American Express in
1995.

RECLASSIFICATIONS.  Amounts in prior  years'  financial  statements  have been
restated to conform with the current year's  presentation.  Such  restatements
had no effect on net income or loss.

1.  SPIN-OFF

In November 1997, the Company adopted a plan to spin-off its non-financial
segment of the business. The completion of this transaction is expected by the
end of the second quarter 1998. Shareholders will own shares in two publicly
traded companies; however, the ratio of shares to be distributed in the new
business entity has yet to be determined.

The financial statements represent the historical amounts of the Company
restated to show the financial operations of the Company and the non-financial
operations as discontinued operations.

Management is not currently able to determine the gain or loss of this
transaction. Estimated losses on discontinued operations through June 30, 1998
have been recorded as accrued liabilities. Operating results of discontinued
non-financial operations are as follows:

                                 (in thousands)
                            Years Ended December 31,
                       ----------------------------------
                        1997        1996         1995
                       ---------   ----------   ---------
Revenue                $   1,215   $    1,758   $   3,218
Net income (loss)           (595)        (660)        112

                                      F-13
<PAGE>
Assets and liabilities of the discontinued operations are as follows:

                                                            (in thousands)
                                                        YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                        -----------------------
                                                         1997           1996
                                                        -------        -------
CURRENT ASSETS:
  Cash ...........................................      $    15        $   125
  Accounts receivable, net .......................          349            292
  Inventories ....................................            4              6
  Prepaid expenses ...............................            9              9
  Other current assets ...........................           30             36
                                                        -------        -------
                                                            407            468
NON CURRENT ASSETS:
  Property, plant and equipment at cost ..........          283            327
  Accumulated depreciation .......................         (149)          (149)
  Software development at cost ...................        2,374          2,057
  Accumulated amortization .......................       (1,362)        (1,124)
  Capitalized data at cost .......................          606            610
  Accumulated amortization .......................         (436)          (332)
  Other, net .....................................          158            231
                                                        -------        -------
                                                          1,474          1,620
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Accounts payable ...............................         (145)          (561)
  Accrued liabilites .............................          (60)           (11)
  Current installments of obligations
  under capital lease ............................           (2)           (16)
  Amounts due stockholders .......................          (36)          (137)
                                                        -------        -------
                                                           (243)          (725)

Long-term capital lease obligations ..............           (8)           (31)

Minority interest ................................           (9)           (24)
                                                        -------        -------
Net assets .......................................      $ 1,621        $ 1,308
                                                        =======        =======

Other non-current assets include goodwill of $249,000 and $248,000 at December
31, 1997 and 1996 with accumulated amortization of $112,000 and $62,000,
respectively.

                                      F-14
<PAGE>
2.  EQUIPMENT

A summary of  property  and  equipment  at  December  31,  1997 and 1996 is as
follows:

                                                     1997               1996
                                                 -----------        -----------
Computer and other equipment .............       $ 4,611,000        $ 4,216,000
Furniture and fixtures ...................           491,000            485,000
Other ....................................            67,000             66,000
                                                 -----------        -----------
                                                   5,169,000          4,767,000

Accumulated depreciation .................        (3,121,000)        (2,319,000)
                                                 -----------        -----------
                                                 $ 2,048,000        $ 2,448,000
                                                 ===========        ===========

Depreciation and amortization expense was approximately $836,000, $792,000 and
$624,000 for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

3.  ACQUISITIONS

In June 1996, the Company purchased the technology rights of Op/Com Partners,
Ltd. ("Op/Com") for 38,000 shares of the Company's common stock. The acquisition
was accounted for on the purchase method of accounting and the entire purchase
price of $249,000, the fair value of the shares issued, was assigned to software
technology rights. At the time of the acquisition G. Robert Friedman, a former
director, owned 33.9% of Op/Com.

In June 1997, the Company acquired the assets of Notable Technologies, L.L.C.
for $100,000. The Company funded this acquisition through the issuance of 25,197
shares of restricted common stock pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act
of 1933. The transaction was accounted for under the purchase method of
accounting and assets have been recorded at fair market value. Stephen C. Wood,
a director of the Company , is Chief Executive Officer of Notable Technologies.

4.  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The Company has receivables from and payables to officers, stockholders, joint
ventures and affiliates. The balances are generally due on demand and are
non-interest bearing. At December 31, 1997 the net amounts due to officers
amounted to $154,000.

The Company has provided computer hardware, programming, systems maintenance,
data loading, telecommunications and certain administrative services to KE and
Telebuild, L.C. ("Telebuild"), a limited liability company formed in 1990. As of
December 31, 1997 and 1996, corresponding amounts due the Company from Telebuild
totaled $155,000 and $342,000. Included in other current assets is an additional
$111,000 and $111,000 at December 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively, due from
Telebuild; however, these will be included in the spin-off (See Note 2). The
Company owns 55.58% of KE and 14.168% of Telebuild. GRF Interests, Inc., a
company controlled by G. Robert Friedman ("Friedman"), a significant stockholder
and previous director of the Company, owns 44.42% of KE. Friedman Interest,
Inc., also controlled by Friedman, and the Brown Family Partnership own 45.42%
and 25.44%, respectively, of Telebuild. The Brown Family Partnership is owned by
David L. Brown, the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and other
members of the Brown family.

                                      F-15
<PAGE>
Contract service revenue earned from affiliates for the years ended December 31,
1997, 1996 and 1995 is as follows:

                                        1997          1996        1995  
                                     -----------   -----------  --------
         Telebuild, L.C...........   $ 1,322,000   $   735,000  $408,000

During 1996, the Company entered into a marketing, license and revenue sharing
agreement with CyberAction. Two of the directors of CyberAction are on the board
of directors of the Company.

5.  LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS

CAPITAL LEASES. Future minimum lease payments under capital leases at December
31, 1997 together with the present value of the minimum lease payments, are as
follows:

           YEARS ENDING DECEMBER 31,
           -------------------------
                     1998 ...................................         $ 322,000
                     1999 ...................................           235,000
                     2000 ...................................           104,000
                                                                      ---------
Total minimum lease payments ................................           661,000
Amount representing interest ................................           (75,000)
                                                                      ---------
Present value of minimum lease payments .....................           586,000
Current portion capital lease obligations ...................          (272,000)
                                                                      =========
Long-term capital lease obligation ..........................         $ 314,000
                                                                      =========

Computer equipment under capital lease at December 31, 1997 and 1996 totaled
$951,000 and $799,000 with related accumulated depreciation of $391,000 and
$397,000, respectively.

LINE OF CREDIT. The Company has a $500,000 revolving line of credit with a bank
to fund equipment purchases. Borrowings under this line bear interest at Wall
Street Prime (8.5% at December 31, 1997), are collateralized by the equipment
purchased, and are due in 36 equal monthly installments following the draw. At
December 31, 1997 and 1996, $327,000 and $488,000, respectively were outstanding
under this equipment line.

Future payments under this equipment line of credit are as follows:

      YEARS ENDING DECEMBER 31,
      -------------------------
               1998 .......................................           $ 175,000
               1999 .......................................             136,000
               2000 .......................................              16,000
                                                                      ---------
                                                                        327,000
Current portion of long-term debt .........................            (175,000)
                                                                      =========
                                                                      $ 152,000
                                                                      =========

                                      F-16
<PAGE>
OPERATING LEASES. The Company has commitments to lease office space and
equipment under non-cancelable operating leases. Rent expense under operating
leases totaled $868,000, $621,000 and $420,000 for the years ended December 31,
1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. Future minimum payments are as follows:


    YEARS ENDING DECEMBER 31, 
    -------------------------
              1998 ...........................                 $  921,000
              1999 ...........................                    723,000
              2000 ...........................                    664,000
              2001 ...........................                    399,000
              2002 ...........................                    798,000
           Thereafter ........................                  3,259,000
                                                               ==========
                                                               $6,764,000
                                                               ==========
           
6.  STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

AMERITRADE HOLDING CORPORATION TRANSACTION. In June 1995, the Company entered
into a Stock Purchase Agreement with AmeriTrade Holding Corporation (previously
named TransTerra Company), whereby AmeriTrade agreed to purchase $5 million of
restricted common stock in four equal installments over a nine month period. The
number of shares of common stock issued for each installment was calculated
based upon the average market price of the common stock over the preceding
quarter. In connection with this agreement, the Company granted certain
registration rights to AmeriTrade. During 1995, pursuant to the terms of this
agreement, 427,998 shares of restricted common stock were issued for total
consideration of $2.5 million. An additional 173,459 shares were issued in
January 1996 in exchange for the third installment of $1,250,000. In March 1996,
168,337 shares were issued for the final installment of $1,248,614.

In October 1997, AmeriTrade filed a Schedule 13-D with the Securities and
Exchange Commission stating that its holdings of the Company's common stock had
fallen below 5% (or 529,296 shares).

WARRANTS. During 1995, the Company issued 157,500 shares of common stock upon
the exercise of various stock purchase warrants at exercise prices ranging from
$1.75 to $3.00 per share. As of December 31, 1995, warrants to acquire 67,500
shares of common stock at an exercise price of $3.00 per share were outstanding.
During 1996, warrants were exercised for 36,000 shares and the remaining
warrants were canceled.

7.  INCOME TAXES

At December 31, 1997, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards for tax
reporting purposes of approximately $13,300,000, which expire in years 2000
through 2012.

                                      F-17
<PAGE>
Deferred tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 1997 and 1996 consisted
of the following:

                                                         1997           1996
                                                     -----------    -----------
Deferred tax assets -
Net operating loss carryforwards .................   $ 4,990,000    $ 4,630,000
Less:  Valuation allowance .......................    (2,679,000)    (2,388,000)
                                                     -----------    -----------
Deferred tax asset, net ..........................     2,311,000      2,242,000
Deferred tax liability -
Accumulated depreciation and amortization ........    (2,311,000)    (2,242,000)
                                                     -----------    -----------
                                                     $      --      $      --
                                                     ===========    ===========

The valuation allowance increased during 1997 by approximately $291,000.

8.  STOCK OPTION PLAN

The Company's stock option plans (the "Plan") for officers, directors and
employees authorizes the grant of options to purchase a maximum of 1,425,000
shares of common stock. The Plan provides for the issuance of incentive stock
options or non-statutory stock options, as defined by the Internal Revenue Code.
Pursuant to the terms of the Plan, the exercise price of incentive stock options
must equal the greater of $1.50 or the fair market value of the Company's common
stock on the date of grant. The exercise price of non-statutory options may be
any amount equal to or greater than $1.50 per share. Vesting terms vary from
immediate at date of grant to four years from date of grant. The Compensation
Committee of the Board of Directors determines the vesting period of each grant.
Options remaining under the Plan terminating August 13, 2000 and March 22, 2005
totaled 632,874 and 110,210, respectively. Options not exercised prior to the
Plan termination date will expire.

Transactions with regard to incentive options issued pursuant to the Plan are as
follows:

                                                                  WEIGHTED
                                             TOTAL SHARES       AVERAGE PRICE
                                             UNDER OPTION         PER SHARE
                                            ---------------    ---------------
BALANCE - JANUARY 1, 1995 ...............           718,440    $          3.35
Granted .................................           148,395    $          4.91
Canceled ................................           (39,148)   $          5.27
Exercised ...............................          (122,763)   $          1.67
                                            ---------------    ---------------
BALANCE - DECEMBER 31, 1995 .............           704,924    $          3.87
Granted .................................           190,535    $          7.26
Canceled ................................           (52,998)   $          6.33
Exercised ...............................           (74,812)   $          2.04
                                            ---------------    ---------------
BALANCE - DECEMBER 31, 1996 .............           767,649    $          4.69
Granted .................................           215,347    $          4.85
Canceled ................................           (73,841)   $          6.82
Exercised ...............................          (166,071)   $          3.01
                                            ===============    ===============
BALANCE - DECEMBER 31, 1997 .............           743,084    $          4.94
                                            ===============    ===============

                                      F-18
<PAGE>
At December 31, 1997, options under the plan to purchase a total of 413,336
shares of common stock were exercisable at prices ranging from $1.50 to $8.44
per share. In addition, as of December 31, 1997 60,000 non-qualified stock
options have been issued at option prices ranging from $4.75 to $8.37 per share
and 10,000 options were exercisable as of that date. Subsequent to December 31,
1997, additional 149,290 options were granted to employees at an exercise price
of $6.44 per share, the market price at the date of grant. Another 50,000
options were granted under a non-qualified stock option agreement at $6.75 per
share.

SFAS 123 encourages, but does not require, companies to recognize compensation
expense for grants of stock, stock options, and other equity instruments to
employees based on fair value. Fair value is generally determined under an
option pricing model using the criteria set forth in SFAS 123.

The Company applies APB Opinion 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,
and related Interpretations in accounting for its plans. Accordingly, no
compensation cost has been recognized in 1997 or 1996 for its stock option
plans. Had compensation expense for the Company's stock-based compensation plans
been determined based on fair value at the grant dates for awards under those
plans consistent with the method of SFAS 123, the Company's net loss and loss
per common share would have been increased to the pro forma amounts indicated
below:

                                                      1997             1996
                                                 -------------    -------------
Net income (loss)
As reported ................................     $     196,000    $  (2,934,000)
Pro forma ..................................          (450,000)      (3,417,000)
Net income (loss) per common share
As reported ................................     $        0.02    $       (0.28)
Pro forma ..................................             (0.04)           (0.32)

The fair value of each option grant was estimated on the date of grant using the
Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions; risk free
rates of 5.7 to 6.2%; volatility of 66.1%; no assumed dividend yield; and
expected lives of 3 years.

                                      F-19
<PAGE>

                                     PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 13.

OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION

The following table sets forth the estimated expenses expected to be incurred in
connection with the resale of the securities being registered. The expenses
shall be paid by the Registrant. The Registrant will pay all expenses of
preparing and filing the Registration Statement and amending or supplementing
the Registration Statement from time to time. Each Selling Stockholder will be
responsible for his own expenses incurred in the offering including legal fees,
brokerage commissions, and similar expenses incurred in the distribution of his
shares.

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                       
Filing Fee for Registration Statement................................. $    885
Printing, Engraving and Mailing Fees..................................    2,500
Legal Fees and Expenses...............................................   20,000 
Accounting Fees and Expenses..........................................    5,000
Nasdaq Filing Fees....................................................    1,000
                                                                       --------
    Total............................................................. $ 29,385
                                                                       ========
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ITEM 14.

INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware provides
generally and in pertinent part that a Delaware corporation may indemnify its
directors and officers against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments,
fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by them
in connection with any civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative action,
suit or proceeding except actions by or in the right of the corporation if, in
connection with the matters in issue, they acted in good faith and in a manner
they reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation, and in connection with any criminal action or proceeding if, in
connection with the matters in issue, they had no reasonable cause to believe
their conduct was unlawful. Section 145 further provides that in connection with
the defense or settlement of any action or suit by or in the right of the
corporation, a Delaware corporation may indemnify its directors and officers
against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by
them if, in connection with the matters in issue, they acted in good faith and
in a manner they reasonably believe to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the corporation, except that no indemnification may be made with
respect to any claim, issue, or matter as to which such person has been adjudged
liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court
of Chancery or other court in which such action or suit is brought approves such
indemnification. Section 145 further permits a Delaware corporation to grant its
directors and officers additional rights of indemnification through bylaw
provisions and otherwise, and to purchase indemnity insurance on behalf of its
directors and officers.

In addition, Article V of the Registrant's By-Laws "Indemnification of
Directors, Officers, Employees and Other Agents" provides as follows:

        SECTION 1.DEFINITIONS. For the purpose of this Article V, "agent" means
        any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or other agent of
        the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation
        as a director, officer, employee or agent of another foreign or domestic
        corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, or
        was a director, officer, employee or agent of a foreign or domestic
        corporation which was a predecessor corporation of the corporation or of
        another enterprise at the request of such predecessor corporation;
        "proceeding" means any threatened, pending or completed action or
        proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administration or investigative;
        and "expenses" includes, without limitation, attorneys' fees and any
        expenses of establishing a right to indemnification under Section 4 of
        Section 5(c) of this Article V.

                                      II-1
<PAGE>
        SECTION 2. ACTIONS BY THIRD PARTIES. The corporation shall indemnify any
        person who was or is a party, or is threatened to be made a party, to
        any proceeding (other than an action by or in the right of the
        corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was an agent
        of the corporation, against expenses, judgments, fines, settlements and
        other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with such
        proceedings to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the State of
        Delaware as they may exist from time to time.

        SECTION 3. ACTION BY OR IN THE RIGHT OF THE CORPORATION. The corporation
        shall indemnify any person who was or is a party, or is threatened to be
        made a party, to any threatened, pending or completed action by or in
        the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by
        reason of the fact that such person is or was an agent of the
        corporation, against expenses actually and reasonably incurred by such
        person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action to
        the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware as
        they may exist from time to time.

        SECTION 4. ADVANCE OF EXPENSES. Expenses incurred in defending any
        proceeding shall be advanced by the corporation prior to the final
        disposition of such proceeding upon receipt of a request therefor and an
        undertaking by or on behalf of the agent to repay such amount unless it
        shall be determined ultimately that the agent is not entitled to be
        indemnified as authorized in this Article V.

        SECTION 5. CONTRACTUAL NATURE. The provisions of this Article V shall be
        deemed to be a contract between the corporation and each director and
        officer who serves in such capacity at any time while this Article is in
        effect, and any repeal or modification thereof shall not affect any
        rights or obligations then existing with respect to any state of facts
        then or theretofore existing or any action, suit or proceeding
        theretofore existing or any action, suit or proceeding theretofore or
        thereafter brought based in whole or in part upon any such state of
        facts.

        SECTION 6. INSURANCE. Upon and in the event of a determination by the
        board of directors to purchase such insurance, the corporation shall
        purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any agent of the
        corporation against any liability asserted against or incurred by the
        agent in such capacity or arising out of the agent's status as such
        whether or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify the
        agent against such liability under the provisions of this Article V. All
        amounts received by an agent under any such policy of insurance shall be
        applied against, but shall not limit, the amounts to which the agent is
        entitled pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Article V.

        SECTION 7. ERISA. To assure indemnification under this provision of all
        such persons who are or were "fiduciaries" of an employee benefit plan
        governed by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
        amended from time to time ("ERISA"), the provisions of this Article V
        shall, except as limited by Section 410 of ERISA, be interpreted as
        follows: an "other enterprise" shall be deemed to include an employee
        benefit plan; the corporation shall be deemed to have requested a person
        to serve as an employee of an employee benefit plan where the
        performance by such person of his duties to the corporation also imposes
        duties on, or otherwise involves services by, such person to the plan or
        participants or beneficiaries of the plan; excise taxes assessed on a
        person with respect to an employee benefit plan pursuant to ERISA shall
        be deemed "fines"; and action taken or omitted by a person with respect
        to an employee benefit plan in the performance of such person's duties
        for a purpose reasonably believed by such person to be in compliance
        with ERISA and the terms of the plan shall be deemed to be for a purpose
        which is not opposed to the best interests of the corporation.

                                      II-2
<PAGE>
    ITEM 15.

RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES

    During the three-year period ended June 11, 1998, the Registrant sold
securities in transactions summarized below.

(1) In January 1998, the Company issued non-qualified stock options for 37,500
shares and 12,500 shares to Scott Griffith and E.B. Lyon, III, respectively, at
an exercise price of $6.75 per share (the "Options") pursuant to Section 4(2) of
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Options are exercisable for five
years and were issued as partial consideration for services as non-exclusive
financial advisors.

(2) In June 1997, the Registrant issued 25,197 shares of its Common Stock in
connection with the purchase of Notable Technologies, L.L.C. for a total of
$100,000.

(3) In June 1996, the Registrant issued 38,000 shares of its Common Stock for
the purchase of the technology rights of Op/Com Partners, Ltd. The transaction
was valued at $249,000.

(4) In June 1995, pursuant to a Stock Purchase Agreement, the Registrant issued
shares in installments for an aggregate price of $5,000,000. The first
installment totaled 427,998 shares with two additional installments of 173,459
and 168,337 shares.

(5) In 1995 the Registrant issued 157,500 shares upon the exercise of stock
purchase warrants at exercise prices ranging from $1.75 to $3.00 per share. Of
the total, 103,500 shares were exercised and the remaining warrants were
canceled.

ITEM 16.

EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

(1) The following exhibits are filed as part of this Registration Statement.

        EXHIBIT
        NO.         DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBITS

        3.1**       Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant.
                    (Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form S-1 dated
                    September 14, 1993 (Registration No.
                    33-52182)).

        3.2**       Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of
                    Incorporation of the Registrant. (Incorporated by reference
                    to the Company's Form S-1 dated September 14, 1993
                    (Registration No. 33-52182)).

        3.3**       By-laws of the Registrant. (Incorporated by reference to the
                    Company's Form S-1 dated September 14, 1993 (Registration
                    No. 33-52182)).

        4.1**       See Exhibits 3.1 through 3.3 for provisions of the
                    Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws of the Registrant
                    defining rights of holders of common stock of the
                    Registrant. (Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form
                    S-1 dated September 14, 1993 (Registration No. 33-52182).

        4.2**       Asset Purchase Agreement dated June 30, 1990, between TIC
                    Software, Inc. and the Registrant which sets forth certain
                    registration rights of TIC Software, Inc. (Incorporated by
                    reference to the Company's Form S-1 dated September 14, 1993
                    (Registration No. 33-52182)).

        4.3**       Exhibits to Asset Purchase Agreement dated June 30, 1990,
                    between TIC Software, Inc. and the Registrant which set
                    forth certain registration rights of TIC Software, Inc.
                    (Incorporated by reference of the Company's Form S-1 dated
                    September 14, 1993 (Registration No. 33-52182)).

        4.4**       Assignment of Agreement between Jacob Sobotka, Marvin
                    Deuell, Raymond C. Wicker and the Registrant which sets
                    forth certain registration rights of those parties,
                    effective as of January 1, 1992. (Incorporated by reference
                    to the Company's Form S-1 dated September 14, 1993
                    (Registration No. 33-52182)).

                                      II-3
<PAGE>
        4.5**       Assignment of General Partnership interest between New World
                    Technologies, a Texas general partnership, and the
                    Registrant which sets forth certain registration rights
                    effective as of January 1, 1992. (Incorporated by reference
                    to the Company's Form S-1 dated September 14, 1993
                    (Registration No. 33-52182)).

        5*          Opinion of Liddell, Sapp, Zivley, Hill & LaBoon, L.L.P.

        10.1**      Amended Stock Option Plan. (Incorporated by reference to
                    Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Post-Effective Amendment No. 1
                    to Form S-8 (File No. 33-63172) as
                    filed with the Commission on February 2, 1994).

        10.2**      1995 Stock Option Plan. (Incorporated by reference to
                    Exhibit 99.1 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form
                    S-8 (File No. 33-94514).

        10.3**      Regulations of Telescan (TRC), L.C. effective January 1,
                    1992 by and between the Registrant and The Radnor-Houston
                    Joint Venture. (Incorporated by reference to the Company's
                    Form S-1 dated September 14, 1993 (Registration No.
                    33-52182)).

        10.4**      First Amendment to Regulations of Knowledge Express, L.C.  
                    (formally now Telescan (TRC), L.C.) entered into effective
                    July 23, 1992, by and between the Registrant and The
                    Radnor-Houston Joint Venture. (Incorporated by reference to
                    Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Form S-1 dated January 8, 
                    1993.) 

        10.5**      Regulations of Telebuild, L.C. entered into effective
                    July 31, 1992, by and among the Registrant, JST Technology
                    Center, Inc. and Friedman Interests, Inc. (Incorporated by
                    reference to Amendment No. 2 to the Company's Form S-1 dated
                    February 1, 1993).

        10.6**      Employment Agreement by and between the Company and David L.
                    Brown dated March 10, 1994. (Incorporated by reference to
                    Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the Company's Form S-1
                    dated August 11, 1994).

        10.7**      Office Lease Agreement between the Registrant and Chevron 
                    U.S.A., Inc. dated November 8, 1995. (Incorporated by
                    reference to the Company's Form 10-K for the annual period
                    ended December 31, 1995).

        10.8*       Preferred Stock Investment Agreement dated May 15, 1998,
                    between Telescan, Inc. and Q Funding, L.P.

        10.9*       Preferred Stock Investment Agreement dated May 15, 1998
                    between Telescan, Inc. and R2 Funding, Ltd.

        11**        Statement regarding computation of per share earnings
                    (Incorporated by reference to the Company's Form 10-Q for
                    the quarter ended March 31, 1998).

        21**        Subsidiaries of the Registrant (Incorporated by reference to
                    the Company's Form 10-K for the annual period ended December
                    31, 1997).

        23.1*       Consent of Independent Public Accountants.

        23.2*       Consent of Liddell, Sapp, Zivley, Hill & LaBoon, L.L.P. (as
                    included in the opinion filed as Exhibit 5).

        24.1*       Powers of Attorney.

        ----------- ------------------------------------------------------------
        *           Indicates documents filed herewith.

        **          Indicates documents incorporated by reference from the prior
                    filing indicated.

(2) The following financial statement schedule is filed as part of this
Registration Statement:

      Schedule II           Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

Schedules other than those listed above are omitted because they are not
required or are not applicable, or the required information is shown in the
financial statements or notes thereto.

                                      II-4
<PAGE>
ITEM 17.

UNDERTAKING

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

A. (1)  To file during any period in which offers or sales are being made a
        post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

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

       (ii)to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
           effective date of this registration statement (or the most recent
           post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
           aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set
           forth in this registration statement; notwithstanding the foregoing,
           any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the
           total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which
           was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the
           estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of
           prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in
           the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than
           a 20% change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the
           "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective registration
           statement;

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

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

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

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

                                      II-5
<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has
duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas,
on June 15, 1998.

                                            TELESCAN, INC.

                                        By:    /s/ DAVID L. BROWN
                                               David L. Brown, Chairman of the
                                               Board and Chief Executive Officer

PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BELOW BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE CAPACITIES AND
ON THE DATE INDICATED.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
            SIGNATURE                                 TITLE                           DATE
<S>                                <C>                                               <C> 
/s/ DAVID L. BROWN                 Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer    June 15, 1998
David L. Brown                     and Director (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ DR. RICHARD K. CARLIN                 Vice Chairman of the Board,                June 15, 1998
Dr. Richard K. Carlin                  Chief Technology Officer and Director

/s/ RONALD WARREN                  Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial      June 15, 1998
Ronald Warren                       Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)

/s/ ROGER C. WADSWORTH                 Senior Vice President and Director            June 15, 1998
Roger C. Wadsworth

*                                                   Director                         June 15, 1998
Dr. Ronald W. Hart

*                                                   Director                         June 15, 1998
Burt H. Keenan

*                                                   Director                         June 15, 1998
Russell I. Pillar

*                                                   Director                         June 15, 1998
William D. Savoy

*                                                   Director                         June 15, 1998
Stephen C. Wood

By: /s/ ROGER C. WADSWORTH
        Roger C. Wadsworth
        Attorney-in-fact
</TABLE>

                                      II-6
<PAGE>
                    INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT ON SCHEDULE

STOCKHOLDERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS
TELESCAN, INC.
HOUSTON, TEXAS

We have audited the financial statements of Telescan, Inc. and subsidiary as of
December 31, 1997 and 1996, and for each of the years in the three-year period
ended December 31, 1997. Our audits for such years also included the financial
statement schedule of Telescan, Inc. and subsidiaries, listed in Item 14-2, for
each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1997. This
financial statement schedule is the responsibility of the Company's management.
Our responsibility is to report on this schedule based on our audits. In our
opinion, such a financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the
basic financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material
respects the information set forth herein.

HEIN + ASSOCIATES LLP
Houston, Texas
February  24, 1998

                                      II-7
<PAGE>
          TELESCAN, INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
  SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
       (in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Deductions:
                                               Additions       Accounts                             
                                               Charged to      Written                   
                               Balance at      Costs and      Off Against     Balance at
Description                Beginning of Year   Expenses       Allowance      End of Year

<S>                         <C>                  <C>           <C>             <C> 
December 31, 1995        
Allowance for Doubtful                                                                       
Accounts ................   $       87           $ 22          $  (41)         $ 68        

December 31, 1996        
Allowance for Doubtful                                                                       
Accounts ................           68             31             (13)           86        

December 31, 1997
Allowance for Doubtful                                                                       
Accounts.................   $       86           $ 119         $  (100)        $ 105
</TABLE>

                                                                       EXHIBIT 5

         [LETTERHEAD OF LIDDELL, SAPP, ZIVLEY, HILL & LABOON, L.L.P.]


                                 June 12, 1998

Telescan, Inc.
5959 Corporate Drive, Suite 2000
Houston, Texas 77036

Gentlemen:

      We have acted as counsel for Telescan, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), in connection with the registration, pursuant to a Registration
Statement on Form S-1 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
(the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Act"), of (i) the resale by the holders thereof of 120,000 shares of the
Company's Series A Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Convertible Preferred
Stock") and (ii) the resale by the holders thereof of such number of shares of
the Company's common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), that
may be acquired upon conversion of the Convertible Preferred Stock.

      In this connection, we have examined the corporate records of the Company,
including its certificate of incorporation and bylaws, each as amended, and
minutes of meetings of its directors and shareholders. We have also examined the
Registration Statement, together with the exhibits thereto, and such other
documents as we have deemed necessary for the purposes of expressing the
opinions contained herein. With respect to certain factual matters we have
relied on statements of officers of the Company.

      Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that (i) the shares of
Convertible Preferred Stock are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and
(ii) when the Convertible Preferred Stock has been duly converted in accordance
with its terms, the Common Stock issued thereupon will be validly issued, fully
paid and nonassessable.
<PAGE>
Telescan, Inc.
June 12, 1998
Page 2

      We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion with the Securities and
Exchange Commission as Exhibit 5 to the Registration Statement and to the use of
our name in the Prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement under
the caption "Legal Matters." In giving this consent, we do not thereby admit
that we are within the category of persons whose consent is required under
Section 7 of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder.

                                Very truly yours,

                                /s/ LIDDELL, SAPP, ZIVLEY, HILL & LABOON, L.L.P.


                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.8

                     PREFERRED STOCK INVESTMENT AGREEMENT


      AGREEMENT dated as of May 15, 1998 between Telescan, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), and the investor whose name is set forth at the
foot of this Agreement (the "Investor").

      The parties hereto agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I

                     PURCHASE AND SALE OF PREFERRED STOCK

      Section 1.1 PURCHASE AND SALE OF PREFERRED STOCK. Upon the following terms
and conditions, the Company shall issue and sell to the Investor, and the
Investor shall purchase from the Company, 60,000 shares of the Company's 5%
Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Shares" or the "Convertible Preferred") having
the rights, designations and preferences set forth in Schedule I hereto.

      Section 1.2 PURCHASE PRICE. The purchase price for the Shares (the
"Purchase Price") shall be $25 per share.

      Section 1.3 THE CLOSING.

            (a) The closing of the purchase and sale of the Shares (the
"Closing"), shall take place at the offices of the Investor, at 10:00 a.m.,
local time on the later of the following: (i) the date on which the last to be
fulfilled or waived of the conditions set forth in Article IV hereof and
applicable to the Closing shall be fulfilled or waived in accordance herewith,
or (ii) such other time and place and/or on such other date as the Investor and
the Company may agree. The date on which the Closing occurs is referred to
herein as the "Closing Date."

            (b) On the Closing Date, the Company shall deliver to the Investor
certificates representing the Shares registered in the name of the Investor or
deposit such Shares into accounts designated by the Investor, and the Investor
shall deliver to the Company the Purchase Price for all the Shares by cashier's
check or wire transfer in immediately available funds to such account as shall
be designated in writing by the Company. In addition, each party shall deliver
all documents, instruments and writings required to be delivered by such party
pursuant to this Agreement at or prior to the Closing.

      Section 1.4 COVENANT TO REGISTER.

            (a) For purposes of this Section, the following definitions shall
apply:
<PAGE>
                  (i) The terms "register," "registered," and "registration"
refer to a registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Act"), effected by preparing and filing a registration statement or similar
document in compliance with the Act, and the declaration or ordering of
effectiveness of such registration statement, document or amendment thereto.

                  (ii) The term "Registrable Securities" means the Shares and
the stock issued or issuable upon conversion of the Shares or otherwise issued
or issuable pursuant to this Agreement or the provisions of Schedule I hereto,
and any securities of the Company or securities of any successor corporation
issued as, or issuable upon the conversion or exercise of any warrant, right or
other security that is issued as a dividend or other distribution with respect
to, or in exchange for, or in replacement of, the Shares.

                  (iii) The term "holder of Registrable Securities" means the
Investor and any permitted assignee of registration rights pursuant to Section
1.4(h).

            (b)(i) The Company shall, as expeditiously as possible following the
Closing, file a Registration Statement on Form S-3, or if Form S-3 is not then
available, another appropriate form, covering all the Registrable Securities,
and shall use its best efforts to cause such registration statement to become
effective by the 135th calendar day after the Closing Date (the "Initial
Registration"). In the event such registration is not so declared effective or
does not include all Registrable Securities, a holder of Registrable Securities
shall have the right to require by notice in writing that the Company register
all or any part of the Registrable Securities held by such holder (a "Demand
Registration") and the Company shall thereupon effect such registration in
accordance herewith (which may include adding such shares to an existing shelf
registration). If the holder of Registrable Securities demands registration of
less than all of the Registrable Securities, the Company, at its option, may
nevertheless file a registration statement covering all of the Registrable
Securities. If such registration statement is declared effective with respect to
all Registrable Securities and the Company is in compliance with its obligations
under Subsections (d)(i) through (v) of this Section 1.4, the demand
registration rights granted pursuant to this Subsection (b) (i) shall cease. If
such registration statement is not declared effective with respect to all
Registrable Securities, or if the Company is not in compliance with its
obligations, the demand registration rights described herein shall remain in
effect. The Company shall provide holders of Registrable Securities reasonable
opportunity (at least 3 business days) to review any such registration statement
or amendment or supplement thereto prior to the filing thereof.

                  (ii) The Company shall not be obligated to effect a Demand
Registration under Subsection (b)(i) above (a) if all of the Registrable
Securities held by the holder of Registrable Securities which are demanded to be
covered by the Demand Registration are, at the time of such demand, included in
an effective registration statement and the Company is in compliance with its
obligations under Subsection (d) of this Section 1.4 or (b) if all of the
Registrable Securities may be sold under Rule 144(k) of the Act and the
Company's transfer agent has accepted an instruction from the Company to such
effect and issued one or more certificates
<PAGE>
representing all such holder's Convertible Preferred or other Registrable
Securities without the legend specified in Article V, or any similar legend, to
such holder.

                  (iii) The Company may suspend the effectiveness of any such
registration effected pursuant to this Subsection (b) in the event, and for such
period of time as, such a suspension is required by the rules and regulations of
the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The Company will use its best
efforts to cause such suspension to terminate at the earliest possible date.

                  (iv) If the registration statement covering all Registrable
Securities is not filed by the 30th calendar day after the Closing Date or
effective by the 135th calendar day after the Closing Date, then, in either such
event, the Company shall pay the Investor in cash an amount equal to the
percentage specified in the following sentence of the total Purchase Price of
Shares and any other Registrable Securities then held by the Investor for each
15 day period thereafter until such registration statement is filed or
effective, as the case may be (pro-rata as to a period of less than 15 days).
For the fifteen days beginning after the 135th, 150th and 165th calendar day
after the Closing Date, such percentage shall be .25%, .5% and .75%,
respectively, and, thereafter, such percentage shall be 1.0%. If, following such
effectiveness, either the effectiveness of the Registration Statement is
suspended or a current prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the
Act is not available for delivery by the Investor (either, a "suspension"), an
amount equal to 1% of the total Purchase Price of Shares and any Registrable
Securities then held by Investor shall be paid to the Investor in cash, for each
15 days of such suspension (pro-rata as to a period of less than 15 days). Any
amount payable pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Subsection (iv)
shall be paid on or before the fifth day following the end of the calendar month
in which such payment obligation arose.

            (c) If the Company proposes to register (including for this purpose
a registration effected by the Company for shareholders other than the Investor)
any of its stock or other securities under the Act in connection with a public
offering of such securities (other than a registration on Form S-4, Form S-8 or
other limited purpose form) and all Registrable Securities have not theretofore
been included in a registration statement under Subsection (b) of this Section
1.4 which remains effective and not in suspension, the Company shall, at such
time, promptly give all holders of Registrable Securities written notice of such
registration. Upon the written request of any holder of Registrable Securities
given within 10 days after receipt of such notice by the holder of Registrable
Securities, the Company shall use its best efforts to cause to be registered
under the Act all Registrable Securities that such holder of Registrable
Securities requests to be registered. However, the Company shall have no
obligation under this Subsection (c) if the Registrable Securities may be sold
without registration under Rule 144(k) and the Company's transfer agent has
accepted an instruction from the Company to such effect and issued one or more
certificates representing all such Registrable Securities to the holders thereof
without the legend specified in Article V or any similar legend.
<PAGE>
            (d) Whenever required under this Section 1.4 to effect the
registration of any Registrable Securities, including, without limitation, the
Initial Registration, the Company shall, as expeditiously as possible:

                  (i) Prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement
with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its best efforts to cause
such registration to become effective as provided in Section 1.4(b)(i), and keep
such registration statement effective for so long as any holder of Registrable
Securities desires to dispose of the securities covered by such registration
statement; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in no event shall the Company be required to
keep the Registration Statement effective for a period greater than two years
from the Closing Date.

                  (ii) Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and
supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection
with such registration statement as may be necessary to comply with the
provisions of the Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered
by such registration statement and notify the holders of the filing and
effectiveness of such Registration Statement and any amendments or supplements.

                  (iii) Furnish to each holder of Registrable Securities such
numbers of copies of a current prospectus, including a preliminary prospectus,
conforming with the requirements of the Act, copies of the registration
statement, any amendment or supplement to any thereof and any documents
incorporated by reference therein and such other documents as such holder of
Registrable Securities may reasonably require in order to facilitate the
disposition of Registrable Securities owned by such holder of Registrable
Securities.

                  (iv) Use its best efforts to register and qualify the
securities covered by such registration statement under such other securities or
"Blue Sky" laws of such jurisdictions as shall be reasonably requested by the
holder of Registrable Securities; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company shall not
be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to qualify to do
business or to file a general consent to service of process in any such states
or jurisdictions.

                  (v) Notify each holder of Registrable Securities immediately
of the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus included in
such registration statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of
material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the
circumstances then existing, and use its best efforts to promptly update and/or
correct such prospectus.

                  (vi) Use its best efforts to list the Registrable Securities
covered by such registration statement with any national market or securities
exchange on which such securities are then listed;

                  (vii) Make available for inspection by the holder of
Registrable Securities,
<PAGE>
upon request, all SEC Documents (as defined below) incorporated by reference
into the registration statement relating to such Registerable Securities or
filed subsequent to the Closing and require the Company's officers, directors
and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any holder of
Registrable Securities in connection with such registration statement.

          (viii) Furnish to each holder of Registrable Securities prompt
notice of the commencement of any stop-order proceedings under the Act, together
with copies of all relevant documents in connection therewith, and use its best
efforts to obtain withdrawal of any such stop order as soon as possible.

            (e) Upon request of the Company, each holder of Registrable
Securities will furnish to the Company in connection with any registration under
this Section such information regarding itself, the Registrable Securities and
other securities of the Company held by it, and the intended method of
disposition of such securities as shall be reasonably required to effect the
registration of the Registrable Securities held by such holder of Registrable
Securities. The intended method of disposition (Plan of Distribution) of such
securities as so provided by Investor shall be included without alteration in
the Registration Statement covering the Registrable Securities and shall not be
changed without written consent of the Investor. Such Plan of Distribution may,
among other items, include a statement to the effect that Investor may pledge to
a broker or dealer Investor's Registrable Securities pursuant to the margin
provisions of any customer agreement between Investor and such broker or dealer,
that, upon a default by Investor, such broker or dealer may offer and sell the
pledged Registrable Securities and that the Registrable Securities may be sold
from time to time in one or more ordinary brokerage transactions (including
short sales) and in transactions in which the broker solicits purchases.

            (f)(i) The Company shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless each
holder of Registrable Securities which are included in a registration statement
pursuant to the provisions of Subsections (b) or (c) and each of its officers,
directors, employees, agents, partners or controlling persons (within the
meaning of the Act) (each, an "indemnified party") from and against, and shall
reimburse such indemnified party with respect to, any and all claims, suits,
demands, causes of action, losses, damages, liabilities, costs or expenses
("Liabilities") to which such indemnified party may become subject under the Act
or otherwise, arising from or relating to (A) any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in such registration statement,
any prospectus contained therein or any amendment or supplement thereto, or (B)
the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances in which they were made, not misleading; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
the Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such
Liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or omission so made
in strict conformity with information furnished by such indemnified party in
writing specifically for use in the registration statement.

                  (ii) In the event of any registration under the Act of
Registrable
<PAGE>
Securities pursuant to Subsections (b) or (c), each holder of such Registrable
Securities severally agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Company,
and its officers, directors, employees, agents, partners, or controlling persons
(within the meaning of the Act) (each, an "indemnified party") from and against,
and shall reimburse such indemnified party with respect to, any and all
Liabilities to which such indemnified party may become subject under the Act or
otherwise, arising from or relating to (A) any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in such registration statement,
any prospectus contained therein or any amendment or supplement thereto, or (B)
the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances in which they were made, not misleading; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
such holders will be liable in any such case to the extent, and only to the
extent, that any such Liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in
such registration statement, prospectus or amendment or supplement thereto in
reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished by such
holder specifically for use in the preparation thereof.

                  (iii) Promptly after receipt by any indemnified party of
notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party shall, if a
claim in respect thereof is to be made against another party (the "indemnifying
party") hereunder, notify such party in writing thereof, but the omission so to
notify such party shall not relieve such party from any Liability which it may
have to the indemnified party other than under this section and shall only
relieve it from any Liability which it may have to the indemnified party under
this section if and to the extent an indemnifying party is materially prejudiced
by such omission. In case any such action shall be brought against any
indemnified party and such indemnified party shall notify an indemnifying party
of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to
participate in and, to the extent it shall wish, to assume and undertake the
defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party,
and, after notice from the indemnifying party to the indemnified party of its
election so to assume and undertake the defense thereof, the indemnifying party
shall not be liable to the indemnified party under this section for any legal
expenses subsequently incurred by the indemnified party in connection with the
defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation and of liaison with
counsel so selected; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the defendants in any such
action include both parties and the indemnified party shall have reasonably
concluded that there may be reasonable defenses available to it which are
different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party or if
the interests of the indemnified party reasonably may be deemed to conflict with
the interests of the indemnifying party, the indemnified party shall have the
right to select a separate counsel and to assume such legal defenses and
otherwise to participate in the defense of such action, with the reasonable
expenses and fees of one such separate counsel (in addition to any local
counsel) and other reasonable expenses related to such participation to be
reimbursed by the indemnifying party as incurred.

                  (iv) In order to provide for just and equitable contribution
to joint liability
<PAGE>
under the Act in any case in which either (A) any indemnified party specified in
paragraph (i) or (ii) above makes a claim for indemnification pursuant to this
Section 1.4(f), but it is judicially determined (by the entry of a final
judgment or decree by a court of competent jurisdiction and the expiration of
time to appeal or the denial of the last right of appeal) that such
indemnification may not be fully enforced in such case notwithstanding the fact
that this Section 1.4(f) provides for indemnification in such case, or (B)
contribution under the Act may be required on the part of any such indemnified
party in circumstances for which indemnification is provided under this Section
1.4(f); then, in each such case, each indemnifying party will contribute to the
aggregate losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which such indemnified
parties may be subject as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of such
indemnified parties on the one hand and such indemnifying parties on the other
in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities, it being understood that the parties acknowledge
that the overriding equitable consideration to be given effect in connection
with this provision is the ability of one party or the other to correct the
statement or omission which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities, and that it would not be just and equitable if contribution
pursuant hereto were to be determined by PRO RATA allocation or by any other
method of allocation which does not take into consideration the foregoing
equitable considerations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) the Investors and
the indemnified parties specified in paragraph (i) above will not be required to
contribute any amount in excess of the proceeds to them of all Registrable
Securities sold by them pursuant to such registration statement, and (y) no
person or entity guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation, within the meaning of
Section 11(f) of the Act, shall be entitled to contribution from any person or
entity who is not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

            (g)(i) With respect to the inclusion of Registrable Securities in a
registration statement pursuant to Subsections (b) or (c), all fees, costs and
expenses of and incidental to such registration, inclusion and public offering
shall be borne by the Company; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any securityholders
participating in such registration shall bear their pro-rata share of the
underwriting discounts and commissions, if any, incurred by them in connection
with such registration.

                  (ii) The fees, costs and expenses of registration to be borne
by the Company as provided in this Subsection (g) shall include, without
limitation, all registration, filing and NASD fees, printing expenses, fees and
disbursements of counsel and accountants for the Company, and all legal fees and
disbursements and other expenses of complying with state securities or Blue Sky
laws of any jurisdiction or jurisdictions in which securities to be offered are
to be registered and qualified. Subject to appropriate agreements as to
confidentiality, the Company shall make available to the holders of Registrable
Securities and their counsel its documents and personnel for due diligence
purposes.

            (h) The rights to cause the Company to register all or any portion
of Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section 1.4 may be assigned by
Investor from time to time, or at any time, to one or more transferees or
assignees. Within a reasonable time after any such transfer, the
<PAGE>
Investor shall notify the Company of the name and address of each such
transferee or assignee and the securities with respect to which such
registration rights are being assigned, whereupon the Company shall promptly
issue and file with the SEC a prospectus supplement or amendment setting forth
the information with respect to such transferee or assignee specified in the
rules and regulations of the SEC (including Item 507 of Regulation S-K). Such
assignment shall be effective only if immediately following such transfer the
further disposition of such securities by the transferee or assignee is
restricted under the Act. Any transferee asserting registration rights hereunder
shall be bound by the applicable provisions of this Agreement.

            (i) The Company shall not agree to allow the holders of any
securities of the Company to include any of their securities in any registration
statement filed by the Company pursuant to Subsection (b) unless such inclusion
will not reduce the amount of the Registrable Securities included therein.

                                  ARTICLE II

                        REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

      Section 2.1 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY. The Company
hereby makes the following representations and warranties to the Investor:

            (a) ORGANIZATION AND QUALIFICATION. The Company is a corporation
duly incorporated and existing in good standing under the laws of the State of
Delaware and has the requisite corporate power to own its properties and to
carry on its business as now being conducted. The Company does not have any
subsidiaries except as listed in Exhibit A hereto. The Company and each such
subsidiary, if any, is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to do business
and is in good standing in every jurisdiction in which the nature of the
business conducted or property owned by it makes such qualification necessary
other than those in which the failure so to qualify would not have a Material
Adverse Effect. "Material Adverse Effect" means any adverse effect on the
business, operations, properties, prospects, or financial condition of the
entity with respect to which such term is used and which is material to such
entity and other entities controlled by such entity taken as a whole.

            (b) AUTHORIZATION; ENFORCEMENT. (i) The Company has the requisite
corporate power and authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and to
issue the Shares in accordance with the terms hereof, (ii) the execution and
delivery of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation by it of the
transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action, and no further consent or authorization of the Company or its
Board of Directors or stockholders is required except for any stockholder
approval required by the terms of the Company's listing agreement with Nasdaq or
the rules of such organization, (iii) this Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by the Company, (iv) this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding
obligation of the Company enforceable against the
<PAGE>
Company in accordance with its terms, except as such enforceability may be
limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium,
liquidation or similar laws relating to, or affecting generally the enforcement
of, creditors' rights and remedies or by other equitable principles of general
application, and (v) prior to the Closing Date a Certificate of Designations
which authorizes the Convertible Preferred as provided in Schedule I will have
been filed with the Delaware Secretary of State and will be in full force and
effect, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms.

            (c) CAPITALIZATION. The authorized capital stock of the Company
consists of 15,000,000 shares of Common Stock and 10,000,000 shares of Preferred
Stock; there are approximately 11,042,901 shares of Common Stock and 0 shares of
Preferred Stock issued and outstanding; and, upon issuance of the Shares in
accordance with the terms hereof and pursuant to similar agreements of like
tenor, there will be approximately 11,042,901 shares of Common Stock and 120,000
shares of Class A Preferred issued and outstanding. All of the outstanding
shares of the Company's Common Stock have been validly issued and are fully paid
and nonassessable. Except as set forth in Exhibit A hereto and as described in
the SEC Documents, no shares of Common Stock are entitled to preemptive rights
or registration rights and there are no outstanding options, warrants, scrip,
rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever
relating to, or securities or rights convertible into, any shares of capital
stock of the Company, or contracts, commitments, understandings, or arrangements
by which the Company is or may become bound to issue additional shares of
capital stock of the Company or options, warrants, scrip, rights to subscribe
to, or commitments to purchase or acquire, any shares, or securities or rights
convertible into shares, of capital stock of the Company. The Company has
furnished or made available to the Investor true and correct copies of the
Company's Certificate of Incorporation as in effect on the date hereof (the
"Charter"), and the Company's By-Laws, as in effect on the date hereof (the
"By-Laws").

            (d) ISSUANCE OF SHARES. The issuance of the Shares has been duly
authorized and, when paid for and issued in accordance with the terms hereof,
the Shares shall be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and entitled
to the rights and preferences set forth in Schedule I hereto. The Company shall
have authorized and reserved for issuance upon conversion of the Shares 900,000
shares of Common Stock (the "Reserved Amount"), which number shall not be
reduced, but which shall be appropriately adjusted by the Board of Directors,
acting in good faith, in the event of stock splits, dividends or other
distributions, or other events so as to carry out the intentions of this
Agreement. If the Reserved Amount for any three consecutive trading days shall
be less than 125% of the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon
conversion of the Convertible Preferred, the Company shall immediately notify
all holders of the Convertible Preferred of such occurrence and shall take
action as soon as possible, but in any event within 60 days (including, if
necessary, seeking shareholder approval to authorize the issuance of additional
shares of Common Stock) to increase the Reserved Amount to 200% of the number of
shares of Common Stock then issuable upon conversion of the Convertible
Preferred. The Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Convertible
Preferred will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and the
<PAGE>
holders shall be entitled to all rights and preferences accorded to a holder of
Common Stock.

            (e) NO CONFLICTS. The execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the transactions
contemplated hereby do not and will not (i) result in a violation of the
Company's Charter or By-Laws or (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or
an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default)
under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or
cancellation of, any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Company or
any of its subsidiaries is a party, or result in a violation of any federal,
state, local or foreign law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree
(including Federal and state securities laws and regulations) applicable to the
Company or any of its subsidiaries or by which any property or assets of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or affected (except for such
conflicts, defaults, terminations, amendments, accelerations, cancellations and
violations as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material
Adverse Effect); provided that, for purposes of such representation as to
Federal, state, local or foreign law, rule or regulation, no representation is
made herein with respect to any of the same applicable solely to the Investor
and not to the Company. The business of the Company is not being conducted in
violation of any law, ordinance or regulation of any governmental entity, except
for violations which either singly or in the aggregate do not and will not have
a Material Adverse Effect. The Company is not required under Federal, state or
local law, rule or regulation in the United States to obtain any consent,
authorization or order of, or make any filing (other than the filing of the
Certificate of Amendment with the Delaware Secretary of State) or registration
with, any court or governmental agency in order for it to execute, deliver or
perform any of its obligations under this Agreement or issue and sell the Shares
in accordance with the terms hereof (other than any SEC, NASD, stock exchange or
state securities filings which may be required to be made by the Company
subsequent to the Closing, and any registration statement which may be filed
pursuant hereto); provided that, for purposes of the representation made in this
sentence, the Company is assuming and relying upon the accuracy of the relevant
representations and agreements of the Investor herein.

            (f) SEC DOCUMENTS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The Common Stock of the
Company is registered pursuant to Section 12(b) or Section 12(g) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") and the Company
has filed on a timely basis all reports, schedules, forms, statements and other
documents required to be filed by it with the SEC since January 1, 1994 pursuant
to the reporting requirements of the Exchange Act, including material filed
pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d), in addition to one or more registration
statements and amendments thereto heretofore filed by the Company with the SEC
under the Act since July 1, 1993 (all of the foregoing including filings
incorporated by reference therein being referred to herein as the "SEC
Documents"). The Company has delivered or made available to the Investor true
and complete copies of the SEC Documents. The Company has not provided to the
Investor any information which, according to applicable law, rule or regulation,
should have been disclosed publicly by the Company but which has not been so
disclosed, other than with respect to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. As of their respective dates, the SEC Documents complied in all
material respects with the requirements of the Act or the Exchange Act as the
case may be and the
<PAGE>
rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder and other federal, state
and local laws, rules and regulations applicable to such SEC Documents, and none
of the SEC Documents contained any untrue statement of a material fact or
omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which
they were made, not misleading. The financial statements of the Company included
in the SEC Documents comply as to form in all material respects with applicable
accounting requirements and the published rules and regulations of the SEC or
other applicable rules and regulations with respect thereto. Such financial
statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as
may be otherwise indicated in such financial statements or the notes thereto)
and fairly present in all material respects the financial position of the
Company as of the dates thereof and the results of operations and cash flows for
the periods then ended (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal
year-end audit adjustments).

            (g) NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. Since the date through which the
most recent report of the Company on Form 10-K or Form 10-Q has been prepared
and filed with the SEC, a copy of which is included in the SEC Documents, no
Material Adverse Effect has occurred or exists with respect to the Company or
its subsidiaries.

            (h) NO UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES. The Company and its subsidiaries
have no material liabilities or obligations not disclosed in the SEC Documents,
other than those incurred in the ordinary course of the Company's or its
subsidiaries' respective businesses since the date of the most recently filed
SEC Documents which, individually or in the aggregate, do not or would not have
a Material Adverse Effect on the Company or its subsidiaries.

            (i) NO UNDISCLOSED EVENTS OR CIRCUMSTANCES. To the best knowledge of
the Company, no event or circumstance has occurred or exists with respect to the
Company or its subsidiaries or their respective businesses, properties,
prospects, operations or financial condition, which, under applicable law, rule
or regulation, requires public disclosure or announcement by the Company but
which has not been so publicly announced or disclosed.

            (j) NO GENERAL SOLICITATION. Neither the Company, nor any of its
affiliates, or, to its knowledge, any person acting on its or their behalf, has
engaged in any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the
meaning of Regulation D under the Act) in connection with the offer or sale of
the Shares.

            (k) NO INTEGRATED OFFERING. Neither the Company, nor any of its
affiliates, nor any person acting on its or their behalf has, directly or
indirectly, made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to
buy any security, under circumstances that would require registration of the
Shares under the Act.

      Section 2.2 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE INVESTOR. The Investor
hereby makes
<PAGE>
the following representations and warranties to the Company:

            (a) AUTHORIZATION, ENFORCEMENT. (i) Such Investor has the requisite
power and authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and to purchase the
Shares being sold hereunder, (ii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement
by the Investor and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated
hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or partnership
action, and (iii) this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of
the Investor enforceable against the Investor in accordance with its terms
except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation or similar laws relating to,
or affecting generally the enforcement of, creditors' rights and remedies or by
other equitable principles of general application.

            (b) NO CONFLICTS. The execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement and the consummation by the Investor of the transactions contemplated
hereby do not and will not (i) result in a violation of the Investor's charter
documents or By-Laws or (ii) conflict with any agreement, indenture or
instrument to which Investor is a party, or (iii) result in a violation of any
law, rule, or regulation, or any order, judgment or decree of any court or
governmental agency applicable to Investor. The Investor is not required to
obtain any consent or authorization of any governmental agency in order for it
to perform its obligations under this Agreement. The data to be provided by the
Investor in connection with registering the Registrable Securities under the Act
will be true and correct in all material respects when so provided.

            (c) INVESTMENT REPRESENTATION. The Investor is purchasing the Shares
for its own account for investment and not with a view to distribution otherwise
than in compliance with the Act. Investor has no present arrangement (whether or
not legally binding) to sell the Shares to or through any person or entity;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that by making the representations herein, the Investor does
not agree to hold the Shares for any minimum or other specific term and reserves
the right to dispose of the Shares at any time in accordance with Federal and
state securities laws applicable to such disposition.

            (d) ACCREDITED INVESTOR. The Investor is an accredited investor as
defined in Rule 501 promulgated under the Act.

            (e) RULE 144. The Investor understands that there is no public
trading market for the Shares, that none is expected to develop, and that the
Shares must be held indefinitely unless such Shares or securities into which the
Shares are converted are registered under the Act or an exemption from
registration is available. The Investor has been advised or is aware of the
provisions of Rule 144 promulgated under the Act.
<PAGE>
                                  ARTICLE III

                                   COVENANTS

      Section 3.1 SECURITIES COMPLIANCE.

            (a) The Company shall notify the SEC and the NASD or any applicable
stock exchange, in accordance with their requirements, of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, and shall take all other necessary action and
proceedings as may be required and permitted by applicable law, rule and
regulation, for the legal and valid issuance of the Shares and Common Stock
issuable upon conversion thereof to the Investor or subsequent holder.

            (b) The Investor understands that the Shares are being offered and
sold in reliance on a transactional exemption from the registration requirements
of Federal and state securities laws and that the Company is relying upon the
truth and accuracy of the representations, warranties, agreements,
acknowledgments and understandings of such Investor set forth herein in order to
determine the applicability of such exemptions and the suitability of such
Investor to acquire the Shares.

      Section 3.2 REGISTRATION AND LISTING. Until at least three years after all
Shares have been converted into Common Stock, the Company will cause its Common
Stock to continue to be registered under Sections 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange
Act, will comply in all respects with its reporting and filing obligations under
the Exchange Act, will comply with all requirements related to any registration
statement filed pursuant to this Agreement and will not take any action or file
any document (whether or not permitted by the Act or the Exchange Act or the
rules thereunder) to terminate or suspend such registration or to terminate or
suspend its reporting and filing obligations under said Acts, except as
permitted herein. Until at least three years after all Shares have been
converted into Common Stock the Company will take all action within its power to
continue the listing or trading of its Common Stock where currently listed or
traded and will comply in all respects with the Company's reporting, filing and
other obligations under the bylaws or rules of the NASD and Nasdaq or any
applicable exchange. The covenants set forth in this Section 3.2 shall not be
deemed to prohibit a merger, sale of all assets or other corporate
reorganization if the entity surviving or succeeding the Company is bound by
this Agreement with respect to its securities issued in exchange for or in
replacement of the Shares or Common Stock or the consideration received for or
in replacement of the Shares or Common Stock is cash.

                                  ARTICLE IV

                                  CONDITIONS

      Section 4.1 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE OBLIGATION OF THE COMPANY TO SELL
THE SHARES. The obligation hereunder of the Company to issue and sell the Shares
to the Investor is subject to
<PAGE>
the satisfaction, at or before the Closing, of each of the conditions set forth
below. These conditions are for the Company's sole benefit and may be waived by
the Company at any time in its sole discretion.

            (a) ACCURACY OF THE INVESTOR'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  The
representations and warranties of the Investor shall be true and correct in all
material respects as of the date when made and as of the Closing Date as though
made at that time (except for representations and warranties that speak as of a
particular date).

            (b) PERFORMANCE BY THE INVESTOR. The Investor shall have performed
all agreements and satisfied all conditions required to be performed or
satisfied by the Investor at or prior to the Closing.

            (c) NO INJUNCTION. No statute, rule, regulation, executive order,
decree, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or
endorsed by any court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction which
prohibits the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.

            (d) LEGAL ACTION. No legal action, suit or proceeding shall be
pending or threatened which seeks to restrain or prohibit the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.

      Section 4.2 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE OBLIGATION OF THE INVESTOR TO
PURCHASE THE SHARES. The obligation hereunder of the Investor to acquire and pay
for the Shares is subject to the satisfaction, at or before the Closing, of each
of the conditions set forth below. These conditions are for the Investor's sole
benefit and may be waived by the Investor at any time in its sole discretion.

            (a) ACCURACY OF THE COMPANY'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The
representations and warranties of the Company shall be true and correct in all
material respects as of the date when made and as of the Closing Date as though
made at that time (except for representations and warranties that speak as of a
particular date).

            (b) PERFORMANCE BY THE COMPANY. The Company shall have performed all
agreements and satisfied all conditions required to be performed or satisfied by
the Company at or prior to the Closing.

            (c) CERTIFICATION BY THE COMPANY. The Investor shall have received a
certificate of the Company signed by its Chief Executive Officer and by its
Chief Financial Officer to the effect set forth in Subsections (a) and (b).

            (d) NO TRADING SUSPENSION. From the date hereof to the Closing Date,
trading in the Company's Common Stock shall not have been suspended by the SEC
or the Nasdaq National Market or any exchange (except for any suspension of
trading of limited duration agreed to between
<PAGE>
the Company and the Nasdaq National Market or any exchange solely to permit
dissemination of material information regarding the Company), and trading in
securities generally as reported by Nasdaq or any exchange where the Common
Stock is listed such shall not have been suspended or limited or minimum prices
shall not have been established on securities.

            (e) NO INJUNCTION. No statute, rule, regulation, executive order,
decree, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or
endorsed by any court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction which
prohibits the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE V

                                LEGEND ON STOCK

      Each certificate representing the Shares and, if appropriate, securities
issued upon conversion thereof, shall be stamped or otherwise imprinted with a
legend substantially in the following form:

      THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
      OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THEY MAY NOT BE SOLD OR OFFERED FOR SALE
      EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SAID ACT AND
      ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAW OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION FROM SUCH
      REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS.

      The Company agrees to reissue certificates representing the Shares or, if
applicable, the securities issued upon conversion thereof without the legend set
forth above at such time as (i) the holder thereof is permitted to dispose of
such Shares (or securities issued upon conversion thereof) pursuant to Rule
144(k) under the Act, (ii) the securities are sold to a purchaser or purchasers
who (in the opinion of counsel to such purchasers, in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Company and its counsel) are able to dispose of
such shares publicly without registration under the Act, or (iii) such
securities are registered under the Act.

                                  ARTICLE VI

                                  TERMINATION

      Section 6.1 TERMINATION BY MUTUAL CONSENT. This Agreement may be
terminated at any time prior to the Closing by the mutual written consent of the
Company and the Investor.

      Section 6.2 OTHER TERMINATION. This Agreement may be terminated by action
of the Board of Directors or other governing body of the Investor or the Company
at any time if the Closing shall not have been consummated within 15 days
following the date of this Agreement,
<PAGE>
provided that the party seeking to terminate the Agreement is not in breach of
the Agreement.

      Section 6.3 AUTOMATIC TERMINATION. This Agreement shall automatically
terminate without any further action of either party hereto if the Closing shall
not have occurred by the 30th day following the date of this Agreement;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any such termination shall not terminate the liability
of any party which is then in breach of the Agreement.

                                  ARTICLE VII

                                 MISCELLANEOUS

      Section 7.1 FEES AND EXPENSES. Except as otherwise set forth in Section
1.4 hereof, each party shall pay the fees and expenses of its advisers, counsel,
accountants and other experts, if any, and all other expenses incurred by such
party incident to the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement, provided that the Company shall pay, at the
Closing, to the Investor's law firm all reasonable legal costs related to this
transaction. The Company shall pay all stamp and other taxes and duties levied
in connection with the issuance of the Shares pursuant hereto.

      Section 7.2 SPECIFIC ENFORCEMENT, CONSENT TO JURISDICTION.

            (a) The Company and the Investor acknowledge and agree that
irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this
Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were
otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled
to an injunction or injunctions to prevent or cure breaches of the provisions of
this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof, this
being in addition to any other remedy to which either of them may be entitled by
law or equity.

            (b) Each of the Company and the Investor (i) hereby irrevocably
submits to the jurisdiction of the United States District Court and other courts
of the United States sitting in Fort Worth, Texas for the purposes of any suit,
action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement and (ii)
hereby waives, and agrees not to assert in any such suit, action or proceeding,
any claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of such court,
that the suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that
the venue of the suit, action or proceeding is improper. Each of the Company and
the Investor consents to process being served in any such suit, action or
proceeding by mailing a copy thereof to such party at the address in effect for
notices to it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute
good and sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing in this
paragraph shall affect or limit any right to serve process in any other manner
permitted by law.

      Section 7.3 ENTIRE AGREEMENT, AMENDMENT. This Agreement contains the
entire understanding of the parties with respect to the matters covered hereby
and, except as specifically set forth herein, neither the Company nor the
Investor makes any representation, warranty, covenant
<PAGE>
or undertaking with respect to such matters. No provision of this Agreement may
be waived or amended other than by a written instrument signed by the party
against whom enforcement of any such amendment or waiver is sought.

      Section 7.4 NOTICES. Any notice or other communication required or
permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be effective (a)
upon hand delivery or delivery by telex (with correct answer back received),
telecopy or facsimile at the address or number designated below (if delivered on
a business day during normal business hours where such notice is to be
received), or the first business day following such delivery (if delivered other
than on a business day during normal business hours where such notice is to be
received) or (b) on the second business day following the date of mailing by
express courier service, fully prepaid, addressed to such address, or upon
actual receipt of such mailing, whichever shall first occur. The addresses for
such communications shall be:

            to the Company:   Roger C. Wadsworth
                              Senior Vice President
                              Telescan, Inc.
                              5959 Corporate Drive, Suite 2000
                              Houston, Texas  77036

            with copies to:   David F. Taylor
                              Liddell, Sapp, Zivley, Hill & LaBoon, L.L.P.
                              600 Travis, 32nd Floor
                              Houston, Texas  77002-3095

            to the Investor:  At the address set forth at the foot of this 
                              Agreement, with copies to Investor's counsel as 
                              set forth at the foot of this Agreement or as 
                              specified in writing by Investor

Any party hereto may from time to time change its address for notices by giving
at least 10 days' written notice of such changed address to the other party
hereto.

      Section 7.5 WAIVERS. No waiver by either party of any default with respect
to any provision, condition or requirement of this Agreement shall be deemed to
be a continuing waiver in the future or a waiver of any other provision,
condition or requirement hereof, nor shall any delay or omission of either party
to exercise any right hereunder in any manner impair the exercise of any such
right accruing to it thereafter.

      Section 7.6 HEADINGS. The headings herein are for convenience only, do not
constitute a part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or affect
any of the provisions hereof.

      Section 7.7 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. Except as otherwise provided herein,
this Agreement
<PAGE>
shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and their
successors and assigns. The parties hereto may amend this Agreement without
notice to or the consent of any third party. The assignment by a party to this
Agreement of any rights hereunder shall not affect the obligations of such party
under this Agreement.

      Section 7.8 NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES. This Agreement is intended for
the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and
assigns and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced
by, any other person.

      Section 7.9 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of Texas without
regard to such state's principles of conflict of laws.

      Section 7.10 SURVIVAL. The representations and warranties of the Company
and the Investor contained in Article II and the agreements and covenants set
forth in Articles I, III and VII shall survive the Closing.

      Section 7.11 EXECUTION. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and
shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and
delivered to the other party, it being understood that both parties need not
sign the same counterpart. In the event any signature is delivered by facsimile
transmission, the party using such means of delivery shall cause the manually
executed signature page(s) to be physically delivered to the other party within
five days of the execution hereof.

      Section 7.12 PUBLICITY. The Company agrees that it will not disclose, and
will not include in any public announcement, the name of the Investor without
its consent, unless and until such disclosure is required by law or applicable
regulation, and then only to the extent of such requirement.

      Section 7.13 NASDAQ. The term "Nasdaq" or "Nasdaq National Market" herein
refers to the principal market on which the Common Stock of the Company is
traded. If the Common Stock is listed on a securities exchange, or if another
market becomes the principal market on which the Common Stock is traded or
through which price quotations for the Common Stock are reported, the term
"Nasdaq" or "Nasdaq National Market" shall be deemed to refer to such exchange
or other principal market.

      Section 7.14 TRANSFERABILITY. The Investor shall not sell, assign or
otherwise transfer its Shares without the prior written consent of the Company;
provided, however, that the Investor may sell, assign or otherwise transfer its
Shares to any of its affiliates or associates at any time without such consent.
<PAGE>
      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the date hereof.

                              TELESCAN, INC.

                              By:   /s/ RON WARREN
                              Name:     RON WARREN
                              Its:  CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER


                              THE INVESTOR

                              Q FUNDING, L.P.

                              By:   Acme Widget, L.P., general partner

                                    By: Scepter Holdings, Inc., general partner

                                    By: /s/ GEOFFREY RAYNOR
                                            Geoffrey Raynor, President

                              Address:

                                    Q Funding, L.P.
                                    Attn: Geoffrey Raynor
                                    301 Commerce Street, Suite 2975
                                    Fort Worth, Texas 76102

                              Name and address of Investor's counsel:

                                    Thomas W. Briggs
                                    Kelly, Hart & Hallman, P.C.
                                    201 Main Street, Suite 2500
                                    Fort Worth, Texas 76102
<PAGE>
                                  SCHEDULE I

                     RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING PREFERENCES

                                      of

                        5% CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK


      RESOLVED that there shall be a series of shares of the Class A Preferred
Stock of the Corporation designated "5% Convertible Preferred Stock"; that the
number of shares of such series shall be 120,000 and that the rights and
preferences of such series (the "Convertible Preferred") and the limitations or
restrictions thereon, shall be as follows:

      1. DIVIDENDS. The holders of the Convertible Preferred shall be entitled
to receive out of any assets legally available therefor cumulative dividends at
the rate of $1.25 per share per annum, payable quarterly on March 31, June 30,
September 30 and December 31 of each year, when and as declared by the Board of
Directors, in preference and priority to any payment of any dividend on the
Common Stock or any other class or series of stock of the Corporation. Such
dividends shall accrue on any given share from the day of original issuance of
such share and shall accrue from day to day whether or not earned or declared.
If at any time dividends on the outstanding Convertible Preferred at the rate
set forth above shall not have been paid or declared and set apart for payment
with respect to all preceding periods, the amount of the deficiency shall be
fully paid or declared and set apart for payment, but without interest, before
any distribution, whether by way of dividend or otherwise, shall be declared or
paid upon or set apart for the shares of any other class or series of stock of
the Corporation.

      2. LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Corporation, either voluntary or involuntary, the holders of
the Convertible Preferred shall be entitled to receive, prior and in preference
to any distribution of any assets of the Corporation to the holders of any other
class or series of shares, the amount of $25 per share plus any accrued but
unpaid dividends (the "Liquidation Preference").

      3.    FORCED CONVERSION.

            (a) The Corporation at its option may cause all outstanding shares
of the Convertible Preferred to be converted into Common Stock at any time
beginning 24 months after the date of issuance, on at least 20 days' notice, at
a conversion price determined as set forth in Section 4 hereof (the "Conversion
Price") as of the date specified in such notice (the "Conversion Date") and
otherwise on the terms set forth in said Section 4; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the
Corporation may not exercise such right of conversion unless (i) the Closing
Price (last trade price) of the Common Stock as reported by Nasdaq for the 20
consecutive trading days prior to the date the Conversion Notice (as defined in
paragraph (b) below) is mailed has not on any day been less than
<PAGE>
120% of the Conversion Cap (as defined in Section 4(d)(ii) hereof) (subject to
adjustment for stock dividends, stock splits and reverse stock splits), and (ii)
the shares issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Preferred are registered
for resale by an effective registration statement ("Registration Statement")
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), and a current
prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Act is available for
delivery at the Conversion Date.

            (b) At least 30 days, but not more than 60 days, prior to the
Conversion Date, written notice (the "Conversion Notice") shall be mailed, first
class postage prepaid, by the Corporation to each holder of record of the
Convertible Preferred, at the address last shown on the records of the
Corporation for such holder, notifying such holder of the conversion which is to
be effected, specifying the Conversion Date and calling upon each such holder to
surrender to the Corporation, in the manner and at the place designated, a
certificate or certificates representing the number of shares of Convertible
Preferred held by such holder. Subject to the provisions of the following
subsection (c), on or after the Conversion Date, each holder of Convertible
Preferred shall surrender to the Corporation the certificate or certificates
representing the shares of Convertible Preferred owned by such holder as of the
Conversion Date, in the manner and at the place designated in the Conversion
Notice, and thereupon the shares issuable upon such conversion shall be
delivered as provided in Section 4(b) hereof.

            (c) If at the Conversion Date the Registration Statement is for any
reason no longer effective, then no shares shall be converted and the Conversion
Notice shall be deemed to be withdrawn. In such event, any certificates for
Convertible Preferred which have been surrendered for conversion shall be
returned to the persons surrendering the same; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if a
holder shall have received shares of Common Stock upon conversion of Convertible
Preferred after the Conversion Notice was given but before the Conversion Date,
such holder may elect either to retain such Common Stock or rescind such
conversion by tendering such shares of Common Stock to the Corporation.

            (d) On the third anniversary of the Closing Date (the "Termination
Date"), all then outstanding shares of Convertible Preferred shall be
automatically converted into Common Stock at the Conversion Price and otherwise
pursuant to the applicable provisions set forth in Section 4 hereof.

      4. OPTIONAL CONVERSION. The holders of the Convertible Preferred shall
have optional conversion rights as follows:

            (a) RIGHT TO CONVERt. Each share of Convertible Preferred shall be
convertible, at any time at the option of the holder thereof, into such number
of fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock as is determined by
dividing (i) the Liquidation Preference of the Convertible Preferred determined
pursuant to Section 2 hereof on the date the notice of conversion is given, by
(ii) the Conversion Price determined as hereinafter provided in effect on said
date.

                                       2
<PAGE>
            (b) MECHANICS OF CONVERSION. To convert shares of Convertible
Preferred into shares of Common Stock, the holder shall give written notice to
the Corporation (which notice may be given by facsimile transmission, confirmed
in due course by first class mail) that such holder elects to convert the same
and shall state therein the number of shares to be converted and the name or
names in which such holder wishes the certificate or certificates for shares of
Common Stock to be issued. Promptly thereafter the holder shall surrender the
certificate or certificates representing the shares to be converted, duly
endorsed, at the office of the Corporation or of any transfer agent for such
shares, or at such other place designated by the Corporation. The Corporation
shall, immediately upon receipt of such notice, issue and deliver to or upon the
order of such holder, against delivery of the certificates representing the
shares which have been converted, a certificate or certificates for the number
of shares of Common Stock to which such holder shall be entitled. The
Corporation shall effect such issuance within three business days of its receipt
of the notice of conversion and shall transmit the certificates by messenger or
overnight delivery service to reach the corporate address designated by such
holder within three business days after the receipt of such notice. Notice of
conversion may be given by a holder at any time during the day up to 11:59 p.m.
New York time and such conversion shall be deemed to have been made immediately
prior to the close of business on the date such notice of conversion is given.
The person or persons entitled to receive the shares of Common Stock issuable
upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or
holders of such shares of Common Stock at the close of business on such date.

            (c) PAYMENTS IN THE EVENT OF NON-CONVERSION. If, at any time, the
Corporation fails for any reason to deliver, within the three business day
period described above, certificates representing such number of shares of
Common Stock to which the holder is entitled upon such conversion, then the
Corporation shall pay to such holder $0 per share of such non-converted
Convertible Preferred for each calendar day of such non-delivery period on the
first day of each week following the date of any such failed delivery. In
addition, if (i) the Corporation fails for any reason to deliver, within such
three business day period specified above, shares of Common Stock to the holder
upon a conversion of the Convertible Preferred and (ii) after such three
business day period specified above with respect to such conversion, the holder
purchases (in an open market transaction or otherwise) shares of Common Stock to
make delivery upon a sale by the holder of the shares of Common Stock (the "Sold
Shares") which such holder anticipated receiving upon such conversion, the
Corporation shall pay such holder within two business days following receipt of
written notice of a claim pursuant to this Section 4(c) (in addition to any
other remedies available to the holder) the amount by which (x) such holder's
total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the shares of
Common Stock so purchased exceeds (y) the net proceeds received by such holder
from the sale of the Sold Shares.

            (d)   DETERMINATION OF CONVERSION PRICE.

                  (i) The Conversion Price at any date shall be 95% of the
lowest trade price of the Common Stock as reported by Nasdaq during a period of
ten consecutive trading days immediately preceding such date; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that two days shall be added to such period

                                       3
<PAGE>
each month, commencing on the first day following the date that is six months
after the date of the original issuance of the Convertible Preferred, until such
period shall have been lengthened to 22 days.

                  (ii) The Conversion Price at any date shall not be greater
than $8.62 (the "Conversion Cap").

                  (iii) The "lowest trade price" of the Common Stock on any day
shall be the lowest reported sale price of the Common Stock on Nasdaq or any
other principal securities price quotation system or market on which prices of
the Common Stock are reported. The term "trading day" means a day on which
trading is reported on the principal quotation system or market on which prices
of the Common Stock are reported.

                  (iv) If, during any period of consecutive trading days
provided for above, the Corporation shall declare or pay any dividend on the
Common Stock payable in Common Stock or in rights to acquire Common Stock, or
shall effect a stock split or reverse stock split, or a combination,
consolidation or reclassification of the Common Stock, then the Conversion Price
and the Conversion Cap shall be proportionately decreased or increased, as
appropriate, to give effect to such event.

            (e) DISTRIBUTIONS. If the Corporation shall at any time or from time
to time make or issue, or fix a record date for the determination of holders of
Common Stock entitled to receive, a dividend or other distribution payable in
securities of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries other than additional
shares of Common Stock, then in each such event provision shall be made so that
the holders of Convertible Preferred shall receive, at the same time as the
holders of Common Stock, the securities of the Corporation which they would have
received had they been the owners on such record date of the number of shares of
Common Stock issuable to them upon conversion on such record date.

            (f) CERTIFICATES AS TO ADJUSTMENTS. Upon the occurrence of any
adjustment or readjustment of the Conversion Price or the Conversion Cap
pursuant to this Section 4, the Corporation at its expense shall promptly
compute such adjustment or readjustment in accordance with the terms hereof and,
in the event the Corporation and the holders of the Convertible Preferred shall
not agree on such adjustment or readjustment, cause the independent public
accountant regularly employed to audit the financial statements of the
Corporation to make or verify such computation and prepare and furnish to each
holder of Convertible Preferred a certificate setting forth such adjustment or
readjustment and showing in detail the facts upon which such adjustment or
readjustment is based. The Corporation shall, upon the written request at any
time of any holder of Convertible Preferred, furnish or cause to be furnished to
such holder a like certificate prepared by the Corporation setting forth (i)
such adjustments and readjustments, and (ii) the number of other securities and
the amount, if any, of other property which at the time would be received upon
the conversion of Convertible Preferred with respect to each share of Common
Stock received upon such conversion.

                                       4
<PAGE>
            (g) NOTICE OF RECORD DATE. In the event of any taking by the
Corporation of a record of the holders of any class of securities for the
purpose of determining the holders thereof who are entitled to receive any
dividend (other than a cash dividend) or other distribution, any security or
right convertible into or entitling the holder thereof to receive additional
shares of Common Stock, or any right to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise
acquire any shares of stock of any class or any other securities or property, or
to receive any other right, the Corporation shall mail to each holder of
Convertible Preferred at least 10 days prior to the date specified therein, a
notice specifying the date on which any such record is to be taken for the
purpose of such dividend, distribution, security or right and the amount and
character of such dividend, distribution, security or right.

            (h) ISSUE TAXES.The Corporation shall pay any and all issue and
other taxes, excluding any income, franchise or similar taxes, that may be
payable in respect of any issue or delivery of shares of Common Stock on
conversion of shares of Convertible Preferred pursuant hereto; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that the Corporation shall not be obligated to pay any transfer taxes
resulting from any transfer requested by any holder in connection with any such
conversion.

            (i) RESERVATION OF STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION. The Corporation
shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued
shares of Common Stock, solely for the purpose of effecting the conversion of
the shares of the Convertible Preferred, such number of its shares of Common
Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of all
outstanding shares of the Convertible Preferred, subject to the limitation set
forth in Subsection (m) below, and if at any time the number of authorized but
unissued shares of Common Stock shall not be sufficient to effect the conversion
of all then outstanding shares of the Convertible Preferred, the Corporation
will take such corporate action as may, in the opinion of its counsel, be
necessary to increase its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock to such
number of shares as shall be sufficient for such purpose, including, without
limitation, engaging in its best efforts to obtain the requisite shareholder
approval.

            (j) FRACTIONAL SHARES. No fractional shares shall be issued upon the
conversion of any share or shares of Convertible Preferred. All shares of Common
Stock (including fractions thereof) issuable upon conversion of more than one
share of Convertible Preferred by a holder thereof shall be aggregated for
purposes of determining whether the conversion would result in the issuance of
any fractional share. If, after the aforementioned aggregation, the conversion
would result in the issuance of a fraction of a share of Common Stock, the
Corporation shall, in lieu of issuing any fractional share, pay the holder
otherwise entitled to such fraction a sum in cash equal to the fair market value
of such fraction on the date of conversion (as determined in good faith by the
Board of Directors of the Corporation).

            (k) NOTICES. Any notice required by the provisions of this Section
to be given to the holders of shares of Convertible Preferred shall be deemed
given if deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, and addressed to
each holder of record at its address appearing on the books of the Corporation.

                                       5
<PAGE>
            (l) REORGANIZATION OR MERGER.

                  (i) Subject to clause (ii) below, in case of any
reorganization or any reclassification of the capital stock of the Corporation
or any consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into any other
corporation or corporations or a sale of all or substantially all of the assets
of the Corporation to any other person, the holders of Convertible Preferred
shall thereafter have the right to receive upon conversion of their Convertible
Preferred shares, upon the basis and upon the terms and conditions specified
herein and in lieu of the shares of Common Stock immediately theretofore
issuable upon conversion, such stock, securities or other assets which the
holder would have been entitled to receive in such transaction had the
Convertible Preferred been converted immediately prior to such transaction, and
in any such case appropriate provisions shall be made with respect to the rights
and interests of the holders of the Convertible Preferred to the end that the
provisions hereof shall thereafter be applicable, as nearly as may be
practicable, in relation to any securities thereafter deliverable upon the
exercise hereof.

                  (ii) In case of any reorganization or any reclassification of
the capital stock of the Corporation or any consolidation or merger of the
Corporation with or into any other corporation or corporations or a sale of all
or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation to any other person, and
where all, or a part, of the consideration paid in connection with any such
event to the holders of Common Stock consists of common stock of the surviving
corporation (or its direct or indirect parent corporation), such surviving
corporation (or its parent entity) shall establish, as of the effective time of
any such event, a new series or class of preferred securities having terms
essentially identical to those of the Convertible Preferred so as to carry out
fully the terms of this Section 4(l); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (A) the Conversion
Cap shall be set at an amount equal to the Conversion Cap in effect immediately
prior to the effective time of such event multiplied by the appropriate exchange
ratio or conversion factor established in connection with such event (subject to
clause (C) below, the "Exchange Ratio"), (B) if there shall be a conversion on a
date sooner than ten trading days after such event, the Conversion Price shall
be determined as specified in Section 4(d)(i) except that, in the case of
trading days prior to the effective time of any such event, the trade price of
the Common Stock shall be multiplied by the Exchange Ratio and (C) if only part
of such consideration paid in connection with such event consists of such common
stock, the Exchange Ratio shall be appropriately adjusted by the Board of
Directors of the Corporation, acting in good faith. The Corporation shall not
effect any transaction described in this Section 4(l) unless the resulting
successor or acquiring entity (if not the Corporation) assumes by written
instrument the obligations of the Corporation under this Certificate of
Designation including this Section 4(l).

                  (iii) Notwithstanding clauses (i) and (ii) above, in case of
any consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into any other
corporation or corporations or a sale of all or substantially all of the assets
of the Corporation to any other person, the Corporation may, at its option,
redeem the shares of Convertible Preferred, in whole and not in part, on the
date of the consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into any other
corporation or corporations or a sale of all or substantially all of the assets
of the Corporation to any other person (the "Redemption Date"). In any such
case, the redemption price (the "Redemption Price") shall be an amount in cash

                                       6
<PAGE>
such that the holders of the Convertible Preferred shall have received, through
the Redemption Date, a compounded internal rate of return on their investment in
the Convertible Preferred of 20% per annum (using quarterly compounding and
including any dividends paid). Such Redemption Price shall be payable on the
Redemption Date. Notice of such Redemption Date shall be given at least 30 days,
but not more than 60 days, prior to the Redemption Date and shall be given,
MUTATIS MUTANDIS, in the manner specified in Section 3 for the giving of a
Conversion Notice.

            (m) RESTRICTED NUMBER OF CONVERSION SHARES. The Corporation shall
not be obligated to issue, in the aggregate, shares of Common Stock upon
conversion of the Convertible Preferred if issuance of such shares would (i)
constitute a breach of the Corporation's obligations under its agreements with
the NASD or Nasdaq or the rules of such organizations or (ii) cause the
Corporation to exceed the number of shares authorized in its charter or articles
of incorporation. If further issuances of shares of Common Stock upon redemption
of the Convertible Preferred would cause the Corporation to exceed either of the
limitations specified in clauses (i) and (ii) above, then so long thereafter as
such limitation shall continue to be applicable and any shares of Convertible
Preferred are submitted for conversion, such shares shall receive in cash an
amount equal to the current value of the Common Stock which such shares would
otherwise be entitled to receive upon conversion (such value per share to be the
closing price of such shares as reported by Nasdaq on the Conversion Date), in
lieu of the Common Stock such shares would otherwise be entitled to receive upon
conversion, and such shares will be deemed cancelled. In the event that any such
cash payment shall be required, the Corporation shall so notify the holder by
telephone, confirmed in writing by telecopy (specifying the number of shares
affected and the amount of cash to be paid), on the same day that notice of
conversion is given by such holder to the Corporation. Payment of said cash
amount shall be made no later than one business day after the time specified in
Section 4(b) for the delivery of Common Stock upon conversion, and shall bear
daily interest thereafter until paid at a rate equal to the lesser of .1% or the
highest rate permitted by law. Such maximum number of shares of Common Stock
shall be proportionately and equitably adjusted in the event of stock splits,
stock dividends, reverse stock splits, reclassifications or other such events,
in such manner as the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall reasonably
determine. The Corporation shall, at any time upon the oral or written request
of any holder, forthwith inform such holder, orally or in writing, of the
highest Common Stock trade price at which any cash payment under this subsection
(m) would then be required.

            (n) REISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES. In the event of an optional
conversion of Convertible Preferred pursuant to Section 4(a) hereof in which
less than all of the shares of Convertible Preferred of a particular certificate
are converted, the Corporation shall promptly cause to be issued and delivered
to the holder of such certificate a certificate representing the remaining
shares of Convertible Preferred which have not been so converted.

            (o) CORPORATION TO PREVENT DILUTION. If any event or condition
occurs as to which other provisions of this Section 4 are not strictly
applicable or if strictly applicable would not fairly protect the conversion
rights of the holders of the Convertible Preferred in accordance with the
essential intent and principles of such provisions, or which might materially
and adversely affect the 

                                       7
<PAGE>
conversion rights of any holder hereof, then the Corporation, acting in good
faith, shall make an adjustment in the application of such provisions, or an
addition thereto, in accordance with such essential intent and principles, so as
to protect such conversion rights as aforesaid, including, without limitation,
any adjustment necessary with respect to the Conversion Price and the Conversion
Cap so as to preserve the rights of the holders of the Convertible Preferred.

      5. OTHER PROVISIONS. For all purposes of this Resolution, the term "date
of issuance" and the terms "Closing" or "Closing Date" shall mean the day on
which shares of the Convertible Preferred are first issued by the Corporation.
Any provision herein which conflicts with or violates any applicable usury law
shall be deemed modified to the extent necessary to avoid such conflict or
violation. The term "Nasdaq" herein refers to the principal market on which the
Common Stock of the Corporation is traded. If the Common Stock is listed on a
securities exchange, or if another market becomes the principal market on which
the Common Stock is traded or through which price quotations for the Common
Stock are reported, the term "Nasdaq" shall be deemed to refer to such exchange
or other principal market.

      6. RESTRICTIONS AND LIMITATIONS. The Corporation shall not undertake the
following actions without the consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld in the case of clause (ii) below, of the holders of a majority of the
Convertible Preferred, voting separately as a class: (i) modify its Certificate
of Incorporation or Bylaws, by merger or otherwise, so as to amend or change any
of the rights, preferences, or privileges of the Convertible Preferred, (ii) so
long as at least 20,000 shares of the Convertible Preferred remain outstanding,
authorize or issue any derivative or equity-linked security; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that the Corporation may authorize or issue such securities pursuant to
qualified employee stock option plans, (iii) purchase or otherwise acquire for
value any Common Stock or other equity security of the Corporation either junior
or senior to or on a parity with the Convertible Preferred while there exists
any arrearage in the payment of cumulative dividends hereunder; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that the Corporation may effect purchases for the purpose of funding
qualified employee stock option plans, or (iv) pay or effect any dividend or
distribution to shareholders of cash, securities or any other items whatsoever;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Corporation may effect one or more distributions of
securities (and cash in lieu of any fractional shares) in connection with the
spin-off of its non-financial business assets to shareholders.

      7.    NO FIVE PERCENT HOLDERS.

            (a) The purpose of this Section is to prevent any holder from
holding over 5% of the Corporation's Common Stock without the consent of the
Board of Directors or 90 days' prior written notice, the holders having assured
the Corporation of their intentions, as of the Closing Date, to remain passive
investors and not to acquire any significant (that is, over 5%) block of the
Corporation's Common Stock without such consent or prior written notice.

            (b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the
Convertible Preferred shall not be convertible by a holder or the Corporation or
at the Termination Date to the extent (but only to the extent) that, if so
converted the holder would beneficially own in excess of 

                                       8
<PAGE>
4.9% of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Corporation. To the
extent this limitation applies, the determination of whether any particular
shares of Convertible Preferred shall be convertible shall be in the sole
discretion of the holder thereof and submission of the Convertible Preferred for
conversion shall be deemed to be the holder's determination of whether such
Convertible Preferred is convertible, subject to such aggregate percentage
limitation. No prior inability to convert Convertible Preferred pursuant to this
Section 7 shall have any effect on the applicability of its provisions with
respect to any subsequent determination of convertibility. For the purposes of
this Section 7, beneficial ownership and all calculations including, without
limitation, with respect to calculations of percentage ownership, shall be
determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, and the regulations thereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
each holder shall have the right to waive such restriction upon 90 days' prior
notice to the Corporation. No transferee of Convertible Preferred shall be bound
by such restriction unless the transferee expressly so agrees. The provisions of
this Section 7 may be waived or implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict
conformity with the terms hereof with the approval of the Board of Directors.

      8.    VOTING RIGHTS.

            (a) GENERAL. The holders of Convertible Preferred will not have any
voting rights except as set forth herein or as otherwise from time to time
required by law. In connection with any right to vote, each holder of
Convertible Preferred will have one vote for each share held. Any shares of
Convertible Preferred held by the Corporation or any entity controlled by the
Corporation shall not have voting rights hereunder and shall not be counted in
determining the presence of a quorum.

            (b) CONTINGENT VOTING RIGHTS. So long as at least 20,000 shares of
the Convertible Preferred shall remain outstanding, whenever (i) dividends on
the Convertible Preferred shall be in arrears in an amount equal to at least two
quarterly dividends (whether or not consecutive), (ii) the Corporation shall not
have timely paid to the holders of the Convertible Preferred up to 1% of the
Conversion Price thereof for each 15 day period a registration statement
covering the Convertible Preferred and the Common Stock into which it shall be
convertible and certain other registrable securities is not available for use by
the holders, all as specified in the investment agreement pursuant to which the
Convertible Preferred was issued on the Closing Date, (iii) the Corporation, for
five consecutive trading days, shall not have sufficient shares of Common Stock
authorized and reserved for issuance to cover the number of shares of Common
Stock into which the Convertible Preferred shall then be convertible hereunder,
then, in the case of any of the events specified in the foregoing clauses (i)
through (iii), (A) the number of members of the Board of Directors of the
Corporation shall be increased to create such number of vacancies as may be
required to permit the holders of Convertible Preferred to elect forthwith one
member of the Board of Directors, or such other appropriate action shall be
taken to permit such election, effective as of the time of election of such
director as hereinafter provided and (B) the holders of the Convertible
Preferred (voting separately as a class) will have the exclusive right to vote
for and elect such additional director of the Corporation at any meeting of
stockholders of the Corporation at which

                                       9
<PAGE>
directors are to be elected held during the period the defaults specified in
clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above continue and remain uncured. The right of the
holders of the Convertible Preferred to vote for such additional director shall
terminate when the applicable defaults specified in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii)
above shall be cured. The term of office of the director so elected shall
terminate immediately upon the termination of the right of the holders of the
Convertible Preferred to vote for such additional director.

      The foregoing right of holders of the Convertible Preferred with respect
to the election of one member of the Board of Directors may be exercised at any
annual meeting of stockholders or at any special meeting of stockholders held
for such purpose. If the right to elect a director shall have accrued to the
holders of the Convertible Preferred more than 90 days preceding the date
established for the next annual meeting of stockholders, the Chairman of the
Board of the Corporation shall, within 20 days after the delivery to the
Corporation at its principal office of a written request for a special meeting
signed by the holders of at least 25% of the Convertible Preferred then
outstanding, call a special meeting of the holders of the Convertible Preferred
to be held within 30 days after the delivery of such request for the purpose of
electing such additional director.

      The holders of the Convertible Preferred, voting separately as a class,
shall have the right to remove without cause at any time and replace any
director such holders shall have elected pursuant to this Section 8(b).

            (c) CLASS VOTING RIGHTS. So long as the Convertible Preferred is
outstanding, the holders thereof shall also have the class voting rights
specified in Section 6.

      9. NO ADVERSE ACTIONS. The Corporation shall not in any manner, whether by
amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation (including, without limitation,
any Certificate of Designation), merger, reorganization, recapitalization,
consolidation, sales of assets, sale of stock, tender offer, dissolution or
otherwise, take any action, or permit any action to be taken, solely or
primarily for the purpose of increasing the value of any class of stock of the
Corporation if the effect of such action is to reduce the value or security of
the Convertible Preferred.

                                       10


                                                                    EXHIBIT 10.9

                     PREFERRED STOCK INVESTMENT AGREEMENT


      AGREEMENT dated as of May 15, 1998 between Telescan, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), and the investor whose name is set forth at the
foot of this Agreement (the "Investor").

      The parties hereto agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I

                     PURCHASE AND SALE OF PREFERRED STOCK

      Section 1.1 PURCHASE AND SALE OF PREFERRED STOCK. Upon the following terms
and conditions, the Company shall issue and sell to the Investor, and the
Investor shall purchase from the Company, 60,000 shares of the Company's 5%
Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Shares" or the "Convertible Preferred") having
the rights, designations and preferences set forth in Schedule I hereto.

      Section 1.2 PURCHASE PRICE. The purchase price for the Shares (the
"Purchase Price") shall be $25 per share.

      Section 1.3 THE CLOSING.

            (a) The closing of the purchase and sale of the Shares (the
"Closing"), shall take place at the offices of the Investor, at 10:00 a.m.,
local time on the later of the following: (i) the date on which the last to be
fulfilled or waived of the conditions set forth in Article IV hereof and
applicable to the Closing shall be fulfilled or waived in accordance herewith,
or (ii) such other time and place and/or on such other date as the Investor and
the Company may agree. The date on which the Closing occurs is referred to
herein as the "Closing Date."

            (b) On the Closing Date, the Company shall deliver to the Investor
certificates representing the Shares registered in the name of the Investor or
deposit such Shares into accounts designated by the Investor, and the Investor
shall deliver to the Company the Purchase Price for all the Shares by cashier's
check or wire transfer in immediately available funds to such account as shall
be designated in writing by the Company. In addition, each party shall deliver
all documents, instruments and writings required to be delivered by such party
pursuant to this Agreement at or prior to the Closing.

      Section 1.4 COVENANT TO REGISTER.

            (a) For purposes of this Section, the following definitions shall
apply:
<PAGE>
                  (i) The terms "register," "registered," and "registration"
refer to a registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Act"), effected by preparing and filing a registration statement or similar
document in compliance with the Act, and the declaration or ordering of
effectiveness of such registration statement, document or amendment thereto.

                  (ii) The term "Registrable Securities" means the Shares and
the stock issued or issuable upon conversion of the Shares or otherwise issued
or issuable pursuant to this Agreement or the provisions of Schedule I hereto,
and any securities of the Company or securities of any successor corporation
issued as, or issuable upon the conversion or exercise of any warrant, right or
other security that is issued as a dividend or other distribution with respect
to, or in exchange for, or in replacement of, the Shares.

                  (iii) The term "holder of Registrable Securities" means the
Investor and any permitted assignee of registration rights pursuant to Section
1.4(h).

            (b)(i)The Company shall, as expeditiously as possible following the
Closing, file a Registration Statement on Form S-3, or if Form S-3 is not then
available, another appropriate form, covering all the Registrable Securities,
and shall use its best efforts to cause such registration statement to become
effective by the 135th calendar day after the Closing Date (the "Initial
Registration"). In the event such registration is not so declared effective or
does not include all Registrable Securities, a holder of Registrable Securities
shall have the right to require by notice in writing that the Company register
all or any part of the Registrable Securities held by such holder (a "Demand
Registration") and the Company shall thereupon effect such registration in
accordance herewith (which may include adding such shares to an existing shelf
registration). If the holder of Registrable Securities demands registration of
less than all of the Registrable Securities, the Company, at its option, may
nevertheless file a registration statement covering all of the Registrable
Securities. If such registration statement is declared effective with respect to
all Registrable Securities and the Company is in compliance with its obligations
under Subsections (d)(i) through (v) of this Section 1.4, the demand
registration rights granted pursuant to this Subsection (b) (i) shall cease. If
such registration statement is not declared effective with respect to all
Registrable Securities, or if the Company is not in compliance with its
obligations, the demand registration rights described herein shall remain in
effect. The Company shall provide holders of Registrable Securities reasonable
opportunity (at least 3 business days) to review any such registration statement
or amendment or supplement thereto prior to the filing thereof.

                  (ii) The Company shall not be obligated to effect a Demand
Registration under Subsection (b)(i) above (a) if all of the Registrable
Securities held by the holder of Registrable Securities which are demanded to be
covered by the Demand Registration are, at the time of such demand, included in
an effective registration statement and the Company is in compliance with its
obligations under Subsection (d) of this Section 1.4 or (b) if

                                      2
<PAGE>
all of the Registrable Securities may be sold under Rule 144(k) of the Act and
the Company's transfer agent has accepted an instruction from the Company to
such effect and issued one or more certificates representing all such holder's
Convertible Preferred or other Registrable Securities without the legend
specified in Article V, or any similar legend, to such holder.

                  (iii) The Company may suspend the effectiveness of any such
registration effected pursuant to this Subsection (b) in the event, and for such
period of time as, such a suspension is required by the rules and regulations of
the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The Company will use its best
efforts to cause such suspension to terminate at the earliest possible date.

                  (iv) If the registration statement covering all Registrable
Securities is not filed by the 30th calendar day after the Closing Date or
effective by the 135th calendar day after the Closing Date, then, in either such
event, the Company shall pay the Investor in cash an amount equal to the
percentage specified in the following sentence of the total Purchase Price of
Shares and any other Registrable Securities then held by the Investor for each
15 day period thereafter until such registration statement is filed or
effective, as the case may be (pro-rata as to a period of less than 15 days).
For the fifteen days beginning after the 135th, 150th and 165th calendar day
after the Closing Date, such percentage shall be .25%, .5% and .75%,
respectively, and, thereafter, such percentage shall be 1.0%. If, following such
effectiveness, either the effectiveness of the Registration Statement is
suspended or a current prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the
Act is not available for delivery by the Investor (either, a "suspension"), an
amount equal to 1% of the total Purchase Price of Shares and any Registrable
Securities then held by Investor shall be paid to the Investor in cash, for each
15 days of such suspension (pro-rata as to a period of less than 15 days). Any
amount payable pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Subsection (iv)
shall be paid on or before the fifth day following the end of the calendar month
in which such payment obligation arose.

            (c) If the Company proposes to register (including for this purpose
a registration effected by the Company for shareholders other than the Investor)
any of its stock or other securities under the Act in connection with a public
offering of such securities (other than a registration on Form S-4, Form S-8 or
other limited purpose form) and all Registrable Securities have not theretofore
been included in a registration statement under Subsection (b) of this Section
1.4 which remains effective and not in suspension, the Company shall, at such
time, promptly give all holders of Registrable Securities written notice of such
registration. Upon the written request of any holder of Registrable Securities
given within 10 days after receipt of such notice by the holder of Registrable
Securities, the Company shall use its best efforts to cause to be registered
under the Act all Registrable Securities that such holder of Registrable
Securities requests to be registered. However, the Company shall have no
obligation under this Subsection (c) if the Registrable Securities may be sold
without registration under Rule 144(k) and the Company's transfer agent has
accepted an instruction from the Company to such effect and issued one or more
certificates representing all such

                                      3
<PAGE>
Registrable Securities to the holders thereof without the legend specified in
Article V or any similar legend.

            (d) Whenever required under this Section 1.4 to effect the
registration of any Registrable Securities, including, without limitation, the
Initial Registration, the Company shall, as expeditiously as possible:

                  (i) Prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement
with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its best efforts to cause
such registration to become effective as provided in Section 1.4(b)(i), and keep
such registration statement effective for so long as any holder of Registrable
Securities desires to dispose of the securities covered by such registration
statement; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that in no event shall the Company be required to
keep the Registration Statement effective for a period greater than two years
from the Closing Date.

                  (ii) Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and
supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection
with such registration statement as may be necessary to comply with the
provisions of the Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered
by such registration statement and notify the holders of the filing and
effectiveness of such Registration Statement and any amendments or supplements.

                  (iii) Furnish to each holder of Registrable Securities such
numbers of copies of a current prospectus, including a preliminary prospectus,
conforming with the requirements of the Act, copies of the registration
statement, any amendment or supplement to any thereof and any documents
incorporated by reference therein and such other documents as such holder of
Registrable Securities may reasonably require in order to facilitate the
disposition of Registrable Securities owned by such holder of Registrable
Securities.

                  (iv) Use its best efforts to register and qualify the
securities covered by such registration statement under such other securities or
"Blue Sky" laws of such jurisdictions as shall be reasonably requested by the
holder of Registrable Securities; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company shall not
be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to qualify to do
business or to file a general consent to service of process in any such states
or jurisdictions.

                  (v) Notify each holder of Registrable Securities immediately
of the happening of any event as a result of which the prospectus included in
such registration statement, as then in effect, includes an untrue statement of
material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the
circumstances then existing, and use its best efforts to promptly update and/or
correct such prospectus.

                                      4
<PAGE>
                  (vi) Use its best efforts to list the Registrable Securities
covered by such registration statement with any national market or securities
exchange on which such securities are then listed;

                  (vii) Make available for inspection by the holder of
Registrable Securities, upon request, all SEC Documents (as defined below)
incorporated by reference into the registration statement relating to such
Registerable Securities or filed subsequent to the Closing and require the
Company's officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably
requested by any holder of Registrable Securities in connection with such
registration statement.
                  
                  (viii) Furnish to each holder of Registrable Securities prompt
notice of the commencement of any stop-order proceedings under the Act, together
with copies of all relevant documents in connection therewith, and use its best
efforts to obtain withdrawal of any such stop order as soon as possible.

            (e) Upon request of the Company, each holder of Registrable
Securities will furnish to the Company in connection with any registration under
this Section such information regarding itself, the Registrable Securities and
other securities of the Company held by it, and the intended method of
disposition of such securities as shall be reasonably required to effect the
registration of the Registrable Securities held by such holder of Registrable
Securities. The intended method of disposition (Plan of Distribution) of such
securities as so provided by Investor shall be included without alteration in
the Registration Statement covering the Registrable Securities and shall not be
changed without written consent of the Investor. Such Plan of Distribution may,
among other items, include a statement to the effect that Investor may pledge to
a broker or dealer Investor's Registrable Securities pursuant to the margin
provisions of any customer agreement between Investor and such broker or dealer,
that, upon a default by Investor, such broker or dealer may offer and sell the
pledged Registrable Securities and that the Registrable Securities may be sold
from time to time in one or more ordinary brokerage transactions (including
short sales) and in transactions in which the broker solicits purchases.

            (f)(i)The Company shall indemnify, defend and hold harmless each
holder of Registrable Securities which are included in a registration statement
pursuant to the provisions of Subsections (b) or (c) and each of its officers,
directors, employees, agents, partners or controlling persons (within the
meaning of the Act) (each, an "indemnified party") from and against, and shall
reimburse such indemnified party with respect to, any and all claims, suits,
demands, causes of action, losses, damages, liabilities, costs or expenses
("Liabilities") to which such indemnified party may become subject under the Act
or otherwise, arising from or relating to (A) any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement of any material fact contained in such registration statement,
any prospectus contained therein or any amendment or supplement thereto, or (B)
the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the

                                      5
<PAGE>
circumstances in which they were made, not misleading; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that
the Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such
Liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or omission so made
in strict conformity with information furnished by such indemnified party in
writing specifically for use in the registration statement.

                  (ii) In the event of any registration under the Act of
Registrable Securities pursuant to Subsections (b) or (c), each holder of such
Registrable Securities severally agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless
the Company, and its officers, directors, employees, agents, partners, or
controlling persons (within the meaning of the Act) (each, an "indemnified
party") from and against, and shall reimburse such indemnified party with
respect to, any and all Liabilities to which such indemnified party may become
subject under the Act or otherwise, arising from or relating to (A) any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in such
registration statement, any prospectus contained therein or any amendment or
supplement thereto, or (B) the omission or alleged omission to state therein a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that such holders will be liable in any such case to the
extent, and only to the extent, that any such Liability arises out of or is
based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or
alleged omission made in such registration statement, prospectus or amendment or
supplement thereto in reliance upon and in conformity with written information
furnished by such holder specifically for use in the preparation thereof.

                  (iii) Promptly after receipt by any indemnified party of
notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party shall, if a
claim in respect thereof is to be made against another party (the "indemnifying
party") hereunder, notify such party in writing thereof, but the omission so to
notify such party shall not relieve such party from any Liability which it may
have to the indemnified party other than under this section and shall only
relieve it from any Liability which it may have to the indemnified party under
this section if and to the extent an indemnifying party is materially prejudiced
by such omission. In case any such action shall be brought against any
indemnified party and such indemnified party shall notify an indemnifying party
of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to
participate in and, to the extent it shall wish, to assume and undertake the
defense thereof with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party,
and, after notice from the indemnifying party to the indemnified party of its
election so to assume and undertake the defense thereof, the indemnifying party
shall not be liable to the indemnified party under this section for any legal
expenses subsequently incurred by the indemnified party in connection with the
defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation and of liaison with
counsel so selected; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the defendants in any such
action include both parties and the indemnified party shall have reasonably
concluded that there may be reasonable defenses available to it which are
different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party or if
the interests of the indemnified party reasonably may be deemed to conflict with
the interests of the indemnifying party, the indemnified party shall have the
right

                                      6
<PAGE>
to select a separate counsel and to assume such legal defenses and otherwise to
participate in the defense of such action, with the reasonable expenses and fees
of one such separate counsel (in addition to any local counsel) and other
reasonable expenses related to such participation to be reimbursed by the
indemnifying party as incurred.

                  (iv) In order to provide for just and equitable contribution
to joint liability under the Act in any case in which either (A) any indemnified
party specified in paragraph (i) or (ii) above makes a claim for indemnification
pursuant to this Section 1.4(f), but it is judicially determined (by the entry
of a final judgment or decree by a court of competent jurisdiction and the
expiration of time to appeal or the denial of the last right of appeal) that
such indemnification may not be fully enforced in such case notwithstanding the
fact that this Section 1.4(f) provides for indemnification in such case, or (B)
contribution under the Act may be required on the part of any such indemnified
party in circumstances for which indemnification is provided under this Section
1.4(f); then, in each such case, each indemnifying party will contribute to the
aggregate losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which such indemnified
parties may be subject as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of such
indemnified parties on the one hand and such indemnifying parties on the other
in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses,
claims, damages or liabilities, it being understood that the parties acknowledge
that the overriding equitable consideration to be given effect in connection
with this provision is the ability of one party or the other to correct the
statement or omission which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities, and that it would not be just and equitable if contribution
pursuant hereto were to be determined by PRO RATA allocation or by any other
method of allocation which does not take into consideration the foregoing
equitable considerations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x) the Investors and
the indemnified parties specified in paragraph (i) above will not be required to
contribute any amount in excess of the proceeds to them of all Registrable
Securities sold by them pursuant to such registration statement, and (y) no
person or entity guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation, within the meaning of
Section 11(f) of the Act, shall be entitled to contribution from any person or
entity who is not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

            (g)(i) With respect to the inclusion of Registrable Securities in a
registration statement pursuant to Subsections (b) or (c), all fees, costs and
expenses of and incidental to such registration, inclusion and public offering
shall be borne by the Company; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any securityholders
participating in such registration shall bear their pro-rata share of the
underwriting discounts and commissions, if any, incurred by them in connection
with such registration.

                  (ii) The fees, costs and expenses of registration to be borne
by the Company as provided in this Subsection (g) shall include, without
limitation, all registration, filing and NASD fees, printing expenses, fees and
disbursements of counsel and accountants for the Company, and all legal fees and
disbursements and other expenses of complying with state securities or Blue Sky
laws of any jurisdiction or jurisdictions in which securities to be

                                      7
<PAGE>
offered are to be registered and qualified. Subject to appropriate agreements as
to confidentiality, the Company shall make available to the holders of
Registrable Securities and their counsel its documents and personnel for due
diligence purposes.

            (h) The rights to cause the Company to register all or any portion
of Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section 1.4 may be assigned by
Investor from time to time, or at any time, to one or more transferees or
assignees. Within a reasonable time after any such transfer, the Investor shall
notify the Company of the name and address of each such transferee or assignee
and the securities with respect to which such registration rights are being
assigned, whereupon the Company shall promptly issue and file with the SEC a
prospectus supplement or amendment setting forth the information with respect to
such transferee or assignee specified in the rules and regulations of the SEC
(including Item 507 of Regulation S-K). Such assignment shall be effective only
if immediately following such transfer the further disposition of such
securities by the transferee or assignee is restricted under the Act. Any
transferee asserting registration rights hereunder shall be bound by the
applicable provisions of this Agreement.

            (i) The Company shall not agree to allow the holders of any
securities of the Company to include any of their securities in any registration
statement filed by the Company pursuant to Subsection (b) unless such inclusion
will not reduce the amount of the Registrable Securities included therein.

                                  ARTICLE II

                        REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

      Section 2.1 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY. The Company
hereby makes the following representations and warranties to the Investor:

            (a) ORGANIZATION AND QUALIFICATION. The Company is a corporation
duly incorporated and existing in good standing under the laws of the State of
Delaware and has the requisite corporate power to own its properties and to
carry on its business as now being conducted. The Company does not have any
subsidiaries except as listed in Exhibit A hereto. The Company and each such
subsidiary, if any, is duly qualified as a foreign corporation to do business
and is in good standing in every jurisdiction in which the nature of the
business conducted or property owned by it makes such qualification necessary
other than those in which the failure so to qualify would not have a Material
Adverse Effect. "Material Adverse Effect" means any adverse effect on the
business, operations, properties, prospects, or financial condition of the
entity with respect to which such term is used and which is material to such
entity and other entities controlled by such entity taken as a whole.

            (b)   AUTHORIZATION; ENFORCEMENT.  (i) The Company has the requisite

                                      8
<PAGE>
corporate power and authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and to
issue the Shares in accordance with the terms hereof, (ii) the execution and
delivery of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation by it of the
transactions contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary
corporate action, and no further consent or authorization of the Company or its
Board of Directors or stockholders is required except for any stockholder
approval required by the terms of the Company's listing agreement with Nasdaq or
the rules of such organization, (iii) this Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by the Company, (iv) this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding
obligation of the Company enforceable against the Company in accordance with its
terms, except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation or similar laws relating to,
or affecting generally the enforcement of, creditors' rights and remedies or by
other equitable principles of general application, and (v) prior to the Closing
Date a Certificate of Designations which authorizes the Convertible Preferred as
provided in Schedule I will have been filed with the Delaware Secretary of State
and will be in full force and effect, enforceable against the Company in
accordance with its terms.

            (c) CAPITALIZATION. The authorized capital stock of the Company
consists of 15,000,000 shares of Common Stock and 10,000,000 shares of Preferred
Stock; there are approximately 11,042,901 shares of Common Stock and 0 shares of
Preferred Stock issued and outstanding; and, upon issuance of the Shares in
accordance with the terms hereof and pursuant to similar agreements of like
tenor, there will be approximately 11,042,901 shares of Common Stock and 120,000
shares of Class A Preferred issued and outstanding. All of the outstanding
shares of the Company's Common Stock have been validly issued and are fully paid
and nonassessable. Except as set forth in Exhibit A hereto and as described in
the SEC Documents, no shares of Common Stock are entitled to preemptive rights
or registration rights and there are no outstanding options, warrants, scrip,
rights to subscribe to, calls or commitments of any character whatsoever
relating to, or securities or rights convertible into, any shares of capital
stock of the Company, or contracts, commitments, understandings, or arrangements
by which the Company is or may become bound to issue additional shares of
capital stock of the Company or options, warrants, scrip, rights to subscribe
to, or commitments to purchase or acquire, any shares, or securities or rights
convertible into shares, of capital stock of the Company. The Company has
furnished or made available to the Investor true and correct copies of the
Company's Certificate of Incorporation as in effect on the date hereof (the
"Charter"), and the Company's By-Laws, as in effect on the date hereof (the
"By-Laws").

            (d) ISSUANCE OF SHARES. The issuance of the Shares has been duly
authorized and, when paid for and issued in accordance with the terms hereof,
the Shares shall be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and entitled
to the rights and preferences set forth in Schedule I hereto. The Company shall
have authorized and reserved for issuance upon conversion of the Shares 900,000
shares of Common Stock (the "Reserved Amount"), which number shall not be
reduced, but which shall be appropriately adjusted by the Board of Directors,
acting in good faith, in the event of stock splits, dividends or other
distributions, or other events

                                      9
<PAGE>
so as to carry out the intentions of this Agreement. If the Reserved Amount for
any three consecutive trading days shall be less than 125% of the number of
shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Preferred,
the Company shall immediately notify all holders of the Convertible Preferred of
such occurrence and shall take action as soon as possible, but in any event
within 60 days (including, if necessary, seeking shareholder approval to
authorize the issuance of additional shares of Common Stock) to increase the
Reserved Amount to 200% of the number of shares of Common Stock then issuable
upon conversion of the Convertible Preferred. The Common Stock issuable upon
conversion of the Convertible Preferred will be validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable and the holders shall be entitled to all rights and preferences
accorded to a holder of Common Stock.

            (e) NO CONFLICTS. The execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the transactions
contemplated hereby do not and will not (i) result in a violation of the
Company's Charter or By-Laws or (ii) conflict with, or constitute a default (or
an event which with notice or lapse of time or both would become a default)
under, or give to others any rights of termination, amendment, acceleration or
cancellation of, any agreement, indenture or instrument to which the Company or
any of its subsidiaries is a party, or result in a violation of any federal,
state, local or foreign law, rule, regulation, order, judgment or decree
(including Federal and state securities laws and regulations) applicable to the
Company or any of its subsidiaries or by which any property or assets of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or affected (except for such
conflicts, defaults, terminations, amendments, accelerations, cancellations and
violations as would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material
Adverse Effect); provided that, for purposes of such representation as to
Federal, state, local or foreign law, rule or regulation, no representation is
made herein with respect to any of the same applicable solely to the Investor
and not to the Company. The business of the Company is not being conducted in
violation of any law, ordinance or regulation of any governmental entity, except
for violations which either singly or in the aggregate do not and will not have
a Material Adverse Effect. The Company is not required under Federal, state or
local law, rule or regulation in the United States to obtain any consent,
authorization or order of, or make any filing (other than the filing of the
Certificate of Amendment with the Delaware Secretary of State) or registration
with, any court or governmental agency in order for it to execute, deliver or
perform any of its obligations under this Agreement or issue and sell the Shares
in accordance with the terms hereof (other than any SEC, NASD, stock exchange or
state securities filings which may be required to be made by the Company
subsequent to the Closing, and any registration statement which may be filed
pursuant hereto); provided that, for purposes of the representation made in this
sentence, the Company is assuming and relying upon the accuracy of the relevant
representations and agreements of the Investor herein.

            (f) SEC DOCUMENTS, FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The Common Stock of the
Company is registered pursuant to Section 12(b) or Section 12(g) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") and the Company
has filed on a timely basis all

                                      10
<PAGE>
reports, schedules, forms, statements and other documents required to be filed
by it with the SEC since January 1, 1994 pursuant to the reporting requirements
of the Exchange Act, including material filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or
15(d), in addition to one or more registration statements and amendments thereto
heretofore filed by the Company with the SEC under the Act since July 1, 1993
(all of the foregoing including filings incorporated by reference therein being
referred to herein as the "SEC Documents"). The Company has delivered or made
available to the Investor true and complete copies of the SEC Documents. The
Company has not provided to the Investor any information which, according to
applicable law, rule or regulation, should have been disclosed publicly by the
Company but which has not been so disclosed, other than with respect to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement. As of their respective dates, the
SEC Documents complied in all material respects with the requirements of the Act
or the Exchange Act as the case may be and the rules and regulations of the SEC
promulgated thereunder and other federal, state and local laws, rules and
regulations applicable to such SEC Documents, and none of the SEC Documents
contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading. The financial statements of the Company included in the SEC
Documents comply as to form in all material respects with applicable accounting
requirements and the published rules and regulations of the SEC or other
applicable rules and regulations with respect thereto. Such financial statements
have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
applied on a consistent basis during the periods involved (except as may be
otherwise indicated in such financial statements or the notes thereto) and
fairly present in all material respects the financial position of the Company as
of the dates thereof and the results of operations and cash flows for the
periods then ended (subject, in the case of unaudited statements, to normal
year-end audit adjustments).

            (g) NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. Since the date through which the
most recent report of the Company on Form 10-K or Form 10-Q has been prepared
and filed with the SEC, a copy of which is included in the SEC Documents, no
Material Adverse Effect has occurred or exists with respect to the Company or
its subsidiaries.

            (h) NO UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES. The Company and its subsidiaries
have no material liabilities or obligations not disclosed in the SEC Documents,
other than those incurred in the ordinary course of the Company's or its
subsidiaries' respective businesses since the date of the most recently filed
SEC Documents which, individually or in the aggregate, do not or would not have
a Material Adverse Effect on the Company or its subsidiaries.

            (i) NO UNDISCLOSED EVENTS OR CIRCUMSTANCES. To the best knowledge of
the Company, no event or circumstance has occurred or exists with respect to the
Company or its subsidiaries or their respective businesses, properties,
prospects, operations or financial condition, which, under applicable law, rule
or regulation, requires public disclosure or announcement by the Company but
which has not been so publicly announced or disclosed.

                                      11
<PAGE>
            (j) NO GENERAL SOLICITATION. Neither the Company, nor any of its
affiliates, or, to its knowledge, any person acting on its or their behalf, has
engaged in any form of general solicitation or general advertising (within the
meaning of Regulation D under the Act) in connection with the offer or sale of
the Shares.

            (k) NO INTEGRATED OFFERING. Neither the Company, nor any of its
affiliates, nor any person acting on its or their behalf has, directly or
indirectly, made any offers or sales of any security or solicited any offers to
buy any security, under circumstances that would require registration of the
Shares under the Act.

      Section 2.2 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE INVESTOR. The Investor
hereby makes the following representations and warranties to the Company:

            (a) AUTHORIZATION, ENFORCEMENT. (i) Such Investor has the requisite
power and authority to enter into and perform this Agreement and to purchase the
Shares being sold hereunder, (ii) the execution and delivery of this Agreement
by the Investor and the consummation by it of the transactions contemplated
hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or partnership
action, and (iii) this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of
the Investor enforceable against the Investor in accordance with its terms
except as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation or similar laws relating to,
or affecting generally the enforcement of, creditors' rights and remedies or by
other equitable principles of general application.

            (b) NO CONFLICTS. The execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement and the consummation by the Investor of the transactions contemplated
hereby do not and will not (i) result in a violation of the Investor's charter
documents or By-Laws or (ii) conflict with any agreement, indenture or
instrument to which Investor is a party, or (iii) result in a violation of any
law, rule, or regulation, or any order, judgment or decree of any court or
governmental agency applicable to Investor. The Investor is not required to
obtain any consent or authorization of any governmental agency in order for it
to perform its obligations under this Agreement. The data to be provided by the
Investor in connection with registering the Registrable Securities under the Act
will be true and correct in all material respects when so provided.

            (c) INVESTMENT REPRESENTATION. The Investor is purchasing the Shares
for its own account for investment and not with a view to distribution otherwise
than in compliance with the Act. Investor has no present arrangement (whether or
not legally binding) to sell the Shares to or through any person or entity;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that by making the representations herein, the Investor does
not agree to hold the Shares for any minimum or other specific term and reserves
the right to dispose of the Shares at any time in accordance with Federal and
state securities laws applicable to such disposition.

            (d) ACCREDITED INVESTOR. The Investor is an accredited investor as
defined in

                                      12
<PAGE>
Rule 501 promulgated under the Act.

            (e) RULE 144. The Investor understands that there is no public
trading market for the Shares, that none is expected to develop, and that the
Shares must be held indefinitely unless such Shares or securities into which the
Shares are converted are registered under the Act or an exemption from
registration is available. The Investor has been advised or is aware of the
provisions of Rule 144 promulgated under the Act.

                                  ARTICLE III

                                   COVENANTS

      Section 3.1 SECURITIES COMPLIANCE.

            (a) The Company shall notify the SEC and the NASD or any applicable
stock exchange, in accordance with their requirements, of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, and shall take all other necessary action and
proceedings as may be required and permitted by applicable law, rule and
regulation, for the legal and valid issuance of the Shares and Common Stock
issuable upon conversion thereof to the Investor or subsequent holder.

            (b) The Investor understands that the Shares are being offered and
sold in reliance on a transactional exemption from the registration requirements
of Federal and state securities laws and that the Company is relying upon the
truth and accuracy of the representations, warranties, agreements,
acknowledgments and understandings of such Investor set forth herein in order to
determine the applicability of such exemptions and the suitability of such
Investor to acquire the Shares.

      Section 3.2 REGISTRATION AND LISTING. Until at least three years after all
Shares have been converted into Common Stock, the Company will cause its Common
Stock to continue to be registered under Sections 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange
Act, will comply in all respects with its reporting and filing obligations under
the Exchange Act, will comply with all requirements related to any registration
statement filed pursuant to this Agreement and will not take any action or file
any document (whether or not permitted by the Act or the Exchange Act or the
rules thereunder) to terminate or suspend such registration or to terminate or
suspend its reporting and filing obligations under said Acts, except as
permitted herein. Until at least three years after all Shares have been
converted into Common Stock the Company will take all action within its power to
continue the listing or trading of its Common Stock where currently listed or
traded and will comply in all respects with the Company's reporting, filing and
other obligations under the bylaws or rules of the NASD and Nasdaq or any
applicable exchange. The covenants set forth in this Section 3.2 shall not be
deemed to prohibit a merger, sale of all assets or other corporate
reorganization if the entity surviving or succeeding the Company is bound by
this Agreement with respect to its securities issued in exchange for or in
replacement of the Shares or Common

                                      13
<PAGE>
Stock or the consideration received for or in replacement of the Shares or
Common Stock is cash.


                                  ARTICLE IV

                                  CONDITIONS

      Section 4.1 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE OBLIGATION OF THE COMPANY TO SELL
THE SHARES. The obligation hereunder of the Company to issue and sell the Shares
to the Investor is subject to the satisfaction, at or before the Closing, of
each of the conditions set forth below. These conditions are for the Company's
sole benefit and may be waived by the Company at any time in its sole
discretion.

            (a) ACCURACY OF THE INVESTOR'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The
representations and warranties of the Investor shall be true and correct in all
material respects as of the date when made and as of the Closing Date as though
made at that time (except for representations and warranties that speak as of a
particular date).

            (b) PERFORMANCE BY THE INVESTOR. The Investor shall have performed
all agreements and satisfied all conditions required to be performed or
satisfied by the Investor at or prior to the Closing.

            (c) NO INJUNCTION. No statute, rule, regulation, executive order,
decree, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or
endorsed by any court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction which
prohibits the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.

            (d) LEGAL ACTION. No legal action, suit or proceeding shall be
pending or threatened which seeks to restrain or prohibit the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement.

      Section 4.2 CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO THE OBLIGATION OF THE INVESTOR TO
PURCHASE THE SHARES. The obligation hereunder of the Investor to acquire and pay
for the Shares is subject to the satisfaction, at or before the Closing, of each
of the conditions set forth below. These conditions are for the Investor's sole
benefit and may be waived by the Investor at any time in its sole discretion.

            (a) ACCURACY OF THE COMPANY'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The
representations and warranties of the Company shall be true and correct in all
material respects as of the date when made and as of the Closing Date as though
made at that time (except for representations and warranties that speak as of a
particular date).

            (b) PERFORMANCE BY THE COMPANY. The Company shall have performed all

                                      14
<PAGE>
agreements and satisfied all conditions required to be performed or satisfied by
the Company at or prior to the Closing.

            (c) CERTIFICATION BY THE COMPANY. The Investor shall have received a
certificate of the Company signed by its Chief Executive Officer and by its
Chief Financial Officer to the effect set forth in Subsections (a) and (b).

            (d) NO TRADING SUSPENSION. From the date hereof to the Closing Date,
trading in the Company's Common Stock shall not have been suspended by the SEC
or the Nasdaq National Market or any exchange (except for any suspension of
trading of limited duration agreed to between the Company and the Nasdaq
National Market or any exchange solely to permit dissemination of material
information regarding the Company), and trading in securities generally as
reported by Nasdaq or any exchange where the Common Stock is listed such shall
not have been suspended or limited or minimum prices shall not have been
established on securities.

            (e) NO INJUNCTION. No statute, rule, regulation, executive order,
decree, ruling or injunction shall have been enacted, entered, promulgated or
endorsed by any court or governmental authority of competent jurisdiction which
prohibits the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE V

                                LEGEND ON STOCK

      Each certificate representing the Shares and, if appropriate, securities
issued upon conversion thereof, shall be stamped or otherwise imprinted with a
legend substantially in the following form:

      THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
      OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THEY MAY NOT BE SOLD OR OFFERED FOR SALE
      EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SAID ACT AND
      ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAW OR AN APPLICABLE EXEMPTION FROM SUCH
      REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS.

      The Company agrees to reissue certificates representing the Shares or, if
applicable, the securities issued upon conversion thereof without the legend set
forth above at such time as (i) the holder thereof is permitted to dispose of
such Shares (or securities issued upon conversion thereof) pursuant to Rule
144(k) under the Act, (ii) the securities are sold to a purchaser or purchasers
who (in the opinion of counsel to such purchasers, in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Company and its counsel) are able to dispose of
such shares publicly without

                                      15
<PAGE>
registration under the Act, or (iii) such securities are registered under the
Act.

                                  ARTICLE VI

                                  TERMINATION

      Section 6.1 TERMINATION BY MUTUAL CONSENT. This Agreement may be
terminated at any time prior to the Closing by the mutual written consent of the
Company and the Investor.

      Section 6.2 OTHER TERMINATION. This Agreement may be terminated by action
of the Board of Directors or other governing body of the Investor or the Company
at any time if the Closing shall not have been consummated within 15 days
following the date of this Agreement, provided that the party seeking to
terminate the Agreement is not in breach of the Agreement.

      Section 6.3 AUTOMATIC TERMINATION. This Agreement shall automatically
terminate without any further action of either party hereto if the Closing shall
not have occurred by the 30th day following the date of this Agreement;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any such termination shall not terminate the liability
of any party which is then in breach of the Agreement.

                                  ARTICLE VII

                                 MISCELLANEOUS

      Section 7.1 FEES AND EXPENSES. Except as otherwise set forth in Section
1.4 hereof, each party shall pay the fees and expenses of its advisers, counsel,
accountants and other experts, if any, and all other expenses incurred by such
party incident to the negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement, provided that the Company shall pay, at the
Closing, to the Investor's law firm all reasonable legal costs related to this
transaction. The Company shall pay all stamp and other taxes and duties levied
in connection with the issuance of the Shares pursuant hereto.

      Section 7.2 SPECIFIC ENFORCEMENT, CONSENT TO JURISDICTION.

            (a) The Company and the Investor acknowledge and agree that
irreparable damage would occur in the event that any of the provisions of this
Agreement were not performed in accordance with their specific terms or were
otherwise breached. It is accordingly agreed that the parties shall be entitled
to an injunction or injunctions to prevent or cure breaches of the provisions of
this Agreement and to enforce specifically the terms and provisions hereof, this
being in addition to any other remedy to which either of them may be entitled by
law or equity.

            (b) Each of the Company and the Investor (i) hereby irrevocably
submits to

                                      16
<PAGE>
the jurisdiction of the United States District Court and other courts of the
United States sitting in Fort Worth, Texas for the purposes of any suit, action
or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement and (ii) hereby
waives, and agrees not to assert in any such suit, action or proceeding, any
claim that it is not personally subject to the jurisdiction of such court, that
the suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum or that the
venue of the suit, action or proceeding is improper. Each of the Company and the
Investor consents to process being served in any such suit, action or proceeding
by mailing a copy thereof to such party at the address in effect for notices to
it under this Agreement and agrees that such service shall constitute good and
sufficient service of process and notice thereof. Nothing in this paragraph
shall affect or limit any right to serve process in any other manner permitted
by law.

      Section 7.3 ENTIRE AGREEMENT, AMENDMENT. This Agreement contains the
entire understanding of the parties with respect to the matters covered hereby
and, except as specifically set forth herein, neither the Company nor the
Investor makes any representation, warranty, covenant or undertaking with
respect to such matters. No provision of this Agreement may be waived or amended
other than by a written instrument signed by the party against whom enforcement
of any such amendment or waiver is sought.

      Section 7.4 NOTICES. Any notice or other communication required or
permitted to be given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be effective (a)
upon hand delivery or delivery by telex (with correct answer back received),
telecopy or facsimile at the address or number designated below (if delivered on
a business day during normal business hours where such notice is to be
received), or the first business day following such delivery (if delivered other
than on a business day during normal business hours where such notice is to be
received) or (b) on the second business day following the date of mailing by
express courier service, fully prepaid, addressed to such address, or upon
actual receipt of such mailing, whichever shall first occur.
The addresses for such communications shall be:

            to the Company:   Roger C. Wadsworth
                              Senior Vice President
                              Telescan, Inc.
                              5959 Corporate Drive, Suite 2000
                              Houston, Texas  77036

            with copies to:   David F. Taylor
                              Liddell, Sapp, Zivley, Hill & LaBoon, L.L.P.
                              600 Travis, 32nd Floor
                              Houston, Texas  77002-3095

            to the Investor:  At the address set forth at the foot of this 
                              Agreement, with copies to Investor's counsel as 
                              set forth at the foot of this Agreement or as 
                              specified in writing by Investor

Any party hereto may from time to time change its address for notices by giving
at least 10 days'

                                      17
<PAGE>
written notice of such changed address to the other party hereto.

      Section 7.5 WAIVERS. No waiver by either party of any default with respect
to any provision, condition or requirement of this Agreement shall be deemed to
be a continuing waiver in the future or a waiver of any other provision,
condition or requirement hereof, nor shall any delay or omission of either party
to exercise any right hereunder in any manner impair the exercise of any such
right accruing to it thereafter.

      Section 7.6 HEADINGS. The headings herein are for convenience only, do not
constitute a part of this Agreement and shall not be deemed to limit or affect
any of the provisions hereof.

      Section 7.7 SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. Except as otherwise provided herein,
this Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties and
their successors and assigns. The parties hereto may amend this Agreement
without notice to or the consent of any third party. The assignment by a party
to this Agreement of any rights hereunder shall not affect the obligations of
such party under this Agreement.

      Section 7.8 NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES. This Agreement is intended for
the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective permitted successors and
assigns and is not for the benefit of, nor may any provision hereof be enforced
by, any other person.

      Section 7.9 GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of Texas without
regard to such state's principles of conflict of laws.

      Section 7.10 SURVIVAL. The representations and warranties of the Company
and the Investor contained in Article II and the agreements and covenants set
forth in Articles I, III and VII shall survive the Closing.

      Section 7.11 EXECUTION. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and
shall become effective when counterparts have been signed by each party and
delivered to the other party, it being understood that both parties need not
sign the same counterpart. In the event any signature is delivered by facsimile
transmission, the party using such means of delivery shall cause the manually
executed signature page(s) to be physically delivered to the other party within
five days of the execution hereof.

      Section 7.12 PUBLICITY. The Company agrees that it will not disclose, and
will not include in any public announcement, the name of the Investor without
its consent, unless and until such disclosure is required by law or applicable
regulation, and then only to the extent of such requirement.

      Section 7.13 NASDAQ. The term "Nasdaq" or "Nasdaq National Market" herein
refers

                                      18
<PAGE>
to the principal market on which the Common Stock of the Company is traded. If
the Common Stock is listed on a securities exchange, or if another market
becomes the principal market on which the Common Stock is traded or through
which price quotations for the Common Stock are reported, the term "Nasdaq" or
"Nasdaq National Market" shall be deemed to refer to such exchange or other
principal market.

      Section. 7.14 TRANSFERABILITY. The Investor shall not sell, assign or
otherwise transfer its Shares without the prior written consent of the Company;
provided, however, that the Investor may sell, assign or otherwise transfer its
shares to any of its affiliates or associates at any time without such consent.

                                      19
<PAGE>
      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the date hereof.

                                   TELESCAN, INC.

                                   By:  /s/ RON WARREN
                                   Name:    RON WARREN
                                   Its: CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER



                                   THE INVESTOR:

                                   R(2) FUNDING, LTD.

                                   By:   Amalgamated Gadget, L.P., as
                                              Investment Manager

                                    By:  Scepter Holdings, Inc., general partner

                                         By:  /s/ GEOFFREY RAYNOR
                                              Geoffrey Raynor, President

                                   Address:

                                         c/o Amalgamated Gadget, L.P.
                                         Attn: Geoffrey Raynor
                                         301 Commerce Street, Suite 2975
                                         Fort Worth, Texas 76102


                                   Name and address of Investor's counsel:

                                         Thomas W. Briggs
                                         Kelly, Hart & Hallman, P.C.
                                         201 Main Street, Suite 2500
                                         Fort Worth, Texas 76102

                                      20
<PAGE>
                                  SCHEDULE I

                     RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING PREFERENCES

                                      of

                        5% CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK


      RESOLVED that there shall be a series of shares of the Class A Preferred
Stock of the Corporation designated "5% Convertible Preferred Stock"; that the
number of shares of such series shall be 120,000 and that the rights and
preferences of such series (the "Convertible Preferred") and the limitations or
restrictions thereon, shall be as follows:

      1. DIVIDENDS. The holders of the Convertible Preferred shall be entitled
to receive out of any assets legally available therefor cumulative dividends at
the rate of $1.25 per share per annum, payable quarterly on March 31, June 30,
September 30 and December 31 of each year, when and as declared by the Board of
Directors, in preference and priority to any payment of any dividend on the
Common Stock or any other class or series of stock of the Corporation. Such
dividends shall accrue on any given share from the day of original issuance of
such share and shall accrue from day to day whether or not earned or declared.
If at any time dividends on the outstanding Convertible Preferred at the rate
set forth above shall not have been paid or declared and set apart for payment
with respect to all preceding periods, the amount of the deficiency shall be
fully paid or declared and set apart for payment, but without interest, before
any distribution, whether by way of dividend or otherwise, shall be declared or
paid upon or set apart for the shares of any other class or series of stock of
the Corporation.

      2. LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of the Corporation, either voluntary or involuntary, the holders of
the Convertible Preferred shall be entitled to receive, prior and in preference
to any distribution of any assets of the Corporation to the holders of any other
class or series of shares, the amount of $25 per share plus any accrued but
unpaid dividends (the "Liquidation Preference").

      3.    FORCED CONVERSION.

            (a) The Corporation at its option may cause all outstanding shares
of the Convertible Preferred to be converted into Common Stock at any time
beginning 24 months after the date of issuance, on at least 20 days' notice, at
a conversion price determined as set forth in Section 4 hereof (the "Conversion
Price") as of the date specified in such notice (the "Conversion Date") and
otherwise on the terms set forth in said Section 4; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the
Corporation may not exercise such right of conversion unless (i) the Closing
Price (last trade price) of the Common Stock as reported by Nasdaq for the 20
consecutive trading days prior to the date the Conversion Notice (as defined in
paragraph (b) below) is mailed has not on any day been less than
<PAGE>
120% of the Conversion Cap (as defined in Section 4(d)(ii) hereof) (subject to
adjustment for stock dividends, stock splits and reverse stock splits), and (ii)
the shares issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Preferred are registered
for resale by an effective registration statement ("Registration Statement")
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), and a current
prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Act is available for
delivery at the Conversion Date.

            (b) At least 30 days, but not more than 60 days, prior to the
Conversion Date, written notice (the "Conversion Notice") shall be mailed, first
class postage prepaid, by the Corporation to each holder of record of the
Convertible Preferred, at the address last shown on the records of the
Corporation for such holder, notifying such holder of the conversion which is to
be effected, specifying the Conversion Date and calling upon each such holder to
surrender to the Corporation, in the manner and at the place designated, a
certificate or certificates representing the number of shares of Convertible
Preferred held by such holder. Subject to the provisions of the following
subsection (c), on or after the Conversion Date, each holder of Convertible
Preferred shall surrender to the Corporation the certificate or certificates
representing the shares of Convertible Preferred owned by such holder as of the
Conversion Date, in the manner and at the place designated in the Conversion
Notice, and thereupon the shares issuable upon such conversion shall be
delivered as provided in Section 4(b) hereof.

            (c) If at the Conversion Date the Registration Statement is for any
reason no longer effective, then no shares shall be converted and the Conversion
Notice shall be deemed to be withdrawn. In such event, any certificates for
Convertible Preferred which have been surrendered for conversion shall be
returned to the persons surrendering the same; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if a
holder shall have received shares of Common Stock upon conversion of Convertible
Preferred after the Conversion Notice was given but before the Conversion Date,
such holder may elect either to retain such Common Stock or rescind such
conversion by tendering such shares of Common Stock to the Corporation.

            (d) On the third anniversary of the Closing Date (the "Termination
Date"), all then outstanding shares of Convertible Preferred shall be
automatically converted into Common Stock at the Conversion Price and otherwise
pursuant to the applicable provisions set forth in Section 4 hereof.

      4. OPTIONAL CONVERSION. The holders of the Convertible Preferred shall
have optional conversion rights as follows:

            (a) RIGHT TO CONVERt. Each share of Convertible Preferred shall be
convertible, at any time at the option of the holder thereof, into such number
of fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock as is determined by
dividing (i) the Liquidation Preference of the Convertible Preferred determined
pursuant to Section 2 hereof on the date the notice of conversion is given, by
(ii) the Conversion Price determined as hereinafter provided in effect on said
date.

                                       2
<PAGE>
            (b) MECHANICS OF CONVERSION. To convert shares of Convertible
Preferred into shares of Common Stock, the holder shall give written notice to
the Corporation (which notice may be given by facsimile transmission, confirmed
in due course by first class mail) that such holder elects to convert the same
and shall state therein the number of shares to be converted and the name or
names in which such holder wishes the certificate or certificates for shares of
Common Stock to be issued. Promptly thereafter the holder shall surrender the
certificate or certificates representing the shares to be converted, duly
endorsed, at the office of the Corporation or of any transfer agent for such
shares, or at such other place designated by the Corporation. The Corporation
shall, immediately upon receipt of such notice, issue and deliver to or upon the
order of such holder, against delivery of the certificates representing the
shares which have been converted, a certificate or certificates for the number
of shares of Common Stock to which such holder shall be entitled. The
Corporation shall effect such issuance within three business days of its receipt
of the notice of conversion and shall transmit the certificates by messenger or
overnight delivery service to reach the corporate address designated by such
holder within three business days after the receipt of such notice. Notice of
conversion may be given by a holder at any time during the day up to 11:59 p.m.
New York time and such conversion shall be deemed to have been made immediately
prior to the close of business on the date such notice of conversion is given.
The person or persons entitled to receive the shares of Common Stock issuable
upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder or
holders of such shares of Common Stock at the close of business on such date.

            (c) PAYMENTS IN THE EVENT OF NON-CONVERSION. If, at any time, the
Corporation fails for any reason to deliver, within the three business day
period described above, certificates representing such number of shares of
Common Stock to which the holder is entitled upon such conversion, then the
Corporation shall pay to such holder $0 per share of such non-converted
Convertible Preferred for each calendar day of such non-delivery period on the
first day of each week following the date of any such failed delivery. In
addition, if (i) the Corporation fails for any reason to deliver, within such
three business day period specified above, shares of Common Stock to the holder
upon a conversion of the Convertible Preferred and (ii) after such three
business day period specified above with respect to such conversion, the holder
purchases (in an open market transaction or otherwise) shares of Common Stock to
make delivery upon a sale by the holder of the shares of Common Stock (the "Sold
Shares") which such holder anticipated receiving upon such conversion, the
Corporation shall pay such holder within two business days following receipt of
written notice of a claim pursuant to this Section 4(c) (in addition to any
other remedies available to the holder) the amount by which (x) such holder's
total purchase price (including brokerage commissions, if any) for the shares of
Common Stock so purchased exceeds (y) the net proceeds received by such holder
from the sale of the Sold Shares.

            (d)   DETERMINATION OF CONVERSION PRICE.

                  (i) The Conversion Price at any date shall be 95% of the
lowest trade price of the Common Stock as reported by Nasdaq during a period of
ten consecutive trading days immediately preceding such date; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that two days shall be added to such period

                                       3
<PAGE>
each month, commencing on the first day following the date that is six months
after the date of the original issuance of the Convertible Preferred, until such
period shall have been lengthened to 22 days.

                  (ii) The Conversion Price at any date shall not be greater
than $8.62 (the "Conversion Cap").

                  (iii) The "lowest trade price" of the Common Stock on any day
shall be the lowest reported sale price of the Common Stock on Nasdaq or any
other principal securities price quotation system or market on which prices of
the Common Stock are reported. The term "trading day" means a day on which
trading is reported on the principal quotation system or market on which prices
of the Common Stock are reported.

                  (iv) If, during any period of consecutive trading days
provided for above, the Corporation shall declare or pay any dividend on the
Common Stock payable in Common Stock or in rights to acquire Common Stock, or
shall effect a stock split or reverse stock split, or a combination,
consolidation or reclassification of the Common Stock, then the Conversion Price
and the Conversion Cap shall be proportionately decreased or increased, as
appropriate, to give effect to such event.

            (e) DISTRIBUTIONS. If the Corporation shall at any time or from time
to time make or issue, or fix a record date for the determination of holders of
Common Stock entitled to receive, a dividend or other distribution payable in
securities of the Corporation or any of its subsidiaries other than additional
shares of Common Stock, then in each such event provision shall be made so that
the holders of Convertible Preferred shall receive, at the same time as the
holders of Common Stock, the securities of the Corporation which they would have
received had they been the owners on such record date of the number of shares of
Common Stock issuable to them upon conversion on such record date.

            (f) CERTIFICATES AS TO ADJUSTMENTS. Upon the occurrence of any
adjustment or readjustment of the Conversion Price or the Conversion Cap
pursuant to this Section 4, the Corporation at its expense shall promptly
compute such adjustment or readjustment in accordance with the terms hereof and,
in the event the Corporation and the holders of the Convertible Preferred shall
not agree on such adjustment or readjustment, cause the independent public
accountant regularly employed to audit the financial statements of the
Corporation to make or verify such computation and prepare and furnish to each
holder of Convertible Preferred a certificate setting forth such adjustment or
readjustment and showing in detail the facts upon which such adjustment or
readjustment is based. The Corporation shall, upon the written request at any
time of any holder of Convertible Preferred, furnish or cause to be furnished to
such holder a like certificate prepared by the Corporation setting forth (i)
such adjustments and readjustments, and (ii) the number of other securities and
the amount, if any, of other property which at the time would be received upon
the conversion of Convertible Preferred with respect to each share of Common
Stock received upon such conversion.

                                       4
<PAGE>
            (g) NOTICE OF RECORD DATE. In the event of any taking by the
Corporation of a record of the holders of any class of securities for the
purpose of determining the holders thereof who are entitled to receive any
dividend (other than a cash dividend) or other distribution, any security or
right convertible into or entitling the holder thereof to receive additional
shares of Common Stock, or any right to subscribe for, purchase or otherwise
acquire any shares of stock of any class or any other securities or property, or
to receive any other right, the Corporation shall mail to each holder of
Convertible Preferred at least 10 days prior to the date specified therein, a
notice specifying the date on which any such record is to be taken for the
purpose of such dividend, distribution, security or right and the amount and
character of such dividend, distribution, security or right.

            (h) ISSUE TAXES. The Corporation shall pay any and all issue and
other taxes, excluding any income, franchise or similar taxes, that may be
payable in respect of any issue or delivery of shares of Common Stock on
conversion of shares of Convertible Preferred pursuant hereto; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that the Corporation shall not be obligated to pay any transfer taxes
resulting from any transfer requested by any holder in connection with any such
conversion.

            (i) RESERVATION OF STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION. The Corporation
shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued
shares of Common Stock, solely for the purpose of effecting the conversion of
the shares of the Convertible Preferred, such number of its shares of Common
Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of all
outstanding shares of the Convertible Preferred, subject to the limitation set
forth in Subsection (m) below, and if at any time the number of authorized but
unissued shares of Common Stock shall not be sufficient to effect the conversion
of all then outstanding shares of the Convertible Preferred, the Corporation
will take such corporate action as may, in the opinion of its counsel, be
necessary to increase its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock to such
number of shares as shall be sufficient for such purpose, including, without
limitation, engaging in its best efforts to obtain the requisite shareholder
approval.

            (j) FRACTIONAL SHARES. No fractional shares shall be issued upon the
conversion of any share or shares of Convertible Preferred. All shares of Common
Stock (including fractions thereof) issuable upon conversion of more than one
share of Convertible Preferred by a holder thereof shall be aggregated for
purposes of determining whether the conversion would result in the issuance of
any fractional share. If, after the aforementioned aggregation, the conversion
would result in the issuance of a fraction of a share of Common Stock, the
Corporation shall, in lieu of issuing any fractional share, pay the holder
otherwise entitled to such fraction a sum in cash equal to the fair market value
of such fraction on the date of conversion (as determined in good faith by the
Board of Directors of the Corporation).

            (k) NOTICES. Any notice required by the provisions of this Section
to be given to the holders of shares of Convertible Preferred shall be deemed
given if deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, and addressed to
each holder of record at its address appearing on the books of the Corporation.

                                       5
<PAGE>
            (l) REORGANIZATION OR MERGER.

                  (i) Subject to clause (ii) below, in case of any
reorganization or any reclassification of the capital stock of the Corporation
or any consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into any other
corporation or corporations or a sale of all or substantially all of the assets
of the Corporation to any other person, the holders of Convertible Preferred
shall thereafter have the right to receive upon conversion of their Convertible
Preferred shares, upon the basis and upon the terms and conditions specified
herein and in lieu of the shares of Common Stock immediately theretofore
issuable upon conversion, such stock, securities or other assets which the
holder would have been entitled to receive in such transaction had the
Convertible Preferred been converted immediately prior to such transaction, and
in any such case appropriate provisions shall be made with respect to the rights
and interests of the holders of the Convertible Preferred to the end that the
provisions hereof shall thereafter be applicable, as nearly as may be
practicable, in relation to any securities thereafter deliverable upon the
exercise hereof.

                  (ii) In case of any reorganization or any reclassification of
the capital stock of the Corporation or any consolidation or merger of the
Corporation with or into any other corporation or corporations or a sale of all
or substantially all of the assets of the Corporation to any other person, and
where all, or a part, of the consideration paid in connection with any such
event to the holders of Common Stock consists of common stock of the surviving
corporation (or its direct or indirect parent corporation), such surviving
corporation (or its parent entity) shall establish, as of the effective time of
any such event, a new series or class of preferred securities having terms
essentially identical to those of the Convertible Preferred so as to carry out
fully the terms of this Section 4(l); PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that (A) the Conversion
Cap shall be set at an amount equal to the Conversion Cap in effect immediately
prior to the effective time of such event multiplied by the appropriate exchange
ratio or conversion factor established in connection with such event (subject to
clause (C) below, the "Exchange Ratio"), (B) if there shall be a conversion on a
date sooner than ten trading days after such event, the Conversion Price shall
be determined as specified in Section 4(d)(i) except that, in the case of
trading days prior to the effective time of any such event, the trade price of
the Common Stock shall be multiplied by the Exchange Ratio and (C) if only part
of such consideration paid in connection with such event consists of such common
stock, the Exchange Ratio shall be appropriately adjusted by the Board of
Directors of the Corporation, acting in good faith. The Corporation shall not
effect any transaction described in this Section 4(l) unless the resulting
successor or acquiring entity (if not the Corporation) assumes by written
instrument the obligations of the Corporation under this Certificate of
Designation including this Section 4(l).

                  (iii) Notwithstanding clauses (i) and (ii) above, in case of
any consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into any other
corporation or corporations or a sale of all or substantially all of the assets
of the Corporation to any other person, the Corporation may, at its option,
redeem the shares of Convertible Preferred, in whole and not in part, on the
date of the consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or into any other
corporation or corporations or a sale of all or substantially all of the assets
of the Corporation to any other person (the "Redemption Date"). In any such
case, the redemption price (the "Redemption Price") shall be an amount in cash

                                       6
<PAGE>
such that the holders of the Convertible Preferred shall have received, through
the Redemption Date, a compounded internal rate of return on their investment in
the Convertible Preferred of 20% per annum (using quarterly compounding and
including any dividends paid). Such Redemption Price shall be payable on the
Redemption Date. Notice of such Redemption Date shall be given at least 30 days,
but not more than 60 days, prior to the Redemption Date and shall be given,
MUTATIS MUTANDIS, in the manner specified in Section 3 for the giving of a
Conversion Notice.

            (m) RESTRICTED NUMBER OF CONVERSION SHARES. The Corporation shall
not be obligated to issue, in the aggregate, shares of Common Stock upon
conversion of the Convertible Preferred if issuance of such shares would (i)
constitute a breach of the Corporation's obligations under its agreements with
the NASD or Nasdaq or the rules of such organizations or (ii) cause the
Corporation to exceed the number of shares authorized in its charter or articles
of incorporation. If further issuances of shares of Common Stock upon redemption
of the Convertible Preferred would cause the Corporation to exceed either of the
limitations specified in clauses (i) and (ii) above, then so long thereafter as
such limitation shall continue to be applicable and any shares of Convertible
Preferred are submitted for conversion, such shares shall receive in cash an
amount equal to the current value of the Common Stock which such shares would
otherwise be entitled to receive upon conversion (such value per share to be the
closing price of such shares as reported by Nasdaq on the Conversion Date), in
lieu of the Common Stock such shares would otherwise be entitled to receive upon
conversion, and such shares will be deemed cancelled. In the event that any such
cash payment shall be required, the Corporation shall so notify the holder by
telephone, confirmed in writing by telecopy (specifying the number of shares
affected and the amount of cash to be paid), on the same day that notice of
conversion is given by such holder to the Corporation. Payment of said cash
amount shall be made no later than one business day after the time specified in
Section 4(b) for the delivery of Common Stock upon conversion, and shall bear
daily interest thereafter until paid at a rate equal to the lesser of .1% or the
highest rate permitted by law. Such maximum number of shares of Common Stock
shall be proportionately and equitably adjusted in the event of stock splits,
stock dividends, reverse stock splits, reclassifications or other such events,
in such manner as the Board of Directors of the Corporation shall reasonably
determine. The Corporation shall, at any time upon the oral or written request
of any holder, forthwith inform such holder, orally or in writing, of the
highest Common Stock trade price at which any cash payment under this subsection
(m) would then be required.

            (n) REISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES. In the event of an optional
conversion of Convertible Preferred pursuant to Section 4(a) hereof in which
less than all of the shares of Convertible Preferred of a particular certificate
are converted, the Corporation shall promptly cause to be issued and delivered
to the holder of such certificate a certificate representing the remaining
shares of Convertible Preferred which have not been so converted.

            (o) CORPORATION TO PREVENT DILUTION. If any event or condition
occurs as to which other provisions of this Section 4 are not strictly
applicable or if strictly applicable would not fairly protect the conversion
rights of the holders of the Convertible Preferred in accordance with the
essential intent and principles of such provisions, or which might materially
and adversely affect the 

                                       7
<PAGE>
conversion rights of any holder hereof, then the Corporation, acting in good
faith, shall make an adjustment in the application of such provisions, or an
addition thereto, in accordance with such essential intent and principles, so as
to protect such conversion rights as aforesaid, including, without limitation,
any adjustment necessary with respect to the Conversion Price and the Conversion
Cap so as to preserve the rights of the holders of the Convertible Preferred.

      5. OTHER PROVISIONS. For all purposes of this Resolution, the term "date
of issuance" and the terms "Closing" or "Closing Date" shall mean the day on
which shares of the Convertible Preferred are first issued by the Corporation.
Any provision herein which conflicts with or violates any applicable usury law
shall be deemed modified to the extent necessary to avoid such conflict or
violation. The term "Nasdaq" herein refers to the principal market on which the
Common Stock of the Corporation is traded. If the Common Stock is listed on a
securities exchange, or if another market becomes the principal market on which
the Common Stock is traded or through which price quotations for the Common
Stock are reported, the term "Nasdaq" shall be deemed to refer to such exchange
or other principal market.

      6. RESTRICTIONS AND LIMITATIONS. The Corporation shall not undertake the
following actions without the consent, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld in the case of clause (ii) below, of the holders of a majority of the
Convertible Preferred, voting separately as a class: (i) modify its Certificate
of Incorporation or Bylaws, by merger or otherwise, so as to amend or change any
of the rights, preferences, or privileges of the Convertible Preferred, (ii) so
long as at least 20,000 shares of the Convertible Preferred remain outstanding,
authorize or issue any derivative or equity-linked security; PROVIDED, HOWEVER,
that the Corporation may authorize or issue such securities pursuant to
qualified employee stock option plans, (iii) purchase or otherwise acquire for
value any Common Stock or other equity security of the Corporation either junior
or senior to or on a parity with the Convertible Preferred while there exists
any arrearage in the payment of cumulative dividends hereunder; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that the Corporation may effect purchases for the purpose of funding
qualified employee stock option plans, or (iv) pay or effect any dividend or
distribution to shareholders of cash, securities or any other items whatsoever;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Corporation may effect one or more distributions of
securities (and cash in lieu of any fractional shares) in connection with the
spin-off of its non-financial business assets to shareholders.

      7.    NO FIVE PERCENT HOLDERS.

            (a) The purpose of this Section is to prevent any holder from
holding over 5% of the Corporation's Common Stock without the consent of the
Board of Directors or 90 days' prior written notice, the holders having assured
the Corporation of their intentions, as of the Closing Date, to remain passive
investors and not to acquire any significant (that is, over 5%) block of the
Corporation's Common Stock without such consent or prior written notice.

            (b) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the
Convertible Preferred shall not be convertible by a holder or the Corporation or
at the Termination Date to the extent (but only to the extent) that, if so
converted the holder would beneficially own in excess of 

                                       8
<PAGE>
4.9% of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Corporation. To the
extent this limitation applies, the determination of whether any particular
shares of Convertible Preferred shall be convertible shall be in the sole
discretion of the holder thereof and submission of the Convertible Preferred for
conversion shall be deemed to be the holder's determination of whether such
Convertible Preferred is convertible, subject to such aggregate percentage
limitation. No prior inability to convert Convertible Preferred pursuant to this
Section 7 shall have any effect on the applicability of its provisions with
respect to any subsequent determination of convertibility. For the purposes of
this Section 7, beneficial ownership and all calculations including, without
limitation, with respect to calculations of percentage ownership, shall be
determined in accordance with Section 13(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, and the regulations thereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
each holder shall have the right to waive such restriction upon 90 days' prior
notice to the Corporation. No transferee of Convertible Preferred shall be bound
by such restriction unless the transferee expressly so agrees. The provisions of
this Section 7 may be waived or implemented in a manner otherwise than in strict
conformity with the terms hereof with the approval of the Board of Directors.

      8.    VOTING RIGHTS.

            (a) GENERAL. The holders of Convertible Preferred will not have any
voting rights except as set forth herein or as otherwise from time to time
required by law. In connection with any right to vote, each holder of
Convertible Preferred will have one vote for each share held. Any shares of
Convertible Preferred held by the Corporation or any entity controlled by the
Corporation shall not have voting rights hereunder and shall not be counted in
determining the presence of a quorum.

            (b) CONTINGENT VOTING RIGHTS. So long as at least 20,000 shares of
the Convertible Preferred shall remain outstanding, whenever (i) dividends on
the Convertible Preferred shall be in arrears in an amount equal to at least two
quarterly dividends (whether or not consecutive), (ii) the Corporation shall not
have timely paid to the holders of the Convertible Preferred up to 1% of the
Conversion Price thereof for each 15 day period a registration statement
covering the Convertible Preferred and the Common Stock into which it shall be
convertible and certain other registrable securities is not available for use by
the holders, all as specified in the investment agreement pursuant to which the
Convertible Preferred was issued on the Closing Date, (iii) the Corporation, for
five consecutive trading days, shall not have sufficient shares of Common Stock
authorized and reserved for issuance to cover the number of shares of Common
Stock into which the Convertible Preferred shall then be convertible hereunder,
then, in the case of any of the events specified in the foregoing clauses (i)
through (iii), (A) the number of members of the Board of Directors of the
Corporation shall be increased to create such number of vacancies as may be
required to permit the holders of Convertible Preferred to elect forthwith one
member of the Board of Directors, or such other appropriate action shall be
taken to permit such election, effective as of the time of election of such
director as hereinafter provided and (B) the holders of the Convertible
Preferred (voting separately as a class) will have the exclusive right to vote
for and elect such additional director of the Corporation at any meeting of
stockholders of the Corporation at which

                                       9
<PAGE>
directors are to be elected held during the period the defaults specified in
clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above continue and remain uncured. The right of the
holders of the Convertible Preferred to vote for such additional director shall
terminate when the applicable defaults specified in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii)
above shall be cured. The term of office of the director so elected shall
terminate immediately upon the termination of the right of the holders of the
Convertible Preferred to vote for such additional director.

      The foregoing right of holders of the Convertible Preferred with respect
to the election of one member of the Board of Directors may be exercised at any
annual meeting of stockholders or at any special meeting of stockholders held
for such purpose. If the right to elect a director shall have accrued to the
holders of the Convertible Preferred more than 90 days preceding the date
established for the next annual meeting of stockholders, the Chairman of the
Board of the Corporation shall, within 20 days after the delivery to the
Corporation at its principal office of a written request for a special meeting
signed by the holders of at least 25% of the Convertible Preferred then
outstanding, call a special meeting of the holders of the Convertible Preferred
to be held within 30 days after the delivery of such request for the purpose of
electing such additional director.

      The holders of the Convertible Preferred, voting separately as a class,
shall have the right to remove without cause at any time and replace any
director such holders shall have elected pursuant to this Section 8(b).

            (c) CLASS VOTING RIGHTS. So long as the Convertible Preferred is
outstanding, the holders thereof shall also have the class voting rights
specified in Section 6.

      9. NO ADVERSE ACTIONS. The Corporation shall not in any manner, whether by
amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation (including, without limitation,
any Certificate of Designation), merger, reorganization, recapitalization,
consolidation, sales of assets, sale of stock, tender offer, dissolution or
otherwise, take any action, or permit any action to be taken, solely or
primarily for the purpose of increasing the value of any class of stock of the
Corporation if the effect of such action is to reduce the value or security of
the Convertible Preferred.

                                       10

                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

               CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

We consent to the use of our reports included herein, and to the reference to
our Firm under the heading "Experts" in the Prospectus and the Registration
Statement on Form S-1.

HEIN + ASSOCIATES LLP

Houston, Texas
June 12, 1998

                                                                    EXHIBIT 24.1


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

      WHEREAS, Telescan, Inc. (the "Company") proposes to file a registration
statement (the "Registration Statement") and amendments thereto under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any other applicable federal or state
law with respect to the resale of shares of Convertible Preferred Stock and the
underlying common stock of the Company;

      NOW, THEREFORE, KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned
officer and director of the Company hereby constitutes and appoints David L.
Brown and Roger C. Wadsworth, or either of them (with full power to each of them
to act alone), his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power
of substitution and resubstitution for him and in his name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file the Registration Statement
under the Securities Act and any and all amendments (including, without
limitation, post-effective amendments and any amendment or amendments or
additional Registration Statements filed pursuant to Rule 462 under the
Securities Act increasing the amount of securities for which registration is
being sought) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto, and all other documents in statements, notices or other
documents necessary or advisable to comply with the applicable state securities
laws, and to file the same, together with other documents in connection
therewith, with the appropriate state securities authorities, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents
and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming
all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his
substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this Power of
Attorney as of this 12th day of June, 1998.



                                         /s/ DR. RONALD W. HART
                                         Dr. Ronald W. Hart
                                         Director
<PAGE>
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

      WHEREAS, Telescan, Inc. (the "Company") proposes to file a registration
statement (the "Registration Statement") and amendments thereto under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any other applicable federal or state
law with respect to the resale of shares of Convertible Preferred Stock and the
underlying common stock of the Company;

      NOW, THEREFORE, KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned
officer and director of the Company hereby constitutes and appoints David L.
Brown and Roger C. Wadsworth, or either of them (with full power to each of them
to act alone), his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power
of substitution and resubstitution for him and in his name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file the Registration Statement
under the Securities Act and any and all amendments (including, without
limitation, post-effective amendments and any amendment or amendments or
additional Registration Statements filed pursuant to Rule 462 under the
Securities Act increasing the amount of securities for which registration is
being sought) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto, and all other documents in statements, notices or other
documents necessary or advisable to comply with the applicable state securities
laws, and to file the same, together with other documents in connection
therewith, with the appropriate state securities authorities, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents
and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming
all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his
substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this Power of
Attorney as of this 12th day of June, 1998.


                                         /s/ BURT H. KEENAN
                                         Burt H. Keenan
                                         Director
<PAGE>
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

      WHEREAS, Telescan, Inc. (the "Company") proposes to file a registration
statement (the "Registration Statement") and amendments thereto under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any other applicable federal or state
law with respect to the resale of shares of Convertible Preferred Stock and the
underlying common stock of the Company;

      NOW, THEREFORE, KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned
officer and director of the Company hereby constitutes and appoints David L.
Brown and Roger C. Wadsworth, or either of them (with full power to each of them
to act alone), his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power
of substitution and resubstitution for him and in his name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file the Registration Statement
under the Securities Act and any and all amendments (including, without
limitation, post-effective amendments and any amendment or amendments or
additional Registration Statements filed pursuant to Rule 462 under the
Securities Act increasing the amount of securities for which registration is
being sought) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto, and all other documents in statements, notices or other
documents necessary or advisable to comply with the applicable state securities
laws, and to file the same, together with other documents in connection
therewith, with the appropriate state securities authorities, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents
and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming
all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his
substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this Power of
Attorney as of this 12th day of June, 1998.


                                         /s/ RUSSELL I. PILLAR
                                         Russell I. Pillar
                                         Director
<PAGE>
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

      WHEREAS, Telescan, Inc. (the "Company") proposes to file a registration
statement (the "Registration Statement") and amendments thereto under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any other applicable federal or state
law with respect to the resale of shares of Convertible Preferred Stock and the
underlying common stock of the Company;

      NOW, THEREFORE, KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned
officer and director of the Company hereby constitutes and appoints David L.
Brown and Roger C. Wadsworth, or either of them (with full power to each of them
to act alone), his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power
of substitution and resubstitution for him and in his name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file the Registration Statement
under the Securities Act and any and all amendments (including, without
limitation, post-effective amendments and any amendment or amendments or
additional Registration Statements filed pursuant to Rule 462 under the
Securities Act increasing the amount of securities for which registration is
being sought) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto, and all other documents in statements, notices or other
documents necessary or advisable to comply with the applicable state securities
laws, and to file the same, together with other documents in connection
therewith, with the appropriate state securities authorities, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents
and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming
all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his
substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this Power of
Attorney as of this 12th day of June, 1998.



                                         /s/ WILLIAM D. SAVOY
                                         William D. Savoy
                                         Director
<PAGE>
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

      WHEREAS, Telescan, Inc. (the "Company") proposes to file a registration
statement (the "Registration Statement") and amendments thereto under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any other applicable federal or state
law with respect to the resale of shares of Convertible Preferred Stock and the
underlying common stock of the Company;

      NOW, THEREFORE, KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned
officer and director of the Company hereby constitutes and appoints David L.
Brown and Roger C. Wadsworth, or either of them (with full power to each of them
to act alone), his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power
of substitution and resubstitution for him and in his name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign, execute and file the Registration Statement
under the Securities Act and any and all amendments (including, without
limitation, post-effective amendments and any amendment or amendments or
additional Registration Statements filed pursuant to Rule 462 under the
Securities Act increasing the amount of securities for which registration is
being sought) to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto, and all other documents in statements, notices or other
documents necessary or advisable to comply with the applicable state securities
laws, and to file the same, together with other documents in connection
therewith, with the appropriate state securities authorities, granting unto said
attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to do and perform each and
every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to all intents
and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming
all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or their or his
substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has duly executed this Power of
Attorney as of this 12th day of June, 1998.



                                         /s/ STEPHEN C. WOOD
                                         Stephen C. Wood
                                         Director



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