TCW GROUP INC
SC 13G, 1997-11-10
Previous: CORTEX PHARMACEUTICALS INC/DE/, 10QSB, 1997-11-10
Next: TCW GROUP INC, SC 13G/A, 1997-11-10



<PAGE>

                        SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C.  20549


                                   SCHEDULE 13G


             INFORMATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO RULES 13d-1 AND 13d-2 
                  UNDER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                             (Amendment No.     )(*)
                                            ----


                                 Fine Host Corp.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                (Name of Issuer)


                                   Common Stock
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         (Title of Class of Securities)


                                      317832103
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    (CUSIP Number)



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

*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting 
person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of 
securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information which 
would alter disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be 
deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange 
Act of 1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section 
of the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, 
see the Notes).

                         (Continued on following page(s))
                                Page 1 of 8 Pages
<PAGE>

CUSIP No. 317832103                     13G                Page 2 of 8 Pages

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

   1    NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
        S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON

               The TCW Group, Inc. 

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

   2    CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
                                                                    (a)
                                                                        ---
                                                                    (b)  X
                                                                        ---

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

   3    SEC USE ONLY

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

   4    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

          Nevada corporation 

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      NUMBER OF           5    SOLE VOTING POWER
        SHARES                                                        1,038,006
     BENEFICIALLY      --------------------------------------------------------
       OWNED BY           6    SHARED VOTING POWER
         EACH                                                               -0-
      REPORTING        --------------------------------------------------------
        PERSON            7    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
         WITH                                                         1,038,006
                       --------------------------------------------------------
                          8    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                                                                            -0-
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

   9    AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
                                                                      1,038,006

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

  10    CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*

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

  11    PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
         11.1% (see response to Item 4)

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

  12    TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
                                        HC/CO  

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


                     *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!

<PAGE>

CUSIP No. 317832103                     13G                Page 3 of 8 Pages

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

   1    NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
        S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON

          Robert Day

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

   2    CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP*
                                                                    (a)
                                                                        ---
                                                                    (b)  X
                                                                        ---

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

   3    SEC USE ONLY


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

   4    CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION

          United States Citizen

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

      NUMBER OF           5    SOLE VOTING POWER
        SHARES                                                        1,038,006
     BENEFICIALLY         -----------------------------------------------------
       OWNED BY           6    SHARED VOTING POWER
         EACH                                                               -0-
      REPORTING           -----------------------------------------------------
        PERSON            7    SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
         WITH                                                         1,038,006
                          -----------------------------------------------------
                          8    SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
                                                                            -0-

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

   9    AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
                                                                      1,038,006

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

  10    CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES*

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

  11    PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (9)
         11.1% (see response to Item 4)

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

  12    TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*7
                                         HC/IN

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


                     *SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
<PAGE>

                                                           Page 4 of 8 Pages

 Item 1(a).    Name of Issuer:

               Fine Host Corp.

Item 1(b).     Address of Issuer's Principal Executive Offices:

               3 Greenwich Office Park
               Greenwich, CT 06831

Item 2(a).     Name of Persons Filing:
Item 2(b).     Address of Principal Business Office:
Item 2(c).     Citizenship:

               The TCW Group, Inc.
               865 South Figueroa Street
               Los Angeles, CA 90017
               (Nevada Corporation)

               Robert Day 
               200 Park Avenue, Suite 2200
               New York, New York 10166
               (United States Citizen)

Item 2(d).     Title of Class of Securities:

               Common Stock

Item 2(e).     CUSIP Number:

               317832103
<PAGE>

                                                           Page 5 of 8 Pages

Item 3.   If this statement is filed pursuant to Rules 13d-1(b), or 13d-2(b),
          check whether the person filing is a:

     (a)  [ ]  Broker or Dealer registered under Section 15 of the Act:

                    Not applicable

     (b)  [ ]  Bank as defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the Act:

                    Not applicable

     (c)  [ ]  Insurance Company as defined in Section 3(a)(19) of the Act:

                    Not applicable

     (d)  [ ]  Investment Company registered under Section 8 of the Investment
               Company Act:

                    Not applicable

     (e)  [ ]  Investment Adviser registered under Section 203 of the Investment
               Advisers Act of 1940:

                    Not applicable

     (f)  [ ]  Employee Benefit Plan, Pension Fund which is subject to the
               provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974
               or Endowment Fund (SEE 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(F)):

                    Not applicable

     (g)  [X]  Parent Holding Company, in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(ii)(G)
               (SEE Item 7):

                    The TCW Group, Inc.
                    Robert Day (individual who may be deemed to control The TCW
                         Group, Inc. and other holders of the Common Stock of
                         the issuer)

     (h)  [ ]  Group, in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(1)(ii)(H):

                    Not applicable.

<PAGE>
                                                           Page 6 of 8 Pages

Item 4.   Ownership **

     THE TCW GROUP, INC.

          (a)  Amount beneficially owned: 1,038,006 (***)

          (b)  Percent of class: 11.1%

          (c)  Number of shares as to which such person has:

               (i)   Sole power to vote or to direct the vote:
               1,038,006

               (ii)  Shared power to vote or to direct the vote:
               none.

               (iii) Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition of:
               1,038,006

               (iv)  Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 
               none.

     ROBERT DAY ****

          (a)  Amount beneficially owned: 1,038,006***

          (b)  Percent of class: 11.1%

          (c)  Number of shares as to which such person has:

               (i)   Sole power to vote or to direct the vote:
               1,038,006

               (ii)  Shared power to vote or to direct the vote:
               none.

               (iii) Sole power to dispose or direct the disposition of:
               1,038,006

               (iv)  Shared power to dispose or to direct the disposition of: 
               none.

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

**   The filing of this Schedule 13G shall not be construed as an admission
that the reporting person or any of its affiliates is, for the purposes of
Section 13(d) or 13(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the beneficial
owner of any securities covered by this Schedule 13G.  In addition, the filing
of this Schedule 13G shall not be construed as an admission that the reporting
person or any of its affiliates is the beneficial owner of any securities
covered by this Schedule 13G for any other purposes than Section 13(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

***  Represents 288,202 shares that would be derived from the conversion of
$12,825,000 face amount of 144A's 5.0% 11/01/04 Convertible Debentures and
26,404 shares that would be derived from the conversion of $1,175,000 face
amount of the Accredited Investor 5.0% 11/01/04 Convertible Debentures held
indirectly by the reporting persons.

**** Shares reported for Robert Day include shares reported for The TCW
Group, Inc.

<PAGE>

                                                           Page 7 of 8 Pages

Item 5.   Ownership of Five Percent or Less of a Class.

               Not applicable.

Item 6.   Ownership of More than Five Percent on Behalf of Another Person.

          Various persons other than as described in Item 4 have the right to
          receive or the power to direct the receipt of dividends from, or the
          proceeds from the sale of, the Common Stock of Fine Host Corp.

Item 7.   Identification and Classification of the Subsidiary Which Acquired the
          Security Being Reported on by the Parent Holding Company.

          SEE Exhibit A.

Item 8.   Identification and Classification of Members of the Group.

          Not applicable. SEE Exhibits A and B.

Item 9.   Notice of Dissolution of Group.

          Not applicable.

Item 10.  Certification.

     Because this statement is filed pursuant to Rule 13d-1(b), the following
     certification is included:

     By signing below I certify that, to the best of my knowledge and belief,
     the securities referred to above were acquired in the ordinary course of
     business and were not acquired for the purpose of and do not have the
     effect of changing or influencing the control of the issuer of such
     securities and were not acquired in connection with or as a participant in
     any transaction having such purpose or effect.

<PAGE>

                                                           Page 8 of 8 Pages

                                   SIGNATURE

          After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and 
belief, I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, 
complete and correct.

Dated this 7th day of November, 1997.


                                       The TCW Group, Inc.


                                       By: /s/ Mohan V. Phansalkar
                                           -----------------------
                                           Mohan V. Phansalkar
                                           Authorized Signatory



                                       Robert Day


                                       By: /s/ Mohan V. Phansalkar
                                           -----------------------
                                           Mohan V. Phansalkar
                                           Under Power of Attorney dated 
                                           January 30, 1996, on File with 
                                           Schedule 13G Amendment Number 1 
                                           for Matrix Service Co. dated 
                                           January 30, 1996.


<PAGE>
                                    EXHIBIT A


                RELEVANT SUBSIDIARIES OF PARENT HOLDING COMPANY

PART A: TCW ENTITIES

PARENT HOLDING COMPANY:

          The TCW Group, Inc.

          Robert Day (an individual who may be deemed to control The TCW Group,
          Inc.)


RELEVANT SUBSIDIARIES THAT ARE PERSONS DESCRIBED IN RULE 13d-1(b):

     (i)    Trust Company of the West, a California corporation and a bank as
     defined in Section 3(a)(6) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. 

     (ii)   TCW Asset Management Company, a California corporation and an 
     Investment Adviser registered under Section 203 of the Investment Advisers
     Act of 1940. 

     (iii)  TCW Funds Management, Inc., a California corporation and an
     Investment Adviser registered under Section 203 of the Investment Advisers
     Act of 1940. 

Note:          No Common Stock of Fine Host Corp. is held directly by The TCW
               Group, Inc.  Other than the indirect holdings of the Common Stock
               of Fine Host Corp. no Common Stock of Fine Host Corp. is held
               directly by Robert Day, an individual who may be deemed to
               control The TCW Group, Inc. 

PART B: NON TCW ENTITIES

PARENT HOLDING COMPANY:

          Robert Day (an individual who may be deemed to control the holders
          described below which are not subsidiaries of The TCW Group, Inc.)

RELEVANT SUBSIDIARIES THAT ARE PERSONS DESCRIBED IN RULE 13d-1(b):

          Oakmont Corporation, a California corporation and an Investment
          Adviser registered under Section 203 of the Investment Advisers Act of
          1940.

          Cypress International Partners Limited, a British Virgin Islands
          corporation and an Investment Adviser registered under Section 203 of
          the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.


                                      A-1

<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT B

                              JOINT FILING AGREEMENT


   The undersigned acknowledge and agree that the foregoing statement on 
Schedule 13G is filed on behalf of each of the undersigned and that all 
subsequent amendments to this statement on Schedule 13G shall be filed on 
behalf of each of the undersigned without the necessity of filing additional 
joint acquisition statements.  The undersigned acknowledge that each shall be 
responsible for the timely filing of such amendments, and for the 
completeness and accuracy of the information concerning him or it contained 
therein, but shall not be responsible for the completeness and accuracy of 
the information concerning the other, except to the extent that he or it 
knows or has reason to believe that such information is accurate.

Dated: November 7, 1997


                                       The TCW Group, Inc.


                                       By:  /s/ Mohan V. Phansalkar
                                           ------------------------
                                           Mohan V. Phansalkar
                                           Authorized Signatory



                                       Robert Day


                                       By:  /s/ Mohan V. Phansalkar
                                           ------------------------
                                           Mohan V. Phansalkar
                                           Under Power of Attorney dated 
                                           January 30, 1996, on File with 
                                           Schedule 13G Amendment Number 1 
                                           for Matrix Service Co. dated 
                                           January 30, 1996.


                                      B-1


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission