ROUSE COMPANY
S-3/A, 1997-02-06
OPERATORS OF NONRESIDENTIAL BUILDINGS
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<PAGE>
 
    
 AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON FEBRUARY 6, 1997     
                                                   
                                                REGISTRATION NO. 333-20781     
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                                ---------------
                                
                             AMENDMENT NO. 1     
                                       
                                    TO     
                                    
                                 FORM S-3     
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                          THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                                ---------------
                               THE ROUSE COMPANY
            (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
                                   MARYLAND
        (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)
                                  52-0735512
                     (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.)
                         10275 LITTLE PATUXENT PARKWAY
                         COLUMBIA, MARYLAND 21044-3456
                                (410) 992-6000
    (ADDRESS INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
                 OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
                                ---------------
                              BRUCE I. ROTHSCHILD
                                VICE PRESIDENT,
                         GENERAL COUNSEL AND SECRETARY
                         10275 LITTLE PATUXENT PARKWAY
                         COLUMBIA, MARYLAND 21044-3456
                                (410) 992-6400
           (NAME, ADDRESS INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
                  INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
                                ---------------
                                   COPY TO:
                              TIMOTHY E. PETERSON
                   FRIED, FRANK, HARRIS, SHRIVER & JACOBSON
                              ONE NEW YORK PLAZA
                           NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10004
                                (212) 859-8000
                                ---------------
  APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO PUBLIC: As soon as
practicable after the Registration Statement becomes effective.
  If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the
following box. [_]
   
  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, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or
interest reinvestment plans, 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. [_]
  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. [X]
 
                                ---------------
 
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
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<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
      TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF SECURITIES         PROPOSED MAXIMUM AGGREGATE    AMOUNT OF
             TO BE REGISTERED(1)                   OFFERING PRICE(2)(3)    REGISTRATION FEE
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                             <C>                        <C>
Common Stock, $0.01 par value.................
Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value..............
Debt Securities...............................         $500,000,000          $151,516(4)
</TABLE>    
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Also includes such indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock and Debt
    Securities as may be issued upon conversion of or exchange for Preferred
    Stock or other Debt Securities.
(2) Estimated solely for the purpose of determining the registration fee
    pursuant to Rule 457.
(3) In U.S. dollars or the equivalent thereof in foreign currency or currency
    units.
   
(4) Of which $121,213 was previously paid and $30,303 is being paid herewith.
        
  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>
 
                               
                            THE ROUSE COMPANY     
 
               COMMON STOCK, PREFERRED STOCK AND DEBT SECURITIES
 
                                ---------------
 
  The Rouse Company (the "Company" or "Rouse") may offer, from time to time,
together or separately, (i) shares of its common stock, $0.01 par value per
share (the "Common Stock"), (ii) shares of its preferred stock, $0.01 par
value per share (the "Preferred Stock"), and (iii) debt securities (the "Debt
Securities"), in each case, in amounts, at prices and on such terms to be
determined at the time of the offering. The Common Stock, the Preferred Stock
and the Debt Securities are collectively called the "Securities."
   
  The Securities offered pursuant to this Prospectus may be issued in one or
more series and/or issuances and will have an aggregate public offering price
of up to $500 million (or the equivalent thereof, based on the applicable
exchange rate at the time of sale, in one or more foreign currencies, currency
units or composite currencies as shall be designated by the Company). Certain
specific terms of the particular Securities in respect of which this
Prospectus is being delivered are set forth in the accompanying Prospectus
Supplement (the "Prospectus Supplement"), including, where applicable, (i) in
the case of Common Stock, the aggregate number of shares offered, the public
offering price and other terms of the offering and sale thereof, (ii) in the
case of Preferred Stock, the specific title, the aggregate number of shares
offered, any dividend (including the method of calculating payment of
dividends), liquidation, redemption, voting and other rights, any terms for
any conversion or exchange into other securities, and the public offering
price and other terms of the offering and sale thereof and (iii) in the case
of Debt Securities, the specific title, the aggregate principal amount, the
aggregate offering price, the denomination, the maturity, the premium, if any,
the interest rate (which may be fixed, floating or adjustable), if any, the
time and method of calculating payment of interest, if any, the place or
places where principal of, premium, if any, and interest, if any, on such Debt
Securities will be payable, the currency in which principal of, premium, if
any, and interest, if any, on such Debt Securities will be payable, any terms
of redemption at the option of the Company or repayment at the option of the
holder thereof, any sinking fund provisions, the terms for any conversion or
exchange into other securities, any other special terms, and the public
offering price and other terms of the offering and sale thereof. If so
specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, Debt Securities of a series
may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more temporary or
permanent global securities.     
 
  The Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") under
the trading symbol "RSE." Any Common Stock sold pursuant to a Prospectus
Supplement will be listed on such exchange, subject to official notice of
issuance.
 
  Unless otherwise specified in a Prospectus Supplement, the Debt Securities,
when issued, will be unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the Company
and will rank pari passu in right of payment with all other unsecured and
unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company.
 
  This Prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of Securities unless
accompanied by a Prospectus Supplement.
 
                                ---------------
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE  NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY  THE SECURITIES AND
 EXCHANGE  COMMISSION  OR  ANY  STATE   SECURITIES  COMMISSION  NOR  HAS  THE
  SECURITIES AND  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION  OR ANY  STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION
  PASSED   UPON  THE   ACCURACY  OR   ADEQUACY  OF   THIS  PROSPECTUS.   ANY
   REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
                                ---------------
 
  The Securities may be sold directly, through agents, underwriters or dealers
as designated from time to time, or through a combination of such methods. If
agents of the Company or any dealers or underwriters are involved in the sale
of the Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered, the
names of such agents, dealers or underwriters and any applicable commissions
or discounts will be set forth in or may be calculated from the Prospectus
Supplement with respect to such Securities.
 
                                ---------------
                
             The date of this Prospectus is February 6, 1997.     
<PAGE>
 
  IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE SECURITIES
OFFERED HEREBY AT LEVELS ABOVE THOSE WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN
MARKET. SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, IN
THE OVER-THE-COUNTER MARKET, OR OTHERWISE. SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY
BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
 
                               ----------------
 
                             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 and other information with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). 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.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's Regional Offices at Seven
World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048 and Citicorp Center,
500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511. Copies of
such material can be obtained by mail from the Public Reference Section of the
Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed
rates. The Commission also maintains a Web site (http://www.sec.gov) from
which such reports, proxy statements and other information may be obtained. In
addition, reports, proxy statements and other information concerning the
Company may be inspected at the offices of the NYSE, 20 Broad Street, New
York, New York 10005.
 
  The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form
S-3 (together with all amendments, supplements and exhibits thereto, the
"Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), of which this Prospectus constitutes a part. This
Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the
Registration Statement, certain parts of which were omitted in accordance with
the rules and regulations of the Commission. For further information,
reference is hereby made to the Registration Statement. Any statements
contained herein concerning the provisions of any document filed as an exhibit
to the Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the Commission are not
necessarily complete, and in each instance reference is made to the copy of
such document so filed. Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by
such reference.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
  The following documents filed with the Commission by the Company pursuant to
the Exchange Act are incorporated herein by reference:
 
  1. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995.
 
  2. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1996.
 
  3. Current Report on Form 8-K, dated June 27, 1996.
 
  4. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1996.
 
  5. Amendment to Current Report on Form 8-K/A, dated August 14, 1996.
 
  6. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1996.
 
  7. Description of Contingent Stock Agreement (as herein defined) is
     incorporated by reference to the caption "The Contingent Stock
     Agreement; The Contractual Rights" contained in the Registration
     Statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-1693) filed March 13, 1996, as
     amended.
 
  All other documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c),
14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and
prior to the termination of this offering shall be deemed to be incorporated
by reference in this Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the respective
dates of the filing of such documents.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
  Any statement contained herein or in a document all or a portion of which is
incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed
to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent
that a statement contained herein or in any other subsequently filed document
which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein modifies or
supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall
not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of
this Prospectus.
 
  The Company will provide without charge to each person, including a
beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this Prospectus has been delivered, upon
the written or oral request of any such person, a copy of any and all of the
documents incorporated herein by reference into this Prospectus, other than
exhibits to such documents (unless such exhibits are specifically incorporated
by reference in such documents). Requests for such copies should be directed
to David L. Tripp, Vice President and Director of Investor Relations, The
Rouse Company, 10275 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, Maryland 21044-3456,
Telephone: (410) 992-6000.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
  The Rouse Company is one of the largest publicly-traded (NYSE) real estate
companies in the United States. Through its subsidiaries and affiliates
(collectively, with The Rouse Company, referred to as the "Company"), the
Company is engaged in (i) the ownership, management, acquisition and
development of income-producing and other real estate in the United States,
including retail centers, office buildings, mixed-use projects, community
retail centers and hotels, and the management of a retail center in Canada,
and (ii) the development and sale of land to builders and other developers,
primarily around Columbia, Maryland and Las Vegas (Summerlin), Nevada, for
residential, commercial and industrial uses.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
  Unless otherwise indicated in any accompanying Prospectus Supplement, the
Company intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the Securities for
general corporate purposes.
 
                      RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
  The following table sets forth (i) the ratio of earnings to fixed charges
and (ii) the ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and Preferred stock
dividend requirements of the Company for the periods indicated:
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                          NINE MONTHS
                                             ENDED
                                         SEPTEMBER 30, YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                         ------------- ------------------------
                                          1996   1995  1995 1994 1993 1992 1991
                                         ------ ------ ---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S>                                      <C>    <C>    <C>  <C>  <C>  <C>  <C>
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges
 (1)(3).................................   1.14   1.05 1.04 1.06 1.01 --   --
Ratio of earnings to combined fixed
 charges and Preferred stock dividend
 requirements (2)(4)....................   1.04    --   --   --   --  --   --
</TABLE>    
- --------
(1) The ratio of earnings to fixed charges is computed by dividing fixed
    charges into net earnings (loss) before income taxes, extraordinary loss
    and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, adjusted for
    minority interest in earnings, amortization of interest costs previously
    capitalized and certain other items, plus fixed charges other than
    capitalized interest. Fixed charges include interest costs, the estimated
    interest component of rent expense and certain other items.
   
(2) The ratio of earnings to combined fixed charges and Preferred stock
    dividend requirements is computed by dividing total combined fixed charges
    and amounts of pre-tax earnings required to cover Preferred stock dividend
    requirements into net earnings (loss) before income taxes, extraordinary
    loss and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, adjusted for
    minority interest in earnings, amortization of interest costs previously
    capitalized and certain other items, plus fixed charges other than
    capitalized interest. Fixed charges include interest costs, the estimated
    interest component of rent expense and certain other items.     
   
(3) Total fixed charges exceeded the Company's earnings available for fixed
    charges by $29,449,000 and $10,347,000 for the years ended December 31,
    1992 and 1991, respectively.     
   
(4) Total combined fixed charges and Preferred stock dividend requirements
    exceeded the Company's earnings available for combined fixed charges and
    Preferred stock dividend requirements by $9,597,000 for the nine months
    ended September 30, 1995, and by $14,086,000, $8,934,000, $17,722,000,
    $29,449,000 and $10,347,000 for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994,
    1993, 1992 and 1991, respectively.     
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK
 
GENERAL
 
  The following summary of certain terms and provisions of the Common Stock
does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified in its
entirety by reference to, the Maryland General Corporation Law (the "MGCL")
and to the terms and provisions of the Amended and Restated Articles of
Incorporation, as amended, including all Articles Supplementary thereto, of
the Company (the "Charter") and the By-laws, as amended, of the Company (the
"Bylaws"), copies of which are filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement
of which this Prospectus forms a part.
 
  The Charter authorizes the issuance of 250,000,000 shares of Common Stock
and, as of January 29, 1997, 66,793,633 shares of Common Stock were issued and
outstanding. All outstanding shares of Common Stock are validly issued, fully
paid and nonassessable.
   
  In connection with the Company's acquisition in June 1996 (the "Hughes
Acquisition") of all the outstanding equity interests in The Hughes
Corporation and its affiliated partnership, Howard Hughes Properties, Limited
Partnership (collectively, "Hughes"), the Company entered into an agreement
(the "Contingent Stock Agreement") for the benefit of the former Hughes equity
owners (or their successors) (the "Hughes Owners") pursuant to which shares of
Common Stock, or under certain circumstances, Increasing Rate Cumulative
Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Increasing Rate Preferred
Stock"), of the Company may be issued to the Hughes Owners over a 14-year
period ending in 2009. The number of shares of Common Stock (or, under certain
circumstances, Increasing Rate Preferred Stock) that may be issued will be
determined on the basis of the net cash flow generated from and the appraised
value of certain assets acquired in the Hughes Acquisition. Any shares of
Increasing Rate Preferred Stock, if issued, will be exchangeable, at the
Company's option, for shares of Common Stock.     
 
  The Company currently has outstanding 500,000 warrants to purchase Common
Stock (the "Warrants"). Each Warrant allows the holder thereof to purchase one
share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $18 per share, subject to
adjustment in certain circumstances. The Warrants expire on September 23,
1997.
 
  The Company also has outstanding $130,000,000 aggregate principal amount of
5 3/4% Convertible Subordinated Debentures due 2002. The debentures are
convertible by the holders thereof into Common Stock at a conversion price
equal to $28.625 principal amount of each debenture for each share of Common
Stock (subject to adjustment in certain circumstances).
 
DIVIDEND RIGHTS
 
  The holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive such dividends as are
declared by the Board of Directors of the Company, after payment of, or
provision for, full cumulative dividends for outstanding Preferred Stock.
 
VOTING RIGHTS
 
  Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote on all matters submitted
to a vote of stockholders, including the election of directors. Cumulative
voting for directors is not permitted. Holders of Common Stock and Preferred
Stock, when outstanding and when entitled to vote, vote as a class, except
with respect to matters that (i) relate only to the rights, terms or
conditions of Preferred Stock, (ii) affect only the holders of Preferred Stock
or (iii) relate to the rights of the holders of Preferred Stock if the Company
fails to fulfill any of its obligations regarding such stock.
 
LIQUIDATION RIGHTS
 
  Upon any dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company, the holders
of Common Stock are entitled to receive pro rata all of the Company's assets
and funds remaining after payment of, or provision for, creditors and
distribution of, or provision for, preferential amounts and unpaid accumulated
dividends to holders of Preferred Stock.
 
PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS
 
  Holders of Common Stock have no preemptive right to purchase or subscribe
for any shares of the Company's capital stock.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
SPECIAL STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
 
  The summaries of the following statutes do not purport to be complete and
are subject to and qualified in their entirety by reference to the applicable
provisions of the MGCL.
 
  BUSINESS COMBINATION STATUTE. The MGCL establishes special requirements with
respect to "business combinations" between Maryland corporations and
"interested stockholders," unless exemptions are applicable. Among other
things, the law prohibits for a period of five years a merger or other
specified transactions between a company and an interested stockholder and
requires a super-majority vote for such transactions after the end of such
five-year period.
 
  "Interested stockholders" are all persons owning beneficially, directly or
indirectly, 10% or more of the outstanding voting stock of a Maryland
corporation. "Business combinations" include any merger or similar transaction
subject to a statutory vote and additional transactions involving transfers of
assets or securities in specified amounts to interested stockholders or their
affiliates. Unless an exemption is available, transactions of these types may
not be consummated between a Maryland corporation and an interested
stockholder or its affiliates for a period of five years after the date on
which the stockholder first became an interested stockholder and thereafter
may not be consummated unless recommended by the board of directors of the
Maryland corporation and approved by the affirmative vote of at least 80% of
the votes entitled to be cast by all holders of outstanding shares of voting
stock and 66 2/3% of the votes entitled to be cast by all holders of
outstanding shares of voting stock other than the interested stockholder. A
business combination with an interested stockholder which is approved by the
board of directors of a Maryland corporation at any time before an interested
stockholder first becomes an interested stockholder is not subject to the
five-year moratorium or special voting requirements. The Bylaws specifically
provide that the foregoing provisions apply to any such business combination
with the Company. An amendment to a Maryland corporation's charter electing
not to be subject to the foregoing requirements must be approved by the
affirmative vote of at least 80% of the votes entitled to be cast by all
holders of outstanding shares of voting stock and 66 2/3% of the votes
entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of voting stock who are
not interested stockholders. Any such amendment is not effective until 18
months after the vote of stockholders and does not apply to any business
combination of a corporation with a stockholder who was an interested
stockholder on the date of the stockholder vote. The Company has not adopted
any such amendment to its charter.
 
  CONTROL SHARE ACQUISITION STATUTE. The MGCL imposes limitations on the
voting rights of shares acquired in a "control share acquisition." The
Maryland statute defines a "control share acquisition" at the 20%, 33 1/3% and
50% acquisition levels, and requires a two-thirds stockholder vote (excluding
shares owned by the acquiring person and certain members of management) to
accord voting rights to stock acquired in a control share acquisition. The
statute also requires Maryland corporations to hold a special meeting at the
request of an actual or proposed control share acquirer generally within 50
days after a request is made with the submission of an "acquiring person
statement," but only if the acquiring person (a) posts a bond for the cost of
the meeting and (b) submits a definitive financing agreement to the extent
that financing is not provided by the acquiring person. In addition, unless
the charter or bylaws provide otherwise, the statute gives the Maryland
corporation, within certain time limitations, various redemption rights if
there is a stockholder vote on the issue and the grant of voting rights is not
approved, or if an "acquiring person statement" is not delivered to the target
within ten days following a control share acquisition. Moreover, unless the
charter or bylaws provide otherwise, the statute provides that, if, before a
control share acquisition occurs, voting rights are accorded to control shares
which result in the acquiring person having majority voting power, then
minority stockholders have appraisal rights. An acquisition of shares may be
exempted from the control share statute provided that a charter or bylaw
provision is adopted for such purpose prior to the control share acquisition.
The Bylaws specifically provide that the statutory provisions relating to
control share acquisitions do not apply.
 
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
 
  The transfer agent and registrar for the Common Stock is The Bank of New
York, New York, New York.
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
                        DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK
 
GENERAL
 
  The following summaries of certain terms and provisions of the Preferred
Stock do not purport to be complete and are subject to, and qualified in their
entirety by reference to, the MGCL and the terms and provisions of the
Charter, including the Articles Supplementary setting forth the particular
terms of (i) the Increasing Rate Preferred Stock and (ii) the 10.25% Junior
Preferred Stock, Series 1996 (the "Junior Preferred Stock"), and to the
Bylaws, copies of which are incorporated by reference into the Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part.
 
  The Charter authorizes the issuance of 50,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock,
of which (i) 10,000,000 shares have been classified as Increasing Rate
Cumulative Preferred Stock and (ii) 37,362 shares have been classified as
10.25% Junior Preferred Stock, 1996 Series. Preferred Stock may be issued from
time to time in one or more series, without stockholder approval, with such
voting powers (full or limited), designations, preferences and relative,
participating, optional or other special rights, and qualifications,
limitations or restrictions as shall be established by the Board of Directors
of the Company. Thus, without stockholder approval, the Company could
authorize the issuance of Preferred Stock with voting, conversion and other
rights that could dilute the voting power and other rights of the holders of
Common Stock.
 
  The particular terms of any series of Preferred Stock offered by any
Prospectus Supplement will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating
to such series of Preferred Stock. At any time that any series of Preferred
Stock is authorized, the Board of Directors of the Company or a duly
authorized Committee of such Board of Directors will fix the dividend rights,
any conversion rights, any voting rights, redemption provisions, liquidation
preferences and any other rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions of
such series, as well as the number of shares constituting such series and the
designation thereof. The description of the terms of a particular series of
Preferred Stock that will be set forth in a Prospectus Supplement does not
purport to be complete and will be qualified in its entirety by reference to
the Articles Supplementary relating to such series.
 
  Currently, no shares of Increasing Rate Preferred Stock are issued and
outstanding, and one share of Junior Preferred Stock is issued and
outstanding.
 
INCREASING RATE PREFERRED STOCK
 
  GENERAL. On February 22, 1996, the Board of Directors of the Company
authorized the Company to classify and issue the Increasing Rate Preferred
Stock as part of the 50,000,000 shares of authorized Preferred Stock. The
Increasing Rate Preferred Stock is issuable only in connection with the Hughes
Acquisition and only to Hughes Owners. Pursuant to the terms of the Contingent
Stock Agreement, the Company will be obligated to issue and deliver shares of
Increasing Rate Preferred Stock to Hughes Owners if the Company is unable to
issue and deliver shares of Common Stock to them or if the representatives of
the Hughes Owners (which representatives have been appointed under the
Contingent Stock Agreement (the "Representatives")) require the Company to
issue and deliver such shares of Increasing Rate Preferred Stock following
certain events of default under the Agreement. The Company's contingent
obligation to issue and deliver shares of Increasing Rate Preferred Stock to
Hughes Owners will terminate if and when the Company's stockholders approve
the issuance of Common Stock to the Hughes Owners in accordance with the rules
of the NYSE; provided that such termination will not apply to (i) any
obligation to issue and deliver such shares prior to such termination and (ii)
any obligation to issue and deliver such shares if the Representatives so
require following certain events of default under the Contingent Stock
Agreement. Pursuant to the Contingent Stock Agreement, the Company is required
to use its reasonable efforts to obtain such stockholder approval prior to
July 15, 1997.
 
  If and when issued, the Increasing Rate Preferred Stock will be validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable. The holders of Increasing Rate Preferred
Stock will have no preemptive rights with respect to any shares of capital
stock of the Company or any other securities of the Company convertible into
or carrying rights or options to purchase any such shares. The Increasing Rate
Preferred Stock will not be subject to any sinking fund. Unless exchanged for
Common Stock or redeemed, the Increasing Rate Preferred Stock will have a
perpetual term, with no maturity. The shares of Common Stock issuable upon the
exchange of Increasing Rate Preferred Stock will be listed on the NYSE.
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
  RANKING. The Increasing Rate Preferred Stock will rank pari passu with any
Parity Stock (as defined below) and will rank senior to the Junior Preferred
Stock, the Common Stock and any other Junior Stock (as defined below) with
respect to the payment of dividends and amounts upon liquidation, dissolution
or winding up.
 
  While any shares of Increasing Rate Preferred Stock are outstanding, unless
the Company first obtains the consent of the Representatives or the consent of
the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding shares of Increasing Rate
Preferred Stock, the Company may not, either directly or indirectly or through
a merger or consolidation of the Company with another entity (a "Rouse
Merger"), (i) issue (or approve the issuance of) or increase the authorized
number of shares of any Parity Dividend Stock, Parity Liquidation Stock or
Prior Stock (as such terms are defined below), (ii) declare, pay or set apart
funds for the payment of any dividends (other than dividends payable in Junior
Stock) or make any other distribution on or with respect to shares of Junior
Stock, (iii) declare, pay or set apart funds for the payment of any dividends
(other than dividends payable in Junior Stock) or make any other distribution
on or with respect to shares of Parity Dividend Stock or Parity Liquidation
Stock, unless simultaneously therewith a proportionate dividend on the
Increasing Rate Preferred Stock is ratably distributed or (iv) redeem, retire
or otherwise acquire for value or set apart any funds for the redemption or
purchase of any shares of Junior Stock (other than Common Stock to effect an
Exchange (as defined below)) or any warrant, option or right to acquire shares
thereof.
 
  "Junior Stock" means the Common Stock and any other capital stock of the
Company ranking junior to the Increasing Rate Preferred Stock with respect to
distributions of assets upon the dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the
Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, or with respect to the payment of
dividends.
 
  "Parity Dividend Stock" means any capital stock of the Company ranking on a
parity with the Increasing Rate Preferred Stock with respect to the payment of
dividends.
 
  "Parity Liquidation Stock" means any capital stock of the Company ranking on
a parity with the Increasing Rate Preferred Stock with respect to
distributions of assets upon the dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the
Company, whether voluntary or involuntary.
 
  "Parity Stock" means any capital stock of the Company ranking on a parity
with the Increasing Rate Preferred Stock with respect to distributions of
assets upon the dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company, whether
voluntary or involuntary, or with respect to the payment of dividends.
 
  "Prior Stock" means any capital stock of the Company ranking prior to the
Increasing Rate Preferred Stock with respect to distributions of assets upon
the dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company, whether voluntary
or involuntary, or with respect to the payment of dividends.
   
  DIVIDENDS. Holders of shares of Increasing Rate Preferred Stock will be
entitled to receive for each such share, when and as declared by the Board of
Directors of the Company, out of funds of the Company legally available for
payment, cumulative cash dividends on the Liquidation Value (as defined below)
of such share at the Dividend Rate (as defined below). Dividends on the
Increasing Rate Preferred Stock will be payable semi-annually (each, a
"Dividend Payment Date") at such rate on the first business day following the
end of each six-month period beginning January 1 and July 1 of each year (each
such six-month period, a "Dividend Period"). Dividends will be payable to
holders of record as they appear on the stock records of the Company at the
close of business 15 days prior to the end of the applicable Dividend Period.
Dividends on shares of Increasing Rate Preferred Stock (whether or not earned
or declared) will accrue from the date of issuance of such shares (the "Issue
Date") until such shares are redeemed or exchanged as described below.
Dividends will be cumulative from the Issue Date, whether or not in any
Dividend Period or Periods there are funds of the Company legally available
for the payment of such dividends. Accumulations of dividends on shares of
Increasing Rate Preferred Stock will not bear interest.     
 
  Unless all accrued and unpaid dividends on Increasing Rate Preferred Stock
have been paid in full or funds sufficient for such payment have been set
apart therefor, the Company may not (i) pay or set apart funds for the
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
payment of any dividend with respect to any Junior Dividend Stock (as defined
below), (ii) pay or set apart funds for the payment of any dividend with
respect to any Parity Dividend Stock, other than pro rata with, and
recognizing all accrued and unpaid dividends on, the Increasing Rate Preferred
Stock and all other classes or series of Parity Dividend Stock, (iii) make any
distribution (other than in Junior Dividend Stock) on, redeem or purchase any
Junior Liquidation Stock or (iv) make any distribution on, redeem or purchase
any Parity Liquidation Stock.
 
  To the extent that the Company does not have sufficient funds to pay (or set
apart for payment) the full amount of accrued but unpaid dividends on the
Increasing Rate Preferred Stock on any given Dividend Payment Date, any
payments made (or funds set apart for such payments) by the Company in respect
of such dividends will be made ratably to the holders of such Increasing Rate
Preferred Stock in proportion to the number of shares held by them.
 
  "Base Rate" means (i) with respect to the Dividend Period during which Rouse
issues shares of Increasing Rate Preferred Stock for the first time, the
dividend rate, as determined by a nationally recognized investment banking
firm selected by the Company for such purpose and reasonably acceptable to the
Representatives, which would be required in order for the Company to
successfully sell at par (i.e., stated liquidation value), in a private
placement transaction, a class or series of its perpetual preferred stock as
of such time and (ii) with respect to each subsequent Dividend Period, the
dividend rate, as determined by a nationally recognized investment banking
firm selected by the Company for such purpose and reasonably acceptable to the
Representatives, which would be required in order for the Company to
successfully sell at par (i.e., stated liquidation value), in a private
placement transaction, a class of its perpetual preferred stock as of the
first day of such Dividend Period.
 
  "Dividend Rate" means a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate plus the
Spread, in each case as in effect during a Dividend Period; provided, however,
that in the event that any share of Increasing Rate Preferred Stock shall have
an Issue Date other than on the first day of any Dividend Period, the Dividend
Rate with respect to such share during the Dividend Period in which such Issue
Date occurs shall be calculated on the basis of the applicable Dividend Rate
for such Dividend Period for the period commencing with the Issue Date to and
including the last day of such Dividend Period.
 
  "Junior Dividend Stock" means Common Stock and any other capital stock of
the Company ranking junior to the Increasing Rate Preferred Stock with respect
to the payment of dividends.
 
  "Junior Liquidation Stock" means Common Stock and any capital stock of the
Company junior to the Increasing Rate Preferred Stock with respect to
distributions of assets upon the dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the
Company, whether voluntary or involuntary.
 
  "Liquidation Value" means, with respect to a share of Increasing Rate
Preferred Stock, $100 plus all dividends (whether or not earned or declared),
accrued and unpaid on such share.
 
  "Spread" (i) for the Dividend Period during which Rouse issues shares of
Increasing Rate Preferred Stock for the first time shall be 3.50% per annum
and (ii) for each Dividend Period thereafter shall be the Spread for the
immediately preceding Dividend Period plus 0.50%.
 
  REDEMPTION. Any holder of Increasing Rate Preferred Stock may elect to have
the Company redeem all or any portion of such holder's shares on any Dividend
Payment Date (the "Redemption Date") by delivering to the Company a redemption
notice at least 30 but not more than 60 days prior to such Redemption Date;
provided, however, that any shares subject to redemption must have been issued
at least one year prior to the date of such redemption notice.
 
  For each share of Increasing Rate Preferred Stock to be redeemed, the
Company must pay on the Redemption Date an amount equal to the sum of (i) 110%
of the Liquidation Value of such share as of such Redemption Date plus (ii)
all accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or declared) on such
share as of such Redemption Date. In the event the Company is required to
redeem shares of the Increasing Rate Preferred
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
Stock but does not have sufficient funds legally available to redeem all such
shares, the Company must apply the funds it does have legally available to
redeem on a ratable basis as many shares subject to redemption as is possible.
If the Company fails to redeem all shares required to be redeemed by it on any
given Redemption Date because of insufficient legally available funds, the
holders of Increasing Rate Preferred Stock will be able to exercise the
Special Voting Right described below.
 
  EXCHANGE. The Company may, at its option, exchange shares of Common Stock on
any Dividend Payment Date (an "Exchange Date") for any or all shares of
Increasing Rate Preferred Stock outstanding on such Exchange Date (each, an
"Exchange"), provided that in connection with such Exchange, (i) the Company
delivers an exchange notice at least 30 but not more than 60 days prior to
such Exchange Date and (ii) on the Exchange Date, the Company pays each holder
of the shares of Increasing Rate Preferred Stock to be exchanged an amount
equal to all accrued but unpaid dividends on such shares to such Exchange
Date. The number of shares of Common Stock to be exchanged for each share of
Increasing Rate Preferred Stock will be a number equal to the Liquidation
Value divided by the Current Share Value on the last day of the Dividend
Period immediately preceding the Exchange Date. If, in connection with an
Exchange, the Company intends to exchange fewer than all the outstanding
shares of Increasing Rate Preferred Stock, the number of shares of Increasing
Rate Preferred Stock to be exchanged will be determined ratably among the
holders of such stock according to the respective number of shares held by
them.
 
  LIQUIDATION. The holders of shares of Increasing Rate Preferred Stock will
be entitled to receive in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding
up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, the Liquidation Value for
each share of Increasing Rate Preferred Stock (the "Liquidation Preference"),
and no more.
 
  Until the holders of the Increasing Rate Preferred Stock have been paid the
Liquidation Preference in full, no payment may be made to any holder of Junior
Liquidation Stock upon the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
Company. If, upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company,
the assets of the Company, or any proceeds thereof, distributable among the
holders of the shares of Increasing Rate Preferred Stock are insufficient to
pay in full the Liquidation Preference, then such assets, or the proceeds
thereof, will be distributed among the holders of shares of Increasing Rate
Preferred Stock ratably in accordance with the respective amounts which would
be payable on such shares of Increasing Rate Preferred Stock if all amounts
payable thereon were paid in full. Neither a merger or consolidation of the
Company with or into another entity nor a voluntary sale, lease, conveyance,
exchange or transfer of all or substantially all of the Company's assets
(except in connection with a plan of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
the Company) will be considered a liquidation, dissolution or winding up,
voluntary or involuntary, of the Company.
 
  VOTING RIGHTS. Except as described below, or except as otherwise from time
to time required by applicable law, the holders of shares of Increasing Rate
Preferred Stock will have no voting rights.
 
  Whenever (i) any accrued but unpaid dividends on the Increasing Rate
Preferred Stock (whether or not earned or declared) are in arrears for at
least one Dividend Period, (ii) the Company fails to effect any redemption
described above or (iii) the Company fails to effect any Exchange, then (x)
the number of directors then constituting the Board of Directors of the
Company will be increased by one and (y) the holders of shares of Increasing
Rate Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class, will have the exclusive
right (the "Special Voting Right") to elect a director to fill such vacancy
either (1) at a properly called special meeting of the holders of the
Increasing Rate Preferred Stock called for such purpose or (2) at any annual
meeting of stockholders of the Company. Holders of Increasing Rate Preferred
Stock will have the right to exercise the Special Voting Right until such time
as (i) all accumulated dividends on the Increasing Rate Preferred Stock shall
have been paid in full, (ii) all redemptions required to be made on any
Redemption Date shall have been made and (iii) all Exchanges required to be
made shall have been made. In exercising the Special Voting Right, each share
of Increasing Rate Preferred Stock will be entitled to one vote.
 
  In addition, so long as any shares of Increasing Rate Preferred Stock are
outstanding, the consent of the Representatives or the affirmative vote of the
holders of 66 2/3% of the shares of the Increasing Rate Preferred
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
Stock is required to issue any preferred stock on parity with or senior to the
Increasing Rate Preferred Stock, amend the articles supplementary relating to
the Increasing Rate Preferred Stock, issue or take certain actions affecting
the Increasing Rate Preferred Stock or make distributions with respect to
stock on parity with or junior to the Increasing Rate Preferred Stock.
 
  TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR. The transfer agent and registrar for the
Increasing Rate Preferred Stock will be The Bank of New York, New York, New
York.
 
JUNIOR PREFERRED STOCK
 
  GENERAL. On February 22, 1996, the Board of Directors of the Company
authorized the Company to classify and issue 37,362 shares of the Junior
Preferred Stock as part of the 50,000,000 shares of authorized Preferred
Stock.
   
  In connection with the Hughes Acquisition, one share of Junior Preferred
Stock was issued to a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company and is currently
outstanding.     
 
  RANKING. The Junior Preferred Stock ranks senior to the Common Stock and
junior to all other Preferred Stock (unless the terms of such Preferred Stock
specifically provide that it will rank junior to or on parity with the Junior
Preferred Stock), with respect to payment of dividends and amounts upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up.
 
  DIVIDENDS. Holders of shares of Junior Preferred Stock are entitled to
receive for each such share, when and as declared by the Board of Directors of
the Company, out of funds of the Company legally available for payment, a
cumulative annual cash dividend equal to the greater of (i) 10.25% of the
liquidation preference of such Junior Preferred Stock (the "Liquidation
Preference") or (ii) the lesser of 200% of the amount determined under clause
(i) above or the Liquidation Preference divided by the average closing price
of Common Stock used to determine the exchange ratio in connection with the
Hughes Acquisition (the "Multiplier") multiplied by the aggregate per share
amount of all cash and non-cash dividends (other than dividends payable in
Common Stock), subject to adjustment for stock splits, combinations and
dividends on the Common Stock. Accumulations of dividends on shares of Junior
Preferred Stock will not bear interest.
 
  Until all accumulated dividends are paid in full, the Company may not,
without first obtaining the consent of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the
outstanding shares of Junior Preferred Stock, (i) declare or pay dividends on
or make any other distribution on, or redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire
for consideration any shares of the Company's capital stock ranking junior to
the Junior Preferred Stock (other than such shares acquired in exchange for
other shares of the Company's capital stock ranking junior to the Junior
Preferred Stock), (ii) declare or pay dividends on or make any other
distributions on any shares of the Company's capital stock ranking on parity
with the Junior Preferred Stock other than dividends payable ratably on the
Junior Preferred Stock and any other parity stock or (iii) redeem or purchase
or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of the Company's capital
stock ranking on a parity with the Junior Preferred Stock, except pursuant to
an offer that treats fairly and equitably all holders of Junior Preferred
Stock and such parity stock.
 
  REDEMPTION. The Junior Preferred Stock is not subject to redemption.
 
  LIQUIDATION. The holders of shares of Junior Preferred Stock are entitled to
receive in the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, a liquidation preference for each
share of Junior Preferred Stock equal to the greater of (i) the sum of
$4,148.60 plus all accrued and unpaid dividends on such share to the date of
payment and (ii) an amount equal to the Multiplier multiplied by the aggregate
per share amount to be distributed to holders of Common Stock in connection
with such liquidation, dissolution or winding up, in each case subject to
adjustment for stock splits, combinations and dividends on the Common Stock.
Until the holders of the Junior Preferred Stock have been paid their aggregate
liquidation preference in full, no payment will be made to (i) any holder of
the Company's capital stock ranking
 
                                      10
<PAGE>
 
on a parity with the Junior Preferred Stock, except distributions made ratably
on the Junior Preferred Stock and any stock ranking on parity therewith or
(ii) any holder of the Company's capital stock ranking junior to the Junior
Preferred Stock.
 
  VOTING RIGHTS. Except as otherwise from time to time required by applicable
law, the holders of shares of Junior Preferred Stock have no voting rights;
however, when dividends are in arrears, a vote of 66 2/3% of the outstanding
shares is required for the Company to pay distributions on or redeem any stock
junior to or on parity with the Junior Preferred Stock.
 
  CONSOLIDATION, MERGER. In the event of a merger, consolidation or other
transaction in which shares of Common Stock are exchanged for cash, stock,
securities or other property, holders of Junior Preferred Stock are entitled
to receive for each share of their stock the per share consideration received
by holders of Common Stock multiplied by the Multiplier, subject to adjustment
for stock splits, combinations and dividends on the Common Stock.
 
                        DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES
 
  The following description of the terms of the Debt Securities sets forth
certain general terms and provisions of the Debt Securities to which any
Prospectus Supplement may relate. The particular terms of the Debt Securities
offered by the Prospectus Supplement (the "Offered Debt Securities") and the
extent, if any, to which such general provisions may apply to the Debt
Securities so offered will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating
to such Offered Debt Securities.
 
  The Offered Debt Securities are to be issued under an Indenture (the
"Indenture") between the Company and The First National Bank of Chicago, as
trustee (the "Trustee"), a copy of which Indenture is filed as an exhibit to
the Registration Statement. The following summaries of certain provisions of
the Indenture and the Debt Securities do not purport to be complete and are
subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference to, all
provisions of the Indenture, including the definitions therein of certain
terms and of those terms made a part thereof by the Trust Indenture Act.
Wherever particular provisions or defined terms of the Indenture are referred
to, such provisions or defined terms are incorporated herein by reference.
Certain defined terms in the Indenture are capitalized herein.
 
GENERAL
 
  The Debt Securities will be unsecured obligations of the Company.
   
  The Debt Securities to be offered by this Prospectus are limited to
$500,000,000 in aggregate issue price. The Indenture does not limit the amount
of Debt Securities that may be issued thereunder and provides that Debt
Securities may be issued thereunder from time to time in one or more series.
All Debt Securities of one series need not be issued at the same time and,
unless otherwise provided, a series may be reopened, without the consent of
any Holder, for issuances of additional Debt Securities of such series.
(Section 301) The Indenture provides that there may be more than one Trustee
thereunder, each with respect to one or more series of Debt Securities.     
 
  Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to the Offered Debt
Securities for the following terms, where applicable, of the Offered Debt
Securities: (1) the title of the Offered Debt Securities or series of which
they are a part; (2) any limit on the aggregate principal amount of the
Offered Debt Securities; (3) the date or dates, or the method or methods, if
any, by which such date or dates shall be determined, on which the principal
of such Offered Debt Securities will be payable; (4) the rate or rates (which
may be fixed, floating or adjustable) at which the Offered Debt Securities
will bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest will
accrue, the Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest will be payable
and the Regular Record Date for any such interest payable on any Interest
Payment Date; (5) the place or places where the principal of and any premium
and interest on such Offered Debt Securities will be payable; (6) the period
or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and
conditions upon which such Offered Debt
 
                                      11
<PAGE>
 
Securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;
(7) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase any of such
Offered Debt Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions
or at the option of a Holder thereof, and the period or periods within which,
the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions on which any of such
Offered Debt Securities will be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part,
pursuant to any such obligation; (8) the denominations in which such Offered
Debt Securities will be issuable, if other than denominations of $1,000 and
any integral multiple thereof; (9) if other than the currency of the United
States of America, the currency, currencies or currency units in which the
principal of or any premium or interest on such Offered Debt Securities will
be payable (and the manner in which the equivalent of the principal amount
thereof in the currency of the United States of America is to be determined
for any purpose, including for the purpose of determining the principal amount
deemed to be outstanding at any time); (10) if the amount of payments of
principal of or any premium or interest on such Offered Debt Securities may be
determined with reference to an index or pursuant to a formula, the manner in
which such amounts will be determined; (11) if the principal of or any premium
or interest on such Securities is to be payable, at the election of the
Company or a Holder thereof, in one or more currencies or currency units other
than those in which the Offered Debt Securities are stated to be payable, the
currency, currencies or currency units in which payment of any such amount as
to which such election is made will be payable, and the periods within which
and the terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made; (12) if
other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the principal amount
of such Offered Debt Securities which will be payable upon declaration of
acceleration of the Maturity thereof; (13) if applicable, that such Offered
Debt Securities are defeasible as provided in the Indenture; (14) whether such
Offered Debt Securities are convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock,
Preferred Stock or other Securities and the terms and conditions upon which
such conversion or exchange will be effected; (15) whether such Offered Debt
Securities will be issuable in whole or in part in the form of one or more
Global Securities and, if so, the Depositary or Depositaries for such Global
Security or Global Securities and any circumstances other than those described
under "Global Securities" in which any such Global Security may be transferred
to, and registered and exchanged for Securities registered in the name of a
Person other than the Depositary for such Global Security or a nominee thereof
and in which any such transfer may be registered; (16) any addition to, or
modification or deletion of, any Events of Default or covenants provided for
with respect to the Offered Debt Securities; (17) the terms, if any, pursuant
to which the Offered Debt Securities will be made subordinate and subject in
right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness of
the Company, and the definition of any such Senior Indebtedness; and (18) any
other terms of such Securities not inconsistent with the provisions of the
Indenture. (Section 301)
 
  Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement relating to Offered
Debt Securities, principal of and any premium or interest on the Debt
Securities will be payable, and the Debt Securities will be exchangeable and
transfers thereof will be registrable, at the office of the Trustee at its
principal executive offices (see "Concerning the Trustee"), provided that, at
the option of the Company, payment of interest may be made by check mailed to
the address of the Person entitled thereto as it appears in the Security
Register. (Sections 301, 305 and 1002). Any payment of principal and any
premium or interest required to be made on an Interest Payment Date,
Redemption Date or at Maturity which is not a Business Day need not be made on
such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the same
force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or
at Maturity, as the case may be, and no interest shall accrue for the period
from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Maturity.
(Section 113)
 
  Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement relating to Offered
Debt Securities, the Debt Securities will be issued only in fully registered
form, without coupons, in denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple
thereof. (Section 302). No service charge will be made for any transfer or
exchange of the Debt Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection
therewith. (Section 305)
 
  Debt Securities may be issued under the Indenture as Original Issue Discount
Securities (as defined below) to be offered and sold at a substantial discount
from their stated principal amount. In addition, under Treasury Regulations it
is possible that Debt Securities which are offered and sold at their stated
principal amount would,
 
                                      12
<PAGE>
 
under certain circumstances, be treated as issued at an original issue
discount for federal income tax purposes. Federal income tax consequences and
other special considerations applicable to any such Original Issue Discount
Securities (or other Debt Securities treated as issued at an original issue
discount) will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.
"Original Issue Discount Security" means a security, including any security
that does not provide for the payment of interest prior to Maturity, which is
issued at a price lower than the principal amount thereof and which provides
that upon redemption or acceleration of the Stated Maturity thereof an amount
less than the principal amount thereof shall become due and payable. (Section
101)
 
GLOBAL SECURITIES
 
  The Debt Securities of a series may be issued in the form of one or more
Global Securities that will be deposited with a Depositary or its nominee
identified in the Prospectus Supplement relating to the Offered Debt
Securities. In such a case, one or more Global Securities will be issued in a
denomination or aggregate denominations equal to the portion of the aggregate
principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of the series to be
represented by such Global Security or Securities.
 
  Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for Debt Securities in
definitive registered form, a Global Security may not be registered for
transfer or exchange except as a whole by the Depositary for such Global
Security to a nominee of such Depositary and except in the circumstances
described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to the Offered Debt
Securities. (Sections 204 and 305). The specific terms of the depositary
arrangement with respect to a series of Debt Securities will be described in
the Prospectus Supplement relating to such series.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT
 
  The following are Events of Default under the Indenture with respect to Debt
Securities of any series: (a) failure to pay principal of or premium, if any,
on any Debt Security of that series when due; (b) failure to pay any interest
on any Debt Security of that series when due, continued for 30 days; (c)
failure to deposit any sinking fund payment, when due, in respect of any Debt
Security of that series; (d) failure to perform any other covenant of the
Company in the Indenture (other than a covenant included in the Indenture
solely for the benefit of a series of Debt Securities other than that series),
continued for 60 days after written notice as provided in the Indenture; (e)
certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization; (f) a default
under any bond, debenture, note, mortgage, indenture or other evidence of
indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company (or by any Subsidiary, the
repayment of which the Company has guaranteed or for which the Company is
directly responsible or liable as obligor or guarantor) having an aggregate
principal amount outstanding of at least $10,000,000, whether such
indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created, which default shall
have resulted in such indebtedness being declared due and payable prior to the
date on which it would otherwise have become due and payable, without such
acceleration having been rescinded or annulled within 10 days after written
notice as provided in the Indenture; and (g) any other Event of Default
provided with respect to Debt Securities of that series. (Section 501). No
Event of Default with respect to a particular series of Debt Securities issued
under the Indenture necessarily constitutes an Event of Default with respect
to any other series of Debt Securities issued thereunder.
 
  The Trustee shall, within 90 days after the occurrence of a default with
respect to Debt Securities of any series, give all holders of Debt Securities
of such series then outstanding notice of all uncured defaults known to it
(the term default to mean the events specified above without grace periods),
provided that, except in the case of a default in the payment of principal of
and any premium or interest on any Debt Security of any series, or in the
payment of any sinking fund installment with respect to Debt Securities of any
series, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if it in
good faith determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest
of all holders of Debt Securities of such series then outstanding. (Trust
Indenture Act of 1939)
 
  If an Event of Default with respect to Outstanding Debt Securities of any
series shall occur and be continuing, either the Trustee or the Holders of at
least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding
 
                                      13
<PAGE>
 
Debt Securities of that series may declare the principal amount (or, if the
Debt Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such
portion of the principal amount as may be specified in the terms of that
series) of all the Debt Securities of that series to be due and payable
immediately. At any time after a declaration of acceleration with respect to
Debt Securities of any series has been made, but before a judgment or decree
based on acceleration has been obtained, the Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of that series may, under
certain circumstances, rescind and annul such acceleration. (Section 502). For
information as to waiver of defaults, see "Modification and Waiver."
 
  Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement relating to each series of
Offered Debt Securities which are Original Issue Discount Securities for the
particular provisions relating to acceleration of the Maturity of a portion of
the principal amount of such Original Issue Discount Securities upon the
occurrence of an Event of Default and the continuation thereof.
 
  The Indenture provides that the Trustee will be under no obligation, subject
to the duty of the Trustee during the default to act with the required
standard of care, to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Indenture
at the request or direction of any of the Holders, unless such Holders shall
have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity. (Section 601). Subject to
such provisions for indemnification of the Trustee, the Holders of a majority
in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt Securities of any series will have
the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding
for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or power
conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Debt Securities of that series.
(Section 512)
 
  The Company will furnish to the Trustee annually a certificate as to
compliance by the Company with all conditions and covenants under the
Indenture. (Section 1004)
 
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND TRANSFER OF ASSETS
 
  Under the Indenture, the Company may not consolidate with or merge into any
corporation, or transfer its assets substantially as an entirety to any
Person, unless: (i) the successor corporation or transferee assumes the
Company's obligations on the Debt Securities and under the Indenture; (ii)
after giving effect to the transaction, no Event of Default and no event
which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default
shall have occurred and be continuing; and (iii) certain other conditions are
met. (Section 901)
 
SATISFACTION, DISCHARGE AND DEFEASANCE
 
  The Prospectus Supplement will state if any defeasance provision will apply
to the Offered Debt Securities.
 
  The Indenture, with respect to any series of Debt Securities (except for
certain specified surviving obligations, including (A) any rights of
registration of transfer and exchange and (B) rights to receive the principal,
premium, if any, and interest on the Debt Securities) will be discharged and
cancelled upon the satisfaction of certain conditions, including the
following: (i) all Debt Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to
the Trustee for cancellation have become due or payable, will become due and
payable at their Stated Maturity within one year or are to be called for
redemption within one year and (ii) the deposit with such Trustee of an amount
in the Specified Currency sufficient to pay the principal, premium, if any,
and interest to the Maturity of all Debt Securities of such series. (Section
501)
 
  If so specified in the Prospectus Supplement with respect to Debt Securities
of any series, the Company at its option, (i) will be discharged from any and
all obligations in respect of the Debt Securities of such series (except for
certain obligations to register the transfer or exchange of Debt Securities of
such series, replace stolen, lost or mutilated Debt Securities of such series,
maintain certain offices or agencies in each Place of Payment and hold moneys
for payment in trust), or (ii) will not be subject to provisions of the
applicable Indenture described above under "--Consolidation, Merger and
Transfer of Assets" with respect to the Debt Securities of such series, in
each case if the Company irrevocably deposits with the Trustee, in trust,
money or U.S. Government Obligations which through the payment of interest
thereon and principal thereof in accordance
 
                                      14
<PAGE>
 
with their terms will provide money in an amount sufficient (in the opinion of
independent public accountants) to pay all the principal (including any
mandatory sinking fund payments) of, and premium, if any, and interest on, the
Debt Securities of such series on the dates such payments are due in
accordance with the terms of such Debt Securities. To exercise any such
option, the Company is required to deliver to the applicable Trustee (1) an
opinion of counsel to the effect that (a) the deposit and related defeasance
would not cause the Holders of the Debt Securities of such series to recognize
income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes, (b) the Company's
exercise of such option will not cause any violation of the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended, and (c) if the Debt Securities of such series are
then listed on the NYSE, such Debt Securities would not be delisted as a
result of the exercise of such option and (2) in the case of the Debt
Securities of such series being discharged, a ruling received from or
published by the United States Internal Revenue Service to the effect that the
deposit and related defeasance would not cause the Holders of the Debt
Securities of such series to recognize income, gain or loss for federal income
tax purposes.
 
MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
 
  Modifications and amendments of the Indenture may be made by the Company and
the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount
of the Outstanding Debt Securities of each series affected by such
modification or amendment; provided, however, that no such modification or
amendment may, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Debt
Security affected thereby, (a) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of,
or any installment of principal of or interest on, any Debt Security, (b)
reduce the principal amount of, or any premium or interest on, any Debt
Security, (c) reduce the amount of principal of an Original Issue Discount
Security or other Security payable upon acceleration of the Maturity thereof,
(d) change the place or currency of payment of principal of, or any premium or
interest on, any Debt Security, (e) impair the right to institute suit for the
enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any Debt Security, (f) reduce
the percentage in principal amount of Outstanding Debt Securities of any
series, the consent of whose Holders is required for modification or amendment
of the Indenture, (g) reduce the percentage in principal amount of Outstanding
Debt Securities of any series necessary for waiver of certain defaults or (h)
modify such provisions with respect to modification and waiver. (Section 902)
 
  The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Debt
Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all Debt Securities
of that series waive any past default under the Indenture with respect to that
series, except a default in the payment of the principal of or premium, if
any, or interest on any Debt Security of that series or in respect of a
provision which under the Indenture cannot be modified or amended without the
consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Debt Security of that series
affected. (Section 513)
 
GOVERNING LAW
 
  The Indenture and the Debt Securities will be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the law of the State of New York, but without regard to
principles of conflicts of law. (Section 112)
 
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
 
  The First National Bank of Chicago, a national banking association duly
organized and existing under the laws of the United States of America, with
its principal offices at One First National Plaza, Suite 0126, Chicago,
Illinois 60670, will act as Trustee for the benefit of the Holders of the Debt
Securities under the Indenture. The Trustee also serves as the trustee under
the indenture in respect of (i) the Company's $120,000,000 aggregate principal
amount of 8.5% Notes due January 15, 2003, (ii) the Company's $150,000,000
aggregate issue amount of Medium-Term Notes due Nine Months or More from Date
of Issue and (iii) $141,753,000 aggregate principal amount of 9 1/4% Junior
Subordinated Debentures due 2025. The Company maintains other banking
relationships with the Trustee in the ordinary course of business, including
maintaining a line of credit with and obtaining loans from the Trustee.
 
                                      15
<PAGE>
 
                             PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
  The Company may sell Securities to or through one or more underwriters or
dealers and also may sell Securities directly to institutional investors or
other purchasers, or through agents.
 
  The distribution of the Securities may be effected from time to time in one
or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, or at
market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such
prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.
 
  In connection with the sale of Securities, underwriters or agents may
receive compensation from the Company or from purchasers of Securities for
whom they may act as agents in the form of discounts, concessions or
commissions. Underwriters may sell Securities to or through dealers, and such
dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or
commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for
whom they may act as agents. Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate
in the distribution of Securities may be deemed to be underwriters, and any
discounts or commissions received by them from the Company and any profit on
the resale of Securities by them may be deemed to be underwriting discounts
and commissions under the Securities Act. Any such underwriter or agent will
be identified, and any such compensation received from the Company will be
described, in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
  Under agreements which may be entered into by the Company, underwriters and
agents who participate in the distribution of Securities may be entitled to
indemnification by the Company against certain liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act.
 
  If so indicated in the related Prospectus Supplement, the Company will
authorize underwriters or other persons acting as the Company's agents to
solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase Securities from the Company
pursuant to contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date.
Institutions with which such contracts may be made include commercial and
savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies,
educational and charitable institutions and others, but in all cases such
institutions must be approved by the Company. The obligations of any purchaser
under any such contract will be subject to the condition that the purchase of
the Securities shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws
of the jurisdiction to which such purchaser is subject. The underwriters and
such other agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity
or performance of such contracts.
 
  Certain of the underwriters or agents and their associates may engage in
transactions with and perform services for the Company or its affiliates in
the ordinary course of their respective businesses.
 
  The Securities may or may not be listed on a national securities exchange
(other than the Common Stock, which is listed on the NYSE). Any Common Stock
sold pursuant to a Prospectus Supplement will be listed on the NYSE, subject
to official notice of issuance. No assurances can be given that there will be
an active trading market for the Securities.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
  The consolidated financial statements and schedules of the Company and its
subsidiaries as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, and for each of the years in
the three-year period ended December 31, 1995, incorporated by reference in
this Registration Statement have been incorporated by reference in reliance
upon (1) the report of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent certified public
accountants, incorporated by reference herein and upon the authority of said
firm as experts in accounting and auditing, and (2) with respect to the
current value basis financial statements, the report of Landauer Associates,
Inc., real estate counselors and consultants, incorporated by reference
herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in real estate
consultation.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
   
  The validity of the Common Stock and the Preferred Stock will be passed upon
for the Company by Piper & Marbury, L.L.P., Baltimore, Maryland. The validity
of the Debt Securities will be passed upon for the Company by Fried, Frank,
Harris, Shriver & Jacobson (a partnership including professional
corporations), New York, New York. Piper & Marbury L.L.P., Baltimore,
Maryland, will serve as counsel for any underwriters and agents. Piper &
Marbury L.L.P. from time to time provides legal services to the Company.     
 
                                      16
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART II
 
                    INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
<TABLE>       
      <S>                                                              <C>
      Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee............. $151,516
      Printing expenses...............................................  125,000
      Rating agency fees..............................................  375,000
      New York Stock Exchange listing fee.............................   60,000
      Trustee's fees..................................................   15,000
      Legal fees and expenses.........................................  150,000
      Accounting expenses.............................................   15,000
      Blue Sky fees and expenses......................................   15,000
      Other...........................................................   75,000
                                                                       --------
        Total......................................................... $981,516
                                                                       ========
</TABLE>    
- --------
* Except for the Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee, all of
 the foregoing expenses have been estimated.
 
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
  Article IX of the Bylaws of the Company provides that directors and officers
of the Company shall be indemnified by the Company to the fullest extent
permitted by Maryland law as now or hereafter in force, including the advance
of related expenses. If any determination is required under applicable law as
to whether a director or officer is entitled to indemnification, such
determination shall be made by independent legal counsel retained by the
Company and appointed by either the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive
Officer. Paragraph (f) of Article Seventh of the Amended and Restated Articles
of Incorporation of the Company provides that to the fullest extent permitted
by Maryland statutory or decisional law, as amended or interpreted, no
director or officer of the Company shall be personally liable to the Company
or its stockholders for money damages. A copy of Section 2-418 of the
Corporations and Associations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland is
incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement.
 
  The Company maintains directors and officers insurance on behalf of its
directors, officers and certain other persons against any liability asserted
against them in any such capacity. The form of Underwriting Agreement
contained in Exhibit 1.1 provides for indemnification of the directors and
officers signing the Registration Statement and certain controlling persons of
the Company against certain liabilities, including certain liabilities under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in certain instances by each
underwriter participating in an offering of the Preferred Securities.
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS
 
  Set forth below is a list of the exhibits included as part of this
Registration Statement.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  EXHIBIT
    NO.                                   DESCRIPTION
  -------                                 -----------
  <C>     <S>
  *1.1    --Form of Underwriting Agreement for Common Stock or Preferred Stock
  *1.2    --Form of Underwriting Agreement for Debt Securities
  *1.3    --Form of Distribution Agreement for Debt Securities
   4.1    --Charter of the Company, as amended and restated effective May 27, 1988,
           (which is incorporated by reference from the Exhibits to the Company's
           Form 10-K Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1988 (see
           Commission File No. 0-1743))
</TABLE>
 
                                     II-1
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
   NO.                                   DESCRIPTION
 -------                                 -----------
 <C>     <S>
    4.2  --Articles of Amendment to the Charter of the Company, effective January
          10, 1991 (which are incorporated by reference from the Exhibits to the
          Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31,
          1990 (see Commission File No. 0-1743))
    4.3  --The Articles Supplementary to the Charter of the Company, dated February
          17, 1993 (which are incorporated by reference from the Exhibits to the
          Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31,
          1992 (see Commission File No. 0-1743))
    4.4  --The Articles Supplementary to the Charter of the Company, dated
          September 26, 1994 (which are incorporated by reference from the Exhibits
          to the Company's Form S-3 Registration Statement (No. 33-57707))
    4.5  --The Articles Supplementary to the Charter of the Company, dated December
          27, 1994 (which are incorporated by reference from the Exhibits to the
          Company's Form S-3 Registration Statement (No. 33-57707))
   *4.6  --The Articles Supplementary to the Charter of the Company, dated June 5,
          1996, relating to the Company's Increasing Rate Cumulative Preferred
          Stock, par value $0.01 per share
   *4.7  --The Articles Supplementary to the Charter of the Company, dated June 11,
          1996, relating to the Company's 10.25% Junior Preferred Stock, 1996
          Series, par value $0.01 per share
   *4.8  --The Bylaws of the Company, as amended November 19, 1996 and January 30,
          1997
    4.9  --Specimen Common Stock Certificate (which is incorporated by reference to
          Exhibit 10 to the Company's Form 8-A, filed October 5, 1995)
    4.10 --Contingent Stock Agreement, effective as of January 1, 1996, by the
          Company in favor of and for the benefit of the Holders and
          Representatives named therein (which is incorporated by reference to
          Exhibit 2.3 to the Company's Form S-4 Registration Statement (No. 333-
          1693))
    4.11 --Indenture, dated as of February 24, 1995, between the Company and The
          First National Bank of Chicago, as trustee (which is incorporated by
          reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Form S-3 Registration Statement
          (No. 33-57347))
   *4.12 --Form of Fixed Rate Medium-Term Note
   *4.13 --Form of Floating Rate Medium-Term Note
   *5.1  --Opinion of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson
   *5.2  --Opinion of Piper & Marbury, L.L.P.
  *12.1  --Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred
          Stock Dividend Requirements
  *12.2  --Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
  *23.1  --Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
  *23.2  --Consent of Landauer Associates, Inc.
  *23.3  --Consent of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson (included in Exhibit
          5.1 above)
  *23.4  --Consent of Piper & Marbury, L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.2 above)
 **24.1  --Power of Attorney, dated January 30, 1997
 **24.2  --Power of Attorney, dated January 30, 1997
  *25.1  --Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
          amended, of The First National Bank of Chicago, as trustee under the
          Indenture
   99.1  --Section 2-418 of the Corporations and Associations Article of the
          Annotated Code of Maryland (which is incorporated by reference from the
          Exhibits to the Company's Form S-3 Registration Statement (No. 33-56646))
</TABLE>    
- --------
   
 * Filed herewith.     
   
** Previously filed.     
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
 
    The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
 
      (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) under the Securities Act of
    1933 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; and
 
      (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;
 
  provided, however, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (1)(i) and
  (ii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a
  post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic
  reports filed by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of
  the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference 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.
 
  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the
registration statement 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.
 
  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 questions 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.
 
  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriter,
at the closing specified in the underwriting agreements, certificates in such
denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriter to
permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.
 
                                     II-3
<PAGE>
 
  The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
 
    (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
  1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of
  this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a
  form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or
  (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this
  registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
    (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act
  of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus
  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.
       
                                     II-4
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES
   
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, The Rouse
Company has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement
(File No. 333-20781) to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto
duly authorized, in the County of Howard, State of Maryland, on the 6th day of
February, 1997.     
 
                                          The Rouse Company
 
                                                 /s/ Anthony W. Deering
                                          By: _________________________________
                                                    ANTHONY W. DEERING
                                            PRESIDENT, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                                                       AND DIRECTOR
   
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment
No. 1 to the Registration Statement (File No. 333-20781) has been signed by
the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated.     
 
Principal Executive Officer:
 
      /s/ Anthony W. Deering           President, Chief             
- -------------------------------------   Executive Officer        February 6,
         ANTHONY W. DEERING             and Director              1997     
 
Principal Financial Officer:
 
                                       Senior Vice               
               *                        President and Chief      February 6,
- -------------------------------------   Financial Officer         1997     
         JEFFREY H. DONAHUE
 
Principal Accounting Officer:
 
                                       Senior Vice               
               *                        President and            February 6,
- -------------------------------------   Controller                1997     
         GEORGE L. YUNGMANN
                                                                 
   */s/ Anthony W. Deering                                       February 6,
- -------------------------------------                             1997     
          
       ANTHONY W. DEERING     
           
        ATTORNEY-IN-FACT     
 
                                     II-5
<PAGE>
 
                            THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 
  David H. Benson, Jeremiah E. Casey, Anthony W. Deering, Rohit M. Desai,
Mathias J. DeVito, Juanita T. James, William R. Lummis, Thomas J. McHugh,
Hanne M. Merriman, Roger W. Schipke, Alexander B. Trowbridge and Gerard J. M.
Vlak.
 
       /s/ Anthony W. Deering          For himself and as           
- -------------------------------------   Attorney-in-Fact         February 6,
           ANTHONY W. DEERING           for the above-named       1997     
            ATTORNEY-IN-FACT            members of the
                                        Board of Directors
 
                                     II-6
<PAGE>
 
                                    EXHIBITS
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
   NO.                                      DESCRIPTION                                      PAGE
 -------                                    -----------                                      ----
 <C>     <S>                                                                                 <C>
   *1.1  --Form of Underwriting Agreement for Common Stock or Preferred Stock
   *1.2  --Form of Underwriting Agreement for Debt Securities
   *1.3  --Form of Distribution Agreement for Debt Securities
    4.1  --Charter of the Company, as amended and restated effective May 27, 1988, (which
          is incorporated by reference from the Exhibits to the Company's Form 10-K Annual
          Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1988 (see Commission File No. 0-
          1743))
    4.2  --Articles of Amendment to the Charter of the Company, effective January 10, 1991
          (which are incorporated by reference from the Exhibits to the Company's Form 10-
          K Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1990 (see Commission File
          No. 0-1743))
    4.3  --The Articles Supplementary to the Charter of the Company, dated February 17,
          1993 (which are incorporated by reference from the Exhibits to the Company's
          Form 10-K Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1992 (see
          Commission File No. 0-1743))
    4.4  --The Articles Supplementary to the Charter of the Company, dated September 26,
          1994 (which are incorporated by reference from the Exhibits to the Company's
          Form S-3 Registration Statement (No. 33-57707))
    4.5  --The Articles Supplementary to the Charter of the Company, dated December 27,
          1994 (which are incorporated by reference from the Exhibits to the Company's
          Form S-3 Registration Statement (No. 33-57707))
   *4.6  --The Articles Supplementary to the Charter of the Company, dated June 5, 1996,
          relating to the Company's Increasing Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock, par value
          $0.01 per share
   *4.7  --The Articles Supplementary to the Charter of the Company, dated June 11, 1996,
          relating to the Company's 10.25% Junior Preferred Stock, 1996 Series, par value
          $0.01 per share
   *4.8  --The Bylaws of the Company, as amended November 19, 1996 and January 30, 1997
    4.9  --Specimen Common Stock Certificate (which is incorporated by reference to
          Exhibit 10 to the Company's Form 8-A, filed October 5, 1995)
    4.10 --Contingent Stock Agreement, effective as of January 1, 1996, by the Company in
          favor of and for the benefit of the Holders and Representatives named therein
          (which is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.3 to the Company's Form S-4
          Registration Statement (No. 333-1693))
    4.11 --Indenture, dated as of February 24, 1995, between the Company and The First
          National Bank of Chicago, as trustee (which is incorporated by reference to
          Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's Form S-3 Registration Statement (No. 33-57347))
   *4.12 --Form of Fixed Rate Medium-Term Note
   *4.13 --Form of Floating Rate Medium-Term Note
   *5.1  --Opinion of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson
   *5.2  --Opinion of Piper & Marbury, L.L.P.
  *12.1  --Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Combined Fixed Charges and Preferred Stock
          Dividend Requirements
  *12.2  --Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
  *23.1  --Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
  *23.2  --Consent of Landauer Associates, Inc.
  *23.3  --Consent of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson (included in Exhibit 5.1
          above)
  *23.4  --Consent of Piper & Marbury, L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5.2 above)
 **24.1  --Power of Attorney, dated January 30, 1997
 **24.2  --Power of Attorney, dated January 30, 1997
  *25.1  --Statement of Eligibility under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, of
          The First National Bank of Chicago, as trustee under the Indenture
   99.1  --Section 2-418 of the Corporations and Associations Article of the Annotated
          Code of Maryland (which is incorporated by reference from the Exhibits to the
          Company's Form S-3 Registration Statement (No. 33-56646))
</TABLE>    
- -------
   
 * Filed herewith.     
   
** Previously filed.     

<PAGE>

                                                                     Exhibit 1.1
 
                               THE ROUSE COMPANY

                        [COMMON STOCK] [PREFERRED STOCK]

                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
                                                              ____________, 199_

To the Representatives of the
several Underwriters named in the
respective Pricing Agreements
hereinafter described.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     From time to time The Rouse Company, a Maryland corporation (the
"Company"), proposes to enter into one or more Pricing Agreements (each a
"Pricing Agreement") in the form of Annex I hereto, with such additions and
deletions as the parties thereto may determine, and, subject to the terms and
conditions stated herein and therein, to issue and sell to the firms named in
Schedule I to the applicable Pricing Agreement (such firms constituting the
"Underwriters" with respect to such Pricing Agreement and the securities
specified therein) certain shares of its [Common Stock, par value $0.01 per
share] [Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per share] (the "Shares") specified in
Schedule II to such Pricing Agreement (with respect to such Pricing Agreement,
the "Firm Shares").  If specified in such Pricing Agreement, the Company may
grant to the Underwriters the right to purchase at their election an additional
number of shares, specified in such Pricing Agreement as provided in Section 3
hereof (the "Optional Shares").  The Firm Shares and the Optional Shares, if
any, which the Underwriters elect to purchase pursuant to Section 3 hereof are
herein collectively called the "Designated Shares".

     The terms and rights of any particular issuance of Designated Shares shall
be as specified in the Pricing Agreement relating thereto.

     1.  Particular sales of Designated Shares may be made from time to time to
the Underwriters of such Shares, for whom the firms designated as
representatives of the Underwriters of such Shares in the Pricing Agreement
relating thereto will act as representatives (the "Representatives").  The term
"Representatives" also refers to a single firm acting as sole representative of
the Underwriters and to an Underwriter or Underwriters who act without any firm
being designated as its or their representatives.  This Underwriting Agreement
shall not be construed as an obligation of the Company to sell any of the Shares
or as an obligation of any of the Underwriters to purchase the Shares.  The
obligation of the Company to issue and sell any of the Shares and the obligation
of any of the Underwriters to purchase any of the Shares shall be evidenced by
<PAGE>
 
the Pricing Agreement with respect to the Designated Shares specified therein.
Each Pricing Agreement shall specify the aggregate number of Firm Shares, the
maximum number of Optional Shares, if any, the initial public offering price of
such Firm Shares and Optional Shares or the manner of determining such price,
the purchase price to the Underwriters of such Designated Shares, the names of
the Underwriters of such Designated Shares, the names of the Representatives of
such Underwriters and the number of such Designated Shares to be purchased by
each Underwriter and the commission, if any, payable to the Underwriters with
respect thereto and shall set forth the date, time and manner of delivery of
such Firm Shares and Optional Shares, if any, and payment therefor.  The Pricing
Agreement shall also specify (to the extent not set forth in the registration
statement and prospectus with respect thereto) the terms of such Designated
Shares.  A Pricing Agreement shall be in the form of an executed writing (which
may be in counterparts), and may be evidenced by an exchange of telegraphic
communications or any other rapid transmission device designed to produce a
written record of communications transmitted.  The obligations of the
Underwriters under this Agreement and each Pricing Agreement shall be several
and not joint.

     2.  The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, each of the
Underwriters that:

          (a) A registration statement on Form S-3 (File No.  333-_____) (the
"Initial Registration Statement") in respect of the Shares has been filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"); the Initial Registration Statement and any
post-effective amendment thereto, each in the form heretofore delivered or to be
delivered to the Representatives, excluding exhibits to such registration
statement, but including all documents incorporated by reference in the
prospectus included therein, have been declared effective by the Commission in
such form; other than a registration statement, if any, increasing the size of
the offering (a "Rule 462(b) Registration Statement") filed pursuant to Rule
462(b) of the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Act which became
effective upon filing, no other document with respect to such registration
statement or document incorporated by reference therein has heretofore been
filed or transmitted for filing with the Commission (other than the prospectuses
filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the rules and regulations of the Commission
under the Act, each in the form heretofore delivered to the Representatives);
and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Initial Registration
Statement, any post-effective amendment thereto or the Rule 462(b) Registration
Statement, if any, has been issued and no proceeding for that purpose has been
initiated or threatened by the Commission (any preliminary prospectus included
in the Initial Registration Statement or filed with the Commission pursuant to
Rule 424(a) of the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Act, is
hereinafter called a "Preliminary Prospectus"; the various parts of the Initial
Registration Statement and the 462(b) Registration Statement, if any, including
all exhibits thereto and including (i) the 

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
information contained in the form of final prospectus filed with the Commission
pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the rules and the regulations of the Commission under
the Act in accordance with Section 5(a) hereof and deemed by virtue of Rule 430A
of the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Act to be part of the
Initial Registration Statement at the time it was declared effective and (ii)
the documents incorporated by reference in the prospectus contained in the
registration statement at the time such part of the registration statement
became effective, each as amended at the time such part of the Initial
Registration Statement became effective or such part of the Rule 462(b)
Registration Statement, if any, became effective, are hereinafter collectively
called the "Registration Statement"; the prospectus relating to the Shares, in
the form in which it has most recently been filed, or transmitted for filing,
with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act on or prior to the
date of this Agreement, is hereinafter called the "Prospectus"; any reference
herein to any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer
to and include the documents incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item
12 of the Form S-3 form under the Act, as of the date of such Preliminary
Prospectus or Prospectus, as the case may be; any reference to any amendment or
supplement to any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to
refer to and include any documents filed after the date of such Preliminary
Prospectus or Prospectus, as the case may be, under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and incorporated therein by reference;
any reference to any amendment to the Registration Statement shall be deemed to
refer to and include any annual report of the Company filed pursuant to Section
13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the effective date of the Initial
Registration Statement that is incorporated by reference in the Registration
Statement; and any reference to the Prospectus as amended or supplemented shall
be deemed to refer to and include the Prospectus as amended or supplemented in
relation to the applicable Designated Shares in the form filed or transmitted
for filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act and in
accordance with Section 5(a) hereof, including any documents incorporated by
reference therein as of the date of such filing);

          (b) The documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, when
they became effective or were filed with the Commission, as the case may be,
conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the Act or the
Exchange Act, as applicable, and the rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder, and none of such documents contained an untrue statement of a
material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; and any further
documents so filed and incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, or any
further amendment or supplement thereto, when such documents become effective or
are filed with the Commission, as the case may be, will conform in all material
respects to the requirements of the Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable, and
the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and will not contain an
untrue statement of a material fact 

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading; 

          (c) The Registration Statement and the Prospectus conform, and any
further amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus will conform, in all material respects to the requirements of the Act
and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and do not and will
not, as of the applicable effective date as to the Registration Statement and
any amendment thereto and as of the applicable filing date as to the Prospectus
and any amendment or supplement thereto, contain an untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided, however, that
this representation and warranty shall not apply to any statements or omissions
made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to
the Company by an Underwriter of Designated Shares through the Representatives
expressly for use in the Prospectus as amended or supplemented relating to such
Shares;

          (d) The Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, have not
sustained since the date of the latest audited financial statements included or
incorporated by reference in the Prospectus any material loss or interference
with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not
covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action,
order or decree, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus;
and, since the respective dates as of which information is given in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus, there has not been any change in the
capital stock (other than issuances of capital stock pursuant to bonus stock
awards granted in the ordinary course of business, or upon exercise of options
and stock appreciation rights and upon conversions of convertible securities, in
each case, except with respect to bonus stock awards granted in the ordinary
course of business, which were outstanding as of the date of the latest audited
financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus),
or any material and adverse change in the long-term debt of the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole (it being understood that, absent unusual
circumstances, an increase in long-term debt of the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole, of less than 5% would not be a material and
adverse change to the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole), or any
material adverse change, or any development involving a prospective material
adverse change, in or affecting the general affairs, management, current value
basis shareholders' equity or results of operations (based on Earnings Before
Depreciation and Deferred Taxes from Operations) of the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in
the Prospectus;

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
          (e) The Company and its subsidiaries have, or in those cases where
such subsidiary is a general partner in a partnership, such partnership has,
good and marketable fee simple and/or leasehold title (as the case may be) to
all real property (except for those lesser estates in real property which, in
the aggregate, are not material in value to the Company and its subsidiaries),
subject only to (A) those liens and encumbrances which have been reflected
generally or in the aggregate in the financial statements of the Company as
disclosed in the Prospectus or as are described specifically, generally or in
the aggregate in the Prospectus, or (B) such liens and encumbrances (i) not
required by generally accepted accounting principles to be disclosed in the
financial statements of the Company, which (a) if all material covenants and
conditions thereof are observed or performed, will not materially interfere with
the use made or proposed to be made of such property by the Company and its
subsidiaries or (b) are reasonable and customary with regard to the normal
operation of land and improvements held for commercial purposes by first class
owners and operators of commercial real estate, or (ii) which were incurred
after the date of the latest audited financial statements included or
incorporated by reference in the Prospectus in the ordinary course of business
(including financings) and which, in the aggregate (on a net basis), are not
material to the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.  The Company and
its subsidiaries have title to the personal property owned by it or them and,
subject to the continued performance of the material covenants and conditions of
liens and encumbrances thereon, have the right to use such without interference
in the normal course of business, except for such interference as would not have
a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries as a whole;

          (f) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as
a corporation in good standing under the laws of Maryland, with power and
authority (corporate and other) to own its properties and conduct its business
as described in the Prospectus, and has been duly qualified as a foreign
corporation for the transaction of business and is in good standing under the
laws of each other jurisdiction in which the failure so to qualify and maintain
good standing would have a material adverse effect on the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole; and each subsidiary of the Company has been duly
incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the
laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation except for such failures to maintain
good standing as would not have a material adverse effect on the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

          (g) The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in the
Prospectus, and all of the issued shares of capital stock of the Company have
been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and non-
assessable; and all of the issued shares of capital stock of each subsidiary of
the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and
non-assessable and are owned (with exceptions that are disclosed in the
Prospectus or are not material to the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a
whole)
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances
or claims (collectively, "Liens") except (i) Liens relating to debt which has
been disclosed specifically, generally or in the aggregate in the Prospectus or
incurred after the date of the latest audited financial statements included or
incorporated by reference in the Prospectus in the ordinary course of business
(including financings), (ii) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business
which are not materially adverse to the operations of the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and (iii) restrictions on the transfer or use of
the stock of any subsidiary under any partnership, joint venture or lease
agreements to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party;

          (h) The Shares have been duly and validly authorized, and, when Firm
Shares are issued and delivered against payment therefor pursuant to this
Agreement and the Pricing Agreement with respect to such Designated Shares and,
in the case of Optional Shares, pursuant to Over-allotment Options (as defined
in Section 3 hereof) with respect to such Shares, such Designated Shares will be
duly and validly issued and fully paid and non-assessable; the Shares conform to
the description thereof contained in the Registration Statement and the
Designated Shares will conform to the description thereof in the Prospectus as
amended or supplemented with respect to such Designated Shares; and the
Designated Shares will have the rights set forth in the Company's Articles of
Incorporation, as then amended[, including any amendment effected by any
Articles Supplementary relating to the Designated Shares]; the holders of
outstanding capital stock of the Company are not entitled to preemptive or other
rights afforded by the Company to subscribe for the Designated Shares;

          (i) The issue and sale of the Shares, the compliance by the Company
with all of the provisions of this Agreement, any Pricing Agreement and each
Over-allotment Option, if any, and the consummation of the transactions herein
and therein contemplated will not conflict with or result in a breach or
violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under,
any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or
instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by
which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the
property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject except
for such conflict, breach, violation or default which does not have a material
adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, nor will
such action result in any violation of the provisions of the Articles of
Incorporation (or any articles supplementary thereto) or the Bylaws of the
Company or any statute or any order, rule or regulation of any court or
governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or any of their properties; and no consent, approval,
authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any court or
governmental agency or body is required for the issue and sale of the Shares or
the consummation by the Company of the other transactions contemplated by this
Agreement, any Pricing Agreement or any Over-allotment Option, except such as
have been, or will have been 

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
prior to each Time of Delivery (as defined in Section 4 hereof), obtained under
the Act and such consents, approvals, authorizations, orders, registrations or
qualifications as may be required under state securities or Blue Sky laws in
connection with the purchase and distribution of the Shares by the Underwriters;

          (j) Other than as set forth in the Prospectus, there are no legal or
governmental proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries
is a party or to which any property of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is
subject, which are likely, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material
adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, and, to the
best of the Company's knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened or
contemplated by governmental authorities or threatened by others;

          (k) The Company is not, and after giving effect to each offering and
sale of the Shares will not be, an "investment company" or an entity
"controlled" by an "investment company", as such terms are defined in the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act");

          (l) Neither the Company nor any of its affiliates does business with
the government of Cuba or with any person or affiliate located in Cuba within
the meaning of Section 517.075, Florida Statutes; and

          (m) KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, who have certified certain financial
statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, are independent public
accountants as required by the Act and the rules and regulations of the
Commission thereunder.

     3.  Upon the execution of the Pricing Agreement applicable to any
Designated Shares and authorization by the Representatives of the release of the
Firm Shares, the several Underwriters propose to offer the Firm Shares for sale
upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus as amended or
supplemented.

     The Company may specify in the Pricing Agreement applicable to any
Designated Shares that the Company thereby grants to the Underwriters the right
(an "Over-allotment Option") to purchase at their election up to the number of
Optional Shares set forth in such Pricing Agreement, on the terms set forth in
the paragraph above, for the sole purpose of covering over-allotments in the
sale of the Firm Shares.  Any such election to purchase Optional Shares may be
exercised by written notice from the Representatives to the Company, given
within a period specified in the Pricing Agreement, setting forth the aggregate
number of Optional Shares to be purchased and the date on which such Optional
Shares are to be delivered, as determined by the Representatives but in no event
earlier than the First Time of Delivery (as defined in Section 4 hereof) or,
unless the Representatives and the Company otherwise agree in writing, earlier
than or later than the 

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
respective number of business days after the date of such notice set forth in
such Pricing Agreement.

     The number of Optional Shares to be added to the number of Firm Shares to
be purchased by each Underwriter as set forth in Schedule I to the Pricing
Agreement applicable to such Designated Shares shall be, in each case, the
number of Optional Shares which the Company has been advised by the
Representatives have been attributed to such Underwriter; provided that, if the
Company has not been so advised, the number of Optional Shares to be so added
shall be, in each case, that proportion of Optional Shares which the number of
Firm Shares to be purchased by such Underwriter under such Pricing Agreement
bears to the aggregate number of Firm Shares (rounded as the Representatives may
determine to the nearest 100 shares).  The total number of Designated Shares to
be purchased by all the Underwriters pursuant to such Pricing Agreement shall be
the aggregate number of Firm Shares set forth in Schedule I to such Pricing
Agreement plus the aggregate number of Optional Shares which the Underwriters
elect to purchase.

     4.  Certificates for the Firm Shares and the Optional Shares to be
purchased by each Underwriter pursuant to the Pricing Agreement relating
thereto, in the form specified in such Pricing Agreement, and in such authorized
denominations and registered in such names as the Representatives may request
upon at least forty-eight hours' prior notice to the Company, shall be delivered
by or on behalf of the Company to the Representatives for the account of such
Underwriter, against payment by such Underwriter or on its behalf of the
purchase price therefor by wire transfer in federal (same day) funds, payable to
the order of the Company in the funds specified in such Pricing Agreement, (i)
with respect to the Firm Shares, all in the manner and at the place and time and
date specified in such Pricing Agreement or at such other place and time and
date as the Representatives and the Company may agree upon in writing, such time
and date being herein called the "First Time of Delivery" and (ii) with respect
to the Optional Shares, if any, in the manner and at the time and date specified
by the Representatives in the written notice given by the Representatives of the
Underwriters' election to purchase such Optional Shares, or at such other time
and date as the Representatives and the Company may agree upon in writing, such
time and date, if not the First Time of Delivery, herein called the "Second Time
of Delivery".  Each such time and date for delivery is herein called a "Time of
Delivery".

     5.  The Company agrees with each of the Underwriters of any Designated
Shares:

          (a) To prepare the Prospectus as amended or supplemented in relation
to the applicable Designated Shares in a form approved by the Representatives
and to file such Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act no later than
the Commission's 

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
close of business on the second business day following the execution and
delivery of the Pricing Agreement relating to the applicable Designated Shares
or, if applicable, such earlier time as may be required by Rule 424(b); to make
no further amendment or any supplement to the Registration Statement or
Prospectus as amended or supplemented after the date of the Pricing Agreement
relating to such Shares and prior to any Time of Delivery for such Shares which
shall be disapproved by the Representatives for such Shares promptly after
reasonable notice thereof; to advise the Representatives promptly of any such
amendment or supplement after any Time of Delivery for such Shares and furnish
the Representatives with copies thereof; to file promptly all reports and any
definitive proxy or information statements required to be filed by the Company
with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act for so long as the delivery of a prospectus is required in
connection with the offering or sale of such Shares, and during such same period
to advise the Representatives, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the
time when any amendment to the Registration Statement has been filed or becomes
effective or any supplement to the Prospectus or any amended Prospectus has been
filed with the Commission, of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order
or any order preventing or suspending the use of any prospectus relating to the
Shares, of the suspension of the qualification of such Shares for offering or
sale in any jurisdiction, of the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for
any such purpose, or of any request by the Commission for the amending or
supplementing of the Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional
information; and, in the event of the issuance of any such stop order or of any
such order preventing or suspending the use of any prospectus relating to the
Shares or suspending any such qualification, to promptly use its best efforts to
obtain the withdrawal of such order;

          (b) Promptly from time to time to take such action as the
Representatives may reasonably request to qualify such Shares for offering and
sale under the securities laws of such jurisdictions as the Representatives may
request and to comply with such laws so as to permit the continuance of sales
and dealings therein for as long as may be necessary to complete the
distribution of such Shares; provided, however, that in connection therewith the
Company shall not be required to qualify as a foreign corporation or to file a
general consent to service of process in any jurisdiction;

          (c) To furnish the Underwriters with copies of the Prospectus as
amended or supplemented in such quantities as the Representatives may from time
to time reasonably request, and, if the delivery of a prospectus is required at
any time in connection with the offering or sale of the Shares and if at such
time any event shall have occurred as a result of which the Prospectus as then
amended or supplemented would include an untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made when such
Prospectus is delivered, not misleading, or, if for any other reason it shall be
necessary during such same period to amend or supplement the Prospectus or 

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
to file under the Exchange Act any document incorporated by reference in the
Prospectus in order to comply with the Act or the Exchange Act, to notify the
Representatives and upon their request to file such document and to prepare and
furnish without charge to each Underwriter and to any dealer in securities as
many copies as the Representatives may from time to time reasonably request of
an amended Prospectus or a supplement to the Prospectus which will correct such
statement or omission or effect such compliance;

          (d) During the period beginning from the date of the Pricing Agreement
for such Designated Shares and continuing to and including the later of (i) the
termination of trading restrictions for such Designated Shares, as notified to
the Company by the Representatives and (ii) the last Time of Delivery for such
Designated Shares, not to offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise dispose of
any securities of the Company which are substantially similar to such Designated
Shares (other than pursuant to employee stock option plans existing on, or upon
the conversion of convertible or exchangeable securities outstanding as of, the
date of the Pricing Agreement for such Designated Shares), without the prior
written consent of the Representatives; and

          (e) To make generally available to its security holders as soon as
practicable, but in any event not later than eighteen months after the effective
date of the Registration Statement (as defined in Rule 158(c) under the Act), an
earnings statement of the Company and its subsidiaries (which need not be
audited) complying with Section 11(a) of the Act and the rules and regulations
of the Commission thereunder (including, at the option of the Company, Rule
158).

     6.  The Company covenants and agrees with the several Underwriters that the
Company will pay or cause to be paid the following: (i) the fees, disbursements
and expenses of the Company's counsel and accountants in connection with the
registration of the Shares under the Act and all other expenses in connection
with the preparation, printing and filing of the Registration Statement, any
Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and all other amendments and
supplements thereto and the mailing and delivering of copies thereof to the
Underwriters and dealers; (ii) the cost of printing and producing any Agreement
among Underwriters, this Agreement, any Pricing Agreement, any Blue Sky and
Legal Investment Memoranda, closing documents (including any compilations
thereof) and any other documents so long as such documents have been approved by
the Company in connection with the offering, purchase, sale and delivery of the
Shares; (iii) all expenses in connection with the qualification of the Shares
for offering and sale under state securities laws as provided in Section 5(b)
hereof, including the fees and disbursements of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver &
Jacobson in connection with such qualification and in connection with the Blue
Sky and legal investment surveys; (iv) any filing fees incident to, and the
reasonable fees and disbursements of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson in
connection with, any required review by the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. of the terms of the sale of the Shares; (v) the cost of preparing

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
the certificates for the Shares; (vi) the reasonable fees and expenses of any
transfer agent of registrar or dividend disbursing agent; and (vii) all other
costs and expenses incident to the performance of its obligations hereunder and
under any Over-allotment Options which are not otherwise specifically provided
for in this Section.  It is understood, however, that, except as provided in
this Section, and Sections 8 and 11 hereof, the Underwriters will pay all of
their own costs and expenses, including the fees of their counsel, transfer
taxes on resale of any of the Shares by them, and any advertising expenses
connected with any offers they may make.

     7.  The obligations of the Underwriters of any Designated Shares under the
Pricing Agreement relating to such Designated Shares shall be subject, in the
Representatives' discretion, to the condition that all representations and
warranties and other statements of the Company in or incorporated by reference
in the Pricing Agreement relating to such Designated Shares are true and correct
at and as of each Time of Delivery for such Designated Shares and the condition
that prior to such Time of Delivery the Company shall have performed all of its
obligations hereunder theretofore to be performed, and the following additional
conditions:

          (a) (i) The Prospectus as amended or supplemented in relation to the
applicable Designated Shares shall have been filed with the Commission pursuant
to Rule 424(b) under the Act within the applicable time period prescribed for
such filing by the rules and regulations under the Act and in accordance with
Section 5(a) hereof; (ii) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement or any part thereof shall have been issued and no
proceeding for that purpose shall have been initiated or threatened by the
Commission; and (iii) all requests for additional information on the part of the
Commission shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of the
Representatives;

          (b) Counsel for the Underwriters, shall have furnished to the
Representatives such opinion or opinions, dated each Time of Delivery, with
respect to the incorporation of the Company, the Shares, the Registration
Statement, the Prospectus, and such other related matters as the Representatives
may reasonably request, and such counsel shall have received such papers and
information as they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such
matters;

          (c) The General Counsel of the Company, or other counsel for the
Company satisfactory to the Representatives, shall have furnished to the
Representatives his written opinion (which may be limited to the laws of the
State of Maryland and, with respect to clauses (xiii) and (xiv) below, the
federal securities laws), dated each Time of Delivery in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives, to the effect that:

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
               (i) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly
     existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of
     Maryland, with corporate power and authority to own its properties and
     conduct its business as described in the Prospectus, as amended or
     supplemented;

               (ii) The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in
     the Prospectus as amended or supplemented, and all of the issued shares of
     capital stock of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and
     issued and are fully paid and non-assessable;

               (iii)  The Shares have been duly and validly authorized, and,
     when Firm Shares are issued and delivered against payment therefor pursuant
     to this Agreement and the Pricing Agreement with respect to such Designated
     Shares and, in the case of Optional Shares, pursuant to Over-allotment
     Options (as defined in Section 3 hereof) with respect to such Shares, such
     Designated Shares will be duly and validly issued and fully paid and non-
     assessable; the Shares conform to the description thereof contained in the
     Registration Statement and the Designated Shares will conform to the
     description thereof in the Prospectus as amended or supplemented with
     respect to such Designated Shares; and the Designated Shares will have the
     rights set forth in the Company's Articles of Incorporation, as then
     amended[, including any amendment effected by any Articles Supplementary
     relating to the Designated Shares]; the holders of outstanding capital
     stock of the Company are not entitled to preemptive or other rights
     afforded by the Company to subscribe for the Designated Shares;

               (iv) The Company has been duly qualified as a foreign corporation
     for the transaction of business and is in good standing under the laws of
     each other jurisdiction in which the failure so to qualify and maintain
     good standing would have a material adverse effect on the Company and its
     subsidiaries, taken as a whole (such counsel being entitled to rely in
     respect of the opinion in this clause upon opinions of local counsel and in
     respect of matters of fact upon certificates of officers of the Company);

               (v) Each Significant Subsidiary (as defined below) of the Company
     that is incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland has been duly
     incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing
     under the laws of the State of Maryland; and all of the issued shares of
     capital stock of each such subsidiary have been duly and validly authorized
     and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable, and are owned (with
     exceptions that are disclosed in the Prospectus or are not material to the
     Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole) directly or indirectly by
     the Company, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances or claims
     (collectively "Liens") except (i) Liens relating to debt which has been
     disclosed specifically,
                                       12
<PAGE>
 
     generally or in the aggregate in the Prospectus, as amended or
     supplemented, or incurred after the date of the latest audited financial
     statements included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus as
     amended or supplemented in the ordinary course of business (including
     financings), (ii) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business which
     are not materially adverse to the operations of the Company and its
     subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (iii) restrictions on the transfer or
     use of the stock of any subsidiary under any partnership, joint venture
     agreements or lease agreements to which the Company or any of its
     subsidiaries is a party (such counsel being entitled to rely in respect of
     the opinion in this clause upon opinions of local counsel and in respect of
     matters of fact upon certificates of officers of the Company or its
     subsidiaries, provided that such counsel shall state that he believes that
     both such Agent and he are justified in relying upon such opinions and
     certificates); "Significant Subsidiary" is defined to be any subsidiary of
     the Company that holds assets that have a value, on a current value basis,
     in excess of 3% of the Company's Total Common Stock and Other Shareholders'
     Equity, on a current value basis, as reported in the Company's most recent
     Annual Report on Form 10-K or Annual Report to Shareholders;

               (vi) To the best of such counsel's knowledge and other than as
     set forth in the Prospectus as amended or supplemented, there are no legal
     or governmental proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its
     subsidiaries is a party or of which any property of the Company or any of
     its subsidiaries is the subject which is likely, individually or in the
     aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on the Company and its
     subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and, to the best of such counsel's
     knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened or contemplated by
     governmental authorities or threatened by others;

               (vii)  This Agreement and the Pricing Agreement with respect to
     the Designated Shares have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by
     the Company;

               (viii)  The Designated Shares have been duly authorized;

               (ix) To the best of such counsel's knowledge, the issue and sale
     of the Designated Shares being delivered at such Time of Delivery and the
     compliance by the Company with all of the provisions of this Agreement and
     the Pricing Agreement with respect to the Designated Shares, and the
     consummation of the transactions herein and therein contemplated will not
     conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or
     provisions of, or constitute a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed
     of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument known to such
     counsel to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by
     which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound 

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
     or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its
     subsidiaries is subject except for any such conflict, breach, violation or
     default which does not have a material adverse effect on the Company and
     its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, nor will such actions result in any
     violation of the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of
     the Company or any statute or any order, rule or regulation known to such
     counsel of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction
     over the Company or any of its properties;

               (x) To the best of such counsel's knowledge, no consent,
     approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with
     any court or governmental agency or body is required for the issue and sale
     of the Designated Shares being delivered at such Time of Delivery or the
     consummation by the Company of the other transactions contemplated by this
     Agreement or such Pricing Agreement, except such as have been obtained
     under the Act and such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations
     or qualifications as may be required under state securities or Blue Sky
     laws in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Designated
     Shares by the Underwriters;

               (xi) The Designated Shares will conform, in all material respects
     to the descriptions thereof contained in the Prospectus as amended or
     supplemented;

               (xii)  The Company is not an "investment company" or an entity
     "controlled" by an "investment company", as such terms are defined in the
     Investment Company Act;

               (xiii)  The documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus
     as amended or supplemented (other than the financial statements and related
     notes and schedules therein and other financial data included therein or
     omitted therefrom, as to which such counsel need express no opinion), when
     they were filed with the Commission appear on their face to be
     appropriately responsive, in all material respects, to the requirements of
     the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission
     thereunder; and nothing has come to such counsel's attention to cause such
     counsel to believe that any of such documents, when they were so filed
     contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a
     material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the
     light of the circumstances under which they were made when such documents
     were so filed, not misleading; and

               (xiv)  Nothing has come to such counsel's attention to cause such
     counsel to believe that, as of its effective date, the Registration
     Statement or any further amendment or supplement thereto made by the
     Company prior to such 

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
     Time of Delivery (other than the financial statements and related notes and
     schedules therein and other financial data included therein or excluded
     therefrom, as to which such counsel need express no opinion) contained an
     untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact
     required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
     not misleading or that, as of the date of such opinion, the Prospectus as
     amended or supplemented or any further amendment or supplement thereto made
     by the Company prior to the Time of Delivery (other than the financial
     statements and related notes and schedules therein and other financial data
     included therein or excluded therefrom, as to which such counsel need
     express no opinion) contained an untrue statement of a material fact or
     omitted to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein,
     in light of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading; and
     such counsel does not know of any amendment to the Registration Statement
     required to be filed or any contracts or other documents of a character
     required to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or
     required to be incorporated by reference into the Prospectus as amended or
     supplemented or required to be described in the Registration Statement or
     the Prospectus as amended or supplemented which are not filed or
     incorporated by reference or described as required.

          (d) Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson, special counsel for the
Company, or other counsel for the Company satisfactory to the Representatives,
shall have furnished to the Representatives their written opinion (which will be
limited to the laws of the State of New York and federal laws and may rely on an
opinion of Bruce I. Rothschild, or other counsel for the Company reasonably
satisfactory to the Representatives, as to the laws of the State of Maryland),
dated the Time of Delivery in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Representatives, to the effect that at the time the Registration Statement was
declared effective by the Commission, the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus (other than (a) the financial statements, notes and schedules
thereto, (b) other financial data and statistical information included therein,
and (c) the documents incorporated by reference therein, as to which such
counsel need not express an opinion), appeared on their face to be responsive as
to form in all material respects to the requirements of the Act and the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder;

          (e) On the date of the Pricing Agreement for such Designated Shares at
a time prior to the execution of the Pricing Agreement with respect to such
Designated Shares and at such Time of Delivery for such Designated Shares, the
independent certified public accountants of the Company who have certified the
financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries included or
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, as amended or
supplemented, or such other independent certified 

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
public accountants as are reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives, shall
have furnished to the Representatives a letter, dated the effective date of the
Registration Statement or the date of the most recent report filed with the
Commission containing financial statements and incorporated by reference in the
Registration Statement, if the date of such report is later than such effective
date, and a letter dated such Time of Delivery, respectively, to the effect set
forth in Annex II hereto, and with respect to such letter dated such Time of
Delivery, as to such other matters as the Representatives may reasonably request
and in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives;

          (f) (i)  The Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, have not
sustained since the date of the latest audited financial statements included or
incorporated by reference in the Prospectus as amended or supplemented prior to
the date of the Pricing Agreement relating to the Designated Shares any material
loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other
calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or
court or governmental action, order or decree, otherwise than as set forth or
contemplated in the Prospectus as amended or supplemented prior to the date of
the Pricing Agreement relating to the Designated Shares and (ii) since the
respective dates as of which information is given in the Prospectus as amended
or supplemented prior to the date of the Pricing Agreement relating to the
Designated Shares there shall not have been any change in the capital stock
(other than issuances of capital stock pursuant to bonus stock awards granted in
the ordinary course of business or upon exercise of options and stock
appreciation rights and upon conversion of convertible securities, in each case,
except with respect to bonus stock awards granted in the ordinary course of
business which were outstanding as of the date of the latest audited financial
statements included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus as amended or
supplemented prior to the date of the Pricing Agreement relating to the
Designated Shares) or any material adverse change in the long-term debt of the
Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or any material adverse change,
or any development involving a prospective material adverse change, in or
affecting the general affairs, management, current value basis shareholders'
equity or results of operations (based on Earnings Before Depreciation and
Deferred Taxes from Operations) of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a
whole, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus as first
amended or supplemented relating to the Designated Shares, the effect of which,
in any such case described in clause (i) or (ii), is in the judgment of the
Representatives so material and adverse as to make it impracticable or
inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the delivery of the
Designated Shares on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus
as first amended or supplemented prior to the date of the Pricing Agreement
relating to the Designated Shares;

          (g) On or after the date hereof (i) no downgrading shall have occurred
in the rating accorded the Company's debt securities by any "nationally
recognized statistical 

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
rating organization", as that term is defined by the Commission for purposes of
Rule 436(g)(2) under the Act and (ii) no such organization shall have publicly
announced that it has under surveillance or review, with possible negative
implications, its rating of any of the Company's debt securities;

          (h) On or after the date of the Pricing Agreement relating to the
Designated Shares there shall not have occurred any of the following: (i) a
suspension or material limitation in trading in securities generally on the New
York Stock Exchange; (ii) a general moratorium on commercial banking activities
in New York declared by either federal or New York State authorities; or (iii)
the outbreak or escalation of hostilities involving the United States or the
declaration by the United States of a national emergency or war, if the effect
of any such event specified in this clause (iii) in the Representatives'
reasonable judgment makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the
public offering or the delivery of the Firm Shares or Optional Shares or both on
the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus as first amended or
supplemented relating to the Designated Shares; 

          (i) The Shares at each Time of Delivery shall have been duly listed,
subject to notice of issuance, on the New York Stock Exchange; and

          (j) The Company shall have furnished or caused to be furnished to the
Representatives at each Time of Delivery for the Designated Shares a certificate
or certificates of officers of the Company in such form and executed by such
officers of the Company as shall be satisfactory to the Representatives, as to
the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company herein at and
as of such Time of Delivery, as to the performance by the Company of all of its
obligations hereunder to be performed at or prior to such Time of Delivery, as
to the matters set forth in subsections (a) and (f) of this Section, and as to
such other matters as the Representatives may reasonably request.

     8.  (a)  The Company will indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter
against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which
such Underwriter may become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out
of or are based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, any preliminary
prospectus supplement, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus as amended or
supplemented and any other prospectus relating to the Shares, or any amendment
or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and will reimburse each
Underwriter for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such
Underwriter in connection with investigating or defending any such action or
claim as 

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the Company shall not be
liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or
liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission made in any Preliminary Prospectus,
any preliminary prospectus supplement, the Registration Statement, the
Prospectus as amended or supplemented and any other prospectus relating to the
Shares, or any such amendment or supplement, in reliance upon and in conformity
with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter of
Designated Shares through the Representatives expressly for use in the
Prospectus as amended or supplemented relating to such Shares.

          (b) Each Underwriter will indemnify and hold harmless the Company
against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Company may
become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims,
damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based
upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus supplement,
the Registration Statement, the Prospectus as amended or supplemented and any
other prospectus relating to the Shares, or any amendment or supplement thereto,
or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the
extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or
alleged omission was made in any Preliminary Prospectus, any preliminary
prospectus supplement, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus as amended or
supplemented and any other prospectus relating to the Shares, or any such
amendment or supplement, in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information furnished to the Company by such Underwriter through the
Representatives expressly for use therein; and will reimburse the Company for
any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company in connection
with investigating or defending any such action or claim as such expenses are
incurred.

          (c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under subsection
(a) or (b) above of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified
party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the
indemnifying party under such subsection, notify the indemnifying party in
writing of the commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the
indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to
any indemnified party otherwise than under such subsection.  In case any such
action shall be brought against any indemnified party and it shall notify the
indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party shall be
entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it shall wish, jointly
with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense
thereof, with counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall not,
except with the consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying
party), and, after notice from the 

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the
defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified
party under such subsection for any legal expenses of other counsel or any other
expenses, in each case subsequently incurred by such indemnified party, in
connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of
investigation. If the indemnifying party does not assume the defense of such
action, it is understood that the indemnifying party shall not, in connection
with any one such action or separate but substantially similar or related
actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or
circumstances, be liable for the fees and expenses of more than one separate
firm of attorneys (in addition to one separate firm of local attorneys in each
such jurisdiction) at any time for all such indemnified parties, which firms
shall be designated in writing by you, if the indemnified parties under this
Section consist of any Underwriter of Designated Shares or any of its respective
controlling persons, or by the Company, if the indemnified parties under this
Section consist of the Company or any of its directors, officers, administrative
trustees or controlling persons. The indemnifying party shall not be liable for
any settlement of an action or claim for monetary damages which an indemnified
party may effect without the consent of the indemnifying party, which consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld. No indemnifying party shall, without the
written consent of the indemnified party, effect the settlement or compromise
of, or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to, any pending or
threatened action or claim in respect of which indemnification or contribution
may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified party is an actual or
potential party to such action or claim), unless such settlement, compromise or
judgment (i) includes an unconditional release of the indemnified party from all
liability arising out of such action or claim and (ii) does not include a
statement as to, or an admission of, fault, culpability or a failure to act, by
or on behalf of any indemnified party.

          (d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is
unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under
subsection (a) or (b) above in respect of any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to therein, then each
indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such
indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or
actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the
relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters
of the Designated Shares on the other from the offering of the Designated Shares
to which such loss, claim, damage or liability (or action in respect thereof)
relates.

          If, however, the allocation provided by the immediately preceding
sentence is not permitted by applicable law or if the indemnified party failed
to give the notice required under subsection (c) above, then each indemnifying
party shall contribute to such amount paid or payable by such indemnified party
in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits
but also the relative fault of the 

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
Company on the one hand and the Underwriters of the Designated Shares on the
other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof), as well
as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits received
by the Company on the one hand and such Underwriters on the other shall be
deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from such offering
(before deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to the total
commissions or discounts received by such Underwriters in respect thereof. The
relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether
the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or
alleged omission to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading relates to
information supplied by the Company on the one hand or by any such Underwriters
on the other and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information
and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission. The Company
and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contribution pursuant to this subsection (d) were determined by pro rata
allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such
purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the
equitable considerations referred to above in this subsection (d). The amount
paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims,
damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to above in this
subsection (d) shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably
incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending
any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (d),
no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the
amount by which the total public offering price at which the applicable
Designated Shares underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered
to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such Underwriter has
otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be
entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation. The obligations of the Underwriters of Designated Shares in
this subsection (d) to contribute are several in proportion to their respective
underwriting obligations with respect to such Shares and not joint.

          (e) The obligations of the Company under this Section 8 shall be in
addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have and shall extend,
upon the same terms and conditions, to each person, if any, who controls any
Underwriter within the meaning of the Act; and the obligations of the
Underwriters under this Section 8 shall be in addition to any liability which
the respective Underwriters may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same
terms and conditions, to each officer and director of the Company and to each
person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Act.

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
     9.  (a)  If any Underwriter shall default in its obligation to purchase the
Firm Shares or Optional Shares which it has agreed to purchase under the Pricing
Agreement relating to such Shares, the Representatives may in their discretion
arrange for themselves or another party or other parties to purchase such Shares
on the terms contained herein.  If within thirty-six hours after such default by
any Underwriter the Representatives do not arrange for the purchase of such Firm
Shares or Optional Shares, as the case may be, then the Company shall be
entitled to a further period of thirty-six hours within which to procure another
party or other parties satisfactory to the Representatives to purchase such
Shares on such terms.  In the event that, within the respective prescribed
period, the Representatives notify the Company that they have so arranged for
the purchase of such Shares, or the Company notifies the Representatives that it
has so arranged for the purchase of such Shares, the Representatives or the
Company shall have the right to postpone a Time of Delivery for such Shares for
a period of not more than seven days, in order to effect whatever changes may
thereby be made necessary in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus as
amended or supplemented, or in any other documents or arrangements, and the
Company agrees to file promptly any amendments or supplements to the
Registration Statement or the Prospectus which in the opinion of the
Representatives may thereby be made necessary.  The term "Underwriter" as used
in this Agreement shall include any person substituted under this Section with
like effect as if such person had originally been a party to the Pricing
Agreement with respect to such Designated Shares.

          (b) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of
the Firm Shares or Optional Shares, as the case may be, of a defaulting
Underwriter or Underwriters by the Representatives and the Company as provided
in subsection (a) above, the aggregate number of such Shares which remains
unpurchased does not exceed one-eleventh of the number of Firm Shares or
Optional Shares, as the case may be, to be purchased at the respective Time of
Delivery, then the Company shall have the right to require each non-defaulting
Underwriter to purchase the number of Firm Shares or Optional Shares, as the
case may be, which such Underwriter agreed to purchase under the Pricing
Agreement relating to such Designated Shares and, in addition, to require each
non-defaulting Underwriter to purchase its pro-rata share (based on the number
of Firm Shares or Optional Shares, as the case may be, which such Underwriter
agreed to purchase under such Pricing Agreement) of the Firm Shares or Optional
Shares, as the case may be, of such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters for
which such arrangements have not been made; but nothing herein shall relieve a
defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default.

          (c) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of
the Firm Shares or Optional Shares, as the case may be, of a defaulting
Underwriter or Underwriters by the Representatives and the Company as provided
in subsection (a) above, the aggregate number of Firm Shares or Optional Shares,
as the case may be, 

                                       21
<PAGE>
 
which remains unpurchased exceeds one-eleventh of the aggregate number of Firm
Shares or Optional Shares, as the case may be, to be purchased at the respective
Time of Delivery as referred to in subsection (b) above, or if the Company shall
not exercise the right described in subsection (b) above to require non-
defaulting Underwriters to purchase the Firm Shares of Optional Shares, as the
case may be, of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters, then the Pricing
Agreement relating to such Firm Shares or the Over-allotment Option relating to
such Optional Shares, as the case may be, shall thereupon terminate, without
liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter or the Company, except
for the expenses to be borne by the Company and the Underwriters as provided in
Section 6 hereof and the indemnity and contribution agreements in Section 8
hereof; but nothing herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter from liability
for its default.

     10.  The respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties
and other statements of the Company and the several Underwriters, as set forth
in this Agreement or made by or on behalf of them, respectively, pursuant to
this Agreement, shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any
investigation (or any statement as to the results thereof) made by or on behalf
of any Underwriter or any controlling person of any Underwriter, or the Company,
or any officer or director or controlling person of the Company, and shall
survive delivery of and payment for the Shares.

     11.  If any Pricing Agreement or Over-allotment Option shall be terminated
pursuant to Section 9 hereof, the Company shall not then be under any liability
to any Underwriter with respect to the Firm Shares or Optional Shares covered by
such Pricing Agreement except as provided in Sections 6 and 8 hereof; but, if
for any other reason, Designated Shares are not delivered by or on behalf of the
Company as provided herein, the Company will reimburse the Underwriters through
the Representatives for all out-of-pocket expenses approved in writing by the
Representatives, including fees and disbursements of counsel, reasonably
incurred by the Underwriters in making preparations for the purchase, sale and
delivery of such Designated Shares, but the Company shall then be under no
further liability to any Underwriter with respect to such Designated Shares
except as provided in Sections 6 and 8 hereof.

     12.  In all dealings hereunder, the Representatives of the Underwriters of
Designated Shares shall act on behalf of each of such Underwriters, and the
parties hereto shall be entitled to act and rely upon any statement, request,
notice or agreement on behalf of any Underwriter made or given by such
Representatives jointly or by such of the Representatives, if any, as may be
designated for such purpose in the Pricing Agreement.

     All statements, requests, notices and agreements hereunder shall be in
writing, and if to the Underwriters shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or
facsimile transmission to 

                                       22
<PAGE>
 
the address of the Representatives as set forth in the Pricing Agreement; and if
to the Company shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile
transmission to the address of the Company set forth in the Registration
Statement, Attention: Secretary; provided, however, that any notice to an
Underwriter pursuant to Section 8(c) hereof shall be delivered or sent by mail,
telex or facsimile transmission to such Underwriter at its address set forth in
its Underwriters' Questionnaire, or telex constituting such Questionnaire, which
address will be supplied to the Company by the Representatives upon request. Any
such statements, requests, notices or agreements shall take effect upon receipt
thereof.

     13.  This Agreement and each Pricing Agreement shall be binding upon, and
inure solely to the benefit of, the Underwriters, the Company and, to the extent
provided in Sections 8 and 10 hereof, the officers and directors of the Company
and each person who controls the Company or any Underwriter, and their
respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, and no
other person shall acquire or have any right under or by virtue of this
Agreement or any such Pricing Agreement.  No purchaser of any of the Shares from
any Underwriter shall be deemed a successor or assign by reason merely of such
purchase.

     14.  Time shall be of the essence of each Pricing Agreement.  As used
herein, "business day" shall mean any day when the Commission's office in
Washington, D.C.  is open for business.

     15.  THIS AGREEMENT AND EACH PRICING AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

     16.  This Agreement and each Pricing Agreement may be executed by any one
or more of the parties hereto and thereto in any number of counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such respective counterparts
shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    THE ROUSE COMPANY



                                    By:
                                       ---------------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

                                       23
<PAGE>
 
                                                                         ANNEX 1


                               Pricing Agreement
                               -----------------

                                                        _________________, 199__

[Name(s) of Representative(s)]
  As Representatives of the several
  Underwriters-named in Schedule I hereto


Ladies and Gentlemen:

     The Rouse Company, a Maryland corporation (the "Company"), proposes,
subject to the terms and conditions stated herein and in the Underwriting
Agreement, dated ____________, 199__ (the "Underwriting Agreement"), to issue
and sell to the Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto (the "Underwriters") the
Shares specified in Schedule II hereto (the "Designated Shares" consisting of
Firm Shares and any Optional Shares the Underwriters may elect to purchase).
Each of the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety, and shall be deemed to be a part of this Agreement to
the same extent as if such provisions had been set forth in full herein, and
each of the representations and warranties set forth therein shall be deemed to
have been made at and as of the date of this Pricing Agreement, except that each
representation and warranty which refers to the Prospectus in Section 2 of the
Underwriting Agreement shall be deemed to be a representation or warranty as of
the date of the Underwriting Agreement in relation to the Prospectus (as therein
defined), and also a representation and warranty as of the date of this Pricing
Agreement in relation to the Prospectus as amended or supplemented relating to
the Designated Shares which are the subject of this Pricing Agreement.  Each
reference to the Representatives herein and in the provisions of the
Underwriting Agreement so incorporated by reference shall be deemed to refer to
you.  Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Underwriting
Agreement are used herein as therein defined.  The Representatives designated to
act on behalf of the Representatives and on behalf of the Underwriters of the
Designated Shares pursuant to Section 12 of the Underwriting Agreement and the
address of the Representatives referred to in such Section 12 are set forth at
the end of Schedule II hereto.

     An amendment to the Registration Statement, or a supplement to the
Prospectus, as the case may be, relating to the Designated Shares, in the form
heretofore delivered to you is now proposed to be filed with the Commission.

     Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the
Underwriting Agreement incorporated herein by reference, (a) the Company agrees
to issue and sell to each of the Underwriters, and each of the Underwriters
agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company, at the time and
place and at the purchase price to the 
<PAGE>
 
Underwriters set forth in Schedule II hereto, the number of Firm Shares set
forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule I hereto and, (b) in the
event and to the extent that the Underwriters shall exercise the election to
purchase Optional Shares, as provided below, the Company agrees to issue and
sell to each of the Underwriters, and each of the Underwriters agrees, severally
and not jointly, to purchase from the Company at the purchase price to the
Underwriters set forth in Schedule II hereto that portion of the number of
Optional Shares as to which such election shall have been exercised.

     The Company hereby grants to each of the Underwriters the right to purchase
at their election up to the number of Optional Shares set forth opposite the
name of such Underwriter in Schedule I hereto on the terms referred to in the
paragraph above for the sole purpose of covering over-allotments in the sale of
the Firm Shares.  Any such election to purchase Optional Shares may be exercised
by written notice from the Representatives to the Company given within a period
of 30 calendar days after the date of this Pricing Agreement, setting forth the
aggregate number of Optional Shares to be purchased and the date on which such
Optional Shares are to be delivered, as determined by the Representatives, but
in no event earlier than the First Time of Delivery or, unless the
Representatives and the Company otherwise agree in writing, no earlier than two
or later than ten business days after the date of such notice.

     If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and
return to us [one for the Company and one for each of the Representatives plus
one for each counsel] counterparts hereof, and upon acceptance hereof by you, on
behalf of each of the Underwriters, this letter and such acceptance hereof,
including the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement incorporated herein by
reference, shall constitute a binding agreement between each of the Underwriters
and the Company.

     It is understood that your acceptance of this letter on behalf of each of
the Underwriters is or will be pursuant to the authority set forth in a form of
Agreement

                                      I-2
<PAGE>
 
among Underwriters, the form of which shall be submitted to the Company for
examination, upon request, but without warranty on the part of the
Representatives as to the authority of the signers thereof.

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    THE ROUSE COMPANY



                                    By:
                                       ------------------------------
                                       Name:
                                       Title:

Accepted as of the date hereof:

[Name(s) of Representatives]

By:
   ------------------------------
   Name:
   Title:

On behalf of each of the Underwriters

                                      I-3
<PAGE>
 
                                                                         ANNEX 1

                                   SCHEDULE I
                                   ----------

                                                  Maximum Number of
                             Number of Firm       Optional Shares 
                               Shares to            Which May be
Underwriter                   be Purchased           Purchased
- -----------                  ---------------      -----------------
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                             ---------------      ----------------- 
Total.................       ===============      =================
<PAGE>
 
                                                                         ANNEX 1

                                  SCHEDULE II
                                  -----------

Title of Designated Shares:

Number of Designated Shares:

  Number of Firm Shares:

  Maximum Number of Optional Shares:

Initial Offering Price to Public:

  [$........ per Share] [Formula]

Purchase Price by Underwriters:

  [$........ per Share] [Formula]

[Commission Payable to Underwriters:

$........ per Share in [specify same form of funds as in Specified Funds below]]

Form of Designated Shares:

Definitive form, to be made available for checking [and packaging] at least
twenty-four hours prior to the Time of Delivery at the office of [The Depository
Trust Company or its designated custodian] [the Representatives]

Specified Funds for Payment of Purchase Price:

[New York] Clearing House (next day) funds

[Describe any blackout provisions with respect to the Designated Shares]

Time of Delivery:

 ......... a.m. (New York City time), .................., 19..

Closing Location:

Names and Addresses of Representatives:

  Designated Representatives:

  Address for Notices, etc.:

[Other Terms]*:


- ----------
*        A description of particular tax, accounting or other unusual features
(including any event risk provisions) of the Designated Shares should be set
forth, or referenced to an attached or accompanying description, if necessary,
to ensure agreement as to the terms of the Designated Shares to be purchased and
sold.  Such a description might appropriately be in the form in which such
features will be described in the Prospectus Supplement for the offering.
<PAGE>
 
                                                                        ANNEX II
<PAGE>
 
                                                                        ANNEX II

                              Accountants' Letter
                              -------------------

     Pursuant to Section 7(d) of the Underwriting Agreement, the Company's
independent certified public accountants shall furnish letters to the effect
that:

               (i) They are independent certified public accountants with
     respect to  the Company and its subsidiaries within the meaning of the Act
     and the  applicable published rules and regulations thereunder;

               (ii) In their opinion, the financial statements and any
     supplementary  financial information and schedules audited (and, if
     applicable, financial  forecasts and/or pro forma financial information)
     examined by them and  included or incorporated by reference in the
     Registration Statement or the  Prospectus comply as to form in all material
     respects with the applicable  accounting requirements of the Act or the
     Exchange Act, as applicable, and  the related published rules and
     regulations thereunder; and, if applicable,  they have made a review in
     accordance with standards established by the  American Institute of
     Certified Public Accountants of the consolidated  interim financial
     statements, selected financial data, pro forma financial  information,
     financial forecasts and/or condensed financial statements  derived from
     audited financial statements of the Company for the periods  specified in
     such letter, as indicated in their reports thereon, copies of  which have
     been [separately] furnished to the Representatives [and are  attached
     hereto];

               (iii)  They have made a review in accordance with standards
     established  by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants of
     the unaudited  condensed consolidated statements of income, consolidated
     balance sheets  and consolidated statements of cash flows included in the
     Prospectus and/or  included in the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q
     incorporated by  reference into the Prospectus as indicated in their
     reports thereon copies  of which [have been separately furnished to the
     Representatives] [are  attached hereto]; and on the basis of specified
     procedures including  inquiries of officials of the Company who have
     responsibility for financial  and accounting matters regarding whether the
     unaudited condensed  consolidated financial statements referred to in
     paragraph (vi)(A)(i) below  comply as to form in all material respects with
     the applicable accounting  requirements of the [Act and the Exchange] Act
     and the related published  rules and regulations, nothing came to their
     attention that caused them to  believe that the unaudited condensed
     consolidated financial statements do  not comply as to form in all material
     respects with the applicable  accounting requirements of the [Act and the
     Exchange] Act and the related  published rules and regulations;
<PAGE>
 
               (iv) The unaudited selected financial information with respect to
     the  consolidated results of operations and financial position of the
     Company  for the five most recent fiscal years included in the Prospectus
     and  included or incorporated by reference in Item 6 of the Company's
     Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year agrees with the
     corresponding amounts (after restatement where applicable) in the audited
     consolidated financial statements for five such fiscal years which were
     included or incorporated by reference in the Company's Annual Reports on
     Form 10-K for  such fiscal years;

               (v) They have compared the information in the Prospectus under
     selected  captions with the disclosure requirements of Regulation S-K and
     on the  basis of limited procedures specified in such letter nothing came
     to their  attention as a result of the foregoing procedures that caused
     them to  believe that this information does not conform in all material
     respects  with the disclosure requirements of Items 301, 302, 402 and
     503(d),  respectively, of Regulation S-K;

               (vi) On the basis of limited procedures, not constituting an
     examination  in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards,
     consisting of a  reading of the unaudited financial statements and other
     information  referred to below, a reading of the latest available interim
     financial  statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, inspection of
     the minute  books of the Company and its subsidiaries since the date of the
     latest  audited financial statements included or incorporated by reference
     in the  Prospectus, inquiries of officials of the Company and its
     subsidiaries  responsible for financial and accounting matters and such
     other inquiries  and procedures as may be specified in such letter, nothing
     came to their  attention that caused them to believe that:

                    (A) (i) the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of
          income, consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of
          cash flows included in the Prospectus and/or included or incorporated
          by reference in the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q
          incorporated by reference in the Prospectus do not comply as to form
          in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements
          of the Exchange Act and the related published rules and regulations,
          or (ii) any material modifications should be made to the unaudited
          condensed consolidated statements of income, consolidated balance
          sheets and consolidated statements of cash flows included in the
          Prospectus or included in the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q
          incorporated by reference in the Prospectus for them to be in
          conformity with generally accepted accounting principles;

                                      II-2
<PAGE>
 
                    (B) any other unaudited income statement data and balance
          sheet  items included in the Prospectus do not agree with the
          corresponding  items in the unaudited consolidated financial
          statements from which  such data and items were derived, and any such
          unaudited data and  items were not determined on a basis substantially
          consistent with the  basis for the corresponding amounts in the
          audited consolidated  financial statements included or incorporated by
          reference in the  Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most
          recent fiscal year;

                    (C) the unaudited financial statements which were not
          included  in the Prospectus but from which were derived the unaudited
          condensed  financial statements referred to in clause (A) and any
          unaudited  income statement data and balance sheet items included in
          the  Prospectus and referred to in Clause (B) were not determined on a
          basis substantially consistent with the basis for the audited
          financial statements included or incorporated by reference in  the
          Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal  year;

                    (D) any unaudited pro forma consolidated condensed financial
          statements included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus do
          not comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable
          accounting requirements of the Act and the published rules and
          regulations thereunder or the pro forma adjustments have not been
          properly applied to the historical amounts in the compilation of those
          statements;

                    (E) as of a specified date (where practicable not more than
          five days prior to the date of such letter), there have been any
          changes in the consolidated capital stock (other than issuances of
          capital stock upon exercise of options and stock appreciation rights,
          upon earn-outs of performance shares and upon conversions of
          convertible securities, in each case which were outstanding on the
          date of the latest balance sheet included or incorporated by reference
          in the Prospectus) or any increase in excess of 1% in the consolidated
          long-term debt of the Company and its subsidiaries, or any decreases
          in consolidated net current assets or other items specified by the
          Representatives, or any increases in any items specified by the
          Representatives, in each case as compared with amounts shown in the
          latest balance sheet included or incorporated by reference in the
          Prospectus, except in each case for changes, increases or decreases
          which the Prospectus discloses have occurred or may occur or which are
          described in such letter; and

                                      II-3
<PAGE>
 
                    (F) for the period from the date of the latest financial
          statements included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus to
          the specified date referred to in Clause (E) there were any decreases
          in consolidated earnings before depreciation and deferred taxes from
          operations or other items specified by the Representatives, or any
          increases in any items specified by the Representatives, in each case
          as compared with the comparable period of the preceding year and with
          any other period of corresponding length specified by the
          Representatives, except in each case for increases or decreases which
          the Prospectus discloses have occurred or may occur or which are
          described in such letter; and

               (vii)  In addition to the audit referred to in their report(s)
     included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus and the limited
     procedures, inspection of minute books, inquiries and other procedures
     referred to in paragraphs (iii) and (vi) above, they have carried out
     certain specified procedures, not constituting an audit in accordance with
     generally accepted auditing standards, with respect to certain amounts,
     percentages and financial information specified by the Representatives
     which are derived from the general accounting records of the Company and
     its subsidiaries, which appear in the Prospectus (excluding documents
     incorporated by reference), or in Part II of, or in exhibits and schedules
     to, the Registration Statement specified by the Representatives or in
     documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus specified by the
     Representatives, and have compared certain of such amounts, percentages and
     financial information with the accounting records of the Company and its
     subsidiaries and have found them to be in agreement.

     All references in this Annex II to the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer
to the Prospectus (including the documents incorporated by reference therein) as
defined in the Underwriting Agreement as of the date of the letter delivered on
the date of the Pricing Agreement for purposes of such letter and to the
Prospectus as amended or supplemented (including the documents incorporated by
reference therein) in relation to the applicable Designated Shares for purposes
of the letter delivered at the Time of Delivery for such Designated Shares.

                                      II-4

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 1.2

                               THE ROUSE COMPANY

                                DEBT SECURITIES

                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
                                                              ____________, 199_

To the Representatives of the
several Underwriters named in the
respective Pricing Agreements
hereinafter described.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     From time to time The Rouse Company, a Maryland corporation (the
"Company"), proposes to enter into one or more Pricing Agreements (each a
"Pricing Agreement") in the form of Annex I hereto, with such additions and
deletions as the parties thereto may determine, and, subject to the terms and
conditions stated herein and therein, to issue and sell to the firms named in
Schedule I to the applicable Pricing Agreement (such firms constituting the
"Underwriters" with respect to such Pricing Agreement and the securities
specified therein) certain of its debt securities (the "Securities") specified
in Schedule II to such Pricing Agreement (with respect to such Pricing
Agreement, the "Designated Securities").

     The terms and rights of any particular issuance of Designated Securities
shall be as specified in the Pricing Agreement relating thereto and in or
pursuant to the indenture (the "Indenture") identified in such Pricing
Agreement.

     1.  Particular sales of Designated Securities may be made from time to time
to the Underwriters of such Securities, for whom the firms designated as
representatives of the Underwriters of such Securities in the Pricing Agreement
relating thereto will act as representatives (the "Representatives").  The term
"Representatives" also refers to a single firm acting as sole representative of
the Underwriters and to an Underwriter or Underwriters who act without any firm
being designated as its or their representatives.  This Underwriting Agreement
shall not be construed as an obligation of the Company to sell any of the
Securities or as an obligation of any of the Underwriters to purchase the
Securities.  The obligation of the Company to issue and sell any of the
Securities and the obligation of any of the Underwriters to purchase any of the
Securities shall be evidenced by the Pricing Agreement with respect to the
Designated Securities specified therein.  Each Pricing Agreement shall specify
the aggregate principal amount of such Designated Securities, the initial public
offering price of such Designated Securities, the purchase price to the
Underwriters of 
<PAGE>
 
such Designated Securities, the names of the Underwriters of such Designated
Securities, the names of the Representatives of such Underwriters and the
principal amount of such Designated Securities to be purchased by each
Underwriter and shall set forth the date, time and manner of delivery of such
Designated Securities and payment therefor. The Pricing Agreement shall also
specify (to the extent not set forth in the Indenture and the registration
statement and prospectus with respect thereto) the terms of such Designated
Securities. A Pricing Agreement shall be in the form of an executed writing
(which may be in counterparts), and may be evidenced by an exchange of
telegraphic communications or any other rapid transmission device designed to
produce a written record of communications transmitted. The obligations of the
Underwriters under this Agreement and each Pricing Agreement shall be several
and not joint.

     2.  The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, each of the
Underwriters that:

          (a) A registration statement on Form S-3 (File No.  333-_____) (the
"Initial Registration Statement") in respect of the Securities has been filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"); the Initial Registration
Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, each in the form heretofore
delivered or to be delivered to the Representatives, excluding exhibits to such
registration statement, but including all documents incorporated by reference in
the prospectus included therein, have been declared effective by the Commission
in such form; other than a registration statement, if any, increasing the size
of the offering (a "Rule 462(b) Registration Statement") filed pursuant to Rule
462(b) of the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Act which became
effective upon filing, no other document with respect to such registration
statement or document incorporated by reference therein has heretofore been
filed or transmitted for filing with the Commission (other than the prospectuses
filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the rules and regulations of the Commission
under the Act, each in the form heretofore delivered to the Representatives);
and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Initial Registration
Statement, any post-effective amendment thereto or the Rule 462(b) Registration
Statement, if any, has been issued and no proceeding for that purpose has been
initiated or threatened by the Commission (any preliminary prospectus included
in the Initial Registration Statement or filed with the Commission pursuant to
Rule 424(a) of the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Act, is
hereinafter called a "Preliminary Prospectus"; the various parts of the Initial
Registration Statement and the 462(b) Registration Statement, if any, including
all exhibits thereto and including (i) the information contained in the form of
final prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the rules
and regulations of the Commission under the Act in accordance with Section 5(a)
hereof and deemed by virtue of Rule 430A of the rules and regulations of the
Commission under the Act to be part of the Initial Registration Statement at the
time it was declared effective and (ii) the documents 

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
incorporated by reference in the prospectus contained in the registration
statement at the time such part of the registration statement became effective,
but excluding the Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of the Trustee on
Form T-1 ("Form T-1"), each as amended at the time such part of the Initial
Registration Statement became effective or such part of the Rule 462(b)
Registration Statement, if any, became effective, are hereinafter collectively
called the "Registration Statement"; the prospectus relating to the Securities,
in the form in which it has most recently been filed, or transmitted for filing,
with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act on or prior to the
date of this Agreement, is hereinafter called the "Prospectus"; any reference
herein to any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer
to and include the documents incorporated by reference therein pursuant to Item
12 of the Form S-3 under the Act, as of the date of such Preliminary Prospectus
or Prospectus, as the case may be; any reference to any amendment or supplement
to any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and
include any documents filed after the date of such Preliminary Prospectus or
Prospectus, as the case may be, under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the "Exchange Act"), and incorporated therein by reference; any
reference to any amendment to the Registration Statement shall be deemed to
refer to and include any annual report of the Company filed pursuant to Section
13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the effective date of the Initial
Registration Statement that is incorporated by reference in the Registration
Statement; and any reference to the Prospectus as amended or supplemented shall
be deemed to refer to and include the Prospectus as amended or supplemented in
relation to the applicable Designated Securities in the form filed or
transmitted for filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act
and in accordance with Section 5(a) hereof, including any documents incorporated
by reference therein as of the date of such filing);

          (b) The documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, when
they became effective or were filed with the Commission, as the case may be,
conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the Act or the
Exchange Act, as applicable, and the rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder, and none of such documents contained an untrue statement of a
material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; and any further
documents so filed and incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, or any
further amendment or supplement thereto, when such documents become effective or
are filed with the Commission, as the case may be, will conform in all material
respects to the requirements of the Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable, and
the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and will not contain an
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;

                                       3
<PAGE>

          (c) The Registration Statement and the Prospectus conform, and any
further amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus will conform, in all material respects to the requirements of the Act
and the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"), and
the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and do not and will not,
as of the applicable effective date as to the Registration Statement and any
amendment thereto and as of the applicable filing date as to the Prospectus and
any amendment or supplement thereto, contain an untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements therein not misleading; provided, however, that this
representation and warranty shall not apply to any statements or omissions made
in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the
Company by an Underwriter of Designated Securities through the Representatives
expressly for use in the Prospectus as amended or supplemented relating to such
Securities;

          (d) The Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, have not
sustained since the date of the latest audited financial statements included or
incorporated by reference in the Prospectus any material loss or interference
with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not
covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action,
order or decree, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus;
and, since the respective dates as of which information is given in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus, there has not been any change in the
capital stock (other than issuances of capital stock pursuant to bonus stock
awards granted in the ordinary course of business, or upon exercise of options
and stock appreciation rights and upon conversions of convertible securities, in
each case, except with respect to bonus stock awards granted in the ordinary
course of business, which were outstanding as of the date of the latest audited
financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus),
or any material and adverse change in the long-term debt of the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole (it being understood that, absent unusual
circumstances, an increase in long-term debt of the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole, of less than 5% would not be a material and
adverse change to the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole), or any
material adverse change, or any development involving a prospective material
adverse change, in or affecting the general affairs, management, current value
basis shareholders' equity or results of operations (based on Earnings Before
Depreciation and Deferred Taxes from Operations) of the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in
the Prospectus;

          (e) The Company and its subsidiaries have, or in those cases where
such subsidiary is a general partner in a partnership, such partnership has,
good and marketable 

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
fee simple and/or leasehold title (as the case may be) to all real property
(except for those lesser estates in real property which, in the aggregate, are
not material in value to the Company and its subsidiaries), subject only to (A)
those liens and encumbrances which have been reflected generally or in the
aggregate in the financial statements of the Company as disclosed in the
Prospectus or as are described specifically, generally or in the aggregate in
the Prospectus, or (B) such liens and encumbrances (i) not required by generally
accepted accounting principles to be disclosed in the financial statements of
the Company, which (a) if all material covenants and conditions thereof are
observed or performed, will not materially interfere with the use made or
proposed to be made of such property by the Company and its subsidiaries or (b)
are reasonable and customary with regard to the normal operation of land and
improvements held for commercial purposes by first class owners and operators of
commercial real estate, or (ii) which were incurred after the date of the latest
audited financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the
Prospectus in the ordinary course of business (including financings) and which,
in the aggregate (on a net basis), are not material to the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole. The Company and its subsidiaries have title to
the personal property owned by it or them and, subject to the continued
performance of the material covenants and conditions of liens and encumbrances
thereon, have the right to use such without interference in the normal course of
business, except for such interference as would not have a material adverse
effect on the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole;

          (f) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as
a corporation in good standing under the laws of Maryland, with power and
authority (corporate and other) to own its properties and conduct its business
as described in the Prospectus, and has been duly qualified as a foreign
corporation for the transaction of business and is in good standing under the
laws of each other jurisdiction in which the failure so to qualify and maintain
good standing would have a material adverse effect on the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole; and each subsidiary of the Company has been duly
incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the
laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation except for such failures to maintain
good standing as would not have a material adverse effect on the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

          (g) The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in the
Prospectus, and all of the issued shares of capital stock of the Company have
been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and non-
assessable; and all of the issued shares of capital stock of each subsidiary of
the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and
non-assessable and are owned (with exceptions that are disclosed in the
Prospectus or are not material to the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a
whole) directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of all liens,
encumbrances or claims (collectively, "Liens") except (i) Liens relating to debt
which has been disclosed

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
specifically, generally or in the aggregate in the Prospectus or incurred after
the date of the latest audited financial statements included or incorporated by
reference in the Prospectus in the ordinary course of business (including
financings), (ii) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business which are
not materially adverse to the operations of the Company and its subsidiaries,
taken as a whole, and (iii) restrictions on the transfer or use of the stock of
any subsidiary under any partnership, joint venture or lease agreements to which
the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party;

          (h) The Securities have been duly authorized, and, when Designated
Securities are issued and delivered pursuant to this Agreement and the Pricing
Agreement with respect to such Designated Securities, such Designated Securities
will have been duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered and will
constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company entitled to the
benefits provided by the Indenture, which will be substantially in the form
filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement; the Indenture has been duly
authorized and duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and, at the Time of
Delivery for such Designated Securities (as defined in Section 4 hereof), the
Indenture will constitute a valid and legally binding instrument, enforceable in
accordance with its terms, subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization and other laws of general applicability relating to
or affecting creditors' rights and to general equity principles; and the
Indenture conforms and the Designated Securities will conform to the
descriptions thereof contained in the Prospectus as amended or supplemented to
relate to such issuance of Securities;

          (i) The issue and sale of the Securities, the compliance by the
Company with all of the provisions of the Securities, the Indenture, this
Agreement and any Pricing Agreement, and the consummation of the transactions
herein and therein contemplated will not conflict with or result in a breach or
violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under,
any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or
instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by
which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the
property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject except
for such conflict, breach, violation or default which does not have a material
adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, nor will
such action result in any violation of the provisions of the Articles of
Incorporation (or any articles supplementary thereto) or the Bylaws of the
Company or any statute or any order, rule or regulation of any court or
governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or any of their properties; and no consent, approval,
authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any court or
governmental agency or body is required for the issue and sale of the Securities
or the consummation by the Company of the other transactions contemplated by
this Agreement, any Pricing Agreement or the Indenture, except such as have
been, or will have been prior to the Time of Delivery, obtained under the Act or
the Trust Indenture Act and such consents, approvals, 

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
authorizations, orders, registrations or qualifications as may be required under
state securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with the purchase and
distribution of the Securities by the Underwriters;

          (j) Other than as set forth in the Prospectus, there are no legal or
governmental proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries
is a party or to which any property of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is
subject, which are likely, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material
adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, and, to the
best of the Company's knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened or
contemplated by governmental authorities or threatened by others;

          (k) The Company is not, and after giving effect to each offering and
sale of the Securities will not be, an "investment company" or an entity
"controlled" by an "investment company", as such terms are defined in the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act");

          (l) Neither the Company nor any of its affiliates does business with
the government of Cuba or with any person or affiliate located in Cuba within
the meaning of Section 517.075, Florida Statutes; and

          (m) KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, who have certified certain financial
statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, are independent public
accountants as required by the Act and the rules and regulations of the
Commission thereunder.

     3.  Upon the execution of the Pricing Agreement applicable to any
Designated Securities and authorization by the Representatives of the release of
such Designated Securities, the several Underwriters propose to offer such
Designated Securities for sale upon the terms and conditions set forth in the
Prospectus as amended or supplemented.

     4.  Designated Securities to be purchased by each Underwriter pursuant to
the Pricing Agreement relating thereto, in the form specified in such Pricing
Agreement, and in such authorized denominations and registered in such names as
the Representatives may request upon at least forty-eight hours' prior notice to
the Company, shall be delivered by or on behalf of the Company to the
Representatives for the account of such Underwriter, against payment by such
Underwriter or on its behalf of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer in
federal (same day) funds, payable to the order of the Company in the funds
specified in such Pricing Agreement, all in the manner and at the place and time
and date specified in such Pricing Agreement or at such other place and time and
date as the Representatives and the Company may agree upon in writing, such time
and date being herein called the "Time of Delivery" for such Securities.

     5.  The Company agrees with each of the Underwriters of any Designated

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
Securities:

          (a) To prepare the Prospectus as amended or supplemented in relation
to the applicable Designated Securities in a form approved by the
Representatives and to file such Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the
Act no later than the Commission's close of business on the second business day
following the execution and delivery of the Pricing Agreement relating to the
applicable Designated Securities or, if applicable, such earlier time as may be
required by Rule 424(b); to make no further amendment or any supplement to the
Registration Statement or Prospectus as amended or supplemented after the date
of the Pricing Agreement relating to such Securities and prior to the Time of
Delivery for such Securities which shall be disapproved by the Representatives
for such Securities promptly after reasonable notice thereof; to advise the
Representatives promptly of any such amendment or supplement after such Time of
Delivery and furnish the Representatives with copies thereof; to file promptly
all reports and any definitive proxy or information statements required to be
filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act for so long as the delivery of a prospectus is
required in connection with the offering or sale of such Securities, and during
such same period to advise the Representatives, promptly after it receives
notice thereof, of the time when any amendment to the Registration Statement has
been filed or becomes effective or any supplement to the Prospectus or any
amended Prospectus has been filed with the Commission, of the issuance by the
Commission of any stop order or any order preventing or suspending the use of
any prospectus relating to the Securities, of the suspension of the
qualification of such Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, of
the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for any such purpose, or of any
request by the Commission for the amending or supplementing of the Registration
Statement or Prospectus or for additional information; and, in the event of the
issuance of any such stop order or of any such order preventing or suspending
the use of any prospectus relating to the Securities or suspending any such
qualification, to promptly use its best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of such
order;

          (b) Promptly from time to time to take such action as the
Representatives may reasonably request to qualify such Securities for offering
and sale under the securities laws of such jurisdictions as the Representatives
may request and to comply with such laws so as to permit the continuance of
sales and dealings therein for as long as may be necessary to complete the
distribution of such Securities; provided, however, that in connection therewith
the Company shall not be required to qualify as a foreign corporation or to file
a general consent to service of process in any jurisdiction;

          (c) To furnish the Underwriters with copies of the Prospectus as
amended or supplemented in such quantities as the Representatives may from time
to time reasonably request, and, if the delivery of a prospectus is required at
any time in connection with the offering or sale of the Securities and if at
such time any event shall 

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
have occurred as a result of which the Prospectus as then amended or
supplemented would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in
the light of the circumstances under which they were made when such Prospectus
is delivered, not misleading, or, if for any other reason it shall be necessary
during such same period to amend or supplement the Prospectus or to file under
the Exchange Act any document incorporated by reference in the Prospectus in
order to comply with the Act, the Exchange Act or the Trust Indenture Act, to
notify the Representatives and upon their request to file such document and to
prepare and furnish without charge to each Underwriter and to any dealer in
securities as many copies as the Representatives may from time to time
reasonably request of an amended Prospectus or a supplement to the Prospectus
which will correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance;

          (d) During the period beginning from the date of the Pricing Agreement
for such Designated Securities and continuing to and including the later of (i)
the termination of trading restrictions for such Designated Securities, as
notified to the Company by the Representatives and (ii) the Time of Delivery for
such Designated Securities, not to offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise
dispose of any debt securities of the Company which mature more than one year
after such Time of Delivery and which are substantially similar to such
Designated Securities, without the prior written consent of the Representatives;
and

          (e) To make generally available to its securityholders as soon as
practicable, but in any event not later than eighteen months after the effective
date of the Registration Statement (as defined in Rule 158(c) under the Act), an
earnings statement of the Company and its subsidiaries (which need not be
audited) complying with Section 11(a) of the Act and the rules and regulations
of the Commission thereunder (including, at the option of the Company, Rule
158).

     6.  The Company covenants and agrees with the several Underwriters that the
Company will pay or cause to be paid the following: (i) the fees, disbursements
and expenses of the Company's counsel and accountants in connection with the
registration of the Securities under the Act and all other expenses in
connection with the preparation, printing and filing of the Registration
Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and all other
amendments and supplements thereto and the mailing and delivering of copies
thereof to the Underwriters and dealers; (ii) the cost of printing and producing
any Agreement among Underwriters, this Agreement, any Pricing Agreement, any
Indenture, any Blue Sky and Legal Investment Memoranda, closing documents
(including any compilations thereof) and any other documents so long as such
documents have been approved by the Company in connection with the offering,
purchase, sale and delivery of the Securities; (iii) all expenses in connection
with the qualification of the Securities for offering and sale under state
securities laws as provided in Section 5(b) 

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
hereof, including the fees and disbursements of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver &
Jacobson in connection with such qualification and in connection with the Blue
Sky and legal investment surveys; (iv) any fees charged by securities rating
services for rating the Securities; (v) any filing fees incident to, and the
reasonable fees and disbursements of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson in
connection with, any required review by the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. of the terms of the sale of the Securities; (vi) the cost of
preparing the Securities; (vii) the reasonable fees and expenses of any Trustee
and any agent of any Trustee and any transfer or paying agent of the Company and
the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for any Trustee or such agent
in connection with any Indenture and the Securities; and (viii) all other costs
and expenses incident to the performance of its obligations hereunder which are
not otherwise specifically provided for in this Section. It is understood,
however, that, except as provided in this Section, and Sections 8 and 11 hereof,
the Underwriters will pay all of their own costs and expenses, including the
fees of their counsel, transfer taxes on resale of any of the Securities by
them, and any advertising expenses connected with any offers they may make.

     7.  The obligations of the Underwriters of any Designated Securities under
the Pricing Agreement relating to such Designated Securities shall be subject,
in the Representatives' discretion, to the condition that all representations
and warranties and other statements of the Company in or incorporated by
reference in the Pricing Agreement relating to such Designated Securities are
true and correct at and as of the Time of Delivery for such Designated
Securities and the condition that prior to such Time of Delivery the Company
shall have performed all of its obligations hereunder theretofore to be
performed, and the following additional conditions:

          (a) (i) The Prospectus as amended or supplemented in relation to the
applicable Designated Securities shall have been filed with the Commission
pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act within the applicable time period
prescribed for such filing by the rules and regulations under the Act and in
accordance with Section 5(a) hereof; (ii) no stop order suspending the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any part thereof shall have been
issued and no proceeding for that purpose shall have been initiated or
threatened by the Commission; and (iii) all requests for additional information
on the part of the Commission shall have been complied with to the reasonable
satisfaction of the Representatives;

          (b) Counsel for the Underwriters, shall have furnished to the
Representatives such opinion or opinions, dated the Time of Delivery, with
respect to the incorporation of the Company, the validity of the Indenture, the
Securities, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, and such other related
matters as the Representatives may reasonably request, and such counsel shall
have received such papers and information as they may reasonably request to
enable them to pass upon such 

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
matters;

          (c) The General Counsel of the Company, or other counsel for the
Company satisfactory to the Representatives, shall have furnished to the
Representatives such counsel's written opinion (which may be limited to the laws
of the State of Maryland and, with respect to clauses (xii) and (xiii) below,
the federal securities laws), dated the Time of Delivery in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives, to the effect that:

               (i) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly
     existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of
     Maryland, with corporate power and authority to own its properties and
     conduct its business as described in the Prospectus, as amended or
     supplemented;

               (ii) The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in
     the Prospectus as amended or supplemented, and all of the issued shares of
     capital stock of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and
     issued and are fully paid and non-assessable;

               (iii)  The Company has been duly qualified as a foreign
     corporation for the transaction of business and is in good standing under
     the laws of each other jurisdiction in which the failure so to qualify and
     maintain good standing would have a material adverse effect on the Company
     and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole (such counsel being entitled to rely
     in respect of the opinion in this clause upon opinions of local counsel and
     in respect of matters of fact upon certificates of officers of the
     Company);

               (iv) Each Significant Subsidiary (as defined below) of the
     Company that is incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland has
     been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good
     standing under the laws of the State of Maryland; and all of the issued
     shares of capital stock of each such subsidiary have been duly and validly
     authorized and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable, and are owned
     (with exceptions that are disclosed in the Prospectus or are not material
     to the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole) directly or
     indirectly by the Company, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances or
     claims (collectively "Liens") except (i) Liens relating to debt which has
     been disclosed specifically, generally or in the aggregate in the
     Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, or incurred after the date of the
     latest audited financial statements included or incorporated by reference
     in the Prospectus as amended or supplemented in the ordinary course of
     business (including financings), (ii) Liens incurred in the ordinary course
     of business which are not materially adverse to the operations of the
     Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (iii) restrictions on
     the
                                       11
<PAGE>
 
     transfer or use of the stock of any subsidiary under any partnership, joint
     venture agreements or lease agreements to which the Company or any of its
     subsidiaries is a party (such counsel being entitled to rely in respect of
     the opinion in this clause upon opinions of local counsel and in respect of
     matters of fact upon certificates of officers of the Company or its
     subsidiaries, provided that such counsel shall state that he believes that
     both such Agent and he are justified in relying upon such opinions and
     certificates); "Significant Subsidiary" is defined to be any subsidiary of
     the Company that holds assets that have a value, on a current value basis,
     in excess of 3% of the Company's Total Common Stock and Other Shareholders'
     Equity, on a current value basis, as reported in the Company's most recent
     Annual Report on Form 10-K or Annual Report to Shareholders;

               (v) To the best of such counsel's knowledge and other than as set
     forth in the Prospectus as amended or supplemented, there are no legal or
     governmental proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its
     subsidiaries is a party or of which any property of the Company or any of
     its subsidiaries is the subject which is likely, individually or in the
     aggregate, to have a material adverse effect on the Company and its
     subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and, to the best of such counsel's
     knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened or contemplated by
     governmental authorities or threatened by others;

               (vi) This Agreement and the Pricing Agreement with respect to the
     Designated Securities have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by
     the Company;

               (vii)  The Designated Securities have been duly authorized;

               (viii)  The Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and
     delivered by the Company;

               (ix) To the best of such counsel's knowledge, the issue and sale
     of the Designated Securities and the compliance by the Company with all of
     the provisions of the Designated Securities, the Indenture, this Agreement
     and any Pricing Agreement, and the consummation of the transactions herein
     and therein contemplated will not conflict with or result in a breach or
     violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default
     under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other
     agreement or instrument known to such counsel to which the Company or any
     of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its
     subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the
     Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject except for any such conflict,
     breach, violation or default which does not have a material adverse effect
     on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, nor will such
     actions result in any violation 

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
     of the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company
     or any statute or any order, rule or regulation known to such counsel of
     any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the
     Company or any of its properties;

               (x) To the best of such counsel's knowledge, no consent,
     approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with
     any court or governmental agency or body is required for the issue and sale
     of the Designated Securities or the consummation by the Company of the
     other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, such Pricing Agreement
     or the Indenture, except such as have been obtained under the Act or the
     Trust Indenture Act and such consents, approvals, authorizations,
     registrations or qualifications as may be required under state securities
     or Blue Sky laws in connection with the purchase and distribution of the
     Designated Securities by the Underwriters;

               (xi) The Company is not an "investment company" or an entity
     "controlled" by an "investment company", as such terms are defined in the
     Investment Company Act;

               (xii)  The documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus
     as amended or supplemented (other than the financial statements and related
     notes and schedules therein and other financial data included therein or
     omitted therefrom, as to which such counsel need express no opinion), when
     they were filed with the Commission appear on their face to be
     appropriately responsive, in all material respects, to the requirements of
     the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission
     thereunder; and nothing has come to such counsel's attention to cause such
     counsel to believe that any of such documents, when they were so filed
     contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a
     material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the
     light of the circumstances under which they were made when such documents
     were so filed, not misleading; and

               (xiii)  Nothing has come to such counsel's attention to cause
     such counsel to believe that, as of its effective date, the Registration
     Statement or any further amendment or supplement thereto made by the
     Company prior to the Time of Delivery (other than the financial statements
     and related notes and schedules therein and other financial data included
     therein or excluded therefrom and Form T-1, as to which such counsel need
     express no opinion) contained an untrue statement of a material fact or
     omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
     to make the statements therein not misleading or that, as of the date of
     such opinion, the Prospectus as amended or supplemented or any further
     amendment or supplement thereto made by the Company prior to the Time of
     

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
     Delivery (other than the financial statements and related notes and
     schedules therein and other financial data included therein or excluded
     therefrom and the Form T-1, as to which such counsel need express no
     opinion) contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to
     state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of
     the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading; and such counsel
     does not know of any amendment to the Registration Statement required to be
     filed or any contracts or other documents of a character required to be
     filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or required to be
     incorporated by reference into the Prospectus as amended or supplemented or
     required to be described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus as
     amended or supplemented which are not filed or incorporated by reference or
     described as required.

          (d) Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson, special counsel for the
Company, or other counsel for the Company satisfactory to the Representatives,
shall have furnished to the Representatives their written opinion (which will be
limited to the laws of the State of New York and federal laws and may rely on an
opinion of the General Counsel of the Company, or other counsel for the Company
reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives, as to the laws of the State of
Maryland), dated the Time of Delivery in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Representatives, to the effect that:

               (i) The Designated Securities, when duly executed, authenticated,
     issued and delivered by the Company, will constitute valid and binding
     obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance
     with their terms;

               (ii) The Indenture constitutes a valid and binding obligation of
     the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms;

               (iii)  The Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture
     Act;

               (iv) The Indenture conforms, and the Designated Securities will
     conform, in all material respects to the descriptions thereof contained in
     the Prospectus as amended or supplemented; and

               (v) At the time the Registration Statement was declared effective
     by the Commission, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (other
     than (a) the financial statements, notes and schedules thereto, (b) other
     financial data and statistical information included therein, (c) the
     documents incorporated by reference therein and (d) the Form T-1, included
     therein, as to which such counsel 

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
     need not express an opinion), appeared on their face to be responsive as to
     form in all material respects to the requirements of the Act and the Trust
     Indenture Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

          The opinion set forth in paragraphs (i) and (ii) above is subject to:
(i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent transfer,
moratorium or other laws now or hereafter in effect affecting creditors' rights
generally; and (ii) general principles of equity (including, without limitation,
standards of materiality, good faith, fair dealing and reasonableness) whether
such principles are considered in a proceeding in equity or at law;

          (e) On the date of the Pricing Agreement for such Designated
Securities at a time prior to the execution of the Pricing Agreement with
respect to such Designated Securities and at the Time of Delivery for such
Designated Securities, the independent certified public accountants of the
Company who have certified the financial statements of the Company and its
subsidiaries included or incorporated by reference in the Registration
Statement, as amended or supplemented, or such other independent certified
public accountants as are reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives, shall
have furnished to the Representatives a letter, dated the effective date of the
Registration Statement or the date of the most recent report filed with the
Commission containing financial statements and incorporated by reference in the
Registration Statement, if the date of such report is later than such effective
date, and a letter dated such Time of Delivery, respectively, to the effect set
forth in Annex II hereto, and with respect to such letter dated such Time of
Delivery, as to such other matters as the Representatives may reasonably request
and in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives;

          (f) (i)  The Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, have not
sustained since the date of the latest audited financial statements included or
incorporated by reference in the Prospectus as amended or supplemented prior to
the date of the Pricing Agreement relating to the Designated Securities any
material loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or
other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute
or court or governmental action, order or decree, otherwise than as set forth or
contemplated in the Prospectus as amended or supplemented prior to the date of
the Pricing Agreement relating to the Designated Securities and (ii) since the
respective dates as of which information is given in the Prospectus as amended
or supplemented prior to the date of the Pricing Agreement relating to the
Designated Securities there shall not have been any change in the capital stock
(other than issuances of capital stock pursuant to bonus stock awards granted in
the ordinary course of business or upon exercise of options and stock
appreciation rights and upon conversion of convertible securities, in each case,
except with respect to bonus stock awards granted in the ordinary course of
business, which were outstanding as of the date of the latest audited financial
statements included or incorporated by reference in the 

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
Prospectus as amended or supplemented prior to the date of the Pricing Agreement
relating to the Designated Securities) or any material adverse change in the
long-term debt of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or any
material adverse change, or any development involving a prospective material
adverse change, in or affecting the general affairs, management, current value
basis shareholders' equity or results of operations (based on Earnings Before
Depreciation and Deferred Taxes from Operations) of the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in
the Prospectus as first amended or supplemented relating to the Designated
Securities, the effect of which, in any such case described in clause (i) or
(ii), is in the judgment of the Representatives so material and adverse as to
make it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the
delivery of the Designated Securities on the terms and in the manner
contemplated in the Prospectus as first amended or supplemented prior to the
date of the Pricing Agreement relating to the Designated Securities;

          (g) On or after the date hereof (i) no downgrading shall have occurred
in the rating accorded the Company's debt securities by any "nationally
recognized statistical rating organization", as that term is defined by the
Commission for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Act and (ii) no such
organization shall have publicly announced that it has under surveillance or
review, with possible negative implications, its rating of any of the Company's
debt securities;

          (h) On or after the date of the Pricing Agreement relating to the
Designated Securities there shall not have occurred any of the following: (i) a
suspension or material limitation in trading in securities generally on the New
York Stock Exchange; (ii) a general moratorium on commercial banking activities
in New York declared by either federal or New York State authorities; or (iii)
the outbreak or escalation of hostilities involving the United States or the
declaration by the United States of a national emergency or war, if the effect
of any such event specified in this clause (iii) in the Representatives'
reasonable judgment makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the
public offering or the delivery of the Designated Securities on the terms and in
the manner contemplated in the Prospectus as first amended or supplemented
relating to the Designated Securities; and

          (i) The Company shall have furnished or caused to be furnished to the
Representatives at the Time of Delivery for the Designated Securities a
certificate or certificates of officers of the Company in such form and executed
by such officers of the Company as shall be satisfactory to the Representatives,
as to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company herein
at and as of such Time of Delivery, as to the performance by the Company of all
of its obligations hereunder to be performed at or prior to such Time of
Delivery, as to the matters set forth in subsections (a) and (f) of this
Section, and as to such other matters as the Representatives may reasonably

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
request.

     8.  (a)  The Company will indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter
against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which
such Underwriter may become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out
of or are based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, any preliminary
prospectus supplement, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus as amended or
supplemented and any other prospectus relating to the Securities, or any
amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission
or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and will
reimburse each Underwriter for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred
by such Underwriter in connection with investigating or defending any such
action or claim as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the
Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss,
claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in any Preliminary
Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus supplement, the Registration Statement,
the Prospectus as amended or supplemented and any other prospectus relating to
the Securities, or any such amendment or supplement, in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter
of Designated Securities through the Representatives expressly for use in the
Prospectus as amended or supplemented relating to such Securities.

          (b) Each Underwriter will indemnify and hold harmless the Company
against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Company may
become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims,
damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based
upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus supplement,
the Registration Statement, the Prospectus as amended or supplemented and any
other prospectus relating to the Securities, or any amendment or supplement
thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to
state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to
the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission
or alleged omission was made in any Preliminary Prospectus, any preliminary
prospectus supplement, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus as amended or
supplemented and any other prospectus relating to the Securities, or any such
amendment or supplement, in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information furnished to the Company by such Underwriter through the
Representatives expressly for use therein; and will reimburse the Company for
any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company in connection
with investigating or defending any such action or claim as such 

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
expenses are incurred.

          (c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under subsection
(a) or (b) above of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified
party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the
indemnifying party under such subsection, notify the indemnifying party in
writing of the commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the
indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to
any indemnified party otherwise than under such subsection.  In case any such
action shall be brought against any indemnified party and it shall notify the
indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party shall be
entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it shall wish, jointly
with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense
thereof, with counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall not,
except with the consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying
party), and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party
of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall
not be liable to such indemnified party under such subsection for any legal
expenses of other counsel or any other expenses, in each case subsequently
incurred by such indemnified party, in connection with the defense thereof other
than reasonable costs of investigation.  If the indemnifying party does not
assume the defense of such action, it is understood that the indemnifying party
shall not, in connection with any one such action or separate but substantially
similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same
general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the fees and expenses of
more than one separate firm of attorneys (in addition to one separate firm of
local attorneys in each such jurisdiction) at any time for all such indemnified
parties, which firms shall be designated in writing by you, if the indemnified
parties under this Section consist of any Underwriter of Designated Securities
or any of its respective controlling persons, or by the Company, if the
indemnified parties under this Section consist of the Company or any of its
directors, officers, administrative trustees or controlling persons.  The
indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of an action or claim
for monetary damages which an indemnified party may effect without the consent
of the indemnifying party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.  No
indemnifying party shall, without the written consent of the indemnified party,
effect the settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of any judgment
with respect to, any pending or threatened action or claim in respect of which
indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the
indemnified party is an actual or potential party to such action or claim),
unless such settlement, compromise or judgment (i) includes an unconditional
release of the indemnified party from all liability arising out of such action
or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to, or an admission of, fault,
culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

          (d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is
unavailable to 

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under subsection (a) or
(b) above in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions
in respect thereof) referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall
contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result
of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof)
in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received
by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters of the Designated Securities
on the other from the offering of the Designated Securities to which such loss,
claim, damage or liability (or action in respect thereof) relates.

          If, however, the allocation provided by the immediately preceding
sentence is not permitted by applicable law or if the indemnified party failed
to give the notice required under subsection (c) above, then each indemnifying
party shall contribute to such amount paid or payable by such indemnified party
in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits
but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters
of the Designated Securities on the other in connection with the statements or
omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or
actions in respect thereof), as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations.  The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand
and such Underwriters on the other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion
as the total net proceeds from such offering (before deducting expenses)
received by the Company bear to the total commissions or discounts received by
such Underwriters in respect thereof.  The relative fault shall be determined by
reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement
of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact
required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements
therein not misleading relates to information supplied by the Company on the one
hand or by any such Underwriters on the other and the parties' relative intent,
knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such
statement or omission.  The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not
be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this subsection (d) were
determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one
entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not
take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this
subsection (d).  The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result
of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof)
referred to above in this subsection (d) shall be deemed to include any legal or
other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with
investigating or defending any such action or claim.  Notwithstanding the
provisions of this subsection (d), no Underwriter shall be required to
contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total public offering
price at which the applicable Designated Securities underwritten by it and
distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any
damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of
such untrue or alleged untrue statement or 

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation
(within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to
contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation. The obligations of the Underwriters of Designated Securities
in this subsection (d) to contribute are several in proportion to their
respective underwriting obligations with respect to such Securities and not
joint.

          (e) The obligations of the Company under this Section 8 shall be in
addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have and shall extend,
upon the same terms and conditions, to each person, if any, who controls any
Underwriter within the meaning of the Act; and the obligations of the
Underwriters under this Section 8 shall be in addition to any liability which
the respective Underwriters may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same
terms and conditions, to each officer and director of the Company and to each
person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Act.

     9.  (a)  If any Underwriter shall default in its obligation to purchase the
Designated Securities which it has agreed to purchase under the Pricing
Agreement relating to such Designated Securities, the Representatives may in
their discretion arrange for themselves or another party or other parties to
purchase such Designated Securities on the terms contained herein.  If within
thirty-six hours after such default by any Underwriter the Representatives do
not arrange for the purchase of such Designated Securities, then the Company
shall be entitled to a further period of thirty-six hours within which to
procure another party or other parties satisfactory to the Representatives to
purchase such Designated Securities on such terms.  In the event that, within
the respective prescribed period, the Representatives notify the Company that
they have so arranged for the purchase of such Designated Securities, or the
Company notifies the Representatives that it has so arranged for the purchase of
such Designated Securities, the Representatives or the Company shall have the
right to postpone the Time of Delivery for such Designated Securities for a
period of not more than seven days, in order to effect whatever changes may
thereby be made necessary in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus as
amended or supplemented, or in any other documents or arrangements, and the
Company agrees to file promptly any amendments or supplements to the
Registration Statement or the Prospectus which in the opinion of the
Representatives may thereby be made necessary.  The term "Underwriter" as used
in this Agreement shall include any person substituted under this Section with
like effect as if such person had originally been a party to the Pricing
Agreement with respect to such Designated Securities.

          (b) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of
the Designated Securities of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the
Representatives and the Company as provided in subsection (a) above, the
aggregate principal amount of such Designated Securities which remains
unpurchased does not exceed one-eleventh of the aggregate principal amount of
the Designated Securities, then the Company shall have 

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
the right to require each non-defaulting Underwriter to purchase the principal
amount of Designated Securities which such Underwriter agreed to purchase under
the Pricing Agreement relating to such Designated Securities and, in addition,
to require each non-defaulting Underwriter to purchase its pro-rata share (based
on the principal amount of Designated Securities which such Underwriter agreed
to purchase under such Pricing Agreement) of the Designated Securities of such
defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters for which such arrangements have not been
made; but nothing herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter from liability
for its default.

          (c) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of
the Designated Securities of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the
Representatives and the Company as provided in subsection (a) above, the
aggregate principal amount of Designated Securities which remains unpurchased
exceeds one-eleventh of the aggregate principal amount of the Designated
Securities as referred to in subsection (b) above, or if the Company shall not
exercise the right described in subsection (b) above to require non-defaulting
Underwriters to purchase Designated Securities of a defaulting Underwriter or
Underwriters, then the Pricing Agreement relating to such Designated Securities
shall thereupon terminate, without liability on the part of any non-defaulting
Underwriter or the Company, except for the expenses to be borne by the Company
and the Underwriters as provided in Section 6 hereof and the indemnity and
contribution agreements in Section 8 hereof; but nothing herein shall relieve a
defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default.

     10.  The respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties
and other statements of the Company and the several Underwriters, as set forth
in this Agreement or made by or on behalf of them, respectively, pursuant to
this Agreement, shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any
investigation (or any statement as to the results thereof) made by or on behalf
of any Underwriter or any controlling person of any Underwriter, or the Company,
or any officer or director or controlling person of the Company, and shall
survive delivery of and payment for the Securities.

     11.  If any Pricing Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to Section 9
hereof, the Company shall not then be under any liability to any Underwriter
with respect to the Designated Securities covered by such Pricing Agreement
except as provided in Sections 6 and 8 hereof; but, if for any other reason,
Designated Securities are not delivered by or on behalf of the Company as
provided herein, the Company will reimburse the Underwriters through the
Representatives for all out-of-pocket expenses approved in writing by the
Representatives, including fees and disbursements of counsel, reasonably
incurred by the Underwriters in making preparations for the purchase, sale and
delivery of such Designated Securities, but the Company shall then be under no
further liability to any Underwriter with respect to such Designated Securities
except as provided in Sections 6 and 8 hereof.

                                       21
<PAGE>
 
     12.  In all dealings hereunder, the Representatives of the Underwriters of
Designated Securities shall act on behalf of each of such Underwriters, and the
parties hereto shall be entitled to act and rely upon any statement, request,
notice or agreement on behalf of any Underwriter made or given by such
Representatives jointly or by such of the Representatives, if any, as may be
designated for such purpose in the Pricing Agreement.

     All statements, requests, notices and agreements hereunder shall be in
writing, and if to the Underwriters shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or
facsimile transmission to the address of the Representatives as set forth in the
Pricing Agreement; and if to the Company shall be delivered or sent by mail,
telex or facsimile transmission to the address of the Company set forth in the
Registration Statement, Attention: Secretary; provided, however, that any notice
to an Underwriter pursuant to Section 8(c) hereof shall be delivered or sent by
mail, telex or facsimile transmission to such Underwriter at its address set
forth in its Underwriters' Questionnaire, or telex constituting such
Questionnaire, which address will be supplied to the Company by the
Representatives upon request.  Any such statements, requests, notices or
agreements shall take effect upon receipt thereof.

     13.  This Agreement and each Pricing Agreement shall be binding upon, and
inure solely to the benefit of, the Underwriters, the Company and, to the extent
provided in Sections 8 and 10 hereof, the officers and directors of the Company
and each person who controls the Company or any Underwriter, and their
respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, and no
other person shall acquire or have any right under or by virtue of this
Agreement or any such Pricing Agreement.  No purchaser of any of the Securities
from any Underwriter shall be deemed a successor or assign by reason merely of
such purchase.

     14.  Time shall be of the essence of each Pricing Agreement.  As used
herein, "business day" shall mean any day when the Commission's office in
Washington, D.C.  is open for business.

     15.  THIS AGREEMENT AND EACH PRICING AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

                                       22
<PAGE>
 
     16.  This Agreement and each Pricing Agreement may be executed by any one
or more of the parties hereto and thereto in any number of counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such respective counterparts
shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    THE ROUSE COMPANY

                                    By:
                                    Name:
                                    Title:

                                       23
<PAGE>
 
                                                                         ANNEX I

                               Pricing Agreement
                               -----------------

                                                         _________________, 19__

[Name(s) of Representative(s)]


As Representatives of the several

Underwriters-named in Schedule I hereto
Ladies and Gentlemen:

     The Rouse Company, a Maryland corporation (the "Company"), proposes,
subject to the terms and conditions stated herein and in the Underwriting
Agreement, dated ____________, 199_ (the "Underwriting Agreement"), to issue and
sell to the Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto (the "Underwriters") the
Securities specified in Schedule II hereto (the "Designated Securities").  Each
of the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety, and shall be deemed to be a part of this Agreement to
the same extent as if such provisions had been set forth in full herein, and
each of the representations and warranties set forth therein shall be deemed to
have been made at and as of the date of this Pricing Agreement, except that each
representation and warranty which refers to the Prospectus in Section 2 of the
Underwriting Agreement shall be deemed to be a representation or warranty as of
the date of the Underwriting Agreement in relation to the Prospectus (as therein
defined), and also a representation and warranty as of the date of this Pricing
Agreement in relation to the Prospectus as amended or supplemented relating to
the Designated Securities which are the subject of this Pricing Agreement.  Each
reference to the Representatives herein and in the provisions of the
Underwriting Agreement so incorporated by reference shall be deemed to refer to
you.  Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Underwriting
Agreement are used herein as therein defined.  The Representatives designated to
act on behalf of the Representatives and on behalf of the Underwriters of the
Designated Securities pursuant to Section 12 of the Underwriting Agreement and
the address of the Representatives referred to in such Section 12 are set forth
at the end of Schedule II hereto.

     An amendment to the Registration Statement, or a supplement to the
Prospectus, as the case may be, relating to the Designated Securities, in the
form heretofore delivered to you is now proposed to be filed with the
Commission.

     Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the
Underwriting Agreement incorporated herein by reference, the Company agrees to
issue and sell to each of the Underwriters, and each of the Underwriters agrees,
severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company, at the time and place
and at the purchase price to the Underwriters set forth in Schedule II hereto,
the principal amount of Designated 
<PAGE>
 
Securities set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule I hereto.

     If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and
return to us [one for the Company and one for each of the Representatives plus
one for each counsel] counterparts hereof, and upon acceptance hereof by you, on
behalf of each of the Underwriters, this letter and such acceptance hereof,
including the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement incorporated herein by
reference, shall constitute a binding agreement between each of the Underwriters
and the Company.

     It is understood that your acceptance of this letter on behalf of each of
the Underwriters is or will be pursuant to the authority set forth in a form of
Agreement among Underwriters, the form of which shall be submitted to the
Company for examination, upon request, but without warranty on the part of the
Representatives as to the authority of the signers thereof.

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    THE ROUSE COMPANY

     By:
     Name:
     Title:
Accepted as of the date hereof:

[Name(s) of Representatives]

By:
     Name:
     Title:

On behalf of each of the Underwriters

                                      I-2
<PAGE>
 
                                                                         ANNEX I

                                   SCHEDULE I
                                   ----------

                                      Principal Amount 
                                        of Designated   
                                         Securities
                                           to be
Underwriter                              Purchased
- -----------                              ---------
 
 
            
            
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
                                    ------------------
Total.............................
                                    ==================
<PAGE>
 
                                                                         ANNEX I


                                  SCHEDULE II
                                  -----------

TITLE OF DESIGNATED SECURITIES:

     [ %] [Floating Rate] [Zero Coupon] [Notes]


     [Debentures] due ,

AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT:

     [$]

PRICE TO PUBLIC:

     % of the principal amount (or for Original Issue Discount Securities  that
     do not currently pay interest, the issue price) of the Designated
     Securities, plus accrued interest[, if any,] from to [and accrued
     amortization[, if any,] from to ]

PURCHASE PRICE BY UNDERWRITERS:

     % of the principal amount of the Designated Securities, plus accrued
     interest from to [and accrued amortization[, if any,] from to ]

FORM OF DESIGNATED SECURITIES:

     [Definitive form to be made available for checking and packaging at least
     twenty-four hours prior to the Time of Delivery at the office of [The
     Depository Trust Company or its designated custodian] [the
     Representatives]]

     [Book-entry only form represented by one or more global securities
     deposited with The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") or its designated
     custodian, to be made available for checking by the Representatives at
     least twenty-four hours prior to the Time of Delivery at the office of
     DTC.]

SPECIFIED FUNDS FOR PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE:

     [New York] Clearing House (same day) funds

TIME OF DELIVERY:

     a.m.  (New York City time), , 19

INDENTURE:

     Indenture dated , 1995, between the Company and The First National Bank of
<PAGE>
 
     Chicago, as Trustee

MATURITY:

INTEREST RATE:

     [ %] [Zero Coupon] [See Floating Rate Provisions]

INTEREST PAYMENT DATES:

     [months and dates, commencing ................, 19..]

REDEMPTION PROVISIONS:

     [No provisions for redemption]

     [The Designated Securities may be redeemed, otherwise than through the
     sinking fund, in whole or in part at the option of the Company, in the
     amount of [$ ] or an integral multiple thereof,

     [on or after , at the following redemption prices (expressed in percentages
     of principal amount).  If [redeemed on or before , %, and if] redeemed
     during the 12-month period beginning

                                                REDEMPTION
           YEAR                                   PRICE
           ----                                   -----
 
 
 
 
 
     and thereafter at 100% of their principal amount, together in each case
     with accrued interest to the redemption date.]


     [on any interest payment date falling on or after                    ,
     , at the election of the Company, at a redemption price equal to the
     principal amount thereof, plus accrued interest to the date of
     redemption.]] [Other possible redemption provisions, such as mandatory
     redemption upon occurrence of certain events or redemption for changes in
     tax law]

     [Restriction on refunding]

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
SINKING FUND PROVISIONS:

     [No sinking fund provisions]

     [The Designated Securities are entitled to the benefit of a sinking fund to
     retire [$ ] principal amount of Designated Securities on in each of the
     years through at 100% of their principal amount plus accrued interest[,
     together with [cumulative] [noncumulative] redemptions at the option of the
     Company to retire an additional [$ ] principal amount of Designated
     Securities in the years through at 100% of their principal amount plus
     accrued interest.]

     [If Designated Securities are extendable debt securities, insert--

EXTENDABLE PROVISIONS:

     Designated Securities are repayable on , [insert date and years], at the
     option of the holder, at their principal amount with accrued interest.  The
     initial annual interest rate will be %, and thereafter the annual interest
     rate will be adjusted on , and to a rate not less than % of the effective
     annual interest rate on U.S.  Treasury obligations with year maturities as
     of the [insert date 15 days prior to maturity date] prior to such [insert
     maturity date].]

     [If Designated Securities are floating rate debt securities, insert--

FLOATING RATE PROVISIONS:

     Initial annual interest rate will be % through [and thereafter will be
     adjusted [monthly] [on each ,                    ,                     and
     ] [to an annual rate of % above the average rate or year
     [month][securities][certificates of deposit] issued by and [insert names of
     banks].] [and the annual interest rate [thereafter] [from through ] will be
     the interest yield equivalent of the weekly average per annum market
     discount rate for -month Treasury bills plus % of Interest Differential
     (the excess, if any, of (i) the then current weekly average per annum
     secondary market yield for -month certificates of deposit over (ii) the
     then current interest yield equivalent of the weekly average per annum
     market discount rate for month Treasury bills); [from and thereafter the
     rate will be the then current interest yield equivalent plus % of Interest
     Differential].]

CONVERTIBILITY OR EXCHANGEABILITY PROVISIONS:


DEFEASANCE PROVISIONS:

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
CLOSING LOCATION FOR DELIVERY OF DESIGNATED SECURITIES:


ADDITIONAL CLOSING CONDITIONS:


NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF REPRESENTATIVES:

     Designated Representatives:

     Address for Notices, etc.:


[OTHER TERMS]/*/

- ----------
/*/  A DESCRIPTION OF PARTICULAR TAX, ACCOUNTING OR OTHER UNUSUAL FEATURES
(SUCH AS THE ADDITION OF EVENT RISK PROVISIONS) OF THE DESIGNATED SECURITIES
SHOULD BE SET FORTH, OR REFERENCED TO AN ATTACHED AND ACCOMPANYING DESCRIPTION,
IF NECESSARY, TO ENSURE AGREEMENT AS TO THE TERMS OF THE DESIGNATED SECURITIES
TO BE PURCHASED AND SOLD.  SUCH A DESCRIPTION MIGHT APPROPRIATELY BE IN THE FORM
IN WHICH SUCH FEATURES WILL BE DESCRIBED IN THE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT FOR THE
OFFERING.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
                                                                        ANNEX II

                              Accountants' Letter
                              -------------------

     Pursuant to Section 7(e) of the Underwriting Agreement, the Company's
independent certified public accountants shall furnish letters to the effect
that:

               (i) They are independent certified public accountants with
     respect to the Company and its subsidiaries within the meaning of the Act
     and the applicable published rules and regulations thereunder;

               (ii) In their opinion, the financial statements and any
     supplementary financial information and schedules audited (and, if
     applicable, financial forecasts and/or pro forma financial information)
     examined by them and included or incorporated by reference in the
     Registration Statement or the Prospectus comply as to form in all material
     respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Act or the
     Exchange Act, as applicable, and the related published rules and
     regulations thereunder; and, if applicable, they have made a review in
     accordance with standards established by the American Institute of
     Certified Public Accountants of the consolidated interim financial
     statements, selected financial data, pro forma financial information,
     financial forecasts and/or condensed financial statements derived from
     audited financial statements of the Company for the periods specified in
     such letter, as indicated in their reports thereon, copies of which have
     been [separately] furnished to the Representatives [and are attached
     hereto];

               (iii)  They have made a review in accordance with standards
     established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants of
     the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income, consolidated
     balance sheets and consolidated statements of cash flows included in the
     Prospectus and/or included in the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q
     incorporated by reference into the Prospectus as indicated in their reports
     thereon copies of which [have been separately furnished to the
     Representatives] [are attached hereto]; and on the basis of specified
     procedures including inquiries of officials of the Company who have
     responsibility for financial and accounting matters regarding whether the
     unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements referred to in
     paragraph (vi)(A)(i) below comply as to form in all material respects with
     the applicable accounting requirements of the [Act and the Exchange] Act
     and the related published rules and regulations, nothing came to their
     attention that caused them to believe that the unaudited condensed
     consolidated financial statements do not comply as to form in all material
     respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the [Act and the
     Exchange] Act and the related published rules and regulations;

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
               (iv) The unaudited selected financial information with respect to
     the consolidated results of operations and financial position of the
     Company for the five most recent fiscal years included in the Prospectus
     and included or incorporated by reference in Item 6 of the Company's Annual
     Report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year agrees with the
     corresponding amounts (after restatement where applicable) in the audited
     consolidated financial statements for five such fiscal years which were
     included or incorporated by reference in the Company's Annual Reports on
     Form 10-K for such fiscal years;

               (v) They have compared the information in the Prospectus under
     selected captions with the disclosure requirements of Regulation S-K and on
     the basis of limited procedures specified in such letter nothing came to
     their attention as a result of the foregoing procedures that caused them to
     believe that this information does not conform in all material respects
     with the disclosure requirements of Items 301, 302, 402 and 503(d),
     respectively, of Regulation S-K;

               (vi) On the basis of limited procedures, not constituting an
     examination in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards,
     consisting of a reading of the unaudited financial statements and other
     information referred to below, a reading of the latest available interim
     financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, inspection of the
     minute books of the Company and its subsidiaries since the date of the
     latest audited financial statements included or incorporated by reference
     in the Prospectus, inquiries of officials of the Company and its
     subsidiaries responsible for financial and accounting matters and such
     other inquiries and procedures as may be specified in such letter, nothing
     came to their attention that caused them to believe that:

                    (A) (i) the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of
          income, consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of
          cash flows included in the Prospectus and/or included or incorporated
          by reference in the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q
          incorporated by reference in the Prospectus do not comply as to form
          in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements
          of the Exchange Act and the related published rules and regulations,
          or (ii) any material modifications should be made to the unaudited
          condensed consolidated statements of income, consolidated balance
          sheets and consolidated statements of cash flows included in the
          Prospectus or included in the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q
          incorporated by reference in the Prospectus for them to be in
          conformity with generally accepted accounting principles;

                    (B) any other unaudited income statement data and balance

                                      II-2
<PAGE>
 
          sheet items included in the Prospectus do not agree with the
          corresponding items in the unaudited consolidated financial statements
          from which such data and items were derived, and any such unaudited
          data and items were not determined on a basis substantially consistent
          with the basis for the corresponding amounts in the audited
          consolidated financial statements included or incorporated by
          reference in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most
          recent fiscal year;

                    (C) the unaudited financial statements which were not
          included in the Prospectus but from which were derived the unaudited
          condensed financial statements referred to in clause (A) and any
          unaudited income statement data and balance sheet items included in
          the Prospectus and referred to in Clause (B) were not determined on a
          basis substantially consistent with the basis for the audited
          financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the
          Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year;

                    (D) any unaudited pro forma consolidated condensed financial
          statements included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus do
          not comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable
          accounting requirements of the Act and the published rules and
          regulations thereunder or the pro forma adjustments have not been
          properly applied to the historical amounts in the compilation of those
          statements;

                    (E) as of a specified date (where practicable not more than
          five days prior to the date of such letter), there have been any
          changes in the consolidated capital stock (other than issuances of
          capital stock upon exercise of options and stock appreciation rights,
          upon earn-outs of performance shares and upon conversions of
          convertible securities, in each case which were outstanding on the
          date of the latest balance sheet included or incorporated by reference
          in the Prospectus) or any increase in excess of 1% in the consolidated
          long-term debt of the Company and its subsidiaries, or any decreases
          in consolidated net current assets or other items specified by the
          Representatives, or any increases in any items specified by the
          Representatives, in each case as compared with amounts shown in the
          latest balance sheet included or incorporated by reference in the
          Prospectus, except in each case for changes, increases or decreases
          which the Prospectus discloses have occurred or may occur or which are
          described in such letter; and

                    (F) for the period from the date of the latest financial
          statements included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus to
          the 

                                      II-3
<PAGE>
 
          specified date referred to in Clause (E) there were any decreases
          in consolidated earnings before depreciation and deferred taxes from
          operations or other items specified by the Representatives, or any
          increases in any items specified by the Representatives, in each case
          as compared with the comparable period of the preceding year and with
          any other period of corresponding length specified by the
          Representatives, except in each case for increases or decreases which
          the Prospectus discloses have occurred or may occur or which are
          described in such letter; and

               (vii)  In addition to the audit referred to in their report(s)
     included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus and the limited
     procedures, inspection of minute books, inquiries and other procedures
     referred to in paragraphs (iii) and (vi) above, they have carried out
     certain specified procedures, not constituting an audit in accordance with
     generally accepted auditing standards, with respect to certain amounts,
     percentages and financial information specified by the Representatives
     which are derived from the general accounting records of the Company and
     its subsidiaries, which appear in the Prospectus (excluding documents
     incorporated by reference), or in Part II of, or in exhibits and schedules
     to, the Registration Statement specified by the Representatives or in
     documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus specified by the
     Representatives, and have compared certain of such amounts, percentages and
     financial information with the accounting records of the Company and its
     subsidiaries and have found them to be in agreement.

     All references in this Annex II to the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer
to the Prospectus (including the documents incorporated by reference therein) as
defined in the Underwriting Agreement as of the date of the letter delivered on
the date of the Pricing Agreement for purposes of such letter and to the
Prospectus as amended or supplemented (including the documents incorporated by
reference therein) in relation to the applicable Designated Securities for
purposes of the letter delivered at the Time of Delivery for such Designated
Securities.

                                      II-4

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 1.3

                               THE ROUSE COMPANY

                                 $_____,000,000

                               MEDIUM-TERM NOTES

                             DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT


                                         ____________, 199_
[Name(s) and address(es)
of Agent(s)]

Ladies and Gentlemen:

          The Rouse Company, a Maryland corporation (the "Company"), proposes to
issue and sell from time to time its Medium-Term Notes (the "Securities") in an
aggregate amount up to $_________ and agrees with each of you (individually, an
"Agent", and collectively, the "Agents") as set forth in this Agreement.

          Subject to the terms and conditions stated herein and to the
reservation by the Company of the right to sell Securities directly on its own
behalf, the Company hereby (i) appoints each Agent as an agent of the Company
for the purpose of soliciting and receiving offers to purchase Securities from
the Company pursuant to Section 2(a) hereof and (ii) agrees that, except as
otherwise contemplated herein, whenever it determines to sell Securities
directly to any Agent as principal, it will enter into a separate agreement
(each, a "Terms Agreement"), substantially in the form of Annex I hereto,
relating to such sale in accordance with Section 2(b) hereof.  This Distribution
Agreement shall not be construed to create either an obligation on the part of
the Company to sell any Securities or an obligation of any of the Agents to
purchase Securities as principal.

          The Securities will be issued under an indenture, dated as of February
24, 1995 (the "Indenture"), between the Company and The First National Bank of
Chicago, as Trustee (the "Trustee").  The Securities shall have the maturity
ranges, interest rates, if any, redemption provisions and other terms set forth
in the Prospectus referred to below as it may be amended or supplemented from
time to time.  The Securities will be issued, and the terms and rights thereof
established, from time to time by the Company in accordance with the Indenture.

          1.  The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, each
Agent that:

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
          (a) A registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-__________)
(the "Initial Registration Statement") in respect of the Securities has been
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"); the Initial Registration
Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, each in the form heretofore
delivered or to be delivered to such Agent, excluding exhibits to such
registration statement, but including all documents incorporated by reference in
the prospectus included therein, have been declared effective by the Commission
in such form; other than a registration statement, if any, increasing the size
of the offering (a "Rule 462(b) Registration Statement") filed pursuant to Rule
462(b) of the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Act which become
effective upon filing, no other document with respect to such registration
statement or document incorporated by reference therein has heretofore been
filed or transmitted for filing with the Commission (other than the prospectuses
filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the rules and regulations of the Commission
under the Act, each in the form heretofore delivered to the Agents); and no stop
order suspending the effectiveness of the Initial Registration Statement, any
post-effective amendment thereto or the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if
any, has been issued and no proceeding for that purpose has been initiated or
threatened by the Commission (any preliminary prospectus included in the Initial
Registration Statement or filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(a) of
the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Act, is hereinafter called
a "Preliminary Prospectus"; the various parts of the Initial Registration
Statement and the 462(b) Registration Statement, if any, including all exhibits
thereto and including (i) the information contained in the form of final
prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the rules and
regulations of the Commission under the Act in accordance with Section 5(a)
hereof and deemed by virtue of Rule 430A of the rules and regulations of the
Commission under the Act to be part of the Initial Registration Statement at the
time it was declared effective and (ii) and the documents incorporated by
reference in the prospectus contained in the registration statement at the time
such part of the Registration Statement became effective or such part of the
Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any, became effective, but excluding the
Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of the Trustee on Form T-1 ("Form T-
1"), each as amended at the time such part of the Initial Registration Statement
became effective or such part of the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any,
became effective, is hereinafter collectively called the "Registration
Statement"; the prospectus (including, if applicable, any prospectus supplement)
relating to the Securities, in the form in which it has most recently been
filed, or transmitted for filing, with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b)
under the Act on or prior to the date of this Agreement, is hereinafter called
the "Prospectus"; any reference herein to any Preliminary Prospectus or the
Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the documents incorporated by
reference therein pursuant to Item 12 of the Form S-3 under the Act, as of the
date of such Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus, as the case may be; any
reference to any amendment or supplement to any Preliminary 

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
Prospectus or the Prospectus, including any supplement to the Prospectus that
sets forth only the terms of a particular issue of the Securities (a "Pricing
Supplement"), shall be deemed to refer to and include any documents filed after
the date of such Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus, as the case may be, under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and
incorporated therein by reference; any reference to any amendment to the
Registration Statement shall be deemed to refer to and include any annual report
of the Company filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act
after the effective date of the Initial Registration Statement that is
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement; and any reference to
the Prospectus as amended or supplemented shall be deemed to refer to and
include the Prospectus as amended or supplemented (including by the applicable
Pricing Supplement filed in accordance with Section 4(a) hereof) in relation to
Securities to be sold pursuant to this Agreement, in the form filed or
transmitted for filing with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act
and in accordance with Section 4(a) hereof, including any documents incorporated
by reference therein as of the date of such filing);

          (b) The documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, when
they became effective or were filed with the Commission, as the case may be,
conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the Act or the
Exchange Act, as applicable, and the rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder, and none of such documents contained an untrue statement of a
material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; and any further
documents so filed and incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, or any
further amendment or supplement thereto, when such documents become effective or
are filed with the Commission, as the case may be, will conform in all material
respects to the requirements of the Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable, and
the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and will not contain an
untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;
provided, however, that this representation and warranty shall not apply to any
statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information
furnished in writing to the Company by any Agent expressly for use in the
Prospectus as amended or supplemented to relate to a particular issuance of
Securities;

          (c) The Registration Statement and the Prospectus conform, and any
further amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus will conform, in all material respects to the requirements of the Act
and the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"), and
the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and do not and will not,
as of the applicable effective date as to the Registration Statement and any
amendment thereto and as of the applicable filing date as to the Prospectus and
any amendment or supplement thereto, contain an untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state a material fact required to


                                       3
<PAGE>
 
be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;
provided, however, that this representation and warranty shall not apply to any
statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information
furnished in writing to the Company by any Agent expressly for use in the
Prospectus as amended or supplemented to relate to a particular issuance of
Securities;

          (d) The Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, have not
sustained since the date of the latest audited financial statements included or
incorporated by reference in the Prospectus any material loss or interference
with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not
covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action,
order or decree, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus;
and, since the respective dates as of which information is given in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus, there has not been any change in the
capital stock (other than issuances of capital stock pursuant to bonus stock
awards granted in the ordinary course of business, or upon exercise of options
and stock appreciation rights and upon conversions of convertible securities, in
each case, except with respect to bonus stock awards granted in the ordinary
course of business, which were outstanding as of the date of the latest audited
financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus),
or any material and adverse change in the long-term debt of the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole [(it being understood that, absent unusual
circumstances, an increase in long-term debt of the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole, of less than 5% would not be a material and
adverse change to the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole)], or any
material adverse change, or any development involving a prospective material
adverse change, in or affecting the general affairs, management, current value
basis shareholders' equity or results of operations (based on Earnings Before
Depreciation and Deferred Taxes from Operations) of the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in
the Prospectus;

          (e) The Company and its subsidiaries have, or in those cases where
such subsidiary is a general partner in a partnership, such partnership has,
good and marketable fee simple and/or leasehold title (as the case may be) to
all real property (except for those lesser estates in real property which, in
the aggregate, are not material in value to the Company and its subsidiaries),
subject only to (A) those liens and encumbrances which have been reflected
generally or in the aggregate in the financial statements of the Company as
disclosed in the Prospectus or as are described specifically, generally or in
the aggregate in the Prospectus, or (B) such liens and encumbrances (i) not
required by generally accepted accounting principles to be disclosed in the
financial statements of the Company, which (a) if all material covenants and
conditions thereof are observed or performed, will not materially interfere with
the use made or proposed to be made of such property by the Company and its
subsidiaries or (b) are reasonable and customary with regard to the normal
operation of land and improvements held for 

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
commercial purposes by first class owners and operators of commercial real
estate, or (ii) which were incurred after the date of the latest audited
financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus in
the ordinary course of business (including financings) and which, in the
aggregate (on a net basis), are not material to the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole. The Company and its subsidiaries have title to
the personal property owned by it or them and, subject to the continued
performance of the material covenants and conditions of liens and encumbrances
thereon, have the right to use such without interference in the normal course of
business, except for such interference as would have a material adverse effect
on the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole;

          (f) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as
a corporation in good standing under the laws of Maryland, with power and
authority (corporate and other) to own its properties and conduct its business
as described in the Prospectus, and has been duly qualified as a foreign
corporation for the transaction of business and is in good standing under the
laws of each other jurisdiction in which the failure so to qualify and maintain
good standing would have a material adverse effect on the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole; and each subsidiary of the Company has been duly
incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the
laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation except for such failures to maintain
good standing as would not have a material adverse effect on the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

          (g) The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in the
Prospectus, and all of the issued shares of capital stock of the Company have
been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and non-
assessable; and all of the issued shares of capital stock of each subsidiary of
the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and
non-assessable and are owned (with exceptions that are not material to the
Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole) directly or indirectly by the
Company, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances or claims (collectively,
"Liens") except (i) Liens relating to debt which has been disclosed
specifically, generally or in the aggregate in the Prospectus or incurred after
the date of the latest audited financial statements included or incorporated by
reference in the Prospectus in the ordinary course of business (including
financings), (ii) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business which are
not materially adverse to the operations of the Company and its subsidiaries,
taken as a whole, and (iii) restrictions on the transfer or use of the stock of
any subsidiary under any partnership, joint venture or lease agreements to which
the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party;

          (h) The Securities have been duly authorized, and, when issued and
delivered pursuant to this Agreement and any Terms Agreement, will have been
duly executed, authenticated, issued and delivered and will constitute valid and
legally binding 

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
obligations of the Company entitled to the benefits provided by the Indenture,
which will be substantially in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement; the Indenture has been duly authorized and duly qualified under the
Trust Indenture Act and constitutes a valid and legally binding instrument,
enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject, as to enforcement, to
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization and other laws of general applicability
relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to general equity principles; and
the Indenture conforms and the Securities of any particular issuance of
Securities will conform to the descriptions thereof contained in the Prospectus
as amended or supplemented to relate to such issuance of Securities;

          (i) The issue and sale of the Securities, the compliance by the
Company with all of the provisions of the Securities, the Indenture, this
Agreement and any Terms Agreement, and the consummation of the transactions
herein and therein contemplated will not conflict with or result in a breach or
violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under,
any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or
instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by
which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the
property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject except
for such conflict, breach, violation or default which does not have a material
adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, nor will
such action result in any violation of the provisions of the Articles of
Incorporation (or any articles supplementary thereto) or the Bylaws of the
Company or any statute or any order, rule or regulation of any court or
governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or any of their properties; and no consent, approval,
authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any court or
governmental agency or body is required for the solicitation of offers to
purchase Securities, the issue and sale of the Securities or the consummation by
the Company of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, any Terms
Agreement or the Indenture, except such as have been, or will have been prior to
the Commencement Date (as defined in Section 3 hereof), obtained under the Act
or the Trust Indenture Act and such consents, approvals, authorizations, orders,
registrations or qualifications as may be required under state securities or
Blue Sky laws in connection with the solicitation by such Agent of offers to
purchase Securities from the Company and with purchases of Securities by such
Agent as principal, as the case may be, in each case in the manner contemplated
hereby;

          (j) Other than as set forth in the Prospectus, there are no legal or
governmental proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries
is a party or to which any property of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is
subject, which are likely, individually or in the aggregate, to have a material
adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries taken as a whole, and, to the
best of the Company's knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened or
contemplated by governmental authorities or threatened by others;

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
          (k) The Company is not, and after giving effect to each offering and
sale of the Securities will not be, an "investment company" or an entity
"controlled" by an "investment company", as such terms are defined in the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act");

          (l) Neither the Company nor any of its affiliates does business with
the government of Cuba or with any person or affiliate located in Cuba within
the meaning of Section 517.075, Florida Statutes;

          (m) Immediately after any sale of Securities by the Company hereunder
or under any Terms Agreement, the aggregate amount of Securities which shall
have been issued and sold by the Company hereunder or under any Terms Agreement
and of any debt securities of the Company (other than such Securities) that
shall have been issued and sold pursuant to the Registration Statement will not
exceed the amount of debt securities registered under the Registration
Statement; and

          (n) KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, who have certified certain financial
statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, are independent public
accountants as required by the Act and the rules and regulations of the
Commission thereunder.

          2.  (a) On the basis of the representations and warranties herein
contained, and subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, each of the
Agents hereby severally and not jointly agrees, as agent of the Company, to use
its reasonable efforts to solicit and receive offers to purchase the Securities
from the Company upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus as
amended or supplemented from time to time. So long as this Agreement shall
remain in effect with respect to any Agent, the Company shall not, without the
consent of such Agent, solicit or accept offers to purchase, or sell, any debt
securities with a maturity at the time of original issuance of more than 9
months except pursuant to this Agreement, any Terms Agreement, or except
pursuant to a private placement not constituting a public offering under the Act
or except in connection with a firm commitment underwriting pursuant to an
underwriting agreement that does not provide for a continuous offering of
medium-term debt securities.  However, the Company reserves the right to sell,
and may solicit and accept offers to purchase, Securities directly on its own
behalf in transactions with persons other than broker-dealers, and, in the case
of any such sale not resulting from a solicitation made by any Agent, no
commission will be payable with respect to such sale.  These provisions shall
not limit Section 4(f) hereof or any similar provision included in any Terms
Agreement.

          Procedural details relating to the issue and delivery of Securities,
the solicitation of offers to purchase Securities and the payment in each case
therefor shall be 

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
as set forth in the Administrative Procedure attached hereto as Annex II as it
may be amended from time to time by written agreement between the Agents and the
Company (the "Administrative Procedure"). The provisions of the Administrative
Procedure shall apply to all transactions contemplated hereunder other than
those made pursuant to a Terms Agreement. Each Agent and the Company agree to
perform the respective duties and obligations specifically provided to be
performed by each of them in the Administrative Procedure. The Company will
furnish to the Trustee a copy of the Administrative Procedure as from time to
time in effect.

          The Company reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to instruct
the Agents to suspend at any time, for any period of time or permanently, the
solicitation of offers to purchase the Securities.  As soon as practicable, but
in any event not later than one business day in New York City, after receipt of
notice from the Company, the Agents will suspend solicitation of offers to
purchase Securities from the Company until such time as the Company has advised
the Agents that such solicitation may be resumed. During such period, the
Company shall not be required to comply with the provisions of Sections 4(h),
4(i), 4(j) and 4(k).  Upon advising the Agents that such solicitation may be
resumed, however, the Company shall simultaneously provide the documents
required to be delivered by Sections 4(h), 4(i), 4(j) and 4(k) if such documents
would have otherwise been required to be delivered during such period, and the
Agents shall have no obligation to solicit offers to purchase the Securities
until such documents have been received by the Agents.  In addition, any failure
by the Company to comply with its obligations hereunder, including without
limitation its obligations to deliver the documents required by Sections 4(h),
4(i), 4(j) and 4(k), shall automatically terminate the Agents' obligations
hereunder, including without limitation its obligations to solicit offers to
purchase the Securities hereunder as agent or to purchase Securities hereunder
as principal.

          The Company may authorize any other firm (an "Additional Agent") to
act as its agent to solicit offers for the purchase of Securities upon
reasonable prior notice to such Agents as are at the time parties to this
Agreement.  Each Additional Agent shall execute a copy of this Agreement and
become a party hereto. From and after the time such Additional Agent shall have
executed a copy of this Agreement, the term "Agent" as used in this Agreement
shall mean the Agent and Additional Agent.

          The Company agrees to pay each Agent a commission (which may be in the
form of a discount), at the time of settlement of any sale of a Security by the
Company as a result of a solicitation made by such Agent, in an amount equal to
the following applicable percentage of the principal amount (or for Original
Issue Discount Notes that do not currently pay interest, the issue price) of
such Security sold:

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     COMMISSION
                                             (PERCENTAGE OF AGGREGATE 
                                                  PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
                                          (OR FOR ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT 
                                          NOTES THAT DO NOT CURRENTLY PAY 
                                            INTEREST, THE ISSUE PRICE)
    RANGE OF MATURITIES                         OF SECURITIES SOLD)
<S>                                       <C> 
From 9 months to less than 1 year                  ___%
From 1 year to less than 18 months                 ___%
From 18 months to less than 2 years                ___%
From 2 years to less than 3 years                  ___%
From 3 years to less than 4 years                  ___%
From 4 years to less than 5 years                  ___%
From 5 years to less than 6 years                  ___%
From 6 years to less than 7 years                  ___%
From 7 years to less than 10 years                 ___%
From 10 years to less than 15 years                ___%
From 15 years to less than 20 years                ___%
From 20 years to 30 years                          ___%
From more than 30 years to less than 50 years      ___%
50 years and more                                  ___%
</TABLE>

          (b) Each sale of Securities to any Agent as principal shall be made in
accordance with the terms of this Agreement and (unless the Company and such
Agent shall otherwise agree) a Terms Agreement which will provide for the sale
of such Securities to, and the purchase thereof by, such Agent; a Terms
Agreement may also specify certain provisions relating to the reoffering of such
Securities by such Agent; the commitment of any Agent to purchase Securities as
principal, whether pursuant to any Terms Agreement or otherwise, shall be deemed
to have been made on the basis of the representations and warranties of the
Company herein contained and shall be subject to the terms and conditions herein
set forth; each Terms Agreement shall specify the principal amount of Securities
to be purchased by any Agent pursuant thereto, the price to be paid to the
Company for such Securities, any provisions relating to rights of, and default
by, underwriters acting together with such Agent in the reoffering of the
Securities and the time and date and place of delivery of and payment for such
Securities; and such Terms Agreement shall also specify any requirements for
opinions of counsel, accountants' letters and officers' certificates pursuant to
Section 4 hereof. Each Agent proposes to offer Securities purchased by it as
principal for sale at prevailing market prices or prices related thereto at the
time of sale, which may be equal to, greater than or less than the price at
which such Securities are purchased by such Agent from the Company.

          For each sale of Securities to an Agent as principal that is not made
pursuant to a Terms Agreement, the procedural details relating to the issue and
delivery of such Securities and payment therefor shall be as set forth in the
Administrative Procedure. For each such sale of Securities to an Agent as
principal that is not made 

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
pursuant to a Terms Agreement, the Company agrees to pay such Agent a commission
(or grant an equivalent discount) as provided in Section 2(a) hereof and in
accordance with the schedule set forth therein.

          Each time and date of delivery of and payment for Securities to be
purchased by an Agent as principal, whether set forth in a Terms Agreement or in
accordance with the Administrative Procedure, is referred to herein as a "Time
of Delivery".

          (c) Each Agent agrees, with respect to any Security denominated in a
currency other than U.S. dollars, as agent, directly or indirectly, not to
solicit offers to purchase, and as principal under any Terms Agreement or
otherwise, directly or indirectly, not to offer, sell or deliver, such Security
in, or to residents of, the country issuing such currency, except as permitted
by applicable law.

          3.  The documents required to be delivered pursuant to Section 6
hereof on the Commencement Date (as defined below) shall be delivered to the
Agents at the offices of ____________________________, at 11:00 a.m., _______
time, on the date of this Agreement, or at such other place and time as shall be
agreed upon by the parties, which date and time of such delivery may be
postponed by agreement between the Agents and the Company but in no event shall
be later than the day prior to the date on which solicitation of offers to
purchase Securities is commenced or on which any Terms Agreement is executed
(such time and date being referred to herein as the "Commencement Date").

          4.  The Company covenants and agrees with each Agent:

          (a) (i) To make no amendment or supplement to the Registration
Statement or the Prospectus (A) prior to the Commencement Date which shall be
disapproved by any Agent promptly after reasonable notice thereof or (B) after
the date of any Terms Agreement or other agreement by an Agent to purchase
Securities as principal and prior to the related Time of Delivery which shall be
disapproved by any Agent party to such Terms Agreement or so purchasing as
principal promptly after reasonable notice thereof; (ii) to prepare, with
respect to any Securities to be sold through or to such Agent pursuant to this
Agreement, a Pricing Supplement with respect to such Securities in a form
previously approved by such Agent and to file such Pricing Supplement pursuant
to Rule 424(b)(3) under the Act not later than the close of business of the
Commission on the fifth business day after the date on which such Pricing
Supplement is first used; (iii) to make no amendment or supplement to the
Registration Statement or Prospectus, other than any Pricing Supplement, at any
time prior to having afforded each Agent a reasonable opportunity to review and
comment thereon; (iv) to file promptly all reports and any definitive proxy or
information statements required to be filed by the Company 

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
with the Commission pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act for so long as the delivery of a prospectus is required in
connection with the offering or sale of the Securities, and during such same
period to advise such Agent, promptly after the Company receives notice thereof,
of the time when any amendment to the Registration Statement has been filed or
has become effective or any supplement to the Prospectus or any amended
Prospectus (other than any Pricing Supplement that relates to Securities not
purchased through or by such Agent) has been filed with the Commission, of the
issuance by the Commission of any stop order or of any order preventing or
suspending the use of any prospectus relating to the Securities, of the
suspension of the qualification of the Securities for offering or sale in any
jurisdiction, of the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for any such
purpose, or of any request by the Commission for the amendment or supplement of
the Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional information; and (v)
in the event of the issuance of any such stop order or of any such order
preventing or suspending the use of any such prospectus or suspending any such
qualification, to use promptly its best efforts to obtain its withdrawal;

          (b) Promptly from time to time to take such action as such Agent may
reasonably request to qualify the Securities for offering and sale under the
securities laws of such jurisdictions as such Agent may request and to comply
with such laws so as to permit the continuance of sales and dealings therein for
as long as may be necessary to complete the distribution or sale of the
Securities; provided, however, that in connection therewith the Company shall
not be required to qualify as a foreign corporation or to file a general consent
to service of process in any jurisdiction;

          (c) To furnish such Agent with copies of the Registration Statement
and each amendment thereto, with copies of the Prospectus as each time amended
or supplemented, other than any Pricing Supplement (except as provided in the
Administrative Procedure), in the form in which it is filed with the Commission
pursuant to Rule 424 under the Act, and with copies of the documents
incorporated by reference therein, all in such quantities as such Agent may
reasonably request from time to time; and, if the delivery of a prospectus is
required at any time in connection with the offering or sale of the Securities
(including Securities purchased from the Company by such Agent as principal) and
if at such time any event shall have occurred as a result of which the
Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include an untrue statement of
a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make
the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were
made when such Prospectus is delivered, not misleading, or, if for any other
reason it shall be necessary during such same period to amend or supplement the
Prospectus or to file under the Exchange Act any document incorporated by
reference in the Prospectus in order to comply with the Act, the Exchange Act or
the Trust Indenture Act, to notify such Agent and request such Agent, in its
capacity as agent of the Company, to suspend solicitation of offers to purchase
Securities from the Company (and, if so notified, such Agent shall 

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
cease such solicitations as soon as practicable, but in any event not later than
one business day later); and if the Company shall decide to amend or supplement
the Registration Statement or the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented, to
so advise such Agent promptly by telephone (with confirmation in writing) and to
prepare and cause to be filed promptly with the Commission an amendment or
supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus as then amended or
supplemented that will correct such statement or omission or effect such
compliance; provided, however, that if during such same period such Agent
continues to own Securities purchased from the Company by such Agent as
principal or such Agent is otherwise required to deliver a prospectus in respect
of transactions in the Securities, the Company shall promptly prepare and file
with the Commission such an amendment or supplement;

          (d) To make generally available to its securityholders as soon as
practicable, but in any event not later than eighteen months after the effective
date of the Registration Statement (as defined in Rule 158(c) under the Act), an
earnings statement of the Company and its subsidiaries (which need not be
audited) complying with Section 11(a) of the Act and the rules and regulations
of the Commission thereunder (including, at the option of the Company, Rule
158);

          (e) So long as any Securities are outstanding, to furnish to such
Agent copies of all reports or other communications (financial or other)
furnished generally to shareholders, and deliver to such Agent (i) as soon as
they are available, copies of any reports and financial  statements furnished to
or filed with the Commission or any national securities exchange on which any
class of securities of the Company is listed; and (ii) such additional
information concerning the business and financial condition of the Company as
such Agent may from time to time reasonably request (such financial statements
to be on a consolidated basis to the extent the accounts of the Company and its
subsidiaries are consolidated in reports furnished to its shareholders generally
or to the Commission);

          (f) That, from the date of any Terms Agreement with such Agent or
other agreement by such Agent to purchase Securities as principal and continuing
to and including the later of (i) the termination of the trading restrictions
for the Securities purchased thereunder, as notified to the Company by such
Agent and (ii) the related Time of Delivery, not to offer, sell, contract to
sell or otherwise dispose of any debt securities of the Company which both
mature more than 9 months after such Time of Delivery and are substantially
similar to the Securities, without the prior written consent of such Agent;

          (g) That each acceptance by the Company of an offer to purchase
Securities hereunder (including any purchase by such Agent as principal not
pursuant to a Terms Agreement), and each execution and delivery by the Company
of a Terms Agreement with such Agent, shall be deemed to be an affirmation to
such Agent that the 

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
representations and warranties of the Company contained in or made pursuant to
this Agreement are true and correct as of the date of such acceptance or of such
Terms Agreement, as the case may be, as though made at and as of such date, and
an undertaking that such representations and warranties will be true and correct
as of the settlement date for the Securities relating to such acceptance or as
of the Time of Delivery relating to such sale, as the case may be, as though
made at and as of such date (except that such representations and warranties
shall be deemed to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as
amended and supplemented relating to such Securities);

          (h) That reasonably in advance of each time the Registration Statement
or the Prospectus shall be amended or supplemented (other than by a Pricing
Supplement), each time a document filed under the Act or the Exchange Act is
incorporated by reference into the Prospectus, and each time the Company sells
Securities to such Agent as principal pursuant to a Terms Agreement and such
Terms Agreement specifies the delivery of an opinion or opinions by __________,
counsel to the Agents, as a condition to the purchase of Securities pursuant to
such Terms Agreement, the Company shall furnish to such counsel such papers and
information as they may reasonably request to enable them to furnish to such
Agent the opinion or opinions referred to in Section 6(b) hereof;

          (i) That each time the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall
be amended or supplemented (other than by a Pricing Supplement), each time a
document filed under the Act or the Exchange Act is incorporated by reference
into the Prospectus and each time the Company sells Securities to such Agent as
principal pursuant to a Terms Agreement and such Terms Agreement specifies the
delivery of an opinion under this Section 4(i) as a condition to the purchase of
Securities pursuant to such Terms Agreement, the Company shall furnish or cause
to be furnished forthwith to such Agent a written opinion of the General Counsel
of the Company, and Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson, special counsel
for the Company, or other counsel for the Company satisfactory to such Agent,
dated the date of such amendment, supplement, incorporation or Time of Delivery
relating to such sale, as the case may be, in form satisfactory to such Agent,
to the effect that such Agent may rely on the opinion of such counsel referred
to in Section 6(c) and Section 6(d) hereof which was last furnished to such
Agent to the same extent as though it were dated the date of such letter
authorizing reliance (except that the statements in such last opinion shall be
deemed to relate to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended and
supplemented to such date) or, in lieu of such opinion, an opinion of the same
tenor as the opinion of such counsel referred to in Section 6(c) and Section
6(d) hereof but modified to relate to the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus as amended and supplemented to such date;

          (j) That each time the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall
be amended or supplemented and each time that a document filed under the Act or

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
the Exchange Act is incorporated by reference into the Prospectus, in either
case to set forth financial information included in or derived from the
Company's consolidated financial statements or accounting records, and each time
the Company sells Securities to such Agent as principal pursuant to a Terms
Agreement and such Terms Agreement specifies the delivery of a letter under this
Section 4(j) as a condition to the purchase of Securities pursuant to such Terms
Agreement, the Company shall cause the independent certified public accountants
who have certified the financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries
included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, or such
other independent certified public accountants as are reasonably satisfactory to
such Agent, forthwith to furnish such Agent a letter, dated the date of such
amendment, supplement, incorporation or Time of Delivery relating to such sale,
as the case may be, in form satisfactory to such Agent, of the same tenor as the
letter referred to in Section 6(e) hereof but modified to relate to the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended or supplemented to the date
of such letter, with such changes as may be necessary to reflect changes in the
financial statements and other information derived from the accounting records
of the Company, to the extent such financial statements and other information
are available as of a date not more than five business days prior to the date of
such letter; provided, however, that, with respect to any financial information
or other matter, such letter may reconfirm as true and correct at such date as
though made at and as of such date, rather than repeat, statements with respect
to such financial information or other matter made in the letter referred to in
Section 6(e) hereof which was last furnished to such Agent;

          (k) That each time the Registration Statement or the Prospectus shall
be amended or supplemented (other than by a Pricing Supplement), each time a
document filed under the Act or the Exchange Act is incorporated by reference
into the Prospectus and each time the Company sells Securities to such Agent as
principal and the applicable Terms Agreement specifies the delivery of a
certificate under this Section 4(k) as a condition to the purchase of Securities
pursuant to such Terms Agreement, the Company shall (and with respect to any
filings other than a Form 10-Q, Form 10-K and Form 8-K and any amendments
thereto, upon the request of such Agent) furnish or cause to be furnished
forthwith to such Agent a certificate, dated the date of such supplement,
amendment, incorporation or Time of Delivery relating to such sale, as the case
may be, in such form and executed by such officers of the Company as shall be
satisfactory to such Agent, to the effect that the statements contained in the
certificates referred to in Section 6(j) hereof which were last furnished to
such Agent are true and correct at such date as though made at and as of such
date (except that such statements shall be deemed to relate to the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus as amended and supplemented to such date) or, in
lieu of such certificate, certificates of the same tenor as the certificates
referred to in said Section 6(j) but modified to relate to the Registration
Statement and the Prospectus as amended and supplemented to such date; and

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
          (l) To offer to any person who has agreed to purchase Securities from
the Company as the result of an offer to purchase solicited by such Agent the
right to refuse to purchase and pay for such Securities if, on the related
settlement date fixed pursuant to the Administrative Procedure, any condition
set forth in Section 6(a), 6(f), 6(g) or 6(h) hereof shall not have been
satisfied (it being understood that the judgment of such person with respect to
the impracticability or inadvisability of such purchase of Securities shall be
substituted, for purposes of this Section 4(l), for the respective judgments of
an Agent with respect to certain matters referred to in such Sections 6(f) and
6(h), and that such Agent shall have no duty or obligation whatsoever to
exercise the judgment permitted under such Sections 6(f) and 6(h) on behalf of
any such person).

          5.  The Company covenants and agrees with each Agent that the Company
will pay or cause to be paid the following: (i) the fees, disbursements and
expenses of the Company's counsel and accountants in connection with the
registration of the Securities under the Act and all other expenses in
connection with the preparation, printing and filing of the Registration
Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Prospectus and any Pricing
Supplements and all other amendments and supplements thereto and the mailing and
delivering of copies thereof to such Agent; (ii) the reasonable fees,
disbursements and expenses of counsel for the Agents in connection with the
establishment of the program contemplated hereby, any opinions to be rendered by
such counsel hereunder and under any Terms Agreement and the transactions
contemplated hereunder and under any Terms Agreement; (iii) the cost of
printing, producing or reproducing this Agreement, any Terms Agreement, any
Indenture, any Blue Sky and Legal Investment Memoranda, closing documents
(including any compilations thereof) and any other documents so long as such
documents have been approved by the Company in connection with the offering,
purchase, sale and delivery of the Securities; (iv) all expenses in connection
with the qualification of the Securities for offering and sale under state
securities laws as provided in Section 4(b) hereof, including the fees and
disbursements of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson in connection with
such qualification and in connection with the Blue Sky and legal investment
surveys; (v) any fees charged by securities rating services for rating the
Securities; (vi) any filing fees incident to, and the reasonable fees and
disbursements of Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson in connection with,
any required review by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. of
the terms of the sale of the Securities; (vii) the cost of preparing the
Securities; (viii) the reasonable fees and expenses of any Trustee and any agent
of any Trustee and any transfer or paying agent of the Company and the
reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for any Trustee or such agent in
connection with any Indenture and the Securities; (ix) any advertising expenses
connected with the solicitation of offers to purchase and the sale of Securities
so long as such advertising expenses have been approved by the Company; and (x)
all other costs and expenses incident to the performance of its obligations
hereunder which are not otherwise specifically provided 

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
for in this Section. Except as provided in Sections 7 and 8 hereof, each Agent
shall pay all other expenses it incurs.

          6.  The obligation of any Agent, as agent of the Company, at any time
("Solicitation Time") to solicit offers to purchase the Securities and the
obligation of any Agent to purchase Securities as principal, pursuant to any
Terms Agreement or otherwise, shall in each case be subject, in such Agent's
discretion, to the condition that all representations and warranties and other
statements of the Company herein (and, in the case of an obligation of an Agent
under a Terms Agreement, in or incorporated by reference in such Terms
Agreement) are true and correct at and as of the Commencement Date and any
applicable date referred to in Section 4(k) hereof that is prior to such
Solicitation Time or Time of Delivery, as the case may be, and at and as of such
Solicitation Time or Time of Delivery, as the case may be, the condition that
prior to such Solicitation Time or Time of Delivery, as the case may be, the
Company shall have performed all of its obligations hereunder theretofore to be
performed, and the following additional conditions:

          (a) (i) With respect to any Securities sold at or prior to such
Solicitation Time or Time of Delivery, as the case may be, the Prospectus as
amended or supplemented (including the Pricing Supplement) with respect to such
Securities shall have been filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b)
under the Act within the applicable time period prescribed for such filing by
the rules and regulations under the Act and in accordance with Section 4(a)
hereof; (ii) no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement shall have been issued and no proceeding for that purpose shall have
been initiated or threatened by the Commission; and (iii) all requests for
additional information on the part of the Commission shall have been complied
with to the reasonable satisfaction of such Agent;

          (b) _____________, counsel to the Agents, shall have furnished to such
Agent (i) such opinion or opinions, dated the Commencement Date, with respect to
the incorporation of the Company, the validity of the Indenture, the Securities,
the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, and such other related matters as
such Agent may reasonably request, and (ii) if and to the extent requested by
such Agent, with respect to each applicable date referred to in Section 4(h)
hereof that is on or prior to such Solicitation Time or Time of Delivery, as the
case may be, an opinion or opinions, dated such applicable date, to the effect
that such Agent may rely on the opinion or opinions which were last furnished to
such Agent pursuant to this Section 6(b) to the same extent as though it or they
were dated the date of such letter authorizing reliance (except that the
statements in such last opinion or opinions shall be deemed to relate to the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended and supplemented to such
date) or, in any case, in lieu of such an opinion or opinions, an opinion or
opinions of the same tenor as the opinion or opinions referred to in clause (i)
but modified to relate to the Registration 

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
Statement and the Prospectus as amended and supplemented to such date; and in
each case such counsel shall have received such papers and information as they
may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such matters;

          (c) The General Counsel of the Company or other counsel for the
Company satisfactory to such Agent, shall have furnished to such Agent his
written opinion (which may be limited to the laws of the State of Maryland and,
with respect to clauses (xii) and (xiii) below, the federal securities laws),
dated the Commencement Date and each applicable date referred to in Section 4(i)
hereof that is on or prior to such Solicitation Time or Time of Delivery, as the
case may be, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such Agent, to the
effect that:

          (i) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as
a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland, with
corporate power and authority to own its properties and conduct its business as
described in the Prospectus as amended or supplemented;

          (ii) The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in the
Prospectus as amended or supplemented, and all of the issued shares of capital
stock of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are
fully paid and non-assessable;

          (iii)     The Company has been duly qualified as a foreign corporation
for the transaction of business and is in good standing under the laws of each
other jurisdiction in which the failure so to qualify and maintain good standing
would have a material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries taken
as a whole (such counsel being entitled to rely in respect of the opinion in
this clause upon opinions of local counsel and in respect of matters of fact
upon certificates of officers of the Company);

          (iv) Each Significant Subsidiary (as defined below) of the Company
that is incorporated under the laws of the State of Maryland has been duly
incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under the
laws of the State of Maryland; and all of the issued shares of capital stock of
each such subsidiary have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully
paid and non-assessable, and are owned (with exceptions that are not material to
the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole) directly or indirectly by
the Company, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances or claims (collectively
"Liens") except (i) Liens relating to debt which has been disclosed
specifically, generally or in the aggregate in the Prospectus as amended or
supplemented or incurred after the date of the latest audited financial
statements included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, as amended
or supplemented in the ordinary course of business (including financings), (ii)
Liens incurred in the ordinary 

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
course of business which are not materially adverse to the operations of the
Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or (iii) restrictions on the
transfer or use of the stock of any subsidiary under any partnership, joint
venture agreements or lease agreements to which the Company or any of its
subsidiaries is a party (such counsel being entitled to rely in respect of the
opinion in this clause upon opinions of local counsel and in respect of matters
of fact upon certificates of officers of the Company or its subsidiaries,
provided that such counsel shall state that he believes that both such Agent and
he are justified in relying upon such opinions and certificates); "Significant
Subsidiary" is defined to be any subsidiary of the Company that holds assets
that have a value, on a current value basis, in excess of 3% of the Company's
Total Common Stock and Other Shareholders' Equity, on a current value basis, as
reported in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K or Annual
Report to Shareholders;

          (v) To the best of such counsel's knowledge and other than as set
forth in the Prospectus as amended or supplemented, there are no legal or
governmental proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries
is a party or of which any property of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is
the subject which is likely, individually or in the aggregate, to have a
material adverse effect on the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole,
and, to the best of such counsel's knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened
or contemplated by governmental authorities or threatened by others;

          (vi)  This Agreement and any applicable Terms Agreement have been duly
authorized, executed and delivered by the Company;

         (vii)  The Securities have been duly authorized;

        (viii)  The Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by the Company;

          (ix)  To the best of such counsel's knowledge, the issue and sale of
the Securities and the compliance by the Company with all of the provisions of
the Securities, the Indenture, this Agreement and any Terms Agreement, and the
consummation of the transactions herein and therein contemplated will not
conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or
provisions of, or constitute a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of
trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument known to such counsel to
which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company
or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of
the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject except for any such conflict,
breach, violation or default which does not have a material adverse effect on
the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, nor will such actions result
in any violation of the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws of
the Company or 

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
any statute or any order, rule or regulation known to such counsel of any court
or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of
its properties;

          (x) To the best of such counsel's knowledge, no consent, approval,
authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any court or
governmental agency or body is required for the solicitation of offers to
purchase Securities, issue and sale of the Securities or the consummation by the
Company of the other transactions contemplated by this Agreement, any Terms
Agreement or the Indenture, except such as have been, or will have been prior to
the Commencement Date, obtained under the Act or the Trust Indenture Act and
such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may
be required under state securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with the
solicitation by the Agents of offers to purchase Securities from the Company and
with purchases of Securities by an Agent as principal, as the case may be, in
each case in the manner contemplated hereby;

          (xi) The Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and
sale of the Securities, will not be an "investment company" or an entity
"controlled" by an "investment company", as such terms are defined in the
Investment Company Act;

          (xii)     The documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus as
amended or supplemented (other than the financial statements and related notes
and schedules therein and other financial data included therein or omitted
therefrom, as to which such counsel need express no opinion), when they were
filed with the Commission appear on their face to be appropriately responsive,
in all material respects, to the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules
and regulations of the Commission thereunder; and nothing has come to such
counsel's attention to cause such counsel to believe that any of such documents,
when they were so filed contained an untrue statement of a material fact or
omitted to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made when such
documents were so filed, not misleading; and

          (xiii)    Nothing has come to such counsel's attention to cause such
counsel to believe that, as of its effective date, the Registration Statement or
any further amendment or supplement thereto made by the Company prior to the
date of such opinion (other than the financial statements and related notes and
schedules therein and other financial data included therein or excluded
therefrom and Form T-1, as to which such counsel need express no opinion)
contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading or that, as of the date of such opinion, the Prospectus as
amended or supplemented or any further amendment or supplement thereto made by
the 

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
Company prior to the date of such opinion (other than the financial statements
and related notes and schedules therein and other financial data included
therein or excluded therefrom and Form T-1, as to which such counsel need
express no opinion) contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted
to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of
the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading; and such counsel does
not know of any amendment to the Registration Statement required to be filed or
any contracts or other documents of a character required to be filed as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement or required to be incorporated by
reference into the Prospectus as amended or supplemented or required to be
described in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus as amended or
supplemented which are not filed or incorporated by reference or described as
required.

          (d) Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson, special counsel for the
Company, or other counsel for the Company satisfactory to such Agent, shall have
furnished to such Agent their written opinion (which will be limited to the laws
of the State of New York and federal laws and may rely on an opinion of the
General Counsel of the Company, or other counsel for the Company reasonably
satisfactory to such Agent, as to the laws of the State of Maryland), dated the
Commencement Date and each applicable date referred to in Section 4(i) hereof
that is on or prior to such Solicitation Time or Time of Delivery, as the case
may be, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such Agent, to the
effect that:

          (i) The Securities, when duly executed, authenticated, issued and
delivered by the Company, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the
Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms;

          (ii) The Indenture constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the
Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms;

          (iii) The Indenture has been qualified under the Trust Indenture Act;

          (iv) The Indenture conforms, and the Securities will conform, in all
material respects to the descriptions thereof contained in the Prospectus as
amended or supplemented; and

          (v) At the time the Registration Statement was declared effective by
the Commission, the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (other than (a)
the financial statements, notes and schedules thereto, (b) other financial data
and statistical information included therein, (c) the documents incorporated by
reference therein and (d) the Form T-1, included therein, as to which such
counsel need not express 

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
an opinion), appeared on their face to be responsive as to form in all material
respects to the requirements of the Act and the Trust Indenture Act and the
rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

          The opinion set forth in paragraphs (i) and (ii) above is subject to:

          (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent
transfer, moratorium or other laws now or hereafter in effect affecting
creditors' rights generally; and

          (ii) general principles of equity (including, without limitation,
standards of materiality, good faith, fair dealing and reasonableness) whether
such principles are considered in a proceeding in equity or at law;

          (e) Not later than 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Commencement
Date and on each applicable date referred to in Section 4(j) hereof that is on
or prior to such Solicitation Time or Time of Delivery, as the case may be, the
independent certified public accountants who have certified the financial
statements of the Company and its subsidiaries included or incorporated by
reference in the Registration Statement, as amended or supplemented, or such
other independent certified public accountants as are reasonably satisfactory to
such Agent, shall have furnished to such Agent a letter, dated the Commencement
Date or such applicable date, as the case may be, in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to such Agent, to the effect set forth in Annex III
hereto;

          (f) (i) The Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, have not
sustained since the date of the latest audited financial statements included or
incorporated by reference in the Prospectus as amended or supplemented prior to
the date of the Pricing Supplement relating to the Securities to be delivered at
the relevant Time of Delivery any material loss or interference with its
business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered
by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order
or decree, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus as
amended or supplemented prior to the date of the Pricing Supplement relating to
the Securities to be delivered at the relevant Time of Delivery and (ii) since
the respective dates as of which information is given in the Prospectus as
amended or supplemented prior to the date of the Pricing Supplement relating to
the Securities to be delivered at the relevant Time of Delivery there shall not
have been any change in the capital stock (other than issuances of capital stock
pursuant to bonus stock awards granted in the ordinary course of business or
upon exercise of options and stock appreciation rights and upon conversion of
convertible securities, in each case, except with respect to bonus stock awards
granted in the ordinary course of business, which were outstanding as of the
date of the latest audited financial statements included or incorporated by
reference 

                                       21
<PAGE>
 
in the Prospectus as amended or supplemented prior to the date of the Pricing
Statement relating to the Securities to be delivered at the relevant Time of
Delivery) or any material adverse change in the long-term debt of the Company
and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or any material adverse change, or any
development involving a prospective material adverse change, in or affecting the
general affairs, management, current value basis shareholders' equity or results
of operations (based on Earnings Before Depreciation and Deferred Taxes from
Operations) of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, otherwise
than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus as amended or supplemented
prior to the date of the Pricing Supplement relating to the Securities to be
delivered at the relevant Time of Delivery, the effect of which, in any such
case described in clause (i) or (ii), is in the judgment of such Agent so
material and adverse as to make it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with
the solicitation by such Agent of offers to purchase Securities from the Company
or the purchase by such Agent of Securities from the Company as principal, as
the case may be, on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus
as amended or supplemented prior to the date of the Pricing Supplement relating
to the Securities to be delivered at the relevant Time of Delivery;

          (g) On or after the date hereof (i) no downgrading shall have occurred
in the rating accorded the Company's debt securities by any "nationally
recognized statistical rating organization", as that term is defined by the
Commission for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Act and (ii) no such
organization shall have publicly announced that it has under surveillance or
review, with possible negative implications, its rating of any of the Company's
debt securities;

          (h) On or after the date hereof there shall not have occurred any of
the following: (i) a suspension or material limitation in trading in securities
generally on the New York Stock Exchange; (ii) a general moratorium on
commercial banking activities in New York declared by either federal or New York
State authorities; or (iii) the outbreak or 

                                       22
<PAGE>
 
escalation of hostilities involving the United States or the declaration by the
United States of a national emergency or war, if the effect of any such event
specified in this clause (iii) in such Agent's reasonable judgment makes it
impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the delivery
of the Securities on the terms and in the manner contemplated by the Prospectus;

          (i) With respect to any Security denominated in a currency other than
the U.S. dollar, more than one currency or a composite currency or any Security
the principal or interest of which is indexed to such currency, currencies or
composite currency, there shall not have occurred a suspension or material
limitation in foreign exchange trading in such currency, currencies or composite
currency by major international banks, a general moratorium on commercial
banking activities in the country or countries issuing such currency, currencies
or composite currency, the outbreak or escalation of hostilities involving, the
occurrence of any material adverse change in the existing financial, political
or economic conditions of, or the declaration of war or a national emergency by,
the country or countries issuing such currency, currencies or composite currency
or the imposition or proposal of exchange controls by any governmental authority
in the country or countries issuing such currency, currencies or composite
currency; and

          (j) The Company shall have furnished or caused to be furnished to such
Agent certificates of officers of the Company dated the Commencement Date and
each applicable date referred to in Section 4(k) hereof that is on or prior to
such Solicitation Time or Time of Delivery, as the case may be, in such form and
executed by such officers of the Company as shall be satisfactory to such Agent,
as to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company herein
at and as of the Commencement Date or such applicable date, as the case may be,
as to the performance by the Company of all of its obligations hereunder to be
performed at or prior to the Commencement Date or such applicable date, as the
case may be, as to the matters set forth in subsections (a) and (f) of this
Section 6, and as to such other matters as such Agent may reasonably request.

          To the extent that any conditions set forth in paragraph (g), (h) or
(i) in this Section 6 are not satisfied and are so specified in a written notice
to such Agent from the Company, such Agent will notify the Company in writing as
soon as practicable whether such Agent will waive the condition so specified in
the Company's notice as a prerequisite to such Agent's obligations to (A)
solicit offers to purchase the Securities and/or (B) purchase Securities as
principal, pursuant to any Terms Agreement or otherwise.

          7.  (a) The Company will indemnify and hold harmless each Agent
against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which
such Agent may become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out
of or are based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration
Statement, the Prospectus, the Prospectus as amended or supplemented or any
other prospectus relating to the Securities, or any amendment or supplement
thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to
state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein not misleading, and will reimburse such Agent for any
legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by it in connection with
investigating or defending any such action or claim as such expenses are
incurred; provided, however, that the Company shall not be liable in any such
case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of
or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or
alleged omission made in any Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement,
the 

                                       23
<PAGE>
 
Prospectus, the Prospectus as amended or supplemented or any other prospectus
relating to the Securities, or any such amendment or supplement, in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such
Agent expressly for use therein.

          (b) Each Agent will indemnify and hold harmless the Company against
anyb)Each Agent will indemnify and hold harmless the Company against any losses,
claims, damages or liabilities to which the Company may become subject, under
the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or
actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an untrue statement
or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any Preliminary
Prospectus, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the Prospectus as
amended or supplemented or any other prospectus relating to the Securities, or
any amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in
each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in any
Preliminary Prospectus, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the
Prospectus as amended or supplemented or any other prospectus relating to the
Securities, or any such amendment or supplement, in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Company by such Agent
expressly for use therein; and will reimburse the Company for any legal or other
expenses reasonably incurred by the Company in connection with investigating or
defending any such action or claim as such expenses are incurred.

          (c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under subsection
(a) or (b) above of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified
party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the
indemnifying party under such subsection, notify the indemnifying party in
writing of the commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the
indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to
any indemnified party otherwise than under such subsection. In case any such
action shall be brought against any indemnified party and it shall notify the
indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party shall be
entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it shall wish, jointly
with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense
thereof, with counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall not,
except with the consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying
party), and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party
of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall
not be liable to such indemnified party under such subsection for any legal
expenses of other counsel or any other expenses, in each case subsequently
incurred by such indemnified party, in connection with the defense thereof other
than reasonable costs of investigation.  If the indemnifying party does not
assume the defense of such action, it is understood that the indemnifying party

                                       24
<PAGE>
 
shall not, in connection with any one such action or separate but substantially
similar or related actions in the same jurisdiction arising out of the same
general allegations or circumstances, be liable for the fees and expenses of
more than one separate firm of attorneys (in addition to one separate firm of
local attorneys in each such jurisdiction) at any time for all such indemnified
parties, which firms shall be designated in writing by you, if the indemnified
parties under this Section consist of any Underwriter of Designated Securities
or any of its respective controlling persons, or by the Company, if the
indemnified parties under this Section consist of the Company or any of its
directors, officers, administrative trustees or controlling persons.  The
indemnifying party shall not be liable for any settlement of an action or claim
for monetary damages which an indemnified party may effect without the consent
of the indemnifying party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.  No
indemnifying party shall, without the written consent of the indemnified party,
effect the settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of any judgment
with respect to, any pending or threatened action or claim in respect of which
indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the
indemnified party is an actual or potential party to such action or claim),
unless such settlement, compromise or judgment (i) includes an unconditional
release of the indemnified party from all liability arising out of such action
or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to, or an admission of, fault,
culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

          (d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 7 is
unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under
subsection (a) or (b) above in respect of any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to therein, then each
indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such
indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or
actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the
relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and each Agent on the
other from the offering of the Securities to which such loss, claim, damage or
liability (or action in respect thereof) relates. If, however, the allocation
provided by the immediately preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable
law or if the indemnified party failed to give the notice required under
subsection (c) above, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to such
amount paid or payable by such indemnified party in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative
fault of the Company on the one hand and each Agent on the other in connection
with the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages
or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof), as well as any other relevant
equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company on the
one hand and each Agent on the other shall be deemed to be in the same
proportion as the total net proceeds from the sale of Securities (before
deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to the total commissions or
discounts received by such Agent in respect thereof. The relative fault shall be
determined 

                                       25
<PAGE>
 
by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the
statements therein not misleading relates to information supplied by the Company
on the one hand or by any Agent on the other and the parties' relative intent,
knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such
statement or omission. The Company and each Agent agree that it would not be
just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this subsection (d) were
determined by per capita allocation (even if all Agents were treated as one
entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not
take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this
subsection (d). The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result
of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof)
referred to above in this subsection (d) shall be deemed to include any legal or
other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with
investigating or defending any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the
provisions of this subsection (d), an Agent shall not be required to contribute
any amount in excess of the amount by which the total public offering price at
which the Securities purchased by or through it were sold exceeds the amount of
any damages which such Agent has otherwise been required to pay by reason of
such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No
person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section
11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not
guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The obligations of each of the
Agents under this subsection (d) to contribute are several in proportion to the
respective purchases made by or through it to which such loss, claim, damage or
liability (or action in respect thereof) relates and are not joint.

          (e) The obligations of the Company under this Section 7 shall be in
addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have and shall extend,
upon the same terms and conditions, to each person, if any, who controls any
Agent within the meaning of the Act; and the obligations of each Agent under
this Section 7 shall be in addition to any liability which such Agent may
otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each
officer and director of the Company and to each person, if any, who controls the
Company within the meaning of the Act.

          8.  Each Agent, in soliciting offers to purchase Securities from the
Company and in performing the other obligations of such Agent hereunder (other
than in respect of any purchase by an Agent as principal, pursuant to a Terms
Agreement or otherwise), is acting solely as agent for the Company and not as
principal. Each Agent will make reasonable efforts to assist the Company in
obtaining performance by each purchaser whose offer to purchase Securities from
the Company was solicited by such Agent and has been accepted by the Company,
but such Agent shall not have any liability to the Company in the event such
purchase is not consummated for any reason. If the Company shall default on its
obligation to deliver Securities to a purchaser whose offer it 

                                       26
<PAGE>
 
has accepted, the Company shall (i) hold each Agent harmless against any loss,
claim or damage arising from or as a result of such default by the Company and
(ii) notwithstanding such default, pay to the Agent that solicited such offer
any commission to which it would be entitled in connection with such sale.

          9.  The respective indemnities, agreements, representations,
warranties and other statements by any Agent and the Company set forth in or
made pursuant to this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect regardless
of any investigation (or any statement as to the results thereof) made by or on
behalf of any Agent or any controlling person of any Agent, or the Company, or
any officer or director or any controlling person of the Company, and shall
survive each delivery of and payment for any of the Securities.

          10.  The provisions of this Agreement relating to the solicitation of
offers to purchase Securities from the Company may be suspended or terminated at
any time by the Company as to any Agent or by any Agent as to such Agent upon
the giving of written notice of such suspension or termination to such Agent or
the Company, as the case may be. In the event of such suspension or termination
with respect to any Agent, (x) this Agreement shall remain in full force and
effect with respect to any Agent as to which such suspension or termination has
not occurred, (y) this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect with
respect to the rights and obligations of any party which have previously accrued
or which relate to Securities which are already issued, agreed to be issued or
the subject of a pending offer at the time of such suspension or termination and
(z) in any event, this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect insofar
as the fourth paragraph of Section 2(a), and Sections 4(d), 4(e), 5, 7, 8 and 9
hereof are concerned.

          11.  Except as otherwise specifically provided herein or in the
Administrative Procedure, all statements, requests, notices and advice hereunder
shall be in writing, or by telephone if promptly confirmed in writing, and if to
[name(s) of Agent(s)] shall be sufficient in all respects when delivered or sent
by telex, facsimile transmission or registered mail to [address(es), telex
no(s). and facsimile transmission no(s). of Agent(s)], and if to the Company
shall be sufficient in all respects when delivered or sent by facsimile
transmission or registered mail to The Rouse Company, 10275 Little Patuxent
Parkway, Columbia, Maryland 21044, Attention: Treasurer, with a copy to the
General Counsel, Facsimile Transmission No. (410) 992-6392.

          12.  This Agreement and any Terms Agreement shall be binding upon, and
inure solely to the benefit of, each Agent and the Company, and to the extent
provided in Sections 7, 8 and 9 hereof, the officers and directors of the
Company and any person who controls any Agent or the Company, and their
respective personal representatives, successors and assigns, and no other person
shall acquire or have any right under or by virtue of this Agreement or any
Terms Agreement. No purchaser of any 

                                       27
<PAGE>
 
of the Securities through or from any Agent hereunder shall be deemed a
successor or assign by reason merely of such purchase.

          13.  Time shall be of the essence in this Agreement and any Terms
Agreement. As used herein, the term "business day" shall mean any day when the
Commission's office in Washington, D.C. is open for business.

          14.  THIS AGREEMENT AND ANY TERMS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

          15.  This Agreement and any Terms Agreement may be executed by any one
or more of the parties hereto and thereto in any number of counterparts, each of
which shall be an original, but all of such respective counterparts shall
together constitute one and the same instrument.

                                       28
<PAGE>
 
If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and
return to us _____ counterparts hereof, whereupon this letter and the acceptance
by each of you thereof shall constitute a binding agreement between the Company
and each of you in accordance with its terms.

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    THE ROUSE COMPANY


                                    By:
                                    Name:
                                    Title:
Accepted in New York, New York,
as of the date hereof:

[[Name(s) of Agent(s)]


By:
Name:
Title: ]

                                       29
<PAGE>
 
                                                                         ANNEX I
                               THE ROUSE COMPANY

                               Medium-Term Notes
                                Terms Agreement
                                ---------------


                                    ___________, 199__


[Name(s) and Address(es)of Agent(s)]

Ladies and Gentlemen:

          The Rouse Company (the "Company") proposes, subject to the terms and
conditions stated herein and in the Distribution Agreement, dated ____________,
199__ (the "Distribution Agreement"), between the Company on the one hand and
[Name(s) of Agent(s)] (the "Agents") on the other, to issue and sell to [Name(s)
of Agent(s)] the securities specified in the Schedule hereto (the "Purchased
Securities").  Each of the provisions of the Distribution Agreement not
specifically related to the solicitation by the Agents, as agents of the
Company, of offers to purchase Securities is incorporated herein by reference in
its entirety, and shall be deemed to be part of this Terms Agreement to the same
extent as if such provisions had been set forth in full herein.  Nothing
contained herein or in the Distribution Agreement shall make any party hereto an
agent of the Company or make such party subject to the provisions therein
relating to the solicitation of offers to purchase Securities from the Company,
solely by virtue of its execution of this Terms Agreement.  Each of the
representations and warranties set forth therein shall be deemed to have been
made at and as of the date of this Terms Agreement, except that each
representation and warranty in Section 1 of the Distribution Agreement which
makes reference to the Prospectus shall be deemed to be a representation and
warranty as of the date of the Distribution Agreement in relation to the
Prospectus (as therein defined), and also a representation and warranty as of
the date of this Terms Agreement in relation to the Prospectus as amended and
supplemented to relate to the Purchased Securities.

          An amendment to the Registration Statement, or a supplement to the
Prospectus, as the case may be, relating to the Purchased Securities, in the
form heretofore delivered to you is now proposed to be filed with the
Commission.

          Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the
Distribution Agreement incorporated herein by reference, the Company agrees to
issue and sell to [Name(s) of Agent(s)] and [Name(s) of Agent(s)] agrees to
purchase from the Company 

                                      I-1
<PAGE>
 
the Purchased Securities, at the time and place, in the principal amount and at
the purchase price set forth in the Schedule hereto.

          If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign
and return to us ____ counterparts hereof, and upon acceptance hereof by you
this letter and such acceptance hereof, including those provisions of the
Distribution Agreement incorporated herein by reference, shall constitute a
binding agreement between you and the Company.

                                    THE ROUSE COMPANY


                                    By:
                                    Name:
                                    Title:
Accepted:


[[Name(s) of Agent(s)]


By:
Name:
Title:  ]

                                      I-2
<PAGE>
 
SCHEDULE TO ANNEX I


Title of Purchased Securities:

          Medium-Term Notes

Aggregate Principal Amount:

          [$.................... or units of other Specified Currency]

[Price to Public:]

Purchase Price by [Name(s) of Agent(s)]:

          % of the principal amount (or for Original Issue Discount Notes that
do not currently pay interest, the issue price) of the Purchased Securities[,
plus accrued interest from ............... to ...............] [and accrued
amortization, if any, from ................. to ................]

Method of and Specified Funds for Payment of Purchase Price:

          [By certified or official bank check or checks, payable to the order
of the Company, in [[New York] Clearing House] [immediately available] funds]

          [By wire transfer to a bank account specified by the Company in [next
day] [immediately available] funds]

Indenture:

          Indenture, dated as of February 24, 1995, between the Company and The
First National Bank of Chicago, as Trustee

Time of Delivery:

Closing Location for Delivery of Securities:

Maturity:

Interest Rate:

          [   %]

                                      I-3
<PAGE>
 
Interest Payment Dates:

          [months and dates]

Documents to be Delivered:

          The following documents referred to in the Distribution Agreement
shall be delivered as a condition to the Closing:

          (1) The opinion or opinions of counsel to the Agents referred to in
Section  4(h).

          (2) The opinions of counsels to the Company referred to in Section
4(i).

          (3) The accountants' letter referred to in Section 4(j).

          (4) The officers' certificate referred to in Section 4(k). Other
Provisions (including Syndicate Provisions, if applicable):

                                      I-4
<PAGE>
 
                                                                        ANNEX II

                               THE ROUSE COMPANY

                            Administrative Procedure

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

          This Administrative Procedure relates to the Securities defined in the
Distribution Agreement, dated ___________, 199_ (the "Distribution Agreement"),
between The Rouse Company (the "Company") and [Name(s) of Agent(s)] (together,
the "Agents"), to which this Administrative Procedure is attached as Annex II.
Defined terms used herein and not defined herein shall have the meanings given
such terms in the Distribution Agreement, the Prospectus as amended or
supplemented or the Indenture.

          The procedures to be followed with respect to the settlement of sales
of Securities directly by the Company to purchasers solicited by an Agent, as
agent, are set forth below.  The terms and settlement details related to a
purchase of Securities by an Agent, as principal, from the Company will be set
forth in a Terms Agreement pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, unless the
Company and such Agent otherwise agree as provided in Section 2(b) of the
Distribution Agreement, in which case the procedures to be followed in respect
of the settlement of such sale will be as set forth below.  An Agent, in
relation to a purchase of a Security by a purchaser solicited by such Agent, is
referred to herein as the "Selling Agent" and, in relation to a purchase of a
Security by such Agent as principal other than pursuant to a Terms Agreement, as
the "Purchasing Agent".

          The Company will advise each Agent in writing of those persons with
whom such Agent is to communicate regarding offers to purchase Securities and
the related settlement details.

          Each Security will be issued only in fully registered form and will be
represented by either a global security (a "Global Security") delivered to the
Trustee, as agent for The Depository Trust Company (the "Depositary") and
recorded in the book-entry system maintained by the Depositary (a "Book-Entry
Security") or a certificate issued in definitive form (a "Certificated
Security") delivered to a person designated by an Agent, as set forth in the
applicable Pricing Supplement.  An owner of a Book-Entry Security will not be
entitled to receive a certificate representing such a Security, except as
provided in the Indenture.

          Book-Entry Securities will be issued in accordance with the
Administrative Procedure set forth in Part I hereof, and Certificated Securities
will be issued in accordance with the Administrative Procedure set forth in Part
II hereof.

                                      II-1
<PAGE>
 
PART I:  ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE FOR BOOK-ENTRY SECURITIES

          In connection with the qualification of the Book-Entry Securities for
eligibility in the book-entry system maintained by the Depositary, the Trustee
will perform the custodial, document control and administrative functions
described below, in accordance with its respective obligations under a Letter of
Representation from the Company and the Trustee to the Depositary, dated the
date hereof, and a Medium-Term Note Certificate Agreement between the Trustee
and the Depositary, dated as of __________, 199_ (the "Certificate Agreement"),
and its obligations as a participant in the Depositary, including the
Depositary's Same-Day Funds Settlement System ("SDFS").Posting Rates by the
Company:

          The Company and the Agents will discuss from time to time the rates of
interest per annum to be borne by and the maturity of Book-Entry Securities that
may be sold as a result of the solicitation of offers by an Agent.  The Company
may establish a fixed set of interest rates and maturities for an offering
period ("posting").  If the Company decides to change already posted rates, it
will promptly advise the Agents to suspend solicitation of offers until the new
posted rates have been established with the Agents.

Acceptance of Offers by the Company:

          Each Agent will promptly advise the Company by telephone or other
appropriate means of all reasonable offers to purchase Book-Entry Securities,
other than those rejected by such Agent. Each Agent may, in its discretion
reasonably exercised, reject any offer received by it in whole or in part. Each
Agent also may make offers to the Company to purchase Book-Entry Securities as a
Purchasing Agent.

          The Company will have the sole right to accept offers to purchase
Book-Entry Securities and may reject any such offer in whole or in part.  The
Company will promptly notify the Agent or Purchasing Agent, as the case may be,
of its acceptance or rejection of an offer to purchase Book-Entry Securities.
If the Company accepts an offer to purchase Book-Entry Securities, it will
confirm such acceptance in writing to the Selling Agent or Purchasing Agent, as
the case may be, and the Trustee.

Communication of Sale Information to the Company by Agent and Settlement
Procedures:

          A.  After the acceptance of an offer by the Company, the Selling Agent
or Purchasing Agent, as the case may be, will communicate promptly, but in no
event later than the time set forth under "Settlement Procedure Timetable"
below, the following details of the terms of such offer (the "Sale Information")
to the Company by telephone (confirmed in writing) or by facsimile transmission
or other acceptable written means:

                                      II-2
<PAGE>
 
               (1) Principal Amount of Book-Entry Securities to be purchased;

               (2) If a Fixed Rate Book-Entry Security, the interest rate and
initial interest payment date;

               (3)  Trade Date;

               (4)  Settlement Date;

               (5)  Maturity Date;

          (6) Specified Currency and, if the Specified Currency is other than
U.S. dollars, the applicable Exchange Rate for such Specified Currency (it being
understood that currently the Depositary accepts deposits of Global Securities
denominated in U.S. dollars only);

               (7) Indexed Currency, the Base Rate and the Exchange Rate
Determination Date, if applicable;

               (8)  Issue Price;

               (9) Selling Agent's commission or Purchasing Agent's discount, as
the case may be;

               (10)  Net Proceeds to the Company;

               (11) If a redeemable Book-Entry Security, such of the following
as are applicable:

                    (i)   Redemption Commencement Date,

                    (ii)  Initial Redemption Price (% of par), and

                    (iii) Amount (% of par) that the Redemption Price shall
decline (but not below par) on each anniversary of the Redemption Commencement
Date;

               (12) If a Floating Rate Book-Entry Security, such of the
following as are applicable:

                    (i)  Interest Rate Basis,

                    (ii)  Index Maturity,

                    (iii)  Spread or Spread Multiplier,

                                      II-3
<PAGE>
 
                    (iv)    Maximum Rate,

                    (v)     Minimum Rate,

                    (vi)    Initial Interest Rate,

                    (vii)   Interest Reset Dates,

                    (viii)  Calculation Dates,

                    (ix)    Interest Determination Dates,

                    (x)     Interest Payment Dates,

                    (xi)    Regular Record Dates, and

                    (xii)   Calculation Agent;
                            
               (13) Name, address and taxpayer identification number of the
registered owner(s);

               (14) Denomination of certificates to be delivered at settlement;

               (15) Book-Entry Security or Certificated Security; and

               (16) Selling Agent or Purchasing Agent.

          B.  After receiving the Sale Information from the Selling Agent or
Purchasing Agent, as the case may be, the Company will communicate such Sale
Information to the Trustee by facsimile transmission or other acceptable written
means.  The Trustee will assign a CUSIP number to the Global Security from a
list of CUSIP numbers previously delivered to the Trustee by the Company
representing such Book-Entry Security and then advise the Company and the
Selling Agent or Purchasing Agent, as the case may be, of such CUSIP number.

          C.  The Trustee will enter a pending deposit message through the
Depositary's Participant Terminal System, providing the following settlement
information to the Depositary, and the Depositary shall forward such information
to such Agent and Standard & Poor's Corporation:

               (1) The applicable Sale Information;

               (2) CUSIP number of the Global Security representing such Book-
Entry Security;

                                      II-4
<PAGE>
 
               (3) Whether such Global Security will represent any other Book-
Entry Security (to the extent known at such time);

               (4) Number of the participant account maintained by the
Depositary on behalf of the Selling Agent or Purchasing Agent, as the case may
be, which number will be supplied by such Selling Agent or Purchasing Agent;

               (5) The interest payment period; and

               (6) Initial Interest Payment Date for such Book-Entry Security,
number of days by which such date succeeds the record date for the Depositary's
purposes (or, in the case of Floating Rate Securities which reset daily or
weekly, the date five calendar days immediately preceding the applicable
Interest Payment Date and, in the case of all other Book-Entry Securities, the
Regular Record Date, as defined in the Security) and, if calculable at that
time, the amount of interest payable on such Interest Payment Date.

          D.  The Trustee will complete and authenticate the Global Security
previously delivered by the Company representing such Book-Entry Security.

          E.  The Depositary will credit such Book-Entry Security to the
Trustee's participant account at the Depositary.

          F.  The Trustee will enter an SDFS deliver order through the
Depositary's Participant Terminal System instructing the Depositary to (i) debit
such Book- Entry Security to the Trustee's participant account and credit such
Book-Entry Security to such Agent's participant account and (ii) debit such
Agent's settlement account and credit the Trustee's settlement account for an
amount equal to the price of such Book-Entry Security less such Agent's
commission. The entry of such a deliver order shall constitute a representation
and warranty by the Trustee to the Depositary that (a) the Global Security
representing such Book-Entry Security has been issued and authenticated and (b)
the Trustee is holding such Global Security pursuant to the Certificate
Agreement.

          G.  Such Agent will enter an SDFS deliver order through the
Depositary's Participant Terminal System instructing the Depositary (i) to debit
such Book- Entry Security to such Agent's participant account and credit such
Book-Entry Security to the participant accounts of the Participants with respect
to such Book-Entry Security and (ii) to debit the settlement accounts of such
Participants and credit the settlement account of such Agent for an amount equal
to the price of such Book-Entry Security.

                                      II-5
<PAGE>
 
          H.  Transfers of funds in accordance with SDFS deliver orders
described in Settlement Procedures "F" and "G" will be settled in accordance
with SDFS operating procedures in effect on the settlement date.

          I.  Upon confirmation of receipt of funds, the Trustee will transfer
to the account of the Company maintained at [Name of Bank], New York, New York,
or such other account as the Company may have previously specified to the
Trustee, in funds available for immediate use in the amount transferred to the
Trustee in accordance with Settlement Procedure "F".

          J.  Upon request, the Trustee will send to the Company a statement
setting forth the principal amount of Book-Entry Securities outstanding as of
that date under the Indenture.

          K.  Such Agent will confirm the purchase of such Book-Entry Security
to the purchaser either by transmitting to the Participants with respect to such
Book- Entry Security a confirmation order or orders through the Depositary's
institutional delivery system or by mailing a written confirmation to such
purchaser.

          L.  The Depositary will, at any time, upon request of the Company or
the Trustee, promptly furnish to the Company or the Trustee a list of the names
and addresses of the participants for whom the Depositary has credited Book-
Entry Securities.

Preparation of Pricing Supplement:

          If the Company accepts an offer to purchase a Book-Entry Security, it
will prepare a Pricing Supplement reflecting the terms of such Book-Entry
Security and arrange to have delivered to the Selling Agent or Purchasing Agent,
as the case may be, at least ten copies of such Pricing Supplement, not later
than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Business Day following the Trade Date
(as defined below), or if the Company and the purchaser agree to settlement on
the Business Day following the date of acceptance of such offer, not later than
noon, New York City time, on such date. The Company will arrange to have ten
Pricing Supplements filed with the Commission not later than the close of
business of the Commission on the fifth Business Day following the date on which
such Pricing Supplement is first used.

Delivery of Confirmation and Prospectus to Purchaser by Selling Agent:

          The Selling Agent will deliver to the purchaser of a Book-Entry
Security a written confirmation of the sale and delivery and payment
instructions.  In addition, the Selling Agent will deliver to such purchaser or
its agent the Prospectus as amended or supplemented (including the Pricing
Supplement) in relation to such Book-Entry Security 

                                      II-6
<PAGE>
 
prior to or together with the earlier of the delivery to such purchaser or its
agent of (a) the confirmation of sale or (b) the Book-Entry Security.

Date of Settlement:

          The receipt by the Company of immediately available funds in payment
for a Book-Entry Security and the authentication and issuance of the Global
Security representing such Book-Entry Security shall constitute "settlement"
with respect to such Book-Entry Security.  All orders of Book-Entry Securities
solicited by a Selling Agent or made by a Purchasing Agent and accepted by the
Company on a particular date (the "Trade Date") will be settled on a date (the
"Settlement Date") which is the third Business Day after the Trade Date pursuant
to the "Settlement Procedure Timetable" set forth below, unless the Company and
the purchaser agree to settlement on another Business Day which shall be no
earlier than the next Business Day after the Trade Date.

Settlement Procedure Timetable:

          For orders of Book-Entry Securities solicited by a Selling Agent and
accepted by the Company for settlement on the third Business Day after the Trade
Date, Settlement Procedures "A" through "I" set forth above shall be completed
as soon as possible but not later than the respective times (New York City time)
set forth below:

Settlement 
Procedure       Time             
- ---------       ----                                             

A               5:00 p.m.       on the Business day following the Trade
                                Date or 10:00 a.m. on the Business Day prior to
                                the Settlement Date, whichever is earlier
B              12:00 noon       on the second Business Day immediately
                                preceding the Settlement Date
C               2:00 p.m.       on the second Business day immediately
                                preceding the Settlement Date
D               9:00 a.m.       on the Settlement Date
E              10:00 a.m.       on the Settlement Date
F-G             2:00 p.m.       on the Settlement Date
H               4:45 p.m.       on the Settlement Date
I               5:00 p.m.       on the Settlement Date

          If the initial interest rate for a Floating Rate Book-Entry Security
has not been determined at the time that Settlement Procedure "A" is completed,
Settlement Procedures "B" and "C" shall be completed as soon as such rate has
been determined but no later than 2:00 p.m. on the second Business Day
immediately preceding the Settlement Date.  Settlement Procedure "H" is subject
to extension in accordance with any extension 

                                      II-7
<PAGE>
 
of Fedwire closing deadlines and in the other events specified in the SDFS
operating procedures in effect on the Settlement Date.

          If settlement of a Book-Entry Security is rescheduled or canceled, the
Trustee, upon obtaining knowledge thereof, will deliver to the Depositary,
through the Depositary's Participant Terminal System, a cancellation message to
such effect by no later than 2:00 p.m. on the Business Day immediately preceding
the scheduled Settlement Date.

Failure to Settle:

          If the Trustee fails to enter an SDFS deliver order with respect to a
Book- Entry Security pursuant to Settlement Procedure "F", the Trustee may
deliver to the Depositary, through the Depositary's Participant Terminal System,
as soon as practicable a withdrawal message instructing the Depositary to debit
such Book- Entry Security to the Trustee's participant account, provided that
the Trustee's participant account contains a principal amount of the Global
Security representing such Book-Entry Security that is at least equal to the
principal amount to be debited.  If a withdrawal message is processed with
respect to all the Book-Entry Securities represented by a Global Security, the
Trustee will mark such Global Security "canceled", make appropriate entries in
the Trustee's records and send such canceled Global Security to the Company.
The CUSIP number assigned to such Global Security shall, in accordance with
CUSIP Service Bureau procedures, be canceled and not immediately reassigned.  If
a withdrawal message is processed with respect to one or more, but not all, of
the Book-Entry Securities represented by a Global Security, the Trustee will
exchange such Global Security for two Global Securities, one of which shall
represent such Book-Entry Security or Securities and shall be canceled
immediately after issuance and the other of which shall represent the remaining
Book-Entry Securities previously represented by the surrendered Global Security
and shall bear the CUSIP number of the surrendered Global Security.

          If the purchase price for any Book-Entry Security is not timely paid
to the participants with respect to such Book-Entry Security by the beneficial
purchaser thereof (or a person, including an indirect participant in the
Depositary, acting on behalf of such purchaser), such participants and, in turn,
the Agent for such Book-Entry Security may enter deliver orders through the
Depositary's Participant Terminal System debiting such Book-Entry Security to
such participant's account and crediting such Book-Entry Security to such
Agent's account and then debiting such Book-Entry Security to such Agent's
participant account and crediting such Book-Entry Security to the Trustee's
participant account and shall notify the Company and the Trustee thereof.
Thereafter, the Trustee will (i) immediately notify the Company of such order
and the Company shall transfer to such Agent funds available for immediate use
in an amount equal to the price of such Book-Entry Security which was credited
to the account of the Company maintained at the 

                                      II-8
<PAGE>
 
Trustee in accordance with Settlement Procedure I, and (ii) deliver the
withdrawal message and take the related actions described in the preceding
paragraph. If such failure shall have occurred for any reason other than default
by the applicable Agent to perform its obligations hereunder or under the
Distribution Agreement, the Company will reimburse such Agent on an equitable
basis for the loss of its use of funds during the period when the funds were
credited to the account of the Company.

          Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon any failure to settle with respect
to a Book-Entry Security, the Depositary may take any actions in accordance with
its SDFS operating procedures then in effect.  In the event of a failure to
settle with respect to one or more, but not all, of the Book-Entry Securities to
have been represented by a Global Security, the Trustee will provide, in
accordance with Settlement Procedure "D", for the authentication and issuance of
a Global Security representing the other Book-Entry Securities to have been
represented by such Global Security and will make appropriate entries in its
records.  The Company will, from time to time, furnish the Trustee with a
sufficient quantity of Securities.

PART II:  ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURE FOR CERTIFICATED SECURITIES

Posting Rates by Company:

          The Company and the Agents will discuss from time to time the rates of
interest per annum to be borne by and the maturity of Certificated Securities
that may be sold as a result of the solicitation of offers by an Agent.  The
Company may establish a fixed set of interest rates and maturities for an
offering period ("posting").  If the Company decides to change already posted
rates, it will promptly advise the Agents to suspend solicitation of offers
until the new posted rates have been established with the Agents.

Acceptance of Offers by Company:

          Each Agent will promptly advise the Company by telephone or other
appropriate means of all reasonable offers to purchase Certificated Securities,
other than those rejected by such Agent. Each Agent may, in its discretion
reasonably exercised, reject any offer received by it in whole or in part. Each
Agent also may make offers to the Company to purchase Certificated Securities as
a Purchasing Agent. The Company will have the sole right to accept offers to
purchase Certificated Securities and may reject any such offer in whole or in
part.

          The Company will promptly notify the Selling Agent or Purchasing
Agent, as the case may be, of its acceptance or rejection of an offer to
purchase Certificated Securities.  If the Company accepts an offer to purchase
Certificated Securities, it will 

                                      II-9
<PAGE>
 
confirm such acceptance in writing to the Selling Agent or Purchasing Agent, as
the case may be, and the Trustee.

Communication of Sale Information to Company by Agent:

          After the acceptance of an offer by the Company, the Selling Agent or
Purchasing Agent, as the case may be, will communicate the following details of
the terms of such offer (the "Sale Information") to the Company by telephone
(confirmed in writing) or by facsimile transmission or other acceptable written
means:

          (1)  Principal Amount of Certificated Securities to be purchased;

          (2)  If a Fixed Rate Certificated Security, the interest rate and
initial  interest payment date;

          (3)  Trade Date;

          (4)  Settlement Date;

          (5)  Maturity Date;

          (6)  Specified Currency and, if the Specified Currency is other than
U.S.  dollars, the applicable Exchange Rate for such Specified Currency;

          (7)  Indexed Currency, the Base Rate and the Exchange Rate
Determination  Date, if applicable;

          (8)  Issue Price;

          (9)  Selling Agent's commission or Purchasing Agent's discount, as the
case may be;

          (10) Net Proceeds to the Company;

          (11) If a redeemable Certificated Security, such of the following as
are  applicable:

               (i)  Redemption Commencement Date,

               (ii) Initial Redemption Price (% of par), and

              (iii) Amount (% of par) that the Redemption Price shall decline
(but not below par) on each anniversary of the Redemption Commencement Date;

                                     II-10
<PAGE>
 
          (12) If a Floating Rate Certificated Security, such of the  following
as are applicable:

               (i)    Interest Rate Basis,

               (ii)   Index Maturity,

               (iii)  Spread or Spread Multiplier,

               (iv)   Maximum Rate,

               (v)    Minimum Rate,

               (vi)   Initial Interest Rate,

               (vii)  Interest Reset Dates,

               (viii) Calculation Dates,

               (ix)   Interest Determination Dates,

               (x)    Interest Payment Dates,

               (xi)  Regular Record Dates, and

               (xii) Calculation Agent;

          (13) Name, address and taxpayer identification number of the
registered  owner(s);

          (14) Denomination of certificates to be delivered at settlement;

          (15) Book-Entry Security or Certificated Security; and

          (16) Selling Agent or Purchasing Agent.

Preparation of Pricing Supplement by Company:

          If the Company accepts an offer to purchase a Certificated Security,
it will prepare a Pricing Supplement reflecting the terms of such Certificated
Security and arrange to have delivered to the Selling Agent or Purchasing Agent,
as the case may be, at least ten copies of such Pricing Supplement, not later
than 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the Business Day following the Trade
Date, or if the Company and the purchaser agree to settlement on the date of
acceptance of such offer, not later than noon, New York City time, on such date.
The Company will arrange to have ten Pricing Supplements filed 

                                     II-11
<PAGE>
 
with the Commission not later than the close of business of the Commission on
the fifth Business Day following the date on which such Pricing Supplement is
first used.

Delivery of Confirmation and Prospectus to Purchaser by Selling Agent:

          The Selling Agent will deliver to the purchaser of a Certificated
Security a written confirmation of the sale and delivery and payment
instructions.  In addition, the Selling Agent will deliver to such purchaser or
its agent the Prospectus as amended or supplemented (including the Pricing
Supplement) in relation to such Certificated Security prior to or together with
the earlier of the delivery to such purchaser or its agent of (a) the
confirmation of sale or (b) the Certificated Security.

Date of Settlement:

          All offers of Certificated Securities solicited by a Selling Agent or
made by a Purchasing Agent and accepted by the Company will be settled on a date
(the "Settlement Date") which is the fifth Business Day after the date of
acceptance of such offer, unless the Company and the purchaser agree to
settlement (a) on another Business Day after the acceptance of such offer or (b)
with respect to an offer accepted by the Company prior to 10:00 a.m., New York
City time, on the date of such acceptance.

Instruction from Company to Trustee for Preparation of Certificated Securities:

          After receiving the Sale Information from the Selling Agent or
Purchasing Agent, as the case may be, the Company will communicate such Sale
Information to the Trustee by telephone (confirmed in writing) or by facsimile
transmission or other acceptable written means.

          The Company will instruct the Trustee by facsimile transmission or
other acceptable written means to authenticate and deliver the Certificated
Securities no later than 2:15 p.m., New York City time, on the Settlement Date.
Such instruction will be given by the Company prior to 3:00 p.m., New York City
time, on the Business Day immediately preceding the Settlement Date unless the
Settlement Date is the date of acceptance by the Company of the offer to
purchase Certificated Securities in which case such instruction will be given by
the Company by 11:00 a.m., New York City time.

Preparation and Delivery of Certificated Securities by Trustee and Receipt of
Payment Therefor:

          The Trustee will prepare each Certificated Security and appropriate
receipts that will serve as the documentary control of the transaction.

                                     II-12
<PAGE>
 
          In the case of a sale of Certificated Securities to a purchaser
solicited by a Selling Agent, the Trustee will, by 2:15 p.m., New York City
time, on the Settlement Date, deliver the Certificated Securities to the Selling
Agent for the benefit of the purchaser of such Certificated Securities against
delivery by the Selling Agent of a receipt therefor.  On the Settlement Date the
Selling Agent will deliver payment for such Certificated Securities in
immediately available funds to the Company in an amount equal to the issue price
of the Certificated Securities less the Selling Agent's commission; provided
that the Selling Agent reserves the right to withhold payment for which it has
not received funds from the purchaser.  The Company shall not use any proceeds
advanced by a Selling Agent to acquire securities.

          In the case of a sale of Certificated Securities to a Purchasing
Agent, the Trustee will, by 2:15 p.m., New York City time, on the Settlement
Date, deliver the Certificated Securities to the Purchasing Agent against
delivery of payment for such Certificated Securities in immediately available
funds to the Company in an amount equal to the issue price of the Certificated
Securities less the Purchasing Agent's discount.

Failure of Purchaser to Pay Selling Agent:

          If a purchaser (other than a Purchasing Agent) fails to make payment
to the Selling Agent for a Certificated Security, the Selling Agent will
promptly notify the Trustee and the Company thereof by telephone (confirmed in
writing) or by facsimile transmission or other acceptable written means.  The
Selling Agent will immediately return the Certificated Security to the Trustee.
Immediately upon receipt of such Certificated Security by the Trustee, the
Company will return to the Selling Agent an amount equal to the amount
previously paid to the Company in respect of such Certificated Security.  The
Company will reimburse the Selling Agent on an equitable basis for its loss of
the use of funds during the period when they were credited to the account of the
Company.

          The Trustee will cancel the Certificated Security in respect of which
the failure occurred, make appropriate entries in its records and, unless
otherwise instructed by the Company, destroy the Certificated Security.

                                     II-13
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       ANNEX III

                              Accountants' Letter

          Pursuant to Sections 4(j) and 6(e), as the case may be, of the
Distribution Agreement, the Company's independent certified public accountants
shall furnish letters to the effect that:

          (i) They are independent certified public accountants with respect to
the Company and its subsidiaries within the meaning of the Act and the
applicable published rules and regulations thereunder;

          (ii) In their opinion, the financial statements and any supplementary
financial information and schedules audited (and, if applicable, financial
forecasts and/or pro forma financial information) examined by them and included
or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus
comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting
requirements of the Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable, and the related
published rules and regulations thereunder; and, if applicable, they have made a
review in accordance with standards established by the American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants of the consolidated interim financial statements,
selected financial data, pro forma financial information, financial forecasts
and/or condensed financial statements derived from audited financial statements
of the Company for the periods specified in such letter, as indicated in their
reports thereon, copies of which have been [separately] furnished to the Agents
[and are attached hereto];

          (iii)  They have made a review in accordance with standards
established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants of the
unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income, consolidated balance
sheets and consolidated statements of cash flows included in the Prospectus
and/or included in the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q incorporated by
reference into the Prospectus as indicated in their reports thereon copies of
which [have been separately furnished to the Agents] [are attached hereto]; and
on the basis of specified procedures including inquiries of officials of the
Company who have responsibility for financial and accounting matters regarding
whether the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements referred to in
paragraph (vi)(A)(i) below comply as to form in all material respects with the
applicable accounting requirements of the [Act and the Exchange] Act and the
related published rules and regulations, nothing came to their attention that
caused them to believe that the unaudited condensed consolidated financial
statements do not comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable
accounting requirements of the [Act and the Exchange] Act and the related
published rules and regulations;

                                     III-1
<PAGE>
 
          (iv) The unaudited selected financial information with respect to the
consolidated results of operations and financial position of the Company for the
five most recent fiscal years included in the Prospectus and included or
incorporated by reference in Item 6 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the most recent fiscal year agrees with the corresponding amounts (after
restatement where applicable) in the audited consolidated financial statements
for five such fiscal years which were included or incorporated by reference in
the Company's Annual Reports on Form 10-K for such fiscal years;

          (v) They have compared the information in the Prospectus under
selected captions with the disclosure requirements of Regulation S-K and on the
basis of limited procedures specified in such letter nothing came to their
attention as a result of the foregoing procedures that caused them to believe
that this information does not conform in all material respects with the
disclosure requirements of Items 301, 302, 402 and 503(d), respectively, of
Regulation S-K;

          (vi) On the basis of limited procedures, not constituting an
examination in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, consisting
of a reading of the unaudited financial statements and other information
referred to below, a reading of the latest available interim financial
statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, inspection of the minute books
of the Company and its subsidiaries since the date of the latest audited
financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus,
inquiries of officials of the Company and its subsidiaries responsible for
financial and accounting matters and such other inquiries and procedures as may
be specified in such letter, nothing came to their attention that caused them to
believe that:

          (A)    (i) the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income,
consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of cash flows included
in the Prospectus and/or included or incorporated by reference in the Company's
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q incorporated by reference in the Prospectus do
not comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting
requirements of the Exchange Act and the related published rules and
regulations, or (ii) any material modifications should be made to the unaudited
condensed consolidated statements of income, consolidated balance sheets and
consolidated statements of cash flows included in the Prospectus or included in
the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10- Q incorporated by reference in the
Prospectus for them to be in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles;

          (B)    any other unaudited income statement data and balance sheet
items included in the Prospectus do not agree with the corresponding items in
the unaudited consolidated financial statements from which such data and items
were derived, and any such unaudited data and items were not determined on a
basis

                                     III-2
<PAGE>
 
substantially consistent with the basis for the corresponding amounts in the
audited consolidated financial statements included or incorporated by reference
in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year;

          (C)  the unaudited financial statements which were not included in the
Prospectus but from which were derived the unaudited condensed financial
statements referred to in clause (A) and any unaudited income statement data and
balance sheet items included in the Prospectus and referred to in Clause (B)
were not determined on a basis substantially consistent with the basis for the
audited financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year;

          (D)  any unaudited pro forma consolidated condensed financial
statements included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus do not comply
as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements
of the Act and the published rules and regulations thereunder or the pro forma
adjustments have not been properly applied to the historical amounts in the
compilation of those statements;

          (E)  as of a specified date (where practicable not more than five days
prior to the date of such letter), there have been any changes in the
consolidated capital stock (other than issuances of capital stock upon exercise
of options and stock appreciation rights, upon earn-outs of performance shares
and upon conversions of convertible securities, in each case which were
outstanding on the date of the latest balance sheet included or incorporated by
reference in the Prospectus) or any increase in excess of 1% in the consolidated
long- term debt of the Company and its subsidiaries, or any decreases in
consolidated net current assets or other items specified by the Agents, or any
increases in any items specified by the Agents, in each case as compared with
amounts shown in the latest balance sheet included or incorporated by reference
in the Prospectus, except in each case for changes, increases or decreases which
the Prospectus discloses have occurred or may occur or which are described in
such letter; and

          (F)  for the period from the date of the latest financial statements
included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus to the specified date
referred to in Clause (E) there were any decreases in consolidated earnings
before depreciation and deferred taxes from operations or other items specified
by the Agents, or any increases in any items specified by the Agents, in each
case as compared with the comparable period of the preceding year and with any
other period of corresponding length specified by the Agents, except in each
case for increases or decreases which the Prospectus discloses have occurred or
may occur or which are described in such letter; and

          (vii)  In addition to the audit referred to in their report(s)
included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus and the limited
procedures, inspection of 

                                     III-3
<PAGE>
 
minute books, inquiries and other procedures referred to in paragraphs (iii) and
(vi) above, they have carried out certain specified procedures, not constituting
an audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, with respect
to certain amounts, percentages and financial information specified by the
Agents which are derived from the general accounting records of the Company and
its subsidiaries, which appear in the Prospectus (excluding documents
incorporated by reference), or in Part II of, or in exhibits and schedules to,
the Registration Statement specified by the Agents or in documents incorporated
by reference in the Prospectus specified by the Agents, and have compared
certain of such amounts, percentages and financial information with the
accounting records of the Company and its subsidiaries and have found them to be
in agreement.

          All references in this Annex III to the Prospectus shall be deemed to
refer to the Prospectus (including the documents incorporated by reference
therein) as defined in the Distribution Agreement as of the Commencement Date
referred to in Section 6(d) thereof and to the Prospectus as amended or
supplemented (including the documents incorporated by reference therein) as of
the date of the amendment, supplement, incorporation or the Time of Delivery
relating to the Terms Agreement requiring the delivery of such letter under
Section 4(j) thereof.

                                     III-4

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.6

                             ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY

                   Increasing Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock
                   ------------------------------------------

                                       of

                               THE ROUSE COMPANY

         The Rouse Company, a Maryland corporation having its principal office
in Columbia, Maryland (the "Corporation"), hereby certifies to the State
                            -----------                                 
Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland that:

         FIRST: Pursuant to authority expressly vested in the Board of Directors
         -----                                                                  
of the Corporation by Article FIFTH of the Charter (as hereinafter defined), the
Board of Directors has (i) duly divided and classified 10,000,000 shares of the
Preferred Stock of the Corporation, par value $0.01 per share, into a separate
class designated " Increasing Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock" and (ii) provided
for the issuance of such class of Preferred Stock.

         SECOND: The terms of the Increasing Rate Cumulative Preferred Stock
         ------                                                             
established by the Board of Directors, in addition to those set forth in Article
FIFTH of the Charter of the Corporation applicable to all classes of Preferred
Stock, are as follows:

         Section 1.  Number of Shares and Designation.  This class of the
                     --------------------------------                    
Corporation's Preferred Stock shall be designated as Increasing Rate Cumulative
Preferred Stock (the "Exchangeable Preferred Stock") and 10,000,000 shall be the
                      ----------------------------                              
number of shares of Preferred Stock constituting such class.
 .
         Section 2.  Definitions.  For purposes of the Exchangeable Preferred
                     -----------                                             
Stock, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

         "Affiliate" has the meaning specified in the Contingent Stock
          ---------                                                   
   Agreement.

         "Base Rate" has the meaning specified in Section 3(c) hereof.
          ---------                                                   

         "Board" means the board of directors of the Corporation.
          -----                                                  

         "Business Day" means any day on which state or federally chartered
          ------------                                                     
   financial institutions are not authorized or required to close in New York,
   New York.

         "Capital Stock" means shares of any class or series of capital stock of
          -------------                                                         
   the Corporation.
<PAGE>
 
         "Certificate" means these Articles Supplementary, as the same may
          -----------                                                     
   hereafter be amended, modified or supplemented.

         "Charter" means the Articles of Incorporation of the Corporation, as
          -------                                                            
   heretofore amended and restated in the Articles of Amendment and Restatement
   of the Corporation and as the same may hereafter be further amended.

         "Common Stock" means the common stock, par value $0.01, of the
          ------------                                                 
   Corporation and any securities issued or issuable with respect to any such
   common stock by way of stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a
   combination of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation or other
   reorganization or otherwise.

         "Contingent Stock Agreement" means that certain Contingent Stock
          --------------------------                                     
   Agreement effective as of January 1, 1996, executed by the Corporation for
   the benefit of the Holders and the Representatives described therein, as the
   same may hereafter be amended, modified or supplemented pursuant to the
   express terms thereof.

         "Corporation" has the meaning specified in the introductory of this
          -----------                                                       
   Certificate.

         "Current Share Value" means, as of any date (the "computation date"),
          -------------------                                                 
   the average of the closing per share sales prices of Common Stock during the
   ten trading days consisting of (i) the five consecutive trading days ending
   on the last day of the calendar month immediately preceding the calendar
   month in which the computation date falls, and (ii) the five consecutive
   trading days ending on the computation date, in each case, on the Composite
   Tape of the New York Stock Exchange or, if shares of Common Stock are not
   then listed on the New York Stock Exchange, on the principal United States
   securities exchange registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
   amended, on which shares of Common Stock are then listed or, if shares of
   Common Stock are not then listed on any such stock exchange, the average of
   the average closing bid and ask quotations with respect to a share of Common
   Stock during the ten trading days consisting of (A) the five consecutive
   trading days ending on the last day of the calendar month immediately
   preceding the computation date and (B) the five consecutive trading days
   ending on the computation date, in each case, on The Nasdaq Stock Market or
   any successor system then in use or, if no such quotations are then
   available, the average of the bid and asked prices for such trading days as
   furnished by a member firm of the New York Stock Exchange regularly making a
   market in the Common Stock selected for such purpose by the Board or, if no
   such member firm is then making a market in the Common Stock, the fair market
   value on the computation date of a share of Common Stock as determined in
   good faith by a 

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
   majority of the members of the Board after consultation with an independent
   financial advisor of recognized national standing.

         "Dividend Payment Date" means the first Business Day after the last day
          ---------------------                                                 
   of each Dividend Period.

         "Dividend Period" means the six-month period beginning on each January
          ---------------                                                      
   1 and July 1 of each year; provided, however, that the final Dividend Period
   with respect to any share of Exchangeable Preferred Stock shall end on the
   date that such share of Exchangeable Preferred Stock is redeemed or exchanged
   by the Corporation in accordance with the terms of this Certificate.

         "Dividend Rate" has the meaning specified in Section 3(c) hereof.
          -------------                                                   

         "Exchange" has the meaning specified in Section 6(a) hereof.
          --------                                                   

         "Exchange Notice" has the meaning specified in Section 6(c) hereof.
          ---------------                                                   

         "Exchangeable Preferred Stock" has the meaning specified in Section 1
          ----------------------------                                        
   hereof.

         "Issue Date" means, with respect to any share of Exchangeable Preferred
          ----------                                                            
   Stock, the actual original date of issuance of such share.

         "Junior Dividend Stock" means the Common Stock and any other Capital
          ---------------------                                              
   Stock ranking junior to the Exchangeable Preferred Stock with respect to
   payments of dividends.

         "Junior Liquidation Stock" means the Common Stock and any other Capital
          ------------------------                                              
   Stock ranking junior to the Exchangeable Preferred Stock with respect to
   distributions of assets upon Liquidation.

         "Junior Stock" means the Common Stock and any other Capital Stock
          ------------                                                    
   ranking junior to the Exchangeable Preferred Stock with respect to
   distributions of assets upon Liquidation and with respect to payments of
   dividends.

         "Liquidation" means any dissolution, liquidation (complete or partial)
          -----------                                                          
   or winding up of the Corporation, whether voluntary or involuntary.

         "Liquidation Payment" has the meaning specified in Section 4(a) hereof.
          -------------------                                                   

         "Liquidation Value" means, with respect to any share of Exchangeable
          -----------------                                                  
   Preferred Stock at any time, $100 plus all 

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
   dividends (whether or not earned or declared) accrued and unpaid on such
   share as of such time.

         "Merger" means the merger or consolidation of the Corporation with or
          ------                                                              
   into another other Person.

         "Parity Dividend Stock" means any Capital Stock ranking on a parity
          ---------------------                                             
   with the Exchangeable Preferred Stock with respect to payments of dividends.

         "Parity Liquidation Stock" means any Capital Stock ranking on a parity
          ------------------------                                             
   with the Exchangeable Preferred Stock with respect to distributions of assets
   upon Liquidation.

         "Parity Stock" means any Capital Stock ranking on a parity with the
          ------------                                                      
   Exchangeable Preferred Stock with respect to distributions of assets upon
   Liquidation and with respect to payments of dividends.

         "Person" means any individual, firm, corporation, trust, association,
          ------                                                              
   company, limited liability company, joint stock company, partnership, joint
   venture, governmental authority or other entity or enterprise.

         "Prior Stock" means any Capital Stock ranking prior to the Exchangeable
          -----------                                                           
   Preferred Stock with respect to distributions of assets upon Liquidation or
   with respect to payments of dividends.

         "Record Date" means, with respect to any Dividend Period, the date
          -----------                                                      
   which is 15 days prior to the last day of such Dividend Period.

         "Redemption Notice" has the meaning specified in Section 5(a) hereof.
          -----------------                                                   

         "Redemption Price" means, with respect to any share of Exchangeable
          ----------------                                                  
   Preferred Stock on any Dividend Payment Date, an amount equal to the sum of
   (i) 110% of the Liquidation Value as of such Dividend Payment Date plus (ii)
   the amount of any and all accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not earned
   or declared) on such share as of such Dividend Payment Date.

         "Representatives" has the meaning specified in the Contingent Stock
          ---------------                                                   
   Agreement.

         "Special Voting Right" has the meaning specified in Section 7(a)
          --------------------                                           
   hereof.

         "Spread" has the meaning specified in Section 3(c) hereof.
          ------                                                   

         "Trust" has the meaning specified in Section 6(d) hereof.
          -----                                                   

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
         Section 3.  Dividends.  (a) The holder of record of each share of
                     ---------                                            
Exchangeable Preferred Stock on each Record Date shall be entitled to receive on
each Dividend Payment Date, when and as declared by the Board, out of funds
legally available for the payment of dividends, dividends on the Liquidation
Value of such share at the Dividend Rate, payable in cash.  Such dividends with
respect to each share of Exchangeable Preferred Stock shall be cumulative and
shall accrue (whether or not earned or declared) from the Issue Date of such
share until such share is redeemed or exchanged in accordance with this
Certificate.

         (b) The amount of dividends accrued on any share of Exchangeable
Preferred Stock at the end of any Dividend Period shall be the amount of any
unpaid dividends accrued thereon to and including the last day of such Dividend
Period, whether or not earned or declared.  The amount of dividends accrued on
any share of Exchangeable Preferred Stock at any date other than the last day of
any Dividend Period shall be the sum of (i) the amount of any unpaid dividends
accrued thereon to and including the last day of the immediately preceding
Dividend Period, whether or not earned or declared, plus (ii) an amount
calculated on the basis of the Dividend Rate applicable to the Dividend Period
in which such date occurs for the period commencing with the first day of such
Dividend Period to and including the date of calculation, based upon the number
of days elapsed in such Dividend Period in relation to the total number of days
in such Dividend Period.  For purposes of this paragraph (b), dividends shall be
deemed to accrue daily.

         (c) Each share of Exchangeable Preferred Stock that is outstanding
during a Dividend Period shall be entitled to a dividend for such Dividend
Period, based on the applicable Liquidation Value of such share of Exchangeable
Preferred Stock, at a rate per annum (the "Dividend Rate") equal to the Base
                                           -------------                    
Rate plus the Spread, in each case as in effect during such Dividend Period;
provided, however, that in the event that any share of Exchangeable Preferred
Stock shall have an Issue Date other than on the first day of any Dividend
Period, the Dividend Rate with respect to such share during the Dividend Period
in which such Issue Date occurs shall be calculated on the basis of the
applicable Dividend Rate for such Dividend Period for the period commencing with
the Issue Date to and including the last day of such Dividend Period.  "Base
                                                                        ----
Rate" means (i) with respect to the Dividend Period during which the Corporation
- ----                                                                            
issues shares of Exchangeable Preferred Stock for the first time, the dividend
rate, as determined by a nationally recognized investment banking firm selected
by the Corporation for such purpose and reasonably acceptable to the
Representatives, 

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
which would be required in order for the Corporation to successfully sell at par
(i.e., stated liquidation value), in a private placement transaction, a class or
series of its perpetual preferred stock as of such time and (ii) with each
subsequent Dividend Period, the dividend rate, as determined by a nationally
recognized investment banking firm selected by the Corporation for such purpose
and reasonably acceptable to the Representatives, which would be required in
order for the Corporation to successfully sell at par (i.e., stated liquidation
value), in a private placement transaction, a class of its perpetual preferred
stock as of the first day of such Dividend Period. The "Spread" (i) for the
                                                        ------
Dividend Period during which the Corporation issues shares of Exchangeable
Preferred Stock for the first time shall be 3.50% per annum and (ii) for each
Dividend Period thereafter shall be the Spread for the immediately preceding
Dividend Period plus 0.50%.

         (d) Dividends in respect of the Exchangeable Preferred Stock shall be
payable before any dividend shall be paid on or with respect to any Junior
Dividend Stock and before any distribution (other than solely in Junior Dividend
Stock), redemption or purchase shall be paid on or made or set apart with
respect to any Junior Liquidation Stock and shall be cumulative so that if in
any Dividend Period dividends at the Dividend Rate shall not have been paid or
set apart for the Exchangeable Preferred Stock, the deficiency, but without
interest on such deficiency, shall be fully paid or set apart for payment before
(i) any dividend shall be paid on or with respect to any Junior Dividend Stock,
(ii) any dividend shall be paid on or with respect to any Parity Dividend Stock,
except pro rata according to the full cumulative dividends then accrued on or in
arrears with respect to the Exchangeable Preferred Stock and all classes or
series of Parity Dividend Stock, (iii) any distribution, redemption or
repurchase shall be made with respect any Junior Liquidation Stock or (iv) any
distribution, redemption or repurchase shall be made with respect to any Parity
Liquidation Stock.

         (e) To the extent that the amount of any dividend paid or set apart for
payment on the Exchangeable Preferred Stock for any Dividend Period shall be
less than the total amount of dividends due and payable with respect to such
Dividend Period as provided above, such amounts shall be paid or set apart for
payment pro rata to each record holder of shares of Exchangeable Preferred Stock
in the proportion that the total number of shares owned bears to the total
number of shares of Exchangeable Preferred Stock then outstanding.

         Section 4.  Liquidation.  (a) Each share of Exchangeable Preferred
                     -----------                                           
Stock shall be preferred over the shares of Junior Liquidation Stock, as to
assets, so that, in the event of any Liquidation, the holders of Exchangeable
Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive out of the assets of the
Corporation available for distribution to its stockholders (whether from
capital, surplus or earnings), before any distribution is made to the holders of
shares of Junior Liquidation Stock upon such Liquidation, an amount in cash
equal to the Liquidation Value multiplied by the number of outstanding shares of
Exchangeable Preferred Stock (the "Liquidation Payment").  If, upon any
                                   -------------------                 
Liquidation, the assets (or proceeds thereof) distributable among the holders of
Exchangeable Preferred Stock are insufficient to pay the Liquidation Payment in

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
full, then such assets (or the proceeds thereof) shall be distributable among
such holders ratably in accordance with the respective amounts which would be
payable on such shares if all amounts payable thereon were payable in full.

         (b) Written notice of any Liquidation, stating a payment date, the
amount of the Liquidation Payment and the place where the amount distributable
shall be payable, shall be given, not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior
to the payment date stated therein, to each holder of record of Exchangeable
Preferred Stock.

         (c) For the purposes of this Section 4, neither any Merger nor any
voluntary sale, lease, conveyance, exchange or transfer (for cash, shares of
stock, securities or other consideration) of all or substantially all of the
property or assets of the Corporation shall be deemed to be a Liquidation,
unless such voluntary sale, lease, conveyance, exchange or transfer shall be in
connection with a plan of liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
Corporation.

         (d) After the payment in cash to the holders of Exchangeable Preferred
Stock of the full amount of the Liquidation Payment with respect to all
outstanding shares of Exchangeable Preferred Stock, the holders of outstanding
shares of Exchangeable Preferred Stock shall have no right or claim, based
solely on their ownership of shares of Exchangeable Preferred Stock, to any of
the remaining assets of the Corporation.

         Section 5.  Redemption.  (a)  The holder of any share of Exchangeable
                     ----------                                               
Preferred Stock may, at his or its option, on any Dividend Payment Date, elect
to have the Corporation redeem all or any number of whole shares of Exchangeable
Preferred Stock held by such holder, such election to be made by providing
written notice of such election and the number of shares of Exchangeable
Preferred Stock elected to be redeemed to the Corporation  (a "Redemption
                                                               ----------
Notice") not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the applicable Dividend
Payment Date; provided, however, that in no event may a Redemption Notice be
given with respect to any share of Exchangeable Preferred Stock prior to the
first anniversary of the Issue Date of such share.  The Corporation shall, on
the applicable Dividend Payment Date, redeem the shares of Exchangeable
Preferred Stock elected to be redeemed pursuant to such Redemption Notice and
pay the holder of such shares the Redemption Price therefor, provided the
Corporation has sufficient legally available funds for such purpose (provided
that any failure to redeem any such shares due to the Corporation not having
sufficient legally available funds for such purpose shall cause the Special
Voting Right in Section 7 to become exercisable).  Prior to such Dividend
Payment Date, as promptly as possible after the Redemption Price can be
determined, the Corporation shall deliver to each holder of shares to be
redeemed an accurate copy of the calculation of the Redemption Price.  In the
event that the Corporation is required to redeem any shares of Exchangeable
Preferred Stock and does not have 

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
sufficient funds legally available to redeem all of such shares, it shall use
all of the funds that it does have available for such purpose, if any, to redeem
such number of shares of Exchangeable Preferred Stock as is possible with such
funds, pro rata, among all holders of Exchangeable Preferred Stock which have
previously provided the Corporation with a Redemption Notice and for which all
or any portion of the shares of Exchangeable Preferred Stock elected to be
redeemed thereunder have not been redeemed.

         (b) Upon any redemption of shares of Exchangeable Preferred Stock, the
shares of Exchangeable Preferred Stock so redeemed shall have the status of
authorized and unissued shares of preferred stock of the Corporation,
unclassified as to series, and the number of shares of preferred stock which the
Corporation shall have authority to issue shall not be decreased by the
redemption of such shares of Exchangeable Preferred Stock; provided, however,
that no shares of Exchangeable Preferred Stock which are redeemed shall be
reissued as Exchangeable Preferred Stock except pursuant to the Contingent Stock
Agreement.

         Section 6.  Exchange.  (a) Except as provided below, the Corporation
                     --------                                                
may, at its sole option, on any Dividend Payment Date, exchange shares of Common
Stock for any shares of Exchangeable Preferred Stock then outstanding, in whole
or in part (each, an "Exchange"); provided, however, that, as a condition to any
                      --------                                                  
Exchange, the Corporation shall simultaneously with such Exchange pay the holder
of each share of Exchangeable Preferred Stock being exchanged an amount equal to
the amount of any and all accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not earned or
declared) on such share of Exchangeable Preferred Stock to the date of such
Exchange.

         (b) In connection with any Exchange, the number of shares of Common
Stock to be exchanged for each share of Exchangeable Preferred Stock shall be a
number equal to the Liquidation Value of such share of Exchangeable Preferred
Stock divided by Current Share Value as of the last day of the Dividend Period
immediately preceding the Dividend Payment Date on which such Exchange is to be
consummated.

         (c) Not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the date fixed for
any Exchange, a notice of the time, date and place thereof shall be given to the
holders of record of the shares of Exchangeable Preferred Stock to be exchanged
(an "Exchange Notice"), such Exchange Notice to specify the number of shares of
     ---------------                                                           
Exchangeable Preferred Stock to be exchanged and the date fixed for such
Exchange.  Upon giving any Exchange Notice, the Company shall be obligated to
effect the Exchange described therein.

         (d) The Corporation may, prior to the Dividend Payment Date on which
any shares of Exchangeable Preferred Stock are to be exchanged, deposit the
aggregate number of shares of Common Stock and the amount of any dividends
required to be paid pursuant to paragraph (a) above in an irrevocable trust with
a bank or trust 

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
company located in New York, New York and having capital and surplus of not less
than $500,000,000 (a "Trust"), for the benefit of the holders of the shares of 
                      -----                          
Exchangeable Preferred Stock to be exchanged. If notice of such Exchange shall
have been duly mailed, and upon making such deposit, or, if no such deposit is
made, then upon the applicable Dividend Payment Date (provided that the shares
of Common Stock and dividends required to be delivered and paid in exchange
therefor are made available by the Corporation on such date), the holders of the
shares of Exchangeable Preferred Stock to be exchanged on such Dividend Payment
Date shall cease to be stockholders with respect to the shares of Exchangeable
Preferred Stock to be exchanged and, thereafter, such shares shall no longer be
transferable on the books of the Corporation and such holders shall have no
interest in or claim against the Corporation with respect to such shares other
than the right to receive the shares of Common Stock for which such shares are
being exchanged and any dividends required to be paid thereon pursuant to
paragraph (a) above upon surrender of the certificate or certificates for such
shares. Any shares of Common Stock or funds deposited with a Trust in connection
with any Exchange which are unclaimed at the end of two years from the date
fixed for such Exchange shall be redelivered and repaid to the Corporation upon
its request and, thereafter, the holders of shares of Exchangeable Preferred
Stock which are the subject of such Exchange shall look only to the Corporation
for delivery of such shares of Common Stock and the payment of such dividends.
The Board may cause the transfer books of the Corporation to be closed with
respect to any shares of Exchangeable Preferred Stock which are the subject of
an Exchange Notice.

         (e) If less than all of the outstanding shares of Exchangeable
Preferred Stock are to be exchanged in connection with any Exchange, the shares
of Exchangeable Preferred Stock to be exchanged shall be determined pro rata (as
nearly as possible) among all holders of Exchangeable Preferred Stock, according
to the respective number of shares of Exchangeable Preferred Stock held by each
such holder (and for such purpose, if any holder holds shares of Exchangeable
Preferred Stock evidenced by more than one certificate, such Exchange shall also
be allocated on such basis among such certificates as such holder shall request
on a timely basis).

         (f) Upon any exchange of shares of Exchangeable Preferred Stock
pursuant to this Section 6, the shares of Exchangeable Preferred Stock so
exchanged shall have the status of authorized and unissued shares of preferred
stock of the Corporation, unclassified as to series, and the number of shares of
preferred stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue shall not be
decreased by the exchange of such shares of Exchangeable Preferred Stock;
provided, however, that no shares of Exchangeable Preferred Stock which are
exchanged shall be reissued as Exchangeable Preferred Stock except pursuant to
the Contingent Stock Agreement.

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
         Section 7.  Voting.  (a) The holders of shares of Exchangeable
                     ------                                            
Preferred Stock shall have no voting rights whatsoever, except for any voting
rights to which such holders may be entitled under the laws of the State of
Maryland and except that the holders of the outstanding shares of Exchangeable
Preferred Stock shall have the exclusive right (the "Special Voting Right"),
                                                     --------------------   
voting separately as a class, to elect one of the members of the Board if and
whenever at any time or times (i) dividends (whether or not declared) payable on
Exchangeable Preferred Stock for one or more Dividend Periods shall be in
arrears and unpaid or (ii) the Corporation shall fail to effect any redemption
required to be made pursuant to Section 5 hereof or any Exchange required to be
made pursuant to Section 6 hereof.  If the Special Voting Right shall vest as
provided in the preceding sentence, it shall continue until such time as (A) all
cumulative dividends accumulated on all shares of Exchangeable Preferred Stock
(whether or not declared) shall have been paid in full, (B) all redemptions
required to be made pursuant to Section 5 hereof shall have been made and (C)
all Exchanges required to be made pursuant to Section 6 hereof have been made,
at which time the Special Voting Right shall terminate, subject to revesting in
the event of each and every subsequent occurrence of one or more of the events
described in clauses (i) and (ii) of the preceding sentence.

         (b) Upon the vesting of the Special Voting Right, the authorized number
of directors constituting the Board shall, without further action, be increased
by one and the vacancy so created shall be filled only by vote of the holders of
the outstanding shares of Exchangeable Preferred Stock.  Whenever the Special
Voting Right shall have vested, such Right may be exercised initially either at
a special meeting of the holders of Exchangeable Preferred Stock, called as
hereinafter provided, or at any annual meeting of stockholders, or by the
written consent of the holders of outstanding shares of Exchangeable Preferred
Stock. Each director elected by the holders of the Exchangeable Preferred Stock
upon exercise of the Special Voting Right shall hold office until the next
annual meeting of stockholders and until his successor shall have been duly
elected and qualified; provided, however, that the term of office of any
incumbent director so elected shall terminate concurrently with the termination
of the Special Voting Right and upon such termination the number of directors
constituting the Board shall, without further action, be reduced by one, subject
always to increase as provided above upon revesting of the Special Voting Right.

         (c) At any time when the Special Voting Right shall have vested and if
such Right shall not already have been initially exercised, a proper officer of
the Corporation shall, upon the written request of the holders of record of at
least 10% of the outstanding shares of Exchangeable Preferred Stock, addressed
to the Secretary of the Corporation, call a special meeting of the holders of
Exchangeable Preferred Stock and of any other class or classes of stock having
voting power with respect thereto for the 

                                      -10-
<PAGE>
 
purpose of electing directors. Such meeting shall be held at the earliest
practicable date upon the notice required for annual meetings of stockholders at
the place for holding annual meetings of stockholders of the Corporation or, if
none, at a place reasonably designated by the Secretary of the Corporation. If
such meeting shall not be called by the proper officers of the Corporation
within 20 days after the date of any request made as aforesaid, then the holders
of record of at least 10% of the issued and outstanding shares of Exchangeable
Preferred Stock which would be entitled to vote at such meeting may designate in
writing one of their number to call such meeting at the expense of the
Corporation, and such meeting may be called by such Person so designated upon
the notice required for annual meetings of stockholders and shall be held at the
place for holding annual meetings of stockholders of the Corporation or, if
none, at a place reasonably designated by such Person. Any holder of
Exchangeable Preferred Stock which would be entitled to vote at such meeting
shall have access to the stock books of the Corporation for the purpose of
causing a meeting of stockholders to be called pursuant to the provisions of
this paragraph (c).

         (d) At any meeting held for the purpose of electing directors at which
the holders of Exchangeable Preferred Stock are entitled to exercise the Special
Voting Right, the presence (in person or by proxy) of the holders of 33-1/3% of
the then issued and outstanding shares of Exchangeable Preferred Stock shall be
required and shall be sufficient to constitute a quorum of such class for the
exercise of the Special Voting Right.  At any such meeting or adjournment
thereof, (i) the absence of a quorum of holders of Exchangeable Preferred Stock
shall not prevent the election of directors other than the director to be
elected by such holders and the absence of a quorum or quorums of the holders of
capital stock entitled to elect such other directors shall not prevent the
election of the director to be elected by the holders of Exchangeable Preferred
Stock pursuant to the  exercise of the Special Voting Right and (ii) in the
absence of a quorum of the holders of any class of stock entitled to vote for
the election of directors, a majority of the holders present (in person or by
proxy) of such class shall have the power to adjourn the meeting for the
election of directors which the holders of such class are entitled to elect,
from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until
a quorum shall be present.

         (e) In exercising the Special Voting Right, each share of Exchangeable
Preferred Stock shall be entitled to one vote.

         Section 8.  Ranking.  All shares of Exchangeable Preferred Stock shall
                     -------                                                   
rank:

         (a) senior, both as to payments of dividends and as to distributions of
   assets upon any Liquidation, to all shares of Junior Stock, whether presently
   outstanding or issued after the date hereof;

                                      -11-
<PAGE>
 
          (b) senior, as to payments of dividends, to all shares of Junior
   Dividend Stock, whether presently outstanding or issued after the date
   hereof;

         (c) senior, as to distributions of assets upon any Liquidation, to all
   shares of Junior Liquidation Stock, whether presently outstanding or issued
   after the date hereof;

         (d) on a parity, as to payments of dividends and as to distributions of
   assets upon any Liquidation, with all shares of Parity Stock issued after the
   date hereof in accordance with the terms hereof;

         (e) on a parity, as to payments of dividends, with all shares of Parity
   Dividend Stock issued after the date hereof in accordance with the terms
   hereof; and

         (f) on a parity, as to distributions of assets  upon any Liquidation,
   with all shares of Parity Liquidation Stock issued after the date hereof in
   accordance with the terms hereof.

As of the date hereof, (i) no shares of Prior Stock are authorized or
outstanding except for shares of the Corporation's Series A Convertible
Preferred Stock, (ii) no shares of Parity Dividend Stock or Parity Liquidation
Stock are authorized or outstanding, par value $.01 per share, and (iii) no
shares of Junior Dividend Stock or Junior Liquidation Stock are authorized or
outstanding except for shares of 10.25% Junior Preferred Stock, 1996 Series, par
value $.01 per share, issued to The Howard Hughes Corporation and Common Stock.

         Section 9.   Non-Assessability.  The shares of Exchangeable Preferred
                      -----------------                                       
Stock when issued, shall be fully-paid and nonassessable.

         Section 10.  Preemptive Rights.  The Exchangeable Preferred Stock is
                      -----------------                                      
not entitled to any preemptive rights or subscription rights in respect of any
Capital Stock.

         Section 11.   Registration Books, etc.  The Corporation will keep, or
                       ------------------------                               
cause to be kept, at its principal office (or at the office of its agent for
such purpose) proper books in which the names and addresses of the holders of
shares of Exchangeable Preferred Stock issued by the Corporation shall be
registered and in which transfers of such shares may be registered.  The
Corporation may treat the registered holder of any shares of Exchangeable
Preferred Stock as the absolute owner thereof for the purpose of receiving all
dividends and redemption payments thereon and for all other purposes, and the
Corporation shall not be affected by any notice or knowledge to the contrary.

         Section 12.  Certain Restrictions.  (a) So long as any shares of
                      --------------------                               
Exchangeable Preferred Stock are outstanding, the 

                                      -12-
<PAGE>
 
Corporation will not, either directly or indirectly or through a Merger, without
either (1) the written consent of the Representatives or (2) the affirmative
vote (at a meeting) or the written consent (with or without a meeting) of the
holders of at least 66-2/3% of the shares of Exchangeable Preferred Stock at the
time outstanding:

         (i) issue (or approve the issuance of) any shares of Parity Dividend
   Stock, Parity Liquidation Stock or Prior Stock or increase the authorized
   number of shares of Parity Dividend Stock, Parity Liquidation Stock or Prior
   Stock;

         (ii) amend, alter or repeal any of the provisions of this Certificate,
   the Charter or the Corporation's bylaws, so as to affect adversely the
   preferences, special rights or powers of the Exchangeable Preferred Stock;

         (iii)  issue (or approve the issuance of) any shares of Exchangeable
   Preferred Stock except pursuant to the Contingent Stock Agreement;

         (iv) redeem, retire, purchase or otherwise acquire, or permit any of
   the Corporation's Affiliates to redeem, purchase or otherwise acquire, any
   shares of  Exchangeable Preferred Stock except as provided in Sections 5 and
   6 hereof;

         (v) approve or consummate any Merger which would affect adversely the
   preferences, special rights or powers of the Exchangeable Preferred Stock;

         (vi) approve any Exchange of less than all the Exchangeable Preferred
   Stock at the time outstanding unless the full accrued dividends (whether or
   not declared) for all prior and then current Dividend Periods shall either
   (A) have been paid or (B) declared and a sum sufficient for the payment
   thereof set apart for such payment;

         (vii)  declare or pay or set apart any money for any dividends (other
   than a dividend payable solely in Junior Stock) or make any other
   distribution on or with respect to any shares of Junior Stock;

         (viii)  redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for value, or set apart any
   money for any sinking or other analogous fund for the redemption or purchase
   of, any shares of Junior Stock (other than acquisitions of Common Stock
   solely for the purpose of obtaining the number of shares of Common Stock
   which may be required to effect any Exchange) or of any warrant, option or
   right to purchase, subscribe for or otherwise acquire any Junior Stock; or

         (ix) declare or pay or set apart for any dividends (other than a
   dividend payable solely in Junior Stock) or make any 

                                      -13-
<PAGE>
 
   other distribution on or with respect to any shares of Parity Dividend Stock
   or Parity Liquidation Stock during any Dividend Period unless, at the same
   time, a like proportionate dividend during such Dividend Period, ratably in
   proportion to the respective annual dividend rates fixed therefor, shall be
   paid upon, or declared and set apart for, all issued and outstanding shares
   of Exchangeable Preferred Stock entitled to receive such dividend.

         (b) So long as any shares of Exchangeable Preferred Stock are
outstanding, the Corporation will not, either directly or indirectly or through
a Merger, without the affirmative vote (at a meeting) or the written consent
(with or without a meeting) of at least 66-2/3% of the shares of Exchangeable
Preferred Stock at the time outstanding take any action which would amend the
provisions hereof relating to dividends on, or redemptions or exchanges of, the
Exchangeable Preferred Stock so as to adversely affect the holders of the
Exchangeable Preferred Stock.

         (c) So long as the Corporation shall be obligated (contingently or
otherwise) to issue shares of Exchangeable Preferred Stock pursuant to the
Contingent Stock Agreement, the Corporation will not, either directly or
indirectly or through a Merger, at any time when no shares of Exchangeable
Preferred Stock are outstanding, without the prior written consent of the
Representatives, take (or cause to be taken) any of the actions described in
clauses (i) and (vi) of paragraph (a) above or in paragraph (b) above.

         (d) So long as the Corporation shall be in default of any obligation to
make any redemption pursuant to Section 5 hereof or any obligation to make any
Exchange pursuant to Section 6 hereof, the Corporation shall not directly or
indirectly purchase, redeem or discharge any mandatory redemption, sinking fund
or any other similar obligation in respect of any shares of any class or series
of Junior Stock, Parity Dividend Stock or Parity Liquidation Stock.

         Section 13.  No Consent for Certain Actions.  No consent (other than as
                      ------------------------------                            
may be provided in Section 12 hereof) of the holders of Exchangeable Preferred
Stock or the Representatives shall be required for (a) the creation of any
indebtedness of any kind of the Corporation, (b) the creation of any class of
Junior Stock or (c) any increase or decrease in the amount of authorized Junior
Stock or any increase, decrease or change in the par value thereof.

         Section 14.  Severability of Provisions.  Whenever possible, each
                      --------------------------                          
provision hereof shall be interpreted in a manner as to be effective and valid
under applicable law, but if any provision hereof is held to be prohibited by or
invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be ineffective only to the
extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating or otherwise
adversely affecting the remaining provisions hereof.  If a court of competent
jurisdiction should determine that a provision 

                                      -14-
<PAGE>
 
hereof would be valid or enforceable if a period of time were extended or
shortened or a particular percentage were increased or decreased, then such
court may make such change as shall be necessary to render the provision in
question effective and valid under applicable law.

         Section 15.  Notices.  Any notice required to be given hereunder shall
                      -------                                                  
be sufficient if in writing, sent by facsimile transmission or electronic
telecommunications equipment (with confirmation of receipt), or by courier
service (with proof of service), hand delivery or certified or registered mail
(return receipt requested and first-class postage prepaid), and addressed (a) if
to any record holder of shares of Exchangeable Preferred Stock, to the address
or facsimile number of such record holder as reflected in the transfer records
for shares of Exchangeable Preferred Stock maintained by the Corporation or any
transfer agent, or (b) if to the Corporation, at its principal executive offices
to the attention of its Secretary.  Any notice given in accordance with this
provision by the Corporation shall be deemed delivered as of the date receipt or
proof of service or delivery is confirmed or on the third Business Day after the
date mailed.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused these Articles
Supplementary to be made under the seal of the Corporation and signed in its
name and attested by its duly authorized officers this ______ day of June, 1996.

ATTEST:                       THE ROUSE COMPANY


                              By:
- -----------------------          --------------------------------
Bruce I. Rothschild              Anthony W. Deering
Vice President, General          President and
Counsel and Secretary            Chief Executive Officer



         THE UNDERSIGNED, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Rouse
Company, who executed on behalf of the Corporation Articles Supplementary of
which this Certificate is made a part, hereby acknowledges in the name and on
behalf of said Corporation the foregoing Articles Supplementary to be the
corporate act of said Corporation and hereby certifies that the matters and
facts set forth herein with respect to the authorization and approval thereof
are true in all material respects under the penalties of perjury.




                              ------------------------------------
                              Anthony W. Deering
                              President and
                              Chief Executive Officer

                                      -15-

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.7


                             ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY

                   10.25% Junior Preferred Stock, 1996 Series
                   ------------------------------------------

                                       of

                               THE ROUSE COMPANY

     The Rouse Company, a Maryland corporation having its principal office in
Howard County, Maryland (hereinafter called the "Corporation"), hereby certifies
to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland that:

     FIRST:  Pursuant to authority expressly vested in the Board of Directors of
the Corporation by Article FIFTH of the Charter of the Corporation, the Board of
Directors has duly divided and classified 37,362 shares of the Preferred Stock
of the Corporation, par value $.01 per share, into a series designated "10.25%
Junior Preferred Stock, 1996 Series" and has provided for the issuance of such
series.

     SECOND:  The terms of the 10.25% Junior Preferred Stock, 1996 Series as set
by the Board of Directors are as follows:

     1.  Designation and Amount.  The shares of such series shall be designated
         ----------------------                                                
as "10.25% Junior Preferred Stock, 1996 Series" (the "1996 Series Preferred
Stock") and the number of shares constituting such series shall initially be
37,362, subject to increase or decrease by action of the Board of Directors
effectuated by further Articles Supplementary.

     2.  Dividends and Distributions.
         --------------------------- 

          (i)  The holders of shares of 1996 Series Preferred Stock, in
     preference to the holders of Common Stock and of any other junior stock,
     shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of
     Directors out of funds legally available for the purpose, annual dividends
     payable in cash on each anniversary of the date of the first issuance of
     shares of 1996 Series Preferred Stock (each such date being referred to
     herein as an "Annual Dividend Payment Date"), commencing on the first
     Annual Dividend Payment Date after the first issuance of a share or
     fraction of a share of 1996 Series Preferred Stock, in an amount per share
     (rounded to the nearest cent) equal to the greater of (a) 10.25% of the
     Base Liquidation Amount or (b) subject to the provision for adjustment
     hereinafter set forth, 180.374 times the aggregate per share amount of all
     cash dividends, and 180.374 times the aggregate per share amount (payable
     in kind) of all non-cash dividends 
<PAGE>
 
     or other distributions other than a dividend payable in shares of Common
     Stock of the Corporation or a subdivision of the outstanding shares of
     Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise), declared on the Common
     Stock since the immediately preceding Annual Dividend Payment Date or, with
     respect to the first Annual Dividend Payment Date, since the first issuance
     of any share or fraction of a share of 1996 Series Preferred Stock, but in
     no event more than 200% of the amount stated in clause (a) of this
     sentence. In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the date
     hereof declare or pay any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of
     Common Stock, or effect a subdivision or combination or consolidation of
     the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise)
     into a greater or lesser number of shares of Common Stock, then in each
     such case the amount to which holders of shares of 1996 Series Preferred
     Stock were entitled immediately prior to such event under clause (b) of the
     preceding sentence shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a
     fraction the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock
     outstanding immediately after such event and the denominator of which is
     the number of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately
     prior to such event.

          (ii)  Dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on outstanding
     shares of 1996 Series Preferred Stock from the date of issue of such
     shares.  Accrued but unpaid dividends shall not bear interest.  Dividends
     paid on the shares of 1996 Series Preferred Stock in an amount less than
     the total amount of such dividends at the time accrued and payable on such
     shares shall be allocated pro rata on a share-by-share basis among all such
     shares at the time outstanding.  The Board of Directors may fix a record
     date for the determination of holders of shares of 1996 Series Preferred
     Stock entitled to receive payment of a dividend or distribution declared
     thereon, which record date shall be not more than 60 days prior to the date
     fixed for the payment thereof.

     3.  Voting Rights.  Except as provided in Paragraph 4 of this Article, the
         -------------                                                         
holders of shares of 1996 Series Preferred Stock shall have no voting rights.

     4.  Certain Restrictions.  Without the consent of 66-2/3 percent of the
         --------------------                                               
outstanding shares of 1996 Series Preferred Stock (expressed by vote at a
meeting or by written consent without a meeting), whenever annual dividends
payable on the 1996 Series Preferred Stock as provided in paragraph 2 of this

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
Article are in arrears, thereafter and until all accrued and unpaid dividends
and distributions, whether or not declared, on shares of 1996 Series Preferred
Stock outstanding shall have been paid in full, the Corporation shall not:

          (i)  declare or pay dividends on, make any other distributions on, or
     redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of
     stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon liquidation,
     dissolution or winding up) to the 1996 Series Preferred Stock;

          (ii)  declare or pay dividends on or make any other distributions on
     any shares of stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or upon
     liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the 1996 Series Preferred
     Stock, except dividends paid ratably on the 1996 Series Preferred Stock and
     all such parity stock on which dividends are payable or in arrears in
     proportion to the total amounts to which the holders of all such shares are
     then entitled;

          (iii)  redeem or purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration
     shares of any stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon
     liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the 1996 Series Preferred
     Stock, provided that the Corporation may at any time redeem, purchase or
     otherwise acquire shares of any such junior stock in exchange for shares of
     any stock of the Corporation ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon
     dissolution, liquidation or winding up) to the 1996 Series Preferred Stock;
     or

          (iv)  purchase or otherwise acquire for consideration any shares of
     1996 Series Preferred Stock, or any shares of stock ranking on a parity
     with the 1996 Series Preferred Stock, except in accordance with a purchase
     offer made in writing or by publication (as determined by the Board of
     Directors) to all holders of such shares upon such terms as the Board of
     Directors, after consideration of the respective annual dividend rates and
     other relative rights and preferences of the respective series and classes,
     shall determine in good faith will result in fair and equitable treatment
     among the respective series or classes.

     5.  Reacquired Shares.  Any shares of 1996 Series Preferred Stock purchased
         -----------------                                                      
or otherwise acquired by the Corporation in any manner whatsoever shall be
retired and canceled promptly after the acquisition thereof.  All such shares
shall upon their cancellation become authorized but 

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
unissued shares of Preferred Stock and may be classified again and reissued as
part of a new series or class of Preferred Stock to be created by the Board of
Directors pursuant to its power contained in the Charter, subject to the
conditions and restrictions on issuance set forth herein.

     6.  Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up.  Upon any liquidation,
         --------------------------------------                        
dissolution or winding up of the Corporation, no distribution shall be made (a)
to the holders of shares of stock ranking junior (upon liquidation, dissolution
or winding up) to the 1996 Series Preferred Stock unless, prior thereto, the
holders of shares of 1996 Series Preferred Stock shall have received the greater
of (i) Four Thousand One Hundred Forty-eight Dollars and Sixty Cents ($4,148.60)
per share (the "Base Liquidation Amount"), plus an amount equal to accrued and
unpaid dividends and distributions thereon, whether or not declared, to the date
of such payment, or (ii) an aggregate amount per share, subject to the provision
for adjustment hereinafter set forth, equal to 180.374 times the aggregate
amount to be distributed per share to holders of Common Stock, or (b) to the
holders of stock ranking on a parity (either as to dividends or upon
liquidation, dissolution or winding up) with the 1996 Series Preferred Stock,
except distributions made ratably on the 1996 Series Preferred Stock and all
other such parity stock in proportion to the total amounts to which the holders
of all such shares are entitled upon such liquidation, dissolution or winding
up.  In the event the Corporation shall at any time after the date hereof
declare or pay any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock,
or effect a subdivision or combination or consolidation of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or otherwise) into a greater or
lesser number of shares of Common Stock, then in each such case the aggregate
amount to which holders of shares of 1996 Series Preferred Stock were entitled
immediately prior to such event under the proviso in clause (a) of the preceding
sentence shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction the
numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of
shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

     7.  Consolidation, Merger, etc.  In case the Corporation shall enter into
         --------------------------                                           
any consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in which the shares
of Common Stock are exchanged for or changed into other stock or securities,
cash and/or any other property, then in any such case the shares of 1996 Series
Preferred Stock shall at the same time be similarly exchanged or changed in an
amount per share (subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth)
equal to 180.374 times the aggregate amount of stock, securities, cash 

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
and/or any other property (payable in kind), as the case may be, into which or
for which each share of Common Stock is changed or exchanged. In the event the
Corporation shall at any time after the date hereof declare or pay any dividend
on Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, or effect a subdivision or
combination or consolidation of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by
reclassification or otherwise) into a greater or lesser number of shares of
Common Stock, then in each such case the amount set forth in the preceding
sentence with respect to the exchange or change of shares of 1996 Series
Preferred Stock shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction the
numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
immediately after such event and the denominator of which is the number of
shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

     8.  No Redemption.  The shares of 1996 Series Preferred Stock shall not be
         -------------                                                         
redeemable.

     9.  Rank.  The 1996 Series Preferred Stock shall rank junior with respect
         ----                                                                 
to payment of dividends and on liquidation to all other Preferred Stock of the
Corporation unless the terms of any other Preferred Stock specifically provide
that it shall rank junior to, or on a parity with, the 1996 Series Preferred
Stock.

     10.  Amendment.  The Charter of the Corporation shall not be amended in any
          ---------                                                             
manner that would materially alter or change the powers, preferences or special
rights of the 1996 Series Preferred Stock so as to affect them adversely without
the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of
1996 Series Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, The Rouse Company has caused these presents to be
signed in its name and on its behalf by its President and Chief Executive
Officer and attested by its Secretary on the ____ date of June, 1996.


ATTEST:                             THE ROUSE COMPANY


______________________________      By: ________________________
Bruce I. Rothschild                      Anthony W. Deering 
Secretary                                President and       
                                         Chief Executive Officer
                                                                 



     THE UNDERSIGNED, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Rouse
Company, who executed on behalf of the Corporation Articles Supplementary of
which this Certificate is made a part, hereby acknowledges in the name and on
behalf of said Corporation the foregoing Articles Supplementary to be the
corporate act of said Corporation and hereby certifies that the matters and
facts set forth herein with respect to the authorization and approval thereof
are true in all material respects under the penalties of perjury.


 ______________________________
                                    Anthony W. Deering
                                    President and
                                    Chief Executive Officer

                                      -6-

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.8



                                                              As Revised 1/30/97

 
                                     BYLAWS

                                       OF

                               THE ROUSE COMPANY



                                   ARTICLE I

                                  STOCKHOLDERS
                                  ------------


     SECTION 1.01.  ANNUAL MEETING.  The Company shall hold an annual meeting of
its stockholders to elect directors and transact any other business within its
powers in each year on such date during the month of May as shall be set by the
Board of Directors.  Except as the Charter or a statute provides otherwise, any
business may be considered at an annual meeting without the purpose of the
meeting having been specified in the notice.  Failure to hold an annual meeting
does not invalidate the Company's existence or affect any otherwise valid
corporate act.

     SECTION 1.02.  SPECIAL MEETING.  At any time in the interval between annual
meetings, a special meeting of the stockholders may be called by the Chairman of
the Board or, if he or she is unavailable due to disability or other reason, by
the Chief Executive Officer or the President, or by a majority of the Board of
Directors by vote at a meeting or in writing (addressed to the Secretary of the
Company) with or without a meeting.  Special meetings of the stockholders shall
be called by the Secretary of the Company at the written request of stockholders
entitled to cast at least 50 percent of all the votes entitled to be cast at the
meeting; in such case, the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer
shall establish the date of the special meeting, which shall not be more than 90
days after the requesting stockholders have (i) established that the Company is
required by law to hold the special meeting; (ii) presented proof that their
aggregate stockholdings represent the required percentage of votes; and (iii)
paid to the Company any costs of the meeting required by law to be paid by them.
No business shall be transacted at any special meeting except that named in the
notice.

     SECTION 1.03.  PLACE OF MEETINGS.  Meetings of stockholders shall be held
at such place in the United States as is set from time to time by the Board of
Directors.

     SECTION 1.04.  NOTICE OF MEETINGS; WAIVER OF NOTICE.  Not less than 10 nor
more than 90 days before each stockholders meeting, the Chief Executive Officer
or the Secretary shall give written notice of the meeting to each stockholder
entitled to vote at the meeting and each other stockholder entitled to notice 
<PAGE>
 
of the meeting. The notice shall state the time and place of the meeting and, if
the meeting is a special meeting or notice of the purpose is required by
statute, the purpose of the meeting. Notice is given to a stockholder when it is
personally delivered to him or her, left at his or her residence or usual place
of business, or mailed to him or her at his or her address as it appears on the
records of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions, each person
who is entitled to notice waives notice if before or after the meeting he or she
signs a waiver of the notice which is filed with the records of the
stockholders' meeting or if he or she is present at the meeting in person or by
proxy.

     SECTION 1.05.  QUORUM; VOTING.  Unless a statute or the Charter provides
otherwise, (i) at a meeting of stockholders the presence in person or by proxy
of stockholders entitled to cast a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast
at the meeting constitutes a quorum, and (ii) a majority of all the votes cast
at a meeting at which a quorum is present is sufficient to approve any matter
that properly comes before the meeting, except that a plurality of all the votes
cast at a meeting at which a quorum is present is sufficient to elect a
director.

     SECTION 1.06.  ADJOURNMENTS.  Whether or not a quorum is present, a meeting
of stockholders convened on the date for which it was called may be adjourned
from time to time without further notice by a majority vote of the stockholders
present in person or by proxy to a date not more than 120 days after the
original record date.  Any business which might have been transacted at the
meeting as originally notified may be deferred and transacted at any such
adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present.

     SECTION 1.07.  GENERAL RIGHT TO VOTE; PROXIES.  Unless the Charter provides
for a greater or lesser number of votes per share or limits or denies voting
rights, each outstanding share of stock, regardless of class, is entitled to one
vote on each matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of stockholders.  In all
elections for directors, each share of stock may be voted for as many
individuals as there are directors to be elected and for whose election the
share is entitled to be voted.  A stockholder may vote the stock he or she owns
of record either in person or by written proxy signed by the stockholder or by
his or her duly authorized attorney in fact.  Unless a proxy provides otherwise,
it is not valid more than 11 months after its date.

     SECTION 1.08.  CONDUCT OF BUSINESS AND VOTING.  At all meetings of
stockholders, unless the voting is conducted by inspectors, the proxies and
ballots shall be received, and all questions relating to the qualification of
voters and the validity of proxies, the acceptance or rejection of votes and
procedures for the conduct of business not otherwise specified by these Bylaws,
the Charter or law, shall be decided or determined 

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
by the chairman of the meeting. If demanded by stockholders, present in person
or by proxy, entitled to cast 25% in number of votes entitled to be cast, or if
ordered by the chairman of the meeting, the vote upon any election or question
shall be taken by ballot and, upon like demand or order, the voting shall be
conducted by two inspectors, in which event the proxies and ballots shall be
received, and all questions relating to the qualification of voters and the
validity of proxies and the acceptance or rejection of votes shall be decided by
such inspectors. Unless so demanded or ordered, no vote need be by ballot, and
voting need not be conducted by inspectors. The chairman of the meeting may
choose an inspector or inspectors to act at such meeting and, in default of such
election, the stockholders at the meeting may appoint an inspector or
inspectors. No candidate for election as a director at a meeting shall serve as
an inspector.

                                   ARTICLE II

                               BOARD OF DIRECTORS
                               ------------------

     SECTION 2.01.  FUNCTION OF DIRECTORS.  The business and affairs of the
Company shall be managed under the direction of its Board of Directors.  All
powers of the Company may be exercised by or under authority of the Board of
Directors, except as conferred on or reserved to the stockholders by statute or
by the Charter or Bylaws.

     SECTION 2.02.  NUMBER OF DIRECTORS.  The Company shall have 10 directors
until the number of directors is changed as herein provided.  A majority of the
entire Board of Directors may alter the number of directors to not exceeding 25
nor less than the minimum number required by law, but such action may not affect
the tenure of office of any director.

     SECTION 2.03.  ELECTION AND TENURE OF DIRECTORS.  At each annual meeting,
the stockholders shall elect directors to hold office until the next annual
meeting and until their successors are elected and qualify.

     SECTION 2.04.  VACANCY ON THE BOARD; REMOVAL OF DIRECTOR.

          (a)  A majority of the directors, whether or not sufficient to
constitute a quorum, may fill a vacancy on the Board of Directors.  A director
elected by the Board of Directors to fill a vacancy serves until the next annual
meeting of stockholders and until his or her successor is elected and qualifies.

          (b)  At any special or annual meeting of the stockholders called in
the manner provided for by this Article, any director or directors may be
removed from office by a vote of 

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
a majority of all the votes that are entitled to be cast by all shares of stock
outstanding and entitled to vote for the election of directors, and, another or
other directors may be elected as provided in Section 2.04(c) of these Bylaws.

          (c)  The stockholders may elect a successor to fill a vacancy on the
Board of Directors that results from the removal of a director, subject to
Section 2.05 of these Bylaws.  A director elected by the stockholders to fill a
vacancy that results from the removal of a director shall serve for the balance
of the term of the removed director.


     SECTION 2.05.  NOMINATION OF DIRECTORS.

          (a)  Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may
be made at an annual meeting or special meeting of stockholders called for the
purpose of electing directors only (i) by or at the direction of the Board of
Directors or (ii) by any stockholder who is entitled to vote for the election of
directors at the meeting and who complies with the notice procedures set forth
in this Section 2.05.

          (b)  Any nominations not made by or at the direction of the Board of
Directors shall be made pursuant to a timely written notice delivered to or
mailed and received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the
Company not later than 60 nor more than 90 days prior to the scheduled date of
the meeting, regardless of any postponements or adjournments of the meeting to a
later date; provided, however, that if notice of the meeting is mailed to
stockholders less than 70 days prior to the date of the meeting, notice by the
stockholder to the Secretary must be so delivered or received within 10 days
after the earlier of (i) the date on which the notice of the date of the meeting
was mailed to the stockholder or (ii) the date on which the Company publicly
disclosed the date of the meeting.  A stockholder's notice to the Secretary
shall set forth (i) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate
for election or re-election as a director:  (a) the name, age, business address
and residence address of the person, (b) the principal occupation or employment
of the person, (c) the class and number of shares of the Company that are
beneficially owned by the person on the date of the stockholder's notice and (d)
any other information relating to the person that is required to be disclosed in
solicitations of proxies for election of directors, or is otherwise required, in
each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended; (ii) as to the stockholder giving the notice:  (a) the name and
address, as they appear on the Company's books, of the stockholder and any other
stockholders known by the stockholder to be supporting the nominee(s), and (b)
the class and number of shares of the Company that are beneficially owned by the
stockholder on the date of the 

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
stockholder's notice and by any other stockholders known by the stockholders to
be supporting the nominee(s) on the date of the stockholder's notice; and (iii)
a description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and
each nominee and other person or persons (naming and providing the business
address of such person or persons) pursuant to which the nomination or
nominations are to be made by the stockholder.

          (c)  The chairman of the annual or special stockholders meeting shall,
if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that (i) a nomination
was not made in accordance with the procedures prescribed by these Bylaws and
(ii) the defective nomination shall be disregarded.

     SECTION 2.06.  REGULAR MEETINGS.  Any regular meeting of the Board of
Directors shall be held on such date and at any place as may be designated from
time to time by the Chairman of the Board or the Board of Directors.

     SECTION 2.07.  SPECIAL MEETINGS.  Special meetings of the Board of
Directors may be called at any time by the Chairman of the Board or, if he or
she is unavailable due to disability or other reason, by the Chief Executive
Officer or the President, or by a majority of the Board of Directors by vote at
a meeting or in writing with or without a meeting.  A special meeting of the
Board of Directors shall be held on such date and at any place as may be
designated from time to time by the Chairman of the Board or, if he or she is
unavailable due to disability or other reason, by the Chief Executive Officer or
the President, or by a majority of the Board of Directors.

     SECTION 2.08.  NOTICE OF MEETING.  The Secretary or such other person as
shall be designated by the Chairman of the Board or, if he or she is unavailable
due to disability or other reason, by the Chief Executive Officer or the
President, or by a majority of the Board of Directors shall give notice to each
director of each regular and special meeting of the Board of Directors.  The
notice shall state the time and place of the meeting.  Notice is given to a
director when it is delivered personally to him or her, left at his or her
residence or usual place of business, or sent or communicated by telegraph,
facsimile transmission or telephone, at least 24 hours before the time of the
meeting or, in the alternative, by mail to his or her address as it shall appear
on the records of the Company, at least 72 hours before the time of the meeting.
Unless the Bylaws or a resolution of the Board of Directors provides otherwise,
the notice need not state the business to be transacted at or the purposes of
any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors.  No notice of any
meeting of the Board of Directors need be given to any director who attends,
except when a director attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting to
the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully 

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
called or convened, or to any director who, in writing executed and filed with
the records of the meeting either before or after the holding thereof, waives
such notice. Any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors may
adjourn from time to time to reconvene at the same or some other place, and no
notice need be given of any such adjourned meeting other than by announcement at
the meeting.

     SECTION 2.09.  ACTION BY DIRECTORS.  Unless a statute or the Charter or
Bylaws requires a greater proportion, the action of a majority of the directors
present at a meeting at which a quorum is present is the action of the Board of
Directors.  A majority of the entire Board of Directors shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business.  In the absence of a quorum, the
directors present, by majority vote and without notice other than by
announcement at the meeting, may adjourn the meeting from time to time until a
quorum shall attend.  At any such adjourned meeting at which a quorum shall be
present, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the
meeting as originally notified.  Any action required or permitted to be taken at
a meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if a
unanimous written consent that sets forth the action is signed by each member of
the Board and filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board.

     SECTION 2.10.  MEETING BY CONFERENCE TELEPHONE.  Members of the Board of
Directors may participate in a meeting by means of a conference telephone or
similar communications equipment if all persons participating in the meeting can
hear each other at the same time.  Participation in a meeting by these means
constitutes presence in person at a meeting.

     SECTION 2.11.  COMPENSATION.  By resolution of the Board of Directors, a
fixed sum and expenses, if any, for attendance at each regular or special
meeting of the Board of Directors or of committees thereof, and other
compensation for their services as directors or on committees of the Board of
Directors, may be paid to directors.  Directors who are full-time employees of
the Company need not be paid for attendance at meetings of the Board or
committees thereof for which fees are paid to other directors. A director who
serves the Company in any other capacity also may receive compensation for such
other services.

                                  ARTICLE III

                                   COMMITTEES
                                   ----------

     SECTION 3.01.  COMMITTEES.  The Board of Directors may appoint from among
its members an Executive Committee, an Audit Committee, a Personnel Committee,
and other committees composed of one or more directors and delegate to these
committees any of the powers of the Board of Directors, power to declare
dividends 

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
on stock, elect directors, issue stock other than as provided in the next
sentence, recommend to the stockholders any action which requires stockholder
approval, amend the Bylaws, or approve any merger or share exchange which does
not require stockholder approval. If the Board of Directors has given general
authorization for the issuance of stock and such general authorization provides
for or establishes a method or procedure for determining the maximum number of
shares to be issued, a committee of the Board, in accordance with that general
authorization or any stock option or other plan adopted by the Board of
Directors, may authorize or fix the terms of stock subject to classification or
reclassification and the terms on which any stock may be issued, including all
terms and conditions required or permitted to be established or authorized by
the Board of Directors.

     SECTION 3.02.  COMMITTEE PROCEDURE.  Each committee may fix rules of
procedure for its business, and shall meet at the call of the Chairman of the
Board or the chairman of the committee.  A majority of the members of a
committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business and the act
of a majority of those present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall
be the act of the committee.  The members of a committee present at any meeting,
whether or not they constitute a quorum, may appoint a director to act in the
place of an absent member.  Any action required or permitted to be taken at a
meeting of a committee may be taken without a meeting, if a unanimous written
consent which sets forth the action is signed by each member of the committee
and filed with the minutes of the committee.  The members of a committee may
conduct any meeting thereof by conference telephone in accordance with the
provisions of Section 2.10.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                                    OFFICERS
                                    --------

      SECTION 4.01.  EXECUTIVE AND OTHER OFFICERS.  Unless otherwise determined
by the Board of Directors or as required by law, the officers of the Company
shall consist of a President, a Chief Executive Officer, a Secretary, a
Treasurer and whenever deemed advisable by the Board, one or more Vice-
Presidents, Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers and such other officers
as shall be elected from time to time by the Board of Directors.  All such
officers shall be chosen by the Board of Directors, shall have such duties and
responsibilities as the Board of Directors may direct and shall hold office only
during the pleasure of the Board of Directors or until their successors are
chosen and qualified.  Any two or more offices except those of President and
Vice-President may be held by the same person, but no officer shall execute,
acknowledge or verify any instrument in more than one capacity when such
instrument is required to be executed, acknowledged or verified by any two or

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
more officers. The Board of Directors may from time to time appoint such other
agents and employees, with such powers and duties as it may deem proper.
Election or appointment of an officer, employee or agent shall not of itself
create contract rights. The Board of Directors may remove an officer at any
time. The removal of an officer does not prejudice any of his or her contract
rights. The Board of Directors may fill a vacancy that occurs in any office.

     SECTION 4.02.  CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD.  The Chairman of the Board shall be
chosen from among the directors.  The Chairman of the Board shall, unless
otherwise provided by the Board of Directors, preside at all meetings of the
Board of Directors and all annual and special meetings of stockholders and shall
perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may direct from time to
time.  The Chairman of the Board may but need not be the President.

     SECTION 4.03.  CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER.   The Chief Executive Officer shall
have general responsibility for the management and direction of the Company's
business and shall perform such other duties as the Board of Directors may
direct from time to time.  The Chief Executive Officer shall be either the
Chairman of the Board or the President, as may be specified by the Board of
Directors.

     SECTION 4.04.  PRESIDENT.  The President shall, if the Chairman of the
Board is unavailable due to disability or other reason, preside at meetings of
the Board of Directors and at annual and special meetings of stockholders, and
shall perform such other duties as the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of
Directors may direct from time to time.  The office of President may but need
not be held by the Chairman of the Board.

     SECTION 4.05.  VICE-PRESIDENTS.  The Vice-Presidents shall perform such
duties as the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors may direct.

     SECTION 4.06.  TREASURER.  The Treasurer shall have charge of and be
responsible for all funds, securities, receipts and disbursements of the
Company, and shall deposit, or cause to be deposited, in the name of the
Company, all moneys or other valuable effects in such banks, trust companies or
other depositories as he or she shall, from time to time, select; he or she
shall render to the Chief Executive Officer, the President and to the Board of
Directors, whenever requested, an account of the financial condition of the
Company; and, in general, he or she shall perform all the duties incident to the
office of a treasurer of a corporation, and such other duties as are from time
to time assigned by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 4.07.  SECRETARY.  The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the
meetings of the stockholders, of the Board of Directors and of any committees,
in books provided for the purpose; shall see that all notices are duly given in
accordance with the provisions of the Bylaws or as required by law; shall be the
custodian of the records of the Company; may witness any document on behalf of
the Company, the execution of which is duly authorized, see that the corporate
seal is affixed where such document is required or desired to be under its seal,
and, when so affixed, may attest the same; and, in general, shall perform all
duties incident to the office of a secretary of a corporation, and such other
duties as are from time to time assigned by the Board of Directors or the Chief
Executive Officer.

     SECTION 4.08.  ASSISTANT AND SUBORDINATE OFFICERS.  The assistant and
subordinate officers of the Company are all officers below the office of Vice-
President, Secretary or Treasurer.  The Assistant Treasurers and Assistant
Secretaries and any other assistant or subordinate officers of the Company shall
perform such duties as may from time to time be assigned to them by the Board of
Directors, the Chief Executive Officer or the President.

     SECTION 4.09.  ADDITIONAL SIGNATURE AUTHORITY.  The Board of Directors may,
from time to time, designate any other person or persons, on behalf of the
Company, to sign any contracts, deeds, notes, or other instruments in the place
or stead of any officers; and any instruments so signed in accordance with a
resolution of the Board shall be the valid act of this Company as fully as if
executed by any regular officer.

                                   ARTICLE V

                                  RESIGNATION
                                  -----------

          Any director or officer may resign his or her office at any time; such
resignation shall be made in writing and shall take effect from the time of its
receipt by the Company, unless some time be fixed in the resignation, and then
from that time. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be required to make it
effective.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                                    FINANCE
                                    -------

     SECTION 6.01.  CHECKS, DRAFTS, ETC.  All checks, drafts and orders for the
payment of money, notes and other evidences of indebtedness, issued in the name
of the Company, shall, unless otherwise provided by resolution of the Board of
Directors, be signed by the Chief Executive Officer, the President, a Vice-

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
President or an Assistant Vice-President and countersigned by the Treasurer, an
Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary.

     SECTION 6.02.  ANNUAL STATEMENT OF AFFAIRS.  The Chief Executive Officer,
the President or the chief accounting officer shall prepare annually a full and
correct statement of the affairs of the Company, to include a balance sheet and
a financial statement of operations for the preceding fiscal year. The statement
of affairs shall be submitted at the annual meeting of the stockholders and,
within 20 days after the meeting, placed on file at the Company's principal
office.

     SECTION 6.03.  FISCAL YEAR.  Unless otherwise provided by resolution of the
Board of Directors, the fiscal year of the Company shall be the twelve calendar
month period ending December 31 in each year.


                                  ARTICLE VII

                                     STOCK
                                     -----

     SECTION 7.01.  CERTIFICATES FOR STOCK.  Each stockholder is entitled to
certificates that represent and certify the shares of stock he or she holds in
the Company.  Each stock certificate shall include on its face the name of the
Company, the name of the stockholder or other person to whom it is issued, and
the class of stock and number of shares it represents.  It shall be in such
form, not inconsistent with law or with the Charter, as shall be approved by the
Board of Directors or any officer or officers designated for such purpose by
resolution of the Board of Directors.  Each stock certificate shall be signed by
the Chairman of the Board, the President or a Vice-President, and countersigned
by the Secretary, an Assistant Secretary, the Treasurer or an Assistant
Treasurer.  Each certificate may be sealed with the actual corporate seal or a
facsimile of it or in any other form and the signatures may be either manual or
facsimile signatures.  A certificate is valid and may be issued whether or not
an officer who signed it is still an officer when it is issued.

     SECTION 7.02.  TRANSFERS.  The Board of Directors shall have power and
authority to make such rules and regulations as it may deem expedient concerning
the issue, transfer and registration of certificates of stock; and may appoint
transfer agents and registrars thereof.  The duties of transfer agent and
registrar may be combined.

     SECTION 7.03.  RECORD DATES AND CLOSING OF TRANSFER BOOKS. The Board of
Directors may set a record date or direct that the stock transfer books be
closed for a stated period for the 

                                      -10-
<PAGE>
 
purpose of making any proper determination with respect to stockholders,
including which stockholders are entitled to notice of a meeting, to vote at a
meeting, to receive a dividend, or to be allotted other rights. The record date
may not be prior to the close of business on the day the record date is fixed
nor, subject to Section 1.06, more than 90 days before the date on which the
action requiring the determination will be taken. The transfer books may not be
closed for a period longer than 20 days and, in the case of a meeting of
stockholders, the record date or the closing of the transfer books shall be at
least ten days before the date of the meeting.

     SECTION 7.04.  STOCK LEDGER.  The Company shall maintain a stock ledger
which contains the name and address of each stockholder and the number of shares
of stock of each class which the stockholder holds.  The stock ledger may be in
written form or in any other form which can be converted within a reasonable
time into written form for visual inspection.  The original or a duplicate of
the stock ledger shall be kept at the offices of a transfer agent for the
particular class of stock, or, if none, at the principal office in the State of
Maryland or the principal executive offices of the Company.

     SECTION 7.05.  LOST STOCK CERTIFICATES.  The Board of Directors of the
Company may determine the conditions for issuing a new stock certificate in
place of one that is alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed, or the
Board of Directors may delegate such power to any officer or officers of the
Company. In their discretion, the Board of Directors or such officer or officers
may refuse to issue such new certificate save upon the order of a court having
jurisdiction in the premises.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                   AMENDMENTS
                                   ----------

          Except as otherwise provided by law or by the Charter, these Bylaws
may be altered, amended, or added to by the Board of Directors at any regular or
special meeting of the Board of Directors.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                                INDEMNIFICATION
                                ---------------

     SECTION 9.01.  PROVISION OF INDEMNIFICATION.  The Company shall provide
indemnification as follows:

          (a)  Persons who are or were directors or officers of the Company
shall be indemnified by the Company to the fullest extent permitted by the
general laws of the State of Maryland, as now or hereafter in force, including
the advance of expenses 

                                      -11-
<PAGE>
 
under the procedures provided by such laws, in respect to matters arising out of
service in their capacities as directors or officers of the Company or arising
out of service at the request of the Company in any capacity (including, but not
limited to, as directors, officers, partners, trustees, agents or employees) of
any other organization (including, but not limited to a direct or indirect
subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, another foreign or domestic corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise or employee benefit plan).

          (b)  In the sole discretion of the Company, persons who are or were
employees or agents of the Company may be indemnified by the Company to any
extent permitted by the general laws of the State of Maryland, as now or
hereafter in force, including the advance of expenses, in respect to matters
arising out of service in their capacities as employees or agents of the Company
or arising out of service at the request of the Company in any capacity
(including, but not limited to, as directors, officers, partners, trustees,
agents or employees) of any other organization (including, but not limited to, a
direct or indirect subsidiary or affiliate of the Company, another foreign or
domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, other enterprise or
employee benefit plan).

    SECTION 9.02. PROCEDURE.

          (A)  With respect to persons who are or were directors or officers of
the Company, to the extent that any determination is required under applicable
law as to whether such person is entitled to indemnification under Section
9.01(a) above, including the advance of expenses, such determination shall be
made by independent legal counsel retained by the Company and appointed by
either the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer.  Any determination
by such independent legal counsel to deny indemnification, including the advance
of expenses, shall be subject at the request of the person who is denied
indemnifica  tion, including the advance of expenses, to de novo review to the
fullest extent obtainable in any court that is appropriate under the general of
laws of the State of Maryland or other applicable statutory or decisional law,
as now or hereafter in force.

          (B)  With respect to persons who are or were employees or agents of
the Company, any determination by the Company under Section 9.01(b) above shall
be made by:

                  (i)  the Board of Directors or any committee designated by the
Board of Directors;

                  (ii)  the Chief Executive Officer; or

                  (iii) at the request of the Board of Directors, any committee
designated by the Board of Directors or 

                                      -12-
<PAGE>
 
the Chief Executive Officer, by independent legal counsel retained by the
Company and appointed by the Board of Directors, any committee designated by the
Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer.

          (C)  Any indemnification or payment of expenses in advance of the
final disposition of any proceeding shall be made promptly, and in any event
within 60 days, upon the written request of the director or officer entitled to
seek indemnification (the "Indemnified Party").  The right to indemnification
and advances hereunder shall be enforceable by the Indemnified Party in any
court of competent jurisdiction, if (i) the Company denies such request, in
whole or in part, or (ii) no disposition thereof is made within 60 days.  The
Indemnified Party's costs and expenses incurred in connection with successfully
establishing his or her right to indemnification, in whole or in part, in any
such action shall also be reimbursed by the Company.

     SECTION 9.03.  EXCLUSIVITY, CONTRACT RIGHTS.  The indemnifi-cation and
advance of expenses provided by the Charter and these Bylaws shall not be deemed
exclusive of any other rights to which a person seeking indemnification or
advance of expenses may be entitled under any law (common or statutory), or any
agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or other provision
that is consistent with law, both as to action in his or her official capacity
and as to action in another capacity while holding office or while employed by
or acting as agent for the Company, shall continue in respect of all events
occurring while a person was a director or officer after such person has ceased
to be a director or officer, and shall inure to the benefit of the estate,
heirs, executors and administrators of such person.  All rights to
indemnification and advance of expenses under the Charter of the Company and
hereunder shall be deemed to be a contract between the Company and each director
or officer of the Company who serves or served in such capacity at any time
while this Bylaw is in effect.

     SECTION 9.04.  INSURANCE AND SIMILAR PROTECTION.  The Company may purchase
and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director,
officer, employee or agent of the Company, or who, while a director, officer,
employee or agent of the Company, is or was serving at the request of the
Company in any capacity (including, but not limited to, as a director, officer,
partner, trustee, employee or agent) of any other organization (including, but
not limited to, a direct or indirect subsidiary or affiliate of the Company,
another foreign or domestic corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust,
other enterprise or employee benefit plan) against any liability asserted
against or incurred by such person in any such capacity or arising out of such
person's position, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify
such person under the 

                                      -13-
<PAGE>
 
general laws of the State of Maryland or other applicable statutory or
decisional law, as now or hereafter in force. The Company may provide similar
protection, including a trust fund, letter of credit or surety bond, not
inconsistent with the general laws of the State of Maryland or other applicable
statutory or decisional law, as now or hereafter in force.

     SECTION 9.05.  NO RETROACTIVITY.  No amendment of the Bylaws of the Company
or repeal of any of its provisions shall limit or eliminate the benefits
provided to directors, officers, employees or agents of the Company under this
Article IX with respect to any act or omission that occurred prior to such
amendment or repeal.

     SECTION 9.06.  SEVERABILITY; DEFINITIONS.  The invalidity or
unenforceability of any provision of this Article IX shall not affect the
validity or enforceability of any other provision hereof.  The phrase "this
Bylaw" in this Article IX means this Article IX in its entirety.

                                   ARTICLE X

                               SUNDRY PROVISIONS
                               -----------------

     SECTION 10.01. CORPORATE SEAL.  The Board of Directors shall provide a
suitable seal, bearing the name of the Company, which shall be in the charge of
the Secretary.  The Board of Directors may authorize one or more duplicate seals
and provide for the custody thereof.  If the Company is required to place its
corporate seal to a document, it is sufficient to meet the requirement of any
law, rule, or regulation relating to a corporate seal to place the word "Seal"
adjacent to the signature of the person authorized to sign the document on
behalf of the Company.

     SECTION 10.02. VOTING UPON SHARES IN OTHER CORPORATIONS. Stock of other
corporations or associations, registered in the name of the Company, may be
voted by the Chief Executive Officer, the President, a Vice-President or a proxy
appointed by either of them.  The Board of Directors, however, may by resolution
appoint some other person to vote such shares, in which case such person shall
be entitled to vote such shares upon the production of a certified copy of such
resolution.

                                   ARTICLE XI

           APPLICABILITY OF MARYLAND BUSINESS COMBINATION PROVISIONS
           ---------------------------------------------------------

          The provisions of Section 3-602, as amended from time to time, of the
Corporations and Associations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland (the
"Code") shall apply to any 

                                      -14-
<PAGE>
 
"business combination" (as the term is defined in Section 3-601, as amended from
time to time, of the Code) with the Company.


                                  ARTICLE XII

                       APPLICABILITY OF MARYLAND CONTROL
                       ---------------------------------
                          SHARE ACQUISITION PROVISION
                          ---------------------------

          The provisions of Section 3-701 et seq., as amended from time to time,
of the Corporations and Associations Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland
(the "Code") shall not apply to any "control-share acquisition" (as the term is
defined in Section 3-701, as amended from time to time, of the Code) of shares
of the Company.

                                      -15-

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   Exhibit 4.12

                           [Form of Fixed Rate Note]

REGISTERED                                                    REGISTERED No.
FXR-                                                      [PRINCIPAL AMOUNT]

                              CUSIP:

    THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE
HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A
NOMINEE THEREOF.  THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED TO, OR REGISTERED OR
EXCHANGED FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF, ANY PERSON OTHER THAN THE
DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF AND NO SUCH TRANSFER MAY BE REGISTERED, EXCEPT
IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE.  EVERY SECURITY
AUTHENTICATED AND DELIVERED UPON REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER OF, OR IN EXCHANGE FOR
OR IN LIEU OF, THIS SECURITY SHALL BE A GLOBAL SECURITY SUBJECT TO THE
FOREGOING, EXCEPT IN SUCH LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES./*/
 
 
                               THE ROUSE COMPANY
                               MEDIUM-TERM NOTE
                                 (Fixed Rate)
 

ORIGINAL ISSUE          INITIAL                 APPLICABILITY OF
DATE(S):                REDEMPTION              MODIFIED PAYMENT
                        PERCENTAGE:             UPON
MATURITY DATE:                                  ACCELERATION:If
                        INTEREST PAYMENT        yes, state Issue
INTEREST RATE:          PERIOD:                 Price:

INTEREST PAYMENT        APPLICABILITY OF        APPLICABILITY OF
DATE(S)                 ANNUAL                  ANNUAL REDEMPTION
                        REDEMPTION              PERCENTAGE
OPTIONAL                PERCENTAGE              INCREASE:
REPAYMENT               REDUCTION:
DATE(S):                                        If yes, state
                                                each
                        If yes, state           redemption date
INTEREST ACCRUAL        Annual                  and redemption
DATE:                   Percentage              price:
                        Reduction
INITIAL                                         MANDATORY
REDEMPTION DATE:                                REDEMPTION:

    The Rouse Company, a Maryland corporation (together with its successors and
assigns, the "Company"), for value received, hereby promises to pay to
______________________, or registered assigns, the principal sum of
____________________ on the Maturity Date specified above (except to the extent
redeemed

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

/*/  Applies only if this Note is a Registered Global Security.
<PAGE>
 
or repaid prior to the Maturity Date) and to pay interest thereon at the
Interest Rate per annum specified above from the Original Issue Date specified
above until the principal hereof is paid or duly made available for payment
(except as provided below), in arrears monthly, quarterly, semiannually, or
annually as specified above as the Interest Payment Period on each Interest
Payment Date (as specified above), commencing with the first Interest Payment
Date next succeeding the Original Issue Date specified above, and on the
Maturity Date (or any redemption or repayment date); provided, however, that if
                                                     --------  -------         
the Original Issue Date occurs between a Record Date, as defined below, and the
next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest payments will commence on the
second Interest Payment Date succeeding the Original Issue Date to the
registered holder of this Note on the Record Date with respect to such second
Interest Payment Date.

    If this Note is a Global Security, payment of the principal of this Note,
any premium and the interest due will be made by the Company through the Trustee
to the Depositary. If this Note is not a Global Security, payment of the
principal of this Note, any premium and the interest due at the Maturity Date
(or any redemption or repayment date) will be made in immediately available
funds upon surrender of this Note at the office or agency of the Trustee or such
other paying agent as the Company may determine maintained for that purpose (a
"Paying Agent"), or at the office or agency of such other Paying Agent as the
Company may determine. If this Note is not a Global Security, payments of
interest to be made other than at the Maturity Date may be made, at the option
of the Company, by check mailed to the address of the person entitled thereto as
it appears on the security register at the close of business on the Regular
Record Date corresponding to the relevant Interest Payment Date.

    Interest on this Note will accrue from the most recent Interest Payment Date
to which interest has been paid or duly provided for or, if no interest has been
paid or duly provided for, from the Original Issue Date, until the principal
hereof has been paid or duly made available for payment (except as provided
below).  The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on
any Interest Payment Date, will, subject to certain exceptions described herein,
be paid to the person in whose name this Note (or one or more predecessor Notes)
is registered at the close of business on the date 15 days prior to an Interest
Payment Date (whether or not a Business Day) (each such date a "Record Date");
                                                                              
provided, however, that interest payable on the Maturity Date (or any redemption
- --------  -------                                                               
or repayment date) will be payable to the person to whom the principal hereof
shall be payable.

    Payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on this Note
will be made in such coin or currency of the United States as at the time of
payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

    Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on
the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the
same effect as if set forth at this place.

    Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the
Trustee, as defined on the reverse hereof, by manual signature, this Note shall
not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture, as defined on the reverse
hereof, or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
<PAGE>
 
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be duly executed
under a facsimile of its corporate seal.

DATED:                                     THE ROUSE COMPANY

[SEAL]                                     By:__________________________
                                              Title:


Attest:

By:_______________________________
   Title:

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Securities issued
under the within-mentioned Indenture.

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO, as Trustee



By:_________________________________
          Authorized Officer

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
                           [FORM OF REVERSE OF NOTE]

                               THE ROUSE COMPANY
                               MEDIUM-TERM NOTE


    This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of Medium-Term Notes having
maturities of more than nine months from the date of issue (the "Notes") of the
Company, limited in aggregate issue price to $500,000,000.  The Notes are
issuable under an indenture, dated as of February 24, 1995 between the Company
and The First National Bank of Chicago (the "Trustee"), as the same may be
amended and supplemented from time to time (referred to herein as the
"Indenture"), to which Indenture reference is hereby made for a statement of the
respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities of the Company,
the Trustee and holders of the Notes and the terms upon which the Notes are, and
are to be, authenticated and delivered.  The terms of individual Notes may vary
with respect to interest rates, interest rate formulas, issue dates, maturity
dates, or otherwise, all as provided in the Indenture.  To the extent not
inconsistent herewith, the terms of the Indenture are hereby incorporated by
reference herein.

    Unless otherwise provided on the face hereof in accordance with the
provisions of the following two paragraphs, this Note will not be subject to any
sinking fund and will not be redeemable or subject to repayment at the option of
the holder prior to maturity.

    Unless otherwise indicated on the face of this Note, this Note may not be
redeemed prior to the Maturity Date.  If the face of this Note indicates that
this Note is subject to (i) "Annual Redemption Percentage Reduction" or (ii)
"Annual Redemption Percentage Increase", then this Note may be redeemed in whole
or in part at the option of the Company on or after the Initial Redemption Date
specified on the face hereof on the terms set forth on the face hereof, together
with interest accrued and unpaid hereon to the date of redemption (except as
provided below).  If this Note is subject to "Annual Redemption Percentage
Reduction", the Initial Redemption Percentage indicated on the face hereof will
be reduced on each anniversary of the Initial Redemption Date specified above by
the Annual Percentage Reduction specified on the face hereof until the
redemption price of this Note is 100% of the principal amount hereof.  If this
Note is subject to "Annual Redemption Percentage Increase", the redemption
prices of this Note from time to time shall be as set forth on the face hereof.
Notice of redemption shall be mailed to the registered holders of the Notes
designated for redemption at their addresses as the same shall appear on the
Note register not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date of
redemption, subject to all the conditions and provisions of the Indenture.  In
the event of redemption of this Note in part only, a new Note or Notes for the
amount of the unredeemed portion hereof shall be issued in the name of the
holder hereof upon the presentation and cancellation hereof.

    Unless otherwise indicated on the face of this Note, this Note shall not be
subject to repayment at the option of the holder prior to the Maturity Date.  If
so indicated on the face of this Note, this Note may be subject to repayment at
the option of the holder on the Optional Repayment Date or Dates specified on
the face hereof on the terms set forth herein.  On any Optional Repayment Date,
this Note will be repayable in whole or in part in increments 
<PAGE>
 
of $1,000 (provided that any remaining principal amount hereof shall not be less
than the minimum authorized denomination hereof) at the option of the holder
hereof at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount to be repaid, together
with interest hereon payable to the date of repayment. For this Note to be
repaid in whole or in part at the option of the holder hereof, the Company must
receive at the corporate trust office of the Trustee, at least 30 days but not
more than 60 days prior to the repayment, (i) this Note with the form entitled
"Option to Elect Repayment" on the reverse hereof duly completed or (ii) a
telegram, facsimile transmission or a letter from a member of a national
securities exchange or a member of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") or a commercial bank or trust company in the United
States which must set forth the name of the holder of this Note, the principal
amount of this Note, the principal amount of this Note to be repaid, the
certificate number or a description of the tenor and terms of this Note, a
statement that the option to elect repayment is being exercised thereby and a
guarantee that this Note to be repaid, together with the duly completed form
entitled "Option to Elect Repayment" on the reverse hereof, will be received by
the Trustee not later than the fifth Business Day after the date of such
telegram, facsimile transmission or letter; provided, that such telegram,
                                            --------
facsimile transmission or a letter from a member of a national securities
exchange or a member of the NASD or a commercial bank or trust company in the
United States shall only be effective if in such case, this Note and form duly
completed are received by the Company by such fifth Business Day. Exercise of
such repayment option by the holder hereof shall be irrevocable. In the event of
repayment of this Note in part only, a new Note or Notes for the amount of the
unpaid portion hereof shall be issued in the name of the holder hereof upon
cancellation hereof.

    Interest payments on this Note will include interest accrued to but
excluding the Interest Payment Dates or the Maturity Date (or earlier redemption
or repayment date), as the case may be. Interest payments for this Note will be
computed and paid on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

    In the case where the Interest Payment Date or the Maturity Date (or any
redemption or repayment date) does not fall on a Business Day, payment of
interest, premium, if any, or principal otherwise payable on such date need not
be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with
the same force and effect as if made on the Interest Payment Date or on the
Maturity Date (or any redemption or repayment date), and no interest shall
accrue for the period from and after the Interest Payment Date or the Maturity
Date (or any redemption or repayment date) to such next succeeding Business Day.

    This Note is unsecured and ranks pari passu with all other unsecured and
                                     ---- -----                             
unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company.

    This Note, and any Note or Notes issued upon transfer or exchange hereof, is
issuable only in fully registered form, without coupons, in denominations of
$1,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.

    If an Event of Default with respect to the Notes shall occur and be
continuing, the principal hereof may be declared due and payable in the manner
and with the effect provided in the Indenture.

    If the face hereof indicates that this Note is subject to "Modified Payment
upon Acceleration," then the applicable Pricing Supplement will set forth
additional terms applicable hereto.
<PAGE>
 
    The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the
amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the
Company and the rights of the holders of the Securities of any series under the
Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the
holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time
Outstanding of each series to be affected.  The Indenture also contains
provisions permitting the holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Securities of each series at the time Outstanding on behalf of the holders of
all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company with certain
provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and
their consequences.  Any such consent or waiver by the holder of this Note shall
be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders of this
Note and of any Note issued upon the transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or
in lieu hereof whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon
this Note.

    No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the
Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute
and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on this
Note at the times, place, and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein
prescribed.

    Upon any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company into,
any other Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease of the properties and
assets of the Company substantially as an entirety in accordance with the
Indenture, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the
Company is merged or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall
succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of,
the Company under the Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person
had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a
lease, the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants
under the Indenture and the Securities.

    As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set
forth, the transfer of this Note is registrable in the Note Register of the
Company, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer at the office
or agency of the Company in any place where the principal of and any premium and
interest on this Note are payable, duly endorsed, or accompanied by a written
instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Note
Registrar duly executed, by the holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in
writing, and thereupon one or more new Notes of like tenor, of authorized
denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount will be issued to the
designated transferee or transferees.  No service charge shall be made for any
such transfer, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover
any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

    Prior to due presentment of this Note, the Company, the Trustee and any
agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Note
is registered as the absolute owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this
Note be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall
be affected by notice to the contrary.

    This Note shall for all purposes be governed by, and construed in accordance
with, the laws of the State of New York.
<PAGE>
 
    As used herein:

    (a)  the term "Business Day", when used with respect to any Place of
Payment, means a day that is not a Saturday or Sunday and that is not a day on
which banking institutions are generally authorized or obligated by law or
executive order to close in that Place of Payment, the State of Maryland or the
City of New York;

    (b)  the term "United States" means the United States of America (including
the States and the District of Columbia), its territories and its possessions;
and

    (c)  all other terms used in this Note which are defined in the Indenture
and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the
Indenture.
<PAGE>
 
                ABBREVIATIONS

    The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of
this instrument, shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations:

    TEN COM-as tenants in common
    TEN ENT-as tenants by the entireties
    JT TEN-as Joint tenants with right of
     survivorship and not as tenants in common

    UNIF GIFT MIN ACT-..........Custodian............
                        (Cust)              (Minor)

    Under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act................
                                        (State)

    Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.
                             _____________________

    FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sell(s), assign(s) and
transfer(s) unto

[PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER
IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE]

_______________________________________!
                                       !
                                       !
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________ [PLEASE
PRINT OR TYPE NAME AND ADDRESS INCLUDING ZIP CODE, OR ASSIGNEE]

________________________________________________________________________________
__ the within Note and all rights thereunder, hereby

________________________________________________________________________________
__ irrevocably constituting and appointing such person attorney
________________________________________________________________________________
__ to transfer such Note on the books of the Company, with

________________________________________________________________________________
__ full power of substitution in the premises.

Dated:_____________________

NOTICE:    The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as
           written upon the face of the within Note in every particular 
without
           alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.
<PAGE>
 
                           OPTION TO ELECT REPAYMENT


The undersigned hereby irrevocably request(s) the Company to repay the within
Note (or portion thereof specified below) pursuant to its terms at a price equal
to the principal amount thereof, together with interest to the Optional
Repayment Date, to the undersigned, at

______________________________________________________________________________
(Please print or typewrite name and address of the undersigned)

If less than the entire principal amount of the within Note is to be repaid,
specify the portion thereof (which shall be increments of $1,000) which the
holder elects to have repaid:  _____________________; and specify the
denomination or denominations (which shall not be less than the minimum
authorized denomination) of the Notes to be issued to the holder for the portion
of the within Note not being repaid (in the absence of any such specification,
one such Note will be issued for the portion not being repaid):

__________________________.

Dated:____________________

_________________________________________________ 


               NOTICE: The signature on this Option to Elect
               Repayment must correspond with the name as
               written upon the face of the within instrument
               in every particular without alteration or
               enlargement.

<PAGE>
 
                                                                  Exhibit 4.13

                         [Form of Floating Rate Note]


REGISTERED                                                    REGISTERED No.

FLR-                                                       [PRINCIPAL AMOUNT]

                               CUSIP:

    THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE
HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A
NOMINEE THEREOF. THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED TO, OR REGISTERED OR
EXCHANGED FOR SECURITIES REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF, ANY PERSON OTHER THAN THE
DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE THEREOF AND NO SUCH TRANSFER MAY BE REGISTERED, EXCEPT
IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE. EVERY SECURITY
AUTHENTICATED AND DELIVERED UPON REGISTRATION OF TRANSFER OF, OR IN EXCHANGE FOR
OR IN LIEU OF, THIS SECURITY SHALL BE A GLOBAL SECURITY SUBJECT TO THE
FOREGOING, EXCEPT IN SUCH LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES./*/


                               THE ROUSE COMPANY
                               MEDIUM-TERM NOTE
                                (Floating Rate)

ORIGINAL        ALTERNATIVE     APPLICABILITY   MINIMUM
ISSUE DATE:     RATE EVENT      OF ANNUAL       INTEREST
                SPREAD:         REDEMPTION      RATE:
MATURITY                        PERCENTAGE
DATE:           SPREAD          REDUCTION:      INTEREST
                MULTIPLIER:                     RESET
INTEREST                        If yes,         DATES:
PAYMENT         INTEREST        state Annual
DATE(S):        PAYMENT         Percentage      INTEREST
                PERIOD:         Reduction:      RESET
INITIAL                                          PERIOD:
INTEREST        INITIAL        APPLICABILITY
RATE:           REDEMPTION      OF ANNUAL       APPLICABILITY
                DATE:           REDEMPTION      OF MODIFIED
INTEREST                        PERCENTAGE      PAYMENT UPON
ACCRUAL         INITIAL         INCREASE:       ACCELERATION:
DATE:           REDEMPTION
                PERCENTAGE:     If yes,         If yes,
MAXIMUM                         state Annual    state Issue
INTEREST        BASE RATE:      Percentage      Price:
RATE:                           Increase:
                                                OPTIONAL
                                                REPAYMENT
                                                DATE(S):
SPREAD (PLUS                                    MANDATORY
OR MINUS)                                       REDEMPTION:
        


- -----------------------
/*/  Applies only if this Note is a Registered Global Security.
<PAGE>
 
    The Rouse Company, a Maryland corporation (together with its successors and
assigns, the "Company"), for value received, hereby promises to pay to
______________________________________, or registered assigns, the principal sum
of ______________________________ on the Maturity Date specified above (except
to the extent redeemed or repaid prior to the Maturity Date) and to pay interest
thereon, from the Original Issue Date specified above at a rate per annum equal
to the Initial Interest Rate specified above until the first Interest Reset Date
next succeeding the Original Issue Date specified above, and thereafter at a
rate per annum determined in accordance with the provisions specified on the
reverse hereof until the principal hereof is paid or duly made available for
payment.  The Company will pay interest in arrears monthly, quarterly,
semiannually or annually as specified above as the Interest Payment Period on
each Interest Payment Date (as specified above), commencing with the first
Interest Payment Date next succeeding the Original Issue Date specified above,
and on the Maturity Date (or any redemption or repayment date); provided,
                                                                -------- 
however, that if the Original Issue Date occurs between a Record Date, as
- -------                                                                  
defined below, and the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, interest payments
will commence on the second Interest Payment Date succeeding the Original Issue
Date to the registered holder of this Note on the Record Date with respect to
such second Interest Payment Date; and provided, further, that if an Interest
                                       --------  -------                     
Payment Date or the Maturity Date or redemption or repayment date would fall on
a day that is not a Business Day (this and certain other capitalized terms used
herein are defined on the reverse of this Note), the required payment of
principal, premium, if any, or interest otherwise payable on such date need not
be made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day, and
no interest shall accrue for the period from and after such Interest Payment
Date, Maturity Date or redemption or repayment date to such next succeeding
Business Day.

  If this Note is a Global Security, payment of the principal of this Note, any
premium and the interest due will be made by the Company through the Trustee to
the Depositary. If this Note is not a Global Security, payment of the principal
of this Note, any premium and the interest due at the Maturity Date (or any
redemption or repayment date) will be made in immediately available funds upon
surrender of this Note at the office or agency of the Trustee, or of such other
paying agent as the Company may determine maintained for that purpose (a "Paying
Agent"), or at the office or agency of such other Paying Agent as the Company
may determine. If this Note is not a Global Security, payments of interest to be
made other than at the Maturity Date may be made, at the option of the Company,
by check mailed to the address of the person entitled thereto as it appears on
the security register at the close of business on the Regular Record Date
corresponding to the relevant Interest Payment Date.

    Interest on this Note will accrue from the most recent Interest Payment Date
to which interest has been paid or duly provided for or, if no interest has been
paid or duly provided for, from the Original Issue Date, until the principal
hereof has been paid or duly made available for payment (except as provided
below). The interest so payable, and punctually paid or duly provided for, on
any Interest Payment Date, will, subject to certain exceptions described herein,
be paid to the person in whose name this Note (or one or more predecessor Notes)
is registered at the close of business on the date 15 days prior to a n Interest
Payment Date (whether or not a Business Day) (the "Record Date"); provided,
                                                                  -------- 
however, that interest payable on the Maturity Date (or any redemption or
- -------                                                                  
repayment date) will be payable to the person to whom the principal hereof shall
be payable.
<PAGE>
 
    Payment of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest on this Note
will be made in such coin or currency of the United States as at the time of
payment is legal tender for payment of public and private debts.

    Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Note set forth on
the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes have the
same effect as if set forth at this place.

    Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the
Trustee, as defined on the reverse hereof, by manual signature, this Note shall
not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture, as defined on the reverse
hereof, or be valid or obligatory for any purpose.
<PAGE>
 
    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Note to be duly executed
under a facsimile of its corporate seal.

DATED:                                      THE ROUSE COMPANY

[SEAL]                                      By__________________________
                                                Title:


Attest:

By__________________________
    Title:



CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION

This is one of the Securities issued
under the within-mentioned Indenture.

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO, as Trustee



By:___________________________
      Authorized Officer

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
                           [FORM OF REVERSE OF NOTE]

                               THE ROUSE COMPANY
                               MEDIUM-TERM NOTE


    This Note is one of a duly authorized issue of Medium-Term Notes, having
maturities of more than nine months from the date of issue (the "Notes") of the
Company, limited in aggregate issue price to $500,000,000.  The Notes are
issuable under an indenture, dated as of February 24, 1995 between the Company
and The First National Bank of Chicago (the "Trustee"), as the same may be
amended and supplemented from time to time (referred to herein as the
"Indenture"), to which Indenture reference is hereby made for a statement of the
respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities of the Company,
the Trustee and holders of the Notes and the terms upon which the Notes are, and
are to be, authenticated and delivered.  The First National Bank of Chicago has
also been appointed Calculation Agent (the "Calculation Agent", which term
includes any successor calculation agent) with respect to the Notes.  The terms
of individual Notes may vary with respect to interest rates, interest rate
formulas, issue dates, maturity dates, or otherwise, all as provided in the
Indenture.  To the extent not inconsistent herewith, the terms of the Indenture
are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

    Unless otherwise provided on the face hereof in accordance with the
provisions of the following two paragraphs, this Note will not be subject to any
sinking fund and will not be redeemable or subject to repayment at the option of
the holder prior to maturity.

    Unless otherwise indicated on the face of this Note, this Note may not be
redeemed prior to the Maturity Date. If the face of this Note indicates that
this Note is subject to (i) "Annual Redemption Percentage Reduction" or (ii)
"Annual Redemption Percentage Increase", then this Note may be redeemed in whole
or in part at the option of the Company on or after the Initial Redemption Date
specified on the face hereof on the terms set forth on the face hereof, together
with interest accrued and unpaid hereon to the date of redemption (except as
provided below). If this Note is subject to "Annual Redemption Percentage
Reduction", the Initial Redemption Percentage indicated on the face hereof will
be reduced on each anniversary of the Initial Redemption Date specified above by
the Annual Percentage Reduction specified on the face hereof until the
redemption price of this Note is 100% of the principal amount hereof. If this
Note is subject to "Annual Redemption Percentage Increase", the redemption
prices of this Note from time to time shall be as set forth on the face hereof.
Notice of redemption shall be mailed to the registered holders of the Notes
designated for redemption at their addresses as the same shall appear on the
Note register not less than 30 days nor more than 60 days prior to the date or
redemption, subject to all the conditions and provisions of the Indenture. In
the event of redemption of this Note in part only, a new Note or Notes for the
amount of the unredeemed portion hereof shall be issued in the name of the
holder hereof upon the presentation and cancellation hereof.

    Unless otherwise indicated on the face of this Note, this Note shall not be
subject to repayment at the option of the holder prior to the Maturity Date. If
so indicated on the face of this Note, this Note may be subject to 
<PAGE>
 
repayment at the option of the holder on the Optional Repayment Date or Dates
specified on the face hereof on the terms set forth herein. On any Optional
Repayment Date, this Note will be repayable in whole or in part in increments of
$1,000 (provided that any remaining principal amount hereof shall not be less
than the minimum authorized denomination hereof) at the option of the holder
hereof at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount to be repaid, together
with interest hereon payable to the date of repayment. For this Note to be
repaid in whole or in part at the option of the holder hereof, the Company must
receive at the corporate trust office of the Trustee, at least 30 days but not
more than 60 days prior to the repayment, (i) this Note with the form entitled
"Option to Elect Repayment" on the reverse hereof duly completed or (ii) a
telegram, facsimile transmission or a letter from a member of a national
securities exchange or a member of the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") or a commercial bank or trust company in the United
States which must set forth the name of the holder of this Note, the principal
amount of this Note, the principal amount of this Note to be repaid, the
certificate number or a description of the tenor and terms of this Note, a
statement that the option to elect repayment is being exercised thereby and a
guarantee that this Note to be repaid, together with the duly completed form
entitled "Option to Elect Repayment" on the reverse hereof, will be received by
the Truste e not later than the fifth Business Day after the date of such
telegram, facsimile transmission or letter; provided, that such telegram,
                                            --------
facsimile transmission or a letter from a member of a national securities
exchange or a member of the NASD or a commercial bank or trust company in the
United States shall only be effective if in such case, this Note and form duly
completed are received by the Company by such fifth Business Day. Exercise of
such repayment option by the holder hereof shall be irrevocable. In the event of
repayment of this Note in part only, a new Note or Notes for the amount of the
unpaid portion hereof shall be issued in the name of the holder hereof upon
cancellation hereof.

    This Note will bear interest at the rate determined in accordance with the
applicable provisions below by reference to the Base Rate shown on the face
hereof based on the Index Maturity, if any, shown on the face hereof (i) plus or
minus the Spread, if any, and/or (ii) multiplied by the Spread Multiplier, if
any, specified on the face hereof.  Commencing with the first Interest Reset
Date next succeeding the Original Issue Date specified on the face hereof, the
rate at which interest on this Note is payable shall be reset as of each
Interest Reset Date.  The Interest Reset Dates will be the Interest Reset Dates
specified on the face hereof; provided, however, that (i) the interest rate in
                              --------  -------                               
effect for the period from the Original Issue Date to the first Interest Reset
Date next succeeding the Original Issue Date specified on the face hereof will
be the Initial Interest Rate, (ii) except in the case of Floating Rate Notes
which are reset daily or weekly, the interest rate in effect hereon for the ten
calendar days immediately prior to the Maturity Date hereof (or, with respect to
any principal amount to be redeemed or repaid, any redemption or repayment date)
shall be that in effect on the tenth calendar day preceding the Maturity Date
hereof or such date of redemption or repayment, as the case may be and (iii) in
the case of Floating Rate Notes which are reset daily or weekly, the interest
rate in effect for the period beginning on the second Business Day immediately
prior to the Maturity Date or the date of redemption or repayment and ending on
such Maturity Date or date of redemption or repayment, as the case may be, will
be that in effect on the second Business Day preceding such Maturity Date or
date of redemption or repayment, as the case may be.  If any Interest Reset Date
would otherwise be a day that is not a Business Day, such Interest Reset Date
shall be postponed to the next succeeding day that is a Business Day, except
that in the case of 
<PAGE>
 
a LIBOR Note, if such Business Day is in the next succeeding calendar month,
such Interest Reset Date shall be the immediately preceding Business Day.

    The Interest Determination Date pertaining to an Interest Reset Date for
Notes bearing interest calculated by reference to the CD Rate, Commercial Paper
Rate, Federal Funds Rate and Prime Rate will be the second Business Day next
preceding such Interest Reset Date. The Interest Determination Date pertaining
to an Interest Reset Date for Notes bearing interest calculated by reference to
LIBOR shall be the second London Banking Day preceding such Interest Reset Date.
The Interest Determination Date pertaining to an Interest Reset Date for Notes
bearing interest calculated by reference to the Treasury Rate shall be the day
of the week in which such Interest Reset Date falls on which Treasury bills
normally would be auctioned; provided, however, that if as a result of a legal
                             --------  -------                                
holiday an auction is held on the Friday of the week preceding such Interest
Reset Date, the related Interest Determination Date shall be such preceding
Friday; and provided, further, that if an auction shall fall on any Interest
            --------  -------                                               
Reset Date, then the Interest Reset Date shall instead be the first Business Day
following the date of such auction.

    The "Calculation Date" pertaining to any Interest Determination Date will be
the earlier of (i) the tenth calendar day after such Interest Determination Date
(or, if such day is not a Business Day, the next succeeding Business Day) or
(ii) the Business Day immediately preceding the applicable Interest Payment
Date.

    Determination of CD Rate.  If the Base Rate specified on the face hereof is
    ------------------------                                                   
the CD Rate, the CD Rate with respect to this Note shall be determined on each
Interest Determination Date and shall be the rate on such date for negotiable
certificates of deposit having the Index Maturity specified on the face hereof
as published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in
"Statistical Release H.15(519), Selected Interest Rates," or any successor
publication of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
("H.15(519)"), under the heading "CDs (Secondary Market)," or, if not so
published by 9:00 A.M., New York City time, on the Calculation Date pertaining
to such Interest Determination Date, the CD Rate will be the rate on such
Interest Determination Date for negotiable certificates of deposit of the Index
Maturity specified on the face hereof as published by the Federal Reserve Bank
of New York in its daily statistical release "Composite 3:30 P.M. Quotations for
U.S. Government Securities" ("Composite Quotations") under the heading
"Certificates of Deposit." If neither of such rates is published by 3:00 P.M.,
New York City time, on such Calculation Date, then the CD Rate on such Interest
Determination Date will be calculated by the Calculation Agent referred to on
the face hereof and will be the arithmetic mean of the secondary market offered
rates as of 10:00 A.M., New York City time, on such Interest Determination Date,
for certificates of deposit in the denomination of $5,000,000 with a remaining
maturity closest to the Index Maturity specified on the face hereof of three
leading non-bank dealers in negotiable U.S. dollar certificates of deposit in
The City of New York selected by the Calculation Agent for negotiable
certificates of deposit of major United States money center banks of the highest
credit standing in the market for negotiable certificates of deposit; provided,
                                                                      -------- 
however, that if the dealers selected as aforesaid by the Calculation Agent are
- -------                                                                        
not quoting as mentioned in this sentence, the rate of interest in effect for
the applicable period will be the same as the CD Rate for the immediately
preceding Interest Reset Period (or, if there was no such Interest Reset Period,
the rate of interest payable hereon shall be the Initial Interest Rate).
<PAGE>
 
    Determination of Commercial Paper Rate.  If the Base Rate specified on the
    --------------------------------------                                    
face hereof is the Commercial Paper Rate, the Commercial Paper Rate with respect
to this Note shall be determined on each Interest Determination Date and shall
be the Money Market Yield (as defined herein) of the rate on such date for
commercial paper having the Index Maturity specified on the face hereof, as such
rate shall be published in H.15(519) under the heading "Commercial Paper," or if
not so published prior to 9:00 A.M., New York City time, on the Calculation Date
pertaining to such Interest Determination Date, the Commercial Paper Rate shall
be the Money Market yield of the rate on such Interest Determination Date for
commercial paper of the Index Maturity specified on the face hereof as published
in Composite Quotations under the heading "Commercial Paper."  If neither of
such rates is published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on such Calculation
Date, then the Commercial Paper Rate shall be the Money Market Yield of the
arithmetic mean of the offered rates as of 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on
such Interest Determination Date of three leading dealers in commercial paper in
The City of New York selected by the Calculation Agent for commercial paper of
the Index Maturity specified on the face hereof, placed for an industrial issuer
whose bond rating is "AA," or the equivalent, from a nationally recognized
rating agency: provided, however, that if the dealers selected as aforesaid by
               --------  -------                                              
the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned in this sentence, the rate of
interest in effect for the applicable period will be the same as the Commercial
Paper Rate for the immediately preceding Interest Reset Period (or, if there was
no such Interest Reset Period, the rate of interest payable hereon shall be the
Initial Interest Rate).

    "Money Market Yield" shall be the yield calculated in accordance with the
following formula:

Money ~ Market ~ Yield ~ = ~ {D ~ x ~ 360} over {360 ~ - ~ (D ~ x ~ M)} ~ x ~
100 where "D" refers to the applicable per annum rate for commercial paper
quoted on a bank discount basis and expressed as a decimal and "M" refers to the
actual number of days in the interest period for which interest is being
calculated.

    Determination of Federal Funds Rate.  If the Base Rate specified on the face
    -----------------------------------                                         
hereof is the Federal Funds Rate, the Federal Funds Rate with respect to this
Note shall be determined on each Interest Determination Date and shall be the
rate on such date for Federal Funds as published in H.15(519) under the heading
"Federal Funds (Effective)," or, if not so published by 9:00 A.M., New York City
time, on the Calculation Date pertaining to such Interest Determination Date,
the Federal Funds Rate will be the rate on such Interest Determination Date as
published in Composite Quotations under the heading "Federal Funds/Effective
Rate."  If neither of such rates is published by 3:00 P.M., New York City time,
on such Calculation Date, the Federal Funds Rate for such Interest Determination
Date will be calculated by the Calculation Agent and will be the arithmetic mean
of the rates for the last transaction in overnight Federal funds as of 11:00
A.M., New York City time, on such Interest Determination Date arranged by three
leading brokers in Federal funds transactions in The City of New York selected
by the Calculation Agent; provided, however, that if the brokers selected as
                          --------  -------                                 
aforesaid by the Calculation Agent are not quoting as mentioned in this
sentence, the rate of interest in effect for the applicable period will be the
same as the Federal Funds Rate for the immediately preceding Interest Reset
Period (or, if there was no such Interest Reset Period, the rate of interest
payable hereon shall be the Initial Interest Rate).
<PAGE>
 
    Determination of LIBOR.  If the Base Rate specified on the face hereof is
    ----------------------                                                   
LIBOR, LIBOR with respect to this Note shall be determined on each Interest
Determination Date as follows:

    (a) LIBOR will be, as specified on the face of this Note, either (i) the
arithmetic mean of the offered rates for deposits in U.S. dollars having the
Index Maturity designated on the face of this Note, commencing on the second
London Business Day immediately following that Interest Determination Date, that
appear on the Reuters Screen LIBO Page as of 11:00 a.m., London time, on that
Interest Determination Date, if at least two such offered rates appear on the
Reuters Screen LIBO Page ("LIBOR Reuters") or (ii) the rate for deposits in U.S.
dollars having the Index Maturity designated on the face of this Note,
commencing on the second London Business Day immediately following that Interest
Determination Date, that appears on the Telerate Page 3750 as of 11:00 a.m.,
London time, on that Interest Determination Date ("LIBOR Telerate"). "Reuters
Screen LIBO Page" means the display designated as page "LIBO" on the Reuters
Monitor Money Rates Service (or such other page as may replace the LIBO page on
that service for the purpose of displaying London interbank offered rates of
major banks). "Telerate Page 3750" means the display designated as page "3750"
on the Telerate Service (or such other page as may replace the 3750 page on that
service or such other service or services as may be nominated by the British
Bankers' Association for the purpose of displaying London interbank offered
rates for U.S. dollar deposits). If neither LIBOR Reuters nor LIBOR Telerate is
specified on the face of this Note, LIBOR will be determined as if LIBOR
Telerate had been specified. If fewer than two offered rates appear on the
Reuters Screen LIBO Page, or if no rate appears on the Telerate Page 3750, as
applicable, LIBOR in respect of that Interest Determination Date will be
determined as if the parties had specified the rate described in (b) below.

    (b) With respect to an Interest Determination Date on which fewer than two
offered rates appear on the Reuters Screen LIBO Page, as specified in

(a)(i) above, or on which no rate appears on Telerate Page 3750, as specified in
(a)(ii) above, as applicable, LIBOR will be determined on the basis of the rates
at which deposits in U.S. dollars having the Index Maturity designated on the
face of this Note are offered at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, on that
Interest Determination Date by four major banks in the London interbank market
selected by the Calculation Agent (the "LIBOR Reference Banks") to prime banks
in the London interbank market commencing on the second London Business Day
immediately following that Interest Determination Date and in a principal amount
equal to an amount of not less than $1,000,000 that is representative of a
single transaction in such market at such time. The Calculation Agent will
request the principal London office of each of the LIBOR Reference Banks to
provide a quotation of its rate. If at least two such quotations are provided,
LIBOR in respect of that Interest Determination Date will be the arithmetic mean
of such quotations. If fewer than two quotations are provided, LIBOR in respect
of that Interest Determination Date will be the arithmetic mean of the rates
quoted at approximately 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on that Interest
Determination Date by three major banks in The City of New York selected by the
Calculation Agent for loans in U.S. dollars to leading European banks having the
Index Maturity designated on the face of this Note commencing on the second
London Business Day immediately following that Interest Determination Date and
in a principal amount equal to an amount of not less than $1,000,000 that is
representative of a single transaction in such market at such time; provided,
                                                                    -------- 
however, that if the banks selected as aforesaid by the Calculation Agent are
- -------                                                                      
not quoting as mentioned in this sentence, LIBOR with respect to such Interest
Determination Date will be the 
<PAGE>
 
rate of LIBOR in effect on such date.

    Determination of Prime Rate.  If the Base Rate specified on the face hereof
    ---------------------------                                                
is the Prime Rate, the Prime Rate with respect to this Note shall be determined
on each Interest Determination Date and shall be the rate set forth in H.15(519)
for such date opposite the caption "Bank Prime Loan."  If such rate is not yet
published by 9:00 A.M., New York City time, on the Calculation Date, the Prime
Rate for such Interest Determination Date will be the arithmetic mean of the
rates of interest publicly announced by each bank named on the display
designated as page "NYMF" on the Reuters Monitor Money Rate Service (or such
other page as may replace the NYMF page on such service for the purpose of
displaying the prime rate or base lending rate of major New York City banks)
(the "Reuters Screen NYMF Page") as such bank's prime rate or base lending rate
as in effect for such Interest Determination Date as quoted on the Reuters
Screen NYMF Page on such Interest Determination Date, or, if fewer than four
such rates appear on the Reuters Screen NYMF Page for such Interest
Determination Date, the rate shall be the arithmetic mean of the prime rates
quoted on the basis of the actual number of days in the year divided by 360 as
of the close of business on such Interest Determination Date by at least two of
the three major money center banks in The City of New York selected by the
Calculation Agent from which quotations are requested. If fewer than two
quotations are provided, the Prime Rate shall be calculated by the Calculation
Agent and shall be determined as the arithmetic mean on the basis of the prime
rates in The City of New York by the appropriate number of substitute banks or
trust companies organized and doing business under the laws of the United
States, or any State thereof, in each case having total equity capital of at
least U.S.$500 million and being subject to supervision or examination by
Federal or State authority, selected by the Calculation Agent to quote such rate
or rates.

    If in any month or two consecutive months the Prime Rate is not published in
H.15(519) and the banks or trust companies selected as aforesaid are not quoting
as mentioned in the preceding paragraph, the "Prime Rate" for such Interest
Reset Period will be the same as the Prime Rate for the immediately preceding
Interest Reset Period (or, if there was no such Interest Reset Period, the rate
of interest payable hereon shall be the Initial Interest Rate).  If this failure
continues over three or more consecutive months, the Prime Rate for each
succeeding Interest Determination Date until the maturity or redemption of this
Note or, if earlier, until this failure ceases, shall be LIBOR determined as if
the Base Rate specified on the face hereof were LIBOR, and the Spread, if any,
shall be the number of basis points specified on the face hereof as the
"Alternate Rate Event Spread."

    Determination of Treasury Rate.  If the Base Rate specified on the face
    ------------------------------                                         
hereof is the Treasury Rate, the Treasury Rate with respect to this Note shall
be determined on each Interest Determination Date and shall be the rate for the
auction held on such date of direct obligations of the United States ("Treasury
Bills") having the Index Maturity specified on the face hereof, as published in
H.15(519) under the heading "Treasury Bills--auction average (investment)," or
if not so published by 9:00 A.M., New York City time, on the Calculation Date
pertaining to such Interest Determination Date, the auction average rate on such
Interest Determination Date (expressed as a bond equivalent, on the basis of a
year of 365 or 366 days, as applicable, and applied on a daily basis) as
otherwise announced by the United States Department of the Treasury.  In the
event that the results of the auction of Treasury Bills having the Index
Maturity specified on the face hereof are not published or reported as provided
above by 3:00 P.M., New York City time, on 
<PAGE>
 
such Calculation Date or if no such auction is held on such Interest
Determination Date, then the Treasury Rate shall be calculated by the
Calculation Agent and shall be a yield to maturity (expressed as a bond
equivalent, on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days, as applicable, and
applied on a daily basis) of the arithmetic mean of the secondary market bid
rates, as of approximately 3:30 P.M., New York City time, on such Interest
Determination Date, of three leading primary United States government securities
dealers selected by the Calculation Agent for the issue of Treasury Bills with a
remaining maturity closest to the Index Maturity specified on the face hereof;
provided, however, that if the dealers selected as aforesaid by the Calculation
- --------  -------
Agent are not quoting as mentioned in this sentence, the Treasury Rate for such
Interest Reset Date will be the same as the Treasury Rate for the immediately
preceding Interest Reset Period (or, if there was no such Interest Reset Period,
the rate of interest payable hereon shall be the Initial Interest Rate).

    Notwithstanding the foregoing, the interest rate hereon shall not be greater
than the Maximum Interest Rate, if any, or less than the Minimum Interest Rate,
if any, specified on the face hereof.  The Calculation Agent shall calculate the
interest rate hereon in accordance with the foregoing on or before each
Calculation Date.  The interest rate on this Note will in no event be higher
than the maximum rate permitted by New York law, as the same may be modified by
United States Federal law of general application.

    At the request of the holder hereof, the Calculation Agent will provide to
the holder hereof the interest rate hereon then in effect and, if determined,
the interest rate that will become effective as of the next Interest Reset Date.

    Interest payments on this Note will include interest accrued to but
excluding the Interest Payment Dates or the Maturity Date (or earlier redemption
or repayment date), as the case may be; provided, however, that if the Interest
                                        --------  -------                      
Reset Period with respect to this Note is daily or weekly, interest payable on
any Interest Payment Date, other than interest payable on any date on which
principal hereof is payable, will include interest accrued through and including
the Record Date next preceding the applicable Interest Payment Date.  Accrued
interest hereon shall be an amount calculated by multiplying the face amount
hereof by an accrued interest factor.  Such accrued interest factor shall be
computed by adding the interest factor calculated for each day in the period for
which interest is being paid. The interest factor for each such date shall be
computed by dividing the interest rate applicable to such day by 360 if the Base
Rate is the CD Rate, Commercial Paper Rate, Federal Funds Rate, Prime Rate or
LIBOR, as specified on the face hereof, or by the actual number of days in the
year if the Base Rate is the Treasury Rate, as specified on the face hereof. All
percentages resulting from any calculation of the rate of interest on this Note
will be rounded, if necessary, to the nearest one hundred-thousandth of a
percentage point (.0000001), with five one-millionths of a percentage point
rounded upward, and all dollar amounts used in or resulting from such
calculation on this Note will be rounded to the nearest cent (with one-half cent
rounded upward). The interest rate in effect on any Interest Reset Date will be
the applicable rate as reset on such date. The interest rate applicable to any
other day is the interest rate from the immediately preceding Interest Reset
Date (or, if none, the Initial Interest Rate).

    This Note is unsecured and ranks pari passu with all other unsecured
                                     ---- -----                         
and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company.
<PAGE>
 
    This Note, and any Note or Notes issued upon transfer or exchange hereof, is
issuable only in fully registered form, without coupons, in denominations of
$1,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.

    If an Event of Default with respect to the Notes shall occur and be
continuing, the principal hereof may be declared due and payable in the manner
and with the effect provided in the Indenture.

    If the face hereof indicates that this Note is subject to "Modified Payment
upon Acceleration," then the applicable Pricing Supplement will set forth
additional terms applicable hereto.

    The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the
amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the
Company and the rights of the holders of the Securities of any series under the
Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the
holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities at the time
Outstanding of each series to be affected.  The Indenture also contains
provisions permitting the holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Securities of each series at the time Outstanding on behalf of the holders of
all Securities of such series to waive compliance by the Company with certain
provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the Indenture and
their consequences.  Any such consent or waiver by the holder of this Note shall
be conclusive and binding upon such holder and upon all future holders of this
Note and of any Note issued upon the transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or
in lieu hereof whether or not notation of such consent or waiver is made upon
this Note.

    No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Note or of the
Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is absolute
and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on this
Note at the times, place, and rate, and in the coin or currency, herein
prescribed.

    Upon any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company into,
any other Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease of the properties and
assets of the Company substantially as an entirety in accordance with the
Indenture, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the
Company is merged or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall
succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of,
the Company under the Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person
had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a
lease, the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants
under the Indenture and the Securities.

    As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set
forth, the transfer of this Note is registrable in the Note register of the
Company, upon surrender of this Note for registration of transfer at the office
or agency of the Company in any place where the principal of and any premium and
interest on this Note are payable, duly endorsed, or accompanied by a written
instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the Note
registrar duly executed, by the holder hereof or his attorney duly authorized in
writing, and thereupon one or more new Notes of like tenor, of authorized
denominations and for the same aggregate principal amount will be issued to the
designated transferee or transferees. No service charge shall be made for any
such transfer, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover
any tax or other 
<PAGE>
 
governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

    Prior to due presentment of this Note, the Company, the Trustee and any
agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the Person in whose name this Note
is registered as the absolute owner hereof for all purposes, whether or not this
Note be overdue, and neither the Company, the Trustee nor any such agent shall
be affected by notice to the contrary.

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

    As used herein:


    (a) the term "Business Day," when used with respect to any Place of Payment,
means a day that is not a Saturday or Sunday and that is not a day on which
banking institutions are generally authorized or obligated by law or executive
order to close in that Place of Payment, the State of Maryland or the City of
New York;

    (b) the term "London Banking Day" means any day on which dealings in
deposits U.S. dollars are transacted in the London interbank market;

    (c) the term "United States" means the United States of America (including
the States and the District of Columbia), its territories and its possessions;
and

    (d) all other terms used in this Note which are defined in the Indenture and
not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to them in the
Indenture.
<PAGE>
 
                ABBREVIATIONS

    The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of
this instrument, shall be construed as though they were written out in full
according to applicable laws or regulations:

    TEN COM-as tenants in common
    TEN ENT-as tenants by the entireties
    JT TEN-as Joint tenants with right of
     survivorship and not as tenants in common

    UNIF GIFT MIN ACT-..........Custodian...............
                       (Cust)                (Minor)

    Under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act..................
                                         (State)

    Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.
                             _____________________

    FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sell(s), assign(s) and
transfer(s) unto

[PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER
IDENTIFYING NUMBER OF ASSIGNEE]

_______________________________________!
                                       !
_______________________________________!

________________________________________________________________________ 
[PLEASE PRINT OR TYPE NAME AND ADDRESS INCLUDING ZIP CODE, OR ASSIGNEE]
________________________________________________________________________ the 
within Note and all rights thereunder, hereby

________________________________________________________________________
irrevocably constituting and appointing such person attorney
________________________________________________________________________ to
transfer such Note on the books of the Company, with

________________________________________________________________________ full
power of substitution in the premises.

Dated:_____________________

NOTICE:   The signature to this assignment must correspond with the name as
    written upon the face of the within Note in every particular without
    alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.
<PAGE>
 
             OPTION TO ELECT REPAYMENT


The undersigned hereby irrevocably request(s) the Company to repay the within
Note (or portion thereof specified below) pursuant to its terms at a price equal
to the principal amount thereof, together with interest to the Optional
Repayment Date, to the undersigned, at

________________________________________________________________________ 
(Please print or typewrite name and address of the undersigned)

If less than the entire principal amount of the within Note is to be repaid,
specify the portion thereof (which shall be increments of $1,000) which the
holder elects to have repaid:  _____________________; and specify the
denomination or denominations (which shall not be less than the minimum
authorized denomination) of the Notes to be issued to the holder for the portion
of the within Note not being repaid (in the absence of any such specification,
one such Note will be issued for the portion not being repaid):

_____________________________________.
Dated:_______________________________       
____________________________________
                                      NOTICE: The signature on this 
Option
                                      to Elect Repayment must correspond
                                      with the name as written upon the
                                      face of the within instrument in
                                      every particular without alteration
                                      or enlargement.

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1



February 6, 1997


The Rouse Company
10275 Little Patuxent Parkway
Columbia, Maryland  21044

Ladies and Gentlemen:

          We are acting as special counsel to The Rouse Company, a Maryland
corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the preparation of a
Registration Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-20781) (together with any
amendments thereto, the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), covering U.S. $500,000,000 aggregate
issue amount of (i) Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, (ii) Preferred
Stock, par value $0.01 per share, and (iii) debt securities (the "Debt
Securities"), in each case to be issued from time to time by the Company.
Capitalized terms used herein have the meanings set forth in the Registration
Statement, unless otherwise defined herein.  With your permission, all
assumptions and statements of reliance herein have been made without any
independent investigation or verification on our part except to the extent
otherwise expressly stated, and we express no opinion with respect to the
subject matter or accuracy of such assumptions or items relied upon.

          We have examined the originals, or certified, conformed or
reproduction copies, of all such records, agreements, instruments and documents
as we have deemed relevant or necessary as the basis for the opinion hereinafter
expressed.  In all such examinations, we have assumed the genuineness of all
signatures and the conformity to original or certified copies of all copies
submitted to us as conformed or reproduction copies.  As to various questions of
fact relevant to such opinion, we have relied upon, and assumed the accuracy of,
certificates and oral or written statements and other information of or from
public officials, officers or representatives of the Company and others.

          Based upon the foregoing and subject to the limitations set forth
herein, we are of the opinion that, when the Registration Statement has become
effective under the Securities Act, the terms of the Securities and their issue
and sale have been duly established in conformity with the Indenture so as not
to violate any applicable law or agreement or instrument then binding on the
Company and the Debt Securities have been 
<PAGE>
 
duly executed and authenticated in accordance with the terms of the Indenture
and issued and sold as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the Debt
Securities will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, subject
to (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, fraudulent transfer, moratorium
or other laws now or hereafter in effect affecting creditors' rights generally,
and (ii) general principles of equity (including, without limitation, standards
of materiality, good faith, fair dealing and reasonableness) whether considered
in a proceeding in equity or at law.

          We note that, as of the date of this opinion, in the case of a Debt
Security denominated in a foreign currency, a state court in the State of New
York rendering a judgment on such Debt Security would be required under Section
27 of the New York Judiciary Law to render such judgment in the foreign currency
in which the Debt Security is denominated, and such judgment would be converted
into United States dollars at the exchange rate prevailing on the date of entry
of the judgment.

          This opinion is expressly limited to the laws of the State of New
York.  In so far as our opinion involves the laws of the State of Maryland, we
have relied with your consent solely on the opinion of Bruce I. Rothschild,
Esq., General Counsel of the Company, addressed to us of even date herewith, a
copy of which is attached hereto.  To the extent that such opinion contains
conditions and limitations, we are incorporating such conditions and limitations
herein.

          We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the references to this firm under the caption
"Legal Matters" in the Prospectus and the caption "Validity of the Notes" in any
Prospectus Supplement forming a part of the Registration Statement.  In giving
these consents, we do not hereby admit that we are in the category of persons
whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act.

                              Very truly yours,

                              FRIED, FRANK, HARRIS, SHRIVER & JACOBSON

                              By: /s/ Timothy E. Peterson
                              ----------------------------------- 
                                Timothy E. Peterson



                                       2
<PAGE>
 
February 6, 1997


The Rouse Company
10275 Little Patuxent Parkway
Columbia, Maryland 21044-3456

Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson
One New York Plaza
New York, New York 10004

Ladies and Gentlemen:

          I have acted as counsel for The Rouse Company, a Maryland corporation
(the "Company"), in connection with the preparation of the Registration
Statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-20781) (together with any amendments
thereto, the "Registration Statement") which was filed by the Company under the
Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act"), covering U.S. $500,000,000 aggregate issue
amount of (i) Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, (ii) Preferred Stock, par
value $0.01 per share, and (iii) debt securities (the "Debt Securities") to be
issued from time to time by the Company. Capitalized terms used herein have the
meanings specified in the Registration Statement, unless otherwise defined
herein.

          In that capacity, I have examined the originals, or certified,
conformed or reproduction copies, of the Articles of Incorporation of the
Company, as amended and restated, the Bylaws of the Company, as amended, and all
corporate proceedings, records, agreements, instruments and documents, and such
statutory, constitutional and other material as I have deemed relevant or
necessary as the basis for the opinions hereinafter expressed. In connection
therewith, I have assumed the genuineness of all signatures on original or
certified copies and the conformity to original or certified copies of all
copies submitted to me as conformed or reproduction copies. As to various
questions of fact relevant to such opinions, I have relied upon certificates and
statements of public officials and officers or representatives of the Company
and others.

          Based upon the foregoing, and subject to the limitations set forth
herein, I am of the opinion that:
<PAGE>
 
          1.  The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as
a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Maryland.

          2.  The Company has all the requisite corporate power and authority to
enter into the Indenture and to issue the Debt Securities and to perform its
obligations thereunder.

          3.  Execution and delivery of the Indenture and the Debt Securities
have been duly authorized by the Company.

          I wish to advise you that I am a member of the Maryland Bar and
accordingly limit the opinions expressed herein to matters of the laws of the
State of Maryland.

          I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the references to my opinion under the caption
"Legal Matters" in the Prospectus and the caption "Validity of the Notes" in any
Prospectus Supplement forming a part of the Registration Statement. I hereby
also consent to the reliance of this opinion by Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver &
Jacobson.

                              Very truly yours,

                              /s/ Bruce I. Rothschild

                              Bruce I. Rothschild


                                       2

<PAGE>

                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.2
 
                        [LETTERHEAD OF PIPER & MARBURY]




                               February 5, 1997


The Rouse Company
10275 Little Patuxent Parkway
Columbia, Maryland 21044

Ladies and Gentlemen:

  We have acted as counsel to The Rouse Company, a Maryland corporation (the 
"Company"), in connection with the preparation of the Registration Statement on 
Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") filed with the Securities and Exchange 
Commission (the "Commission") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 
"Securities Act"), with respect to the contemplated issuance by the Company from
time to time of (i) shares of its common stock, $0.01 par value per share (the 
"Common Stock"), (ii) shares of its preferred stock, $0.01 par value per sale 
(the "Preferred Stock"), and (iii) debt securities (the "Debt Securities"), in 
each case, in amounts, at prices and on such terms to be determined at the time 
of the offering.

  We have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our
satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records, certificates of public 
officials and other instruments as we have deemed necessary for the purpose of 
rendering this opinion.

  On the basis of the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

  1.  The Company has been duly formed and is validly existing as a corporation 
under the laws of the State of Maryland.

  2.  When (i) the Registration Statement has become effective under the Act, 
(ii) the terms of the Preferred Stock have been duly and properly authorized for
issuance and Articles Supplementary to the Charter of the Company classifying 
the Preferred Stock and setting forth the terms thereof have been filed, and 
(iii) such shares of Preferred Stock have been duly issued and paid for in the 
manner contemplated in the Registration
<PAGE>
 
The Rouse Company
February 5, 1997
Page 2


Statement and any prospectus supplement relating thereto, such shares of 
Preferred Stock will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

  3.  When (i) the Registration Statement has become effective under the Act, 
(ii) the shares of Common Stock have been duly and properly authorized for 
issuance, and (iii) the shares of Common Stock have been duly issued, sold and 
delivered as contemplated in the Registration Statement and any prospectus 
supplement relating thereto, the shares of Common Stock (including any Common 
Stock duly issued upon the exchange or conversion of any shares of Preferred 
Stock that are exchangeable or convertible into Common Stock or upon the 
conversion or exchange of any Debt Securities that are convertible or 
exchangeable into Common Stock) will be validly issued, fully paid and 
nonassessable.

  The foregoing opinion is limited to the laws of the State of Maryland and the
federal laws of the United States of America.  We hereby consent to the filing 
of this opinion as Exhibit 5 to the Registration Statement and to the reference 
to our firm in the Registration Statement and the related Prospectus.

                                        Very truly yours,



                                        /s/Piper & Marbury L.L.P.



<PAGE>
 
                                                                 
                                                              EXHIBIT 12.1     
                       
                    THE ROUSE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES     
   
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO COMBINED FIXED CHARGES AND PREFERRED STOCK
                          DIVIDEND REQUIREMENTS     
                             
                          (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                          NINE MONTHS ENDED
                            SEPTEMBER 30,               YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                          ------------------  ------------------------------------------------
                            1996      1995      1995      1994      1993      1992      1991
                          --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
<S>                       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Earnings (loss) before
 income taxes,
 extraordinary loss and
 cumulative effect of
 change in accounting
 principle............... $ 27,341  $  8,415  $ 10,169  $ 13,336  $  3,072  $(20,783) $  5,245
Fixed charges:
 Interest costs..........  169,330   164,213   219,838   220,971   219,705   221,907   219,538
 Capitalized interest....   (7,051)   (5,236)   (6,875)   (7,388)   (8,899)  (15,098)  (21,243)
 Amortization of debt
  issuance costs.........    1,466     1,924     2,527     2,146     2,801     3,571     3,173
 Distributions on
  Company-obligated
  mandatorily redeemable
  preferred securities of
  a trust holding solely
  Parent Company
  subordinated debt
  securities.............    9,539       --      1,204       --        --        --        --
 Portion of rental
  expense representative
  of interest factor (1).    5,301     5,042     8,266    10,788    15,988    14,739    15,265
 Support for debt service
  costs provided to
  affiliates accounted
  for under the equity
  method.................      --        --        --        --         31       389     1,106
Adjustments to earnings
 (loss):
 Minority interest in
  earnings of majority-
  owned subsidiaries
  having fixed charges...      893     1,716     2,026     2,234     1,909     1,747     2,118
 Undistributed earnings
  of less than 50%-owned
  subsidiaries...........      --        --       (189)     (564)      (68)      (84)     (540)
 Previously capitalized
  interest amortized into
  earnings (loss):
 Depreciation of
  operating properties
  (2)....................    2,900     2,823     3,764     3,670     3,605     3,474     3,145
 Cost of land sales (3)..    1,341       987     1,421     1,580     1,627     1,295       928
                          --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
   Earnings available for
    combined fixed
    charges and Preferred
    stock dividend
    requirements......... $211,060  $179,884  $242,151  $246,773  $239,771  $211,157  $228,735
                          ========  ========  ========  ========  ========  ========  ========
Combined fixed charges
 and Preferred stock
 dividend requirements:
 Interest costs.......... $169,330  $164,213  $219,838  $220,971  $219,705  $221,907  $219,538
 Amortization of debt
  issuance costs.........    1,466     1,924     2,527     2,146     2,801     3,571     3,173
 Distributions on
  Company-obligated
  mandatorily redeemable
  preferred securities of
  a trust holding solely
  Parent Company
  subordinated debt
  securities.............    9,539       --      1,204       --        --        --        --
 Portion of rental
  expense representative
  of interest factor (1).    5,301     5,042     8,266    10,788    15,988    14,739    15,265
 Support for debt service
  costs provided to
  affiliates accounted
  for under the equity
  method.................      --        --        --        --         31       389     1,106
 Preferred stock dividend
  requirements (4).......   17,555    18,302    24,402    21,802    18,968       --        --
                          --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
 Total combined fixed
  charges and Preferred
  stock dividend
  requirements........... $203,191  $189,481  $256,237  $255,707  $257,493  $240,606  $239,082
                          ========  ========  ========  ========  ========  ========  ========
Ratio of earnings to
 combined fixed charges
 and Preferred stock
 dividend requirements...     1.04       --        --        --        --        --        --
                          ========  ========  ========  ========  ========  ========  ========
</TABLE>    
- -------
   
(1) Includes (a) 80% of minimum rentals, the portion of such rentals
  considered to be a reasonable estimate of the interest factor and (b) 100%
  of contingent rentals of $2,650,000 and $1,597,000 for the nine months ended
  September 30, 1996 and 1995, respectively, and $3,644,000, $6,232,000,
  $10,006,000, $8,106,000, and $8,458,000 for the years ended December 31,
  1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, and 1991, respectively.     
   
(2) Represents an estimate of depreciation of capitalized interest costs based
  on the Company's established depreciation policy and an analysis of interest
  costs capitalized since 1971.     
   
(3) Represents 10% of costs of land sales, the portion of such cost considered
  to be a reasonable estimate of the interest factor.     
   
(4) Represents estimated pre-tax earnings required to cover Preferred stock
  dividends. All amounts are calculated based on actual Preferred stock
  dividends and an estimated effective tax rate of 40%.     
   
(5) Total combined fixed charges and Preferred stock dividend requirements
  exceeded the Company's earnings available for combined fixed charges and
  Preferred stock dividend requirements by $9,597,000 for the nine months
  ended September 30, 1995 and by $14,086,000, $8,934,000, $17,722,000,
  $29,449,000, and $10,347,000 for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994,
  1993, 1992, and 1991, respectively.     

<PAGE>
 
                                                                 
                                                              EXHIBIT 12.2     
                       
                    THE ROUSE COMPANY AND SUBSIDIARIES     
               
            COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES     
                             
                          (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                          NINE MONTHS ENDED
                            SEPTEMBER 30,                YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                          -------------------  ------------------------------------------------
                            1996       1995      1995      1994      1993      1992      1991
                          ---------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
<S>                       <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
Earnings (loss) before
 income taxes,
 extraordinary loss and
 cumulative effect of
 change in accounting
 principle..............  $  27,341  $  8,415  $ 10,169  $ 13,336  $  3,072  $(20,783) $  5,245
Fixed charges:
 Interest costs.........    169,330   164,213   219,838   220,971   219,705   221,907   219,538
 Capitalized interest...     (7,051)   (5,236)   (6,875)   (7,388)   (8,899)  (15,098)  (21,243)
 Amortization of debt
  issuance costs........      1,466     1,924     2,527     2,146     2,801     3,571     3,173
 Distributions on
  Company-obligated
  mandatorily redeemable
  preferred securities
  of a trust holding
  solely Parent Company
  subordinated debt
  securities............      9,539       --      1,204       --        --        --        --
 Portion of rental
  expense representative
  of interest factor
  (1)...................      5,301     5,042     8,266    10,788    15,988    14,739    15,265
 Support for debt
  service costs provided
  to affiliates
  accounted for under
  the equity method.....        --        --        --        --         31       389     1,106
Adjustments to earnings
 (loss):
 Minority interest in
  earnings of majority-
  owned subsidiaries
  having fixed charges..        893     1,716     2,026     2,234     1,909     1,747     2,118
 Undistributed earnings
  of less than 50%-owned
  subsidiaries..........        --        --       (189)     (564)      (68)      (84)     (540)
 Previously capitalized
  interest amortized
  into earnings (loss):
 Depreciation of
  operating properties
  (2)...................      2,900     2,823     3,764     3,670     3,605     3,474     3,145
 Cost of land sales (3).      1,341       987     1,421     1,580     1,627     1,295       928
                          ---------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
  Earnings available for
   fixed charges........  $ 211,060  $179,884  $242,151  $246,773  $239,771  $211,157  $228,735
                          =========  ========  ========  ========  ========  ========  ========
Fixed charges:
 Interest costs.........  $ 169,330  $164,213  $219,838  $220,971  $219,705  $221,907  $219,538
 Amortization of debt
  issuance costs........      1,466     1,924     2,527     2,146     2,801     3,571     3,173
 Distributions on
  Company-obligated
  mandatorily redeemable
  preferred securities
  of a trust holding
  solely Parent Company
  subordinated debt
  securities............      9,539       --      1,204       --        --        --        --
 Portion of rental
  expense representative
  of interest factor
  (1)...................      5,301     5,042     8,266    10,788    15,988    14,739    15,265
 Support for debt
  service costs provided
  to affiliates
  accounted for under
  the equity method.....        --        --        --        --         31       389     1,106
                          ---------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
  Total fixed charges
   (4)..................  $ 185,636  $171,179  $231,835  $233,905  $238,525  $240,606  $239,082
                          =========  ========  ========  ========  ========  ========  ========
Ratio of earnings to
 fixed charges..........       1.14      1.05      1.04      1.06      1.01       --        --
                          =========  ========  ========  ========  ========  ========  ========
</TABLE>    
- --------
   
(1) Includes (a) 80% of minimum rentals, the portion of such rentals
    considered to be a reasonable estimate of the interest factor and (b) 100%
    of contingent rentals of $2,650,000 and $1,597,000 for the nine months
    ended September 30, 1996 and 1995, respectively, and $3,644,000,
    $6,232,000, $10,006,000, $8,106,000, and $8,458,000 for the years ended
    December 31, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1992, and 1991, respectively.     
   
(2) Represents an estimate of depreciation of capitalized interest costs based
    on the Company's established depreciation policy and an analysis of
    interest costs capitalized since 1971.     
   
(3) Represents 10% of costs of land sales, the portion of such cost considered
    to be a reasonable estimate of the interest factor.     
   
(4) Total fixed charges exceeded the Company's earnings available for fixed
    charges by $29,449,000 and $10,347,000 for the years ended December 31,
    1992 and 1991, respectively.     

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
              CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
 
The Board of Directors
The Rouse Company:
 
  We consent to the use of our report incorporated herein by reference and to
the reference to our firm under the heading "Experts" in the prospectus.
 
                                               /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
                                          -------------------------------------
                                                  KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
 
Baltimore, Maryland
   
February 6, 1997     

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.2
 
                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ESTATE CONSULTANTS
 
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY:
   
  We consent to the inclusion in Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement
of The Rouse Company (the "Company") on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-20781)
of our report dated February 22, 1996, on our concurrence with the Company's
estimates of the market value of its equity and other interests in certain
real property owned and/or managed by the Company and its subsidiaries as of
December 31, 1995 and 1994, and to the reference to our firm under the heading
"Experts" in the Prospectus that is a part of such Registration Statement.
    
                                                 /s/ Deborah A. Jackson
                                          -------------------------------------
                                                Landauer Associates, Inc.
 
New York, New York
   
February 6, 1997     
       

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 25.1

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM T-1
                                    --------

                            STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
                     UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
                 OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

                CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY
                OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2) _____

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

                       THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
              (EXACT NAME OF TRUSTEE AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

     A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION                36-0899825
                                              (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
                                              IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)

     ONE FIRST NATIONAL PLAZA, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS        60670-0126
     (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)           (ZIP CODE)

                       THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
                      ONE FIRST NATIONAL PLAZA, SUITE 0286
                         CHICAGO, ILLINOIS   60670-0286
            ATTN:  LYNN A. GOLDSTEIN, LAW DEPARTMENT (312) 732-6919
           (NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)

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

                               THE ROUSE COMPANY
              (EXACT NAME OF OBLIGOR AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

     MARYLAND                                           52-0735512
     (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF                    (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
     INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)                     IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)


     10275 LITTLE PATUXENT PARKWAY
     COLUMBIA, MARYLAND                                 21044-3456
     (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)           (ZIP CODE)


                                DEBT SECURITIES
                        (TITLE OF INDENTURE SECURITIES)
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 1.   GENERAL INFORMATION.  FURNISH THE FOLLOWING
          --------------------                       
          INFORMATION AS TO THE TRUSTEE:

          (A) NAME AND ADDRESS OF EACH EXAMINING OR
          SUPERVISING AUTHORITY TO WHICH IT IS SUBJECT.

          Comptroller of Currency, Washington, D.C.,
          Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation,
          Washington, D.C., The Board of Governors of
          the Federal Reserve System, Washington D.C.

          (B) WHETHER IT IS AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE
          CORPORATE TRUST POWERS.

          The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate
          trust powers.

ITEM 2.   AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR.  IF THE OBLIGOR
          ------------------------------                
          IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH
          SUCH AFFILIATION.

          No such affiliation exists with the trustee.

 
ITEM 16.  LIST OF EXHIBITS.   LIST BELOW ALL EXHIBITS FILED AS A
          -----------------                                     
          PART OF THIS STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY.

          1.  A copy of the articles of association of the
              trustee now in effect.*

          2.  A copy of the certificates of authority of the
              trustee to commence business.*

          3.  A copy of the authorization of the trustee to
              exercise corporate trust powers.*

          4.  A copy of the existing by-laws of the trustee.*

          5.  Not Applicable.

          6.  The consent of the trustee required by
              Section 321(b) of the Act.

          7.  A copy of the latest report of condition of the
              trustee published pursuant to law or the
              requirements of its supervising or examining
              authority.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
          8.  Not Applicable.

          9.  Not Applicable.


     Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, the trustee, The First National Bank of Chicago, a national banking
association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of
America, has duly caused this Statement of Eligibility to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of Chicago
and the State of Illinois, on this 3rd day of February, 1997.


            THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO,
            TRUSTEE

            By  /s/ John R. Prendiville
               John R. Prendiville
               Vice President

 


* EXHIBIT 1, 2, 3 AND 4 ARE HEREIN INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE TO EXHIBITS BEARING
IDENTICAL NUMBERS IN ITEM 16 OF THE FORM T-1 OF THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF
CHICAGO, FILED AS EXHIBIT 25.1 TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-3 OF
SUNAMERICA, INC., FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON OCTOBER
25, 1996 (REGISTRATION NO. 333-14201).

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT 6



                      THE CONSENT OF THE TRUSTEE REQUIRED
                          BY SECTION 321(b) OF THE ACT


 
                                                 February 3, 1997


Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C.  20549

Gentlemen:

     In connection with the qualification of an indenture between Fleet
Financial Group, Inc. and The First National Bank of Chicago, the undersigned,
in accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, hereby consents that the reports of examinations of the undersigned,
made by Federal or State authorities authorized to make such examinations, may
be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon
its request therefor.


                                 Very truly yours,

                                 THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
 
                                 By   /s/ John R. Prendiville
                                      John R. Prendiville
                                      Vice President

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT 7
<TABLE>
<S>                      <C>                                 <C> 
Legal Title of Bank:     The First National Bank of Chicago  Call Date: 09/30/96  ST-BK:  17-1630 FFIEC 031
Address:                 One First National Plaza, Ste 0460                                       Page RC-1
City, State  Zip:        Chicago, IL  60670
FDIC Certificate No.: 0/3/6/1/8
                      ---------
</TABLE>
CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF CONDITION FOR INSURED COMMERCIAL
AND STATE-CHARTERED SAVINGS BANKS FOR SEPTEMBER 30, 1996

All schedules are to be reported in thousands of dollars. Unless otherwise
indicated, report the amount outstanding of the last business day of the
quarter.

SCHEDULE RC--BALANCE SHEET

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                           DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN              C400
                                                                              THOUSANDS        RCFD    BIL MIL THOU   less than -
                                                                           --------------      ----    ------------   ---------
<S>                                                                     <C>                    <C>     <C>            <C> 
ASSETS
1.  Cash and balances due from depository institutions (from Schedule
    RC-A):
    a. Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin(1).........                           0081     4,041,784      1.a.
    b. Interest-bearing balances(2)..................................                           0071     5,184,890      1.b.
2.  Securities
    a. Held-to-maturity securities(from Schedule RC-B, column A).....                           1754             0      2.a.
    b. Available-for-sale securities (from Schedule RC-B, column D).....................        1773     3,173,481      2.b.
3.  Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to
    resell in domestic offices of the bank and its Edge and Agreement
    subsidiaries, and in IBFs:
    a. Federal Funds sold............................................                           0276     3,505,874      3.a.
    b. Securities purchased under agreements to resell...............                           0277       145,625      3.b.
4.  Loans and lease financing receivables:
    a. Loans and leases, net of unearned income (from Schedule RC-C). RCFD 2122   22,835,958                            4.a.
    b. LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses..................... RCFD 3123      418,851                            4.b.
    c. LESS: Allocated transfer risk reserve......................... RCFD 3128            0                            4.c.
    d. Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance, and
     reserve (item 4.a minus 4.b and 4.c)............................                           2125    22,417,107      4.d.
5.  Assets held in trading accounts..................................                           3545     8,121,948      5.
6.  Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases).........                           2145       707,971      6.
7.  Other real estate owned (from Schedule RC-M).....................                           2150         9,184      7.
8.  Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated
    companies (from Schedule RC-M)...................................                           2130        53,803      8.
9.  Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding.....                           2155       626,690      9.
10.  Intangible assets (from Schedule RC-M)..........................                           2143       310,246     10.
11.  Other assets (from Schedule RC-F)...............................                           2160     1,658,123     11.
12.  Total assets (sum of items 1 through 11)........................                           2170    49,956,726     12.
</TABLE> 
 
- ------------------

(1)  Includes cash items in process of collection and unposted debits.
(2)  Includes time certificates of deposit not held for trading.
 
 

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                      <C>                                 <C> 
Legal Title of Bank:     The First National Bank of Chicago  Call Date: 09/30/96  ST-BK:  17-1630 FFIEC 031
Address:                 One First National Plaza, Ste 0460                                       Page RC-2
City, State  Zip:        Chicago, IL  60670
FDIC Certificate No.: 0/3/6/1/8
</TABLE> 

SCHEDULE RC-CONTINUED

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                   DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN                        
                                                                      THOUSANDS                     BIL MIL THOU              
                                                                   -----------------                ------------             
<S>                                                              <S>                    <C>         <C>             <C> 
LIABILITIES
13.  Deposits:
     a. In domestic offices (sum of totals of columns A and C
        from Schedule RC-E, part 1)............................                         RCON 2200     22,369,341    13.a.
        (1) Noninterest-bearing(1).............................  RCON 6631  9,726,987                               13.a.(1)
        (2) Interest-bearing...................................  RCON 6636 12,642,354                               13.a.(2)
     b. In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries,
        and IBFs (from Schedule RC-E, part II).................                         RCFN 2200     10,026,286    13.b.
        (1) Noninterest bearing................................  RCFN 6631    336,746                               13.b.(1)
        (2) Interest-bearing...................................  RCFN 6636  9,689,540                               13.b.(2)
14.  Federal funds purchased and securities sold under
     agreements to repurchase in domestic offices
     of the bank and of its Edge and Agreement
     subsidiaries, and in IBFs:
     a. Federal funds purchased................................                         RCFD 0278        884,553     14.a.
     b. Securities sold under agreements to repurchase.........                         RCFD 0279        717,211     14.b.
15.  a. Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury...............                         RCON 2840         14,120     15.a.
     b. Trading Liabilities....................................                         RCFD 0278      5,409,585     15b.
16.  Other borrowed money:
     a. With original maturity of one year or less.............                         RCFD 2332      3,414,577     16.a.
     b. With original  maturity of more than one year..........                         RCFD 2333         46,685     16b.
17.  Mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized
     leases....................................................                         RCFD 2910        285,671     17.
18.  Bank's liability on acceptance executed and outstanding...                         RCFD 2920        626,690     18.
19.  Subordinated notes and debentures.........................                         RCFD 3200      1,250,000     19.
20.  Other liabilities (from Schedule RC-G)....................                         RCFD 2930      1,005,205     20.
21.  Total liabilities (sum of items 13 through 20)............                         RCFD 2948     46,049,924     21.
22.  Limited-Life preferred stock and related surplus..........                         RCFD 3282              0     22.
EQUITY CAPITAL
23.  Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus.............                         RCFD 3838              0     23.
24.  Common stock..............................................                         RCFD 3230        200,858     24.
25.  Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)..                         RCFD 3839      2,925,894     25.
26.  a. Undivided profits and capital reserves.................                         RCFD 3632        770,670     26.a.
     b. Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on
        available-for-sale securities..........................                         RCFD 8434         10,194     26.b.
27.  Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments.......                         RCFD 3284           (814)    27.
28.  Total equity capital (sum of items 23 through 27).........                         RCFD 3210      3,906,802     28.
29.  Total liabilities, limited-life preferred stock,
     and equity capital (sum of items 21, 22, and 28)..........                         RCFD 3300     49,956,726     29.
</TABLE> 

Memorandum
To be reported only with the March Report of Condition.
1. Indicate in the box at the right the number of the statement below that best
   describes the most comprehensive level of auditing work performed for the
   bank by independent external

                                                              Number
   auditors as of any date during 1995..................... RCFD 6724  N/A  M.1.

<TABLE> 
<S>                                                               <C> 
1 = Independent audit of the bank conducted in accordance         4. =  Directors' examination of the bank performed by other
    with generally accepted auditing standards by a certified           external auditors (may be required by state chartering
    public accounting firm which submits a report on the bank     authority)
2 = Independent audit of the bank's parent holding company        5 =  Review of the bank's financial statements by external
    conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing           auditors
    standards by a certified public accounting firm which         6 =  Compilation of the bank's financial statements by external
    submits a report on the consolidated holding company               auditors
    (but not on the bank separately)                              7 =  Other audit procedures (excluding tax preparation work)
3 = Directors' examination of the bank conducted in               8 =  No external audit work
    accordance with generally accepted auditing standards
    by a certified public accounting firm (may be required by
    state chartering authority)
</TABLE> 
- -------------------
(1) Includes total demand deposits and noninterest-bearing time and savings
deposits.
 

                                       6


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