TYLER CORP /NEW/
8-K, 1997-10-17
STEEL WORKS, BLAST FURNACES & ROLLING & FINISHING MILLS
Previous: AMERINDO INVESTMENT ADVISORS INC, SC 13G/A, 1997-10-17
Next: LG&E ENERGY CORP, 8-K, 1997-10-17



<PAGE>   1
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



                                 UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

                                  ____________

                                    FORM 8-K
                                 CURRENT REPORT
                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                        Securities Exchange Act of 1934


                                  ____________

                                OCTOBER 16, 1997
                                (Date of Report)


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

    DELAWARE                       1-10485                       75-2303920     
 (State or other              (Commission File                (I.R.S. Employer  
 jurisdiction of                   Number)                   Identification No.)
incorporation or                            
  organization)                             
                   

                           3200 SAN JACINTO TOWER
                           2121 SAN JACINTO STREET
                              DALLAS, TX  75201
                  (Address of principal executive offices)

                               (214) 754-7800
                       (Registrant's telephone number,
                            including area code)



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

<PAGE>   2
ITEM 5.  OTHER EVENTS

         On October 8, 1997, Tyler Corporation ("Tyler") announced the signing
of definitive agreements to acquire two companies -- Business Resources
Corporation ("Business Resources") of Dallas, Texas, and The Software Group,
Inc. (the "Software Group") of Plano, Texas.  These transactions are subject to
Tyler shareholder approval and customary regulatory approvals, including
Hart-Scott-Rodino.

         Business Resources and the Software Group provide integrated
information management services, systems, and outsourcing to approximately 200
county governments principally in the Southwest.

         The combined purchase price for these companies is 12 million shares
of Tyler stock and $40 million of cash and debt assumption.


ITEM 7.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

         (a)     Exhibits

                         Exhibit                                       
                         Number                              Exhibit   
                         -------                             -------   
                         10.25      Agreement and Plan of Merger Among Tyler
                                    Corporation, T1 Acquisition Corporation,
                                    Business Resources  Corporation and William
                                    D. Oates dated October 8, 1997.             
                                                                                
                         10.26      Agreement and  Plan of  Merger Among Tyler  
                                    Corporation, T2 Acquisition Corporation, The
                                    Software Group, Inc., Brian B. Berry and    
                                    Glenn A. Smith dated October 8, 1997.      
                                                                               
                         20.01      Press Release dated October 8, 1997.       

<PAGE>   3
                                   SIGNATURES


         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

                                       TYLER CORPORATION


                                       By:  /s/ David P. Tusa
                                            ------------------------------
                                            David P. Tusa,
                                            Senior Vice President and
                                            Chief Financial Officer
                                            (principal financial officer)


                                       By:  /s/ Scott R. Creasman
                                            ------------------------------
                                            Scott R. Creasman,
                                            Vice President and Controller
                                            (principal accounting officer)

Date:    October 16, 1997

<PAGE>   4

                                      EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit                                                 
Number                                   Exhibit             
- -------                                  -------
10.25      Agreement and Plan of Merger Among Tyler Corporation, T1 Acquisition
           Corporation, Business Resources Corporation and William D. Oates
           dated October 8, 1997.              
                                                        
10.26      Agreement and  Plan of  Merger Among Tyler Corporation, T2 
           Acquisition Corporation, The Software Group, Inc., Brian B. Berry and
           Glenn A. Smith dated October 8, 1997.        
                                                        
20.01      Press Release dated October 8, 1997.



<PAGE>   1
                                                                 EXHIBIT 10.25




                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER


                                     AMONG


                               TYLER CORPORATION,


                          T1 ACQUISITION CORPORATION,


                         BUSINESS RESOURCES CORPORATION


                                      AND


                                WILLIAM D. OATES


                                     DATED


                                OCTOBER 8, 1997
<PAGE>   2
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                   ARTICLE 1
                                   THE MERGER

<TABLE>
         <S>     <C>                                                                                                   <C>
         1.1     The Merger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
         1.2     Closing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
         1.3     Effective Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
         1.4     Effects of the Merger  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
         1.5     Articles of Incorporation; Bylaws  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
         1.6     Directors and Officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
         1.7     Conversion of Securities; Exchange; Fractional Shares. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
         1.8     Additional Merger Consideration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
         1.9     Adjustments to Prevent Dilution  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
         1.10    Taking of Necessary Action; Further Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

                                                        ARTICLE 2
                                              REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                                            OF THE COMPANY AND THE SHAREHOLDER

         2.1     Organization and Good Standing of Company  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
         2.2     Organization and Good Standing of Company Subsidiaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
         2.3     Other Investments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
         2.4     Foreign Qualification  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
         2.5     Power and Authority to Conduct Business  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
         2.6     Authority to Consummate Merger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
         2.7     Binding Effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
         2.8     Compliance with Other Instruments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
         2.9     Capitalization of Company  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
         2.10    Capitalization of the Company Subsidiaries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
         2.11    Company Investments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
         2.12    Company Financial Statements.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
         2.13    Absence of Certain Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  10
         2.14    No Material Undisclosed Liabilities  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  11
         2.15    Tax Liabilities  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  12
         2.16    Title to Properties  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  13
         2.17    Condition of Tangible Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  15
         2.18    Accounts Receivable  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  15
         2.19    Inventory Good and Salable . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  15
         2.20    Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  15
         2.21    Contracts  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  16
         2.22    Litigation and Claims  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  18
</TABLE>





                                       i
<PAGE>   3
<TABLE>
         <S>     <C>                                                                                                   <C>
         2.23    Judgments, Decrees, and Orders in Restraint of Business  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19
         2.24    No Violation of Any Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19
         2.25     Compliance With Laws  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19
         2.26    Compensation and Benefit Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  19
         2.27    Labor Relations  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  21
         2.28    Adequate Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  21
         2.29    Contracts with Affiliates and Others . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22
         2.30    Revenue Recognition  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22
         2.31    Certain Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22
         2.32    Environmental Matters  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  22
         2.33    Section 368 Representations  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  23
         2.34    Accuracy of Information Furnished  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  24
         2.35    Representations Limited  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25

                                                        ARTICLE 3
                                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF  TYLER

         3.1     Organization and Good Standing of Tyler  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25
         3.2     Foreign Qualification  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25
         3.3     Power and Authority to Conduct Business  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25
         3.4     Authority to Consummate Merger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  25
         3.5     Binding Effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  26
         3.6     Compliance with Other Instruments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  26
         3.7     Capitalization of Tyler  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  26
         3.8     Commission Filings; Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  27
         3.9     Absence of Certain Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  28
         3.10    No Material Undisclosed Liabilities  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  28
         3.11    Litigation and Government Claims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  29
         3.12    No Violation of Any Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  29
         3.13    Certain Fees   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  29
         3.14    No Interim Operations of Sub . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  29
         3.15    Accuracy of Information Furnished  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  29
         3.16    Company Contract Bids  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30

                                                        ARTICLE 4
                                JOINT COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY, THE SHAREHOLDER AND TYLER

         4.1     Access; Confidentiality  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  30
         4.2     Notice of any Material Change  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31
         4.3     Monthly Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31
         4.4     Antitrust Notification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  31
         4.5     Tax Matters  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  32
</TABLE>





                                       ii
<PAGE>   4
<TABLE>
         <S>     <C>                                                                                                   <C>
         4.6     Cooperation Pending Closing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  35
         4.7     Non-competition Allocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  35

                                                        ARTICLE 5
                                       COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY AND THE SHAREHOLDER

         5.1     Conduct of Business Prior to Closing Date  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  36
         5.2     Employment Agreement   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  36
         5.3     Noncompetition Agreements  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  37
         5.4     Agreement Not to Negotiate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  37
         5.5     Permitted Distributions of Cash and Condo  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  37
         5.6     Waiver of Adverse Claims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  37
         5.7     Accuracy of Information Furnished  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  38
         5.8     Pre-Closing Bonuses  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  38
         5.9     New Indebtedness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  38
         5.10    Stock Options  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  38
         5.11    Contribution of Headquarters Facilities  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  38

                                                        ARTICLE 6
                                                    COVENANTS OF TYLER

         6.1     Conduct Prior to Closing Date  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  39
         6.2     Proxy Statement  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  39
         6.3     Meetings of Stockholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  39
         6.4     Stock Exchange Listing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  39
         6.5     Guaranties of Company Obligations  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  39
         6.6     Other Tyler Obligations  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  40
         6.7     Company Indemnification Obligations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  40
         6.8     Agreements Regarding Stock Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  41
         6.9     Release of Shareholder Guaranties  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  42

                                                        ARTICLE 7
                                    JOINT CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CLOSING OBLIGATIONS

         7.1     HSR Act  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  42
         7.2     Absence of Litigation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  42

                                                        ARTICLE 8
                          CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONSOF THE COMPANY AND THE SHAREHOLDER


         8.1     Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  43
</TABLE>





                                      iii
<PAGE>   5
<TABLE>
         <S>     <C>                                                                                                   <C>
         8.2     Representations and Warranties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  43
         8.3     Opinion  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  43
         8.4     No Material Adverse Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  43
         8.5     Tyler Stockholder Approval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  43
         8.6     Financing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  43
         8.7     Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  43

                                                        ARTICLE 9
                                       CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF TYLER

         9.1     Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  44
         9.2     Representations and Warranties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  44
         9.3     Securities Law Compliance  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  44
         9.4     Opinions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  44
         9.5     No Material Adverse Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  45
         9.6     Consents to Transaction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  45
         9.7     Stockholder Approval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  45
         9.8     Financing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  45
         9.9     Noncompetition Agreements  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  45
         9.10    Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  45

                                                        ARTICLE 10
                                        SECURITIES LAW REGISTRATION AND COMPLIANCE

         10.1    Securities Law Compliance; Restrictions on Shares.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  45
         10.2    Demand Registration. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  46
         10.3    Piggyback Registration.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  48
         10.4    Registration Procedures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  48
         10.5    Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  51
         10.6    Indemnification  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  51
         10.7    No Transferability of Registration Rights  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  54

                                                        ARTICLE 11
                                               INDEMNIFICATION AND REMEDIES

         11.1    Indemnification by the Shareholder Based on Agreement  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  54
         11.2    Indemnification by Tyler Based on Agreement  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  54
         11.3    Customer Claims  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  54
         11.4    Claims Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  56
         11.5    Maximum Liability  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  56
         11.6    Equitable Remedies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  57
         11.7    Remedies of the Surviving Corporation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  57
</TABLE>





                                       iv
<PAGE>   6
<TABLE>
         <S>     <C>                                                                                                   <C>
         11.8    Right of Offset  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  57
         11.9    Costs of Defense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  58

                                                        ARTICLE 12
                                                      MISCELLANEOUS

         12.1    Breach Discovered Prior to Closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  58
         12.2    Termination  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  59
         12.3    Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  60
         12.4    Disclosure Schedules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  60
         12.5    Entire Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  60
         12.6    Survival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  60
         12.7    Counterparts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  60
         12.8    Notices  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  61
         12.9    Successors and Assigns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  62
         12.10   Governing Law  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  62
         12.11   Waiver and Other Action  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  62
         12.12   Severability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  62
         12.13   Knowledge  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  62
</TABLE>





                                       v
<PAGE>   7
                                    EXHIBITS


<TABLE>
       <S>              <C>
       Exhibit A        Surviving Corporation Directors and Officers

       Exhibit B        Employment and Noncompetition Agreement

       Exhibit C        Stock Option Agreement
</TABLE>





                                       vi
<PAGE>   8
                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

         THIS AGREEMENT, made as of the 8th day of October, 1997, is entered
into by and among Tyler Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Tyler"), T1
Acquisition Corporation, a Texas corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of
Tyler ("Sub"), Business Resources Corporation, a Texas corporation (the
"Company"), and William D. Oates, the sole shareholder of the Company (the
"Shareholder").

                                  WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS, subject to and in accordance with the terms and conditions of
this Agreement, the respective Boards of Directors of Tyler, Sub and the
Company, and Tyler as sole shareholder of Sub, have approved the merger of the
Company with and into Sub (the "Merger"), whereby all the issued and
outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company
(the "Company Common Stock") not owned directly or indirectly by the Company
will be converted into the right to receive in the aggregate $15,250,000 in
cash and 10,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Tyler
("Tyler Common Stock"), in the manner and subject to the adjustments provided
herein;

         WHEREAS, for federal income tax purposes, it is intended that the
Merger shall qualify as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a)
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"); and

         WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to set forth certain
representations, warranties and covenants made by each to the other as an
inducement to the consummation of the Merger;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual
representations, warranties and covenants herein contained, the parties hereto
hereby agree as follows:

         NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the mutual
representations, warranties, covenants and agreements contained herein, the
parties hereto hereby agree as follows:


                                   ARTICLE 1
                                   THE MERGER

         1.1     The Merger.  Subject to and in accordance with the terms and
conditions of this Agreement and in accordance with the Texas Business
Corporation Act (the "TBCA"), at the Effective Time (as defined in Section 1.3)
the Company shall be merged with and into Sub.  As a result of the Merger, the
separate corporate existence of the Company shall cease and Sub shall continue
as the surviving corporation (sometimes referred to herein as the "Surviving
Corporation")





                                       1
<PAGE>   9
and shall succeed to and assume all of the rights and obligations of the
Company in accordance with the TBCA.

         1.2     Closing.  The closing of the Merger (the "Closing") shall take
place at the offices of Liddell, Sapp, Zivley, Hill & LaBoon, L.L.P., 2200 Ross
Avenue, Suite 900, Dallas, Texas 75201 as soon as practicable after the
satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Article V or at such
other time and place and on such other date as Tyler and the Company shall
agree; provided, that the closing conditions set forth in Article V shall have
been satisfied or waived at or prior to such time.  The date on which the
Closing occurs is herein referred to as the "Closing Date."

         1.3     Effective Time.  On the Closing Date, or as soon as
practicable thereafter, the Company and Sub will cause Articles of Merger (the
"Articles of Merger") to be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of
Texas as provided in Article 5.04 of the TBCA.  The Merger will become
effective at the time that the Articles of Merger have been filed with the
Secretary of State of the State of Texas or at such other time specified in the
Articles of Merger as the effective time (the "Effective Time").

         1.4     Effects of the Merger.  The Merger shall have the effects set
forth in the applicable provisions of the TBCA.

         1.5     Articles of Incorporation; Bylaws.  The Articles of
Incorporation (the "Articles") and Bylaws (the "Bylaws") of Sub, as in effect
immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be identical to the Company's
Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws and shall be the articles of incorporation
and bylaws of the Surviving Corporation and thereafter shall continue to be its
articles of incorporation and bylaws until amended as provided therein and
under the TBCA.

         1.6     Directors and Officers.  The persons specified as directors on
Exhibit C hereto shall be the initial directors of the Surviving Corporation,
each to hold office in accordance with the Articles and Bylaws, and the persons
specified as officers on Exhibit C hereto shall be the initial officers of the
Surviving Corporation, in each case until their respective successors are duly
elected or appointed and qualified in accordance with the Articles and Bylaws.

         1.7     Conversion of Securities; Exchange; Fractional Shares.
Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the Effective Time,
by virtue of the Merger and without any action on the part of the Company, Sub
or their Shareholder:

                 (a)      Each share of the Company Common Stock issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, other than any shares of
the Company Common Stock to be canceled pursuant to Section 1.7(b), shall be
converted, subject to the provisions of this Section 1.7, into the right to
receive, without interest, $15,250.00 in cash and 10,000 shares of Tyler Common
Stock  (collectively, the "Merger Consideration"); and provided further, that
no fractional
<PAGE>   10
shares of Tyler Common Stock shall be issued, and, in lieu thereof, a cash
payment shall be made in accordance with the procedure set forth in Section
1.7(g) hereof.

                 (b)      Each share of Company Common Stock held in the
treasury of the Company and each share of Company Common Stock held by Sub,
Tyler or any direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Tyler, or the
Company immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be canceled and
extinguished at the Effective Time without any conversion thereof and no
payment shall be made with respect thereto.

                 (c)      Each share of common stock, par value $1.00 per
share, of Sub issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time
shall at the Effective Time be converted into one validly issued, fully paid
and nonassessable share of common stock of the Surviving Corporation.

                 (d)      At the Effective Time, each holder of an outstanding
certificate that prior thereto represented shares of Company Common Stock shall
be entitled to receive, upon surrender  to the Surviving Corporation of such
certificate or certificates for cancellation and subject to any required
withholding of taxes, a certificate or certificates representing the number of
whole shares of Tyler Common Stock (of such denominations and registered in
such names as such holder may request) into which the shares of Company Common
Stock so surrendered shall have been converted.  Each holder of shares of
Company Common Stock who would otherwise be entitled to a fraction of a share
of Tyler Common Stock shall, upon surrender to the Surviving Corporation of the
certificates representing shares of Company Common Stock held by such holder,
be paid an amount in cash in accordance with the provisions of Section 1.7(g).
Until so surrendered, each outstanding certificate that prior to the Effective
Time represented shares of Company Common Stock shall be deemed from and after
the Effective Time to evidence the right to receive that amount of cash and
that number of full shares of Tyler Common Stock into which such shares of
Company Common Stock shall have been converted pursuant to this Section 1.7,
any dividends or distributions contemplated or permitted by this Agreement and
declared concurrently with or prior to Closing, but which are unpaid as of
Closing, and any cash in lieu of fractional shares of Tyler Common Stock,
subject to any of required withholding of taxes.  No interest shall be paid on
the cash payable upon surrender of the certificate or certificates evidencing
shares of Company Common Stock.  Unless and until any such outstanding
certificates representing shares of Company Common Stock shall be surrendered,
no dividends or other distributions declared and payable to the holders of
Tyler Common Stock on or after the Effective Time shall be paid to the holders
of such outstanding certificates which prior to the Effective Time represented
shares of Company Common Stock; provided, however, that, upon surrender and
exchange of such outstanding certificates, there shall be paid to the record
holders of the certificates issued and exchanged therefor the amount, without
interest thereon, of dividends and other distributions, if any, that
theretofore were declared and became payable since the Effective Time with
respect to the number of full shares of Tyler Common Stock issued to such
holders.





                                       3
<PAGE>   11
                 (e)      The cash and shares of Tyler Common Stock into which
the shares of Company Common Stock shall have been converted pursuant to this
Section 1.7 shall be issued in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to
such converted shares of Company Common Stock except for the payment of any
dividends or distributions contemplated or permitted by this Agreement and
declared concurrently with or prior to Closing, but which are unpaid as of
Closing.

                 (f)      If any certificate for shares of Tyler Common Stock
is to be issued in a name other than that in which the certificate surrendered
in exchange therefor is registered, it shall be a condition of the issuance
thereof that the certificate so surrendered shall be properly endorsed and
otherwise in proper form for transfer and that the person requesting such
exchange shall have paid to Tyler or the Surviving Corporation any transfer or
other taxes required by reason of the issuance of a certificate for shares of
Tyler Common Stock in any name other than that of the registered holder of the
certificate surrendered, or established to the satisfaction of Tyler or its
transfer agent that such tax has been paid or is not payable.

                 (g)      No fraction of a share of Tyler Common Stock shall be
issued, but in lieu thereof each holder of shares of Company Common Stock who
would otherwise be entitled to a fraction of a share of Tyler Common Stock
shall, upon surrender to the Surviving Corporation of the certificate or
certificates representing the shares of Company Common Stock held by such
holder, be paid an amount in cash equal to the value of such fraction of a
share of Tyler Common Stock based upon the closing price of Tyler Common Stock
on the New York Stock Exchange on the last trading day prior to the Effective
Time.  No interest shall be paid on such amount.  All shares of Company Common
Stock held by a record holder shall be aggregated for purposes of computing the
number of shares of Tyler Common Stock to be issued pursuant to this Section
1.7.

                 (h)      At the Closing, Tyler shall provide each holder of
certificates which prior to the Effective Time represented shares of Company
Common Stock a letter of transmittal and other documentation enabling such
holder to effect the exchange of stock certificates as contemplated by Article
1 of this Agreement.

                 (i)      Neither Tyler, the Surviving Corporation, nor any
other person shall be liable to any former holder of shares of Company Common
Stock for any amount properly delivered to a public official pursuant to
applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar laws.

                 (j)      In the event any certificate formerly representing
shares of the Company Common Stock shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed,
upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming such
certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by Tyler or the
Surviving Corporation, the posting by such person of a bond in customary amount
as indemnity against any claim that may be made against Tyler or the Surviving
Corporation with respect to such certificate, the Surviving Corporation shall
deliver in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate the cash and
shares of Tyler Common Stock that would be deliverable pursuant to this





                                       4
<PAGE>   12
Article 1 upon due surrender of the shares of Company Common Stock represented
by such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate.

         1.8     Additional Merger Consideration.  In addition to the Merger
Consideration payable to the holders of Company Common Stock pursuant to
Section 1.7(a), the holders of Company Common Stock shall be entitled to
receive additional merger consideration ("Additional Merger Consideration") in
an aggregate amount up to $4,500,000 if certain performance objectives set
forth in a letter dated of even date herewith from Tyler to the Shareholder and
the Company are achieved within two years after the date hereof.  In such event
each holder of record of Company Common Stock immediately prior to the
Effective Time shall receive for each share so held Additional Merger
Consideration equal to the quotient of $4,500,000 (or such lesser amount as may
be payable) divided by the number of shares of Company Common Stock issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time.

         1.9     Adjustments to Prevent Dilution.  In the event that the
Company changes the number of shares of the Company Common Stock or securities
convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for shares of the Company
Common Stock, or Tyler changes the number of shares of Tyler Common Stock or
securities convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for shares of Tyler
Common Stock, issued and outstanding prior to the Effective Time as a result of
a reclassification, stock split (including a reverse split or combination),
stock dividend or distribution, recapitalization, subdivision, or other similar
transaction, the Merger Consideration shall be correspondingly adjusted.

         1.10    Taking of Necessary Action; Further Action.  The parties
hereto shall take all such reasonable and lawful action as may be necessary or
appropriate in order to effectuate the Merger as promptly as possible. If at
any time after the Effective Time any further action is necessary or desirable
to carry out the purposes of this Agreement and to vest the Surviving
Corporation with full right, title and possession to all assets, property,
rights, privileges, powers and franchises of the Company or Sub, such
corporations shall direct their respective officers and directors to take, and
the Shareholder shall take, all such lawful and necessary action.


                                   ARTICLE 2
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES
                       OF THE COMPANY AND THE SHAREHOLDER

          The Company and the Shareholder jointly and severally represent and
warrant to Tyler and Sub as follows:

         2.1     Organization and Good Standing of Company.  The Company is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the
laws of the State of Texas.





                                       5
<PAGE>   13
         2.2     Organization and Good Standing of Company Subsidiaries.
Section 2.2 of the schedule delivered by the Company concurrently with the
execution of this Agreement (the "Company Disclosure Schedule") truly and
correctly lists each corporation in which either the Company or a Company
Subsidiary is the record or beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 50% or
more of the capital stock (each such corporation being referred to as a
"Company Subsidiary"), the jurisdiction of incorporation of each  Company
Subsidiary, the authorized number of shares of capital stock of each Company
Subsidiary, the number of outstanding shares of capital stock of each  Company
Subsidiary and the number of shares owned by the Company or a Company
Subsidiary, and the jurisdictions in which the Company and each Company
Subsidiary are qualified or licensed to do business.  Each Company Subsidiary
is a corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under
the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation.

         2.3     Other Investments.  Section 2.3 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule truly and correctly lists all corporations in which the Company or a
Company Subsidiary owns less than 50% of the capital stock and all
partnerships, joint ventures, and other entities in which the Company or a
Company Subsidiary has an equity, profit sharing, participation, or other
interest (the "Company Investments"), the form of organization of and the
jurisdiction of incorporation or organization of each Company Investment, the
type and amount of the investment, and the percentage interest owned by the
Company or a Company Subsidiary.

         2.4     Foreign Qualification.  The Company and each Company
Subsidiary are duly qualified or licensed to do business as foreign
corporations and in good standing in those jurisdictions set forth in Section
2.4 of the Company Disclosure Schedule.  The Company and the Company
Subsidiaries are duly qualified or licensed to do business as foreign
corporations in every jurisdiction where the failure so to qualify could have a
material adverse effect on the businesses, operations, assets or financial
condition of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.  For
purposes of this Section 2.4, no material adverse effect shall be deemed to
have occurred as a result of non-payment of state or local franchise taxes not
exceeding $75,000 in the aggregate.

         2.5     Power and Authority to Conduct Business.  The Company and the
Company Subsidiaries have the corporate power and authority, and possess all
licenses and permits required by governmental authorities, to own, lease, and
operate their properties and assets and to carry on its or their respective
businesses as currently being conducted, except where the failure to possess
such license or permit would not have a material adverse effect on the
businesses, operations, assets or  financial condition of the Company and the
Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.





                                       6
<PAGE>   14
         2.6     Authority to Consummate Merger.  The Company has the corporate
power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this
Agreement and the other agreements or documents executed or required to be
executed by the Company in connection with this Agreement, and the execution,
delivery, and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the other
documents executed or required to be executed by the Company in connection with
this Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action.
The Shareholder has the capacity and authority to execute, deliver and perform
his obligations under this Agreement, and the other agreements or documents
executed or required to be executed by him in connection herewith.

         2.7     Binding Effect.  This Agreement and the other agreements and
documents executed or required to be executed by the Company or the Shareholder
in connection with this Agreement have been or will have been duly executed and
delivered by the Company or the Shareholder, as appropriate, and are or will
be, when executed and delivered, the legal, valid, and binding obligations of
the Company or the Shareholder executing the same, enforceable in accordance
with their terms, except that:

                 (a)       enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy,
insolvency, or other similar laws affecting creditors' rights;

                 (b)       the availability of equitable remedies may be
limited by equitable principles of general applicability; and

                 (c)       rights to indemnification under Section 10.6 may be
limited by considerations of public policy.

         2.8     Compliance with Other Instruments.  Except as disclosed in
Section 2.8 of the  Company Disclosure Schedule, neither the execution and
delivery by the Company or the  Shareholder of this Agreement, or the other
agreements or documents executed or required to be executed by the Company or
the Shareholder in connection herewith, nor the consummation by the Company or
the Shareholder of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, will (i)
conflict with the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the Company or any
Company Subsidiary, (ii) assuming satisfaction of the requirements set forth in
clause (iii) below, violate any provision of law applicable to the Company or
any of the Company Subsidiaries; (iii) except for (A) requirements arising out
of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (the "HSR Act"),
and (B) the filing of articles of merger in accordance with the TBCA, require
any consent, authorization, permit, license or approval of, or declaration,
registration or filing with or notice to, any person or governmental body or
authority, domestic or foreign, under any provision of law applicable to the
Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries; or (iv) require any consent,
approval or notice under, violate, breach, be in conflict with, or constitute a
default (or an event that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would
constitute a default) under, or permit the termination or the acceleration of
maturity of, or result in the imposition of any lien, claim, or encumbrance
upon any property or





                                       7
<PAGE>   15
asset of the Company, any Company Subsidiary, or the Shareholder, pursuant to
any note, bond, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, evidence of indebtedness,
loan or lease agreement, or other agreement or instrument (including with
customers) listed or required to be listed in Section 2.21 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, or any judgment, order, injunction, or decree by which the
Company, any  Company Subsidiary, or the Shareholder is bound, to which any of
them is a party, or to which any of their assets is subject, where any such
failure to obtain any consent, approval or notice, or violation, breach,
conflict or default would result in a material adverse effect on the
businesses, operations, assets or financial condition of the Company and the
Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

         2.9     Capitalization of Company.

                 (a)      The authorized capital stock of the Company is 1,000
shares of Company Common Stock, of which 1,000 shares of Company Common Stock
are issued and outstanding at the date hereof.  All of the issued and
outstanding shares of Company Common Stock have been duly authorized and are
validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.  There are and at the Closing
will be no shares of the capital stock of the Company held in its treasury or
in the treasury of any  Company Subsidiary.

                 (b)      At the Closing, the Shareholder will be the lawful
record and beneficial owner of 1,000 shares of the Company Common Stock, free
and clear of all liens, encumbrances, and claims of every kind, and the shares
so owned by the Shareholder will constitute 100% of the issued and outstanding
shares of the Company capital stock.  The Shareholder has the right to vote or
direct the vote of such shares at his discretion on any matter submitted to a
vote of the Company's shareholders.

                 (c)      There are no voting trusts, shareholder agreements,
or other voting arrangements among the shareholders of the Company.

                 (d)      Except as described in Section 2.9 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule,  there presently is no outstanding subscription, contract,
convertible or exchangeable security, option, warrant, call, or other right
obligating the Company, any Company Subsidiary, or the Shareholder to issue,
sell, exchange, or otherwise dispose of, or to purchase, redeem, or otherwise
acquire, shares of, or securities convertible into or exchangeable for, capital
stock of the Company; except as described in Section 2.9 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule or otherwise permitted by this Agreement, no such rights
disclosed in Section 2.9 of the Company Disclosure Schedule will remain
outstanding at the Closing.  No shareholder of the Company is entitled to any
preemptive right.

         2.10    Capitalization of the Company Subsidiaries.  All of the
outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company Subsidiaries have been duly
authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable and, except
as described in Section 2.10 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the shares of
capital stock of the Company Subsidiaries indicated in Section 2.2 of the
Company





                                       8
<PAGE>   16
Disclosure Schedule as owned by the Company or a Company Subsidiary are owned
free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, and claims of every kind.  The
Company owns of record and beneficially all of the issued and outstanding
shares of capital stock of each Company Subsidiary.  Except as described in
Section 2.10 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, there presently is no
outstanding subscription, contract, convertible or exchangeable security,
option, warrant, call, or other right obligating the Company, any Company
Subsidiary, or the Shareholder to issue, sell, exchange, or otherwise dispose
of, or to purchase, redeem, or otherwise acquire, shares of, or securities
convertible into or exchangeable for, capital stock of any Company Subsidiary.

         2.11     Company Investments.  Except as described in Section 2.11 of
the Company Disclosure Schedule, the interests in the Company Investments owned
by the Company or a  Company Subsidiary are owned free and clear of all liens,
encumbrances and claims other than those contained in the agreements evidencing
such Company Investments.  Except as described in Section 2.11 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, there presently is no outstanding subscription, contract,
convertible or exchangeable security, option, warrant, call, or other right
obligating the Company or any Company Subsidiary to sell, exchange, or
otherwise dispose of, or to purchase, redeem, or otherwise acquire, any
interest in the Company Investments; no such rights disclosed in Section 2.11
of the Company Disclosure Schedule will remain outstanding at the Closing.

         2.12    Company Financial Statements.

                 (a)       The Company has delivered to Tyler true, correct,
and complete copies of the following financial statements of the Company (the
"Company Financial Statements"), which are attached to Section 2.12 of the
Company Disclosure Schedule:

                               (i)         the audited consolidated balance
sheets of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996,
1995 and 1994 and the related audited consolidated statements of operations,
stockholder's equity, and cash flows for the years then ended, with notes
thereto, prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted
accounting principles, reported upon without exception or qualification by KPMG
Peat Marwick LLP, independent certified public accountants ("Peat Marwick"),
and

                              (ii)         the audited consolidated balance
sheet of the Company and the  Company Subsidiaries as of July 31, 1997 (the
"Company Balance Sheet"), and the related audited consolidated statements of
operations, stockholder's equity, and cash flows for the seven months then
ended, with notes thereto, prepared in accordance with United States generally
accepted accounting principles, reported upon without exception or
qualification by Peat Marwick.

The Company Financial Statements present fairly, in all respects, the
consolidated financial position of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries as
of the dates thereof and the consolidated results of operations and cash flows
for the periods then ended, in conformity with generally accepted





                                       9
<PAGE>   17
accounting principles applied, except as may be set forth in the notes thereto,
on a consistent basis throughout such periods.

                 (b)      Since July 31, 1997, there has been no change in
accounting principles applicable to, or methods of accounting utilized by the
Company, and the books and records of  Company and the Company Subsidiaries
have been and are being maintained in accordance with all applicable legal and
accounting requirements and what the shareholder believes in good faith to be
good business practice, reflect only valid transactions, are complete and
correct in all material respects, and accurately reflect in all material
respects the basis for the consolidated financial position and consolidated
results of operations and cash flows of the Company and the Company
Subsidiaries set forth in the Company Financial Statements.

         2.13    Absence of Certain Changes.  Since July 31, 1997 (or other
date indicated below), neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has
(except as may be contemplated by this Agreement or as may result from the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement):

                 (a)      suffered any change in its businesses, results of
operations, working capital, assets, liabilities, or financial condition or the
manner of conducting its business other than changes that, individually or in
the aggregate, have not had a material adverse effect on the businesses,
operations, assets or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company and the
Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

                 (b)       experienced a decline in the consolidated
shareholder's equity of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries from its
consolidated shareholder's equity shown on the  Company Balance Sheet at July
31, 1997, determined using the same accounting principles applied in the
preparation of the Company Financial Statements;

                 (c)      except as disclosed in Section 2.13 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, suffered any damage or destruction to or loss of its
assets not covered by insurance, or any loss of customers or suppliers, or
terminated or lost the services of any key employee (including any employee who
had agreed with the Company to maintain the confidentiality of proprietary or
technical information or know-how or to assign inventions, patents, or
copyrights) that has had, or in the good faith belief of the Shareholder is
likely to have, a material adverse effect on the businesses, operations,
assets, financial condition, or prospects of the Company and the  Company
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

                 (d)      acquired or disposed of any material asset, or
incurred, assumed, guaranteed, endorsed, paid, or discharged any material
indebtedness, liability, or obligation, or subjected or permitted to be
subjected any material amount of assets to any lien, claim, or encumbrance of
any kind, except in the ordinary course of business or pursuant to agreements
in force at the date of this Agreement;





                                       10
<PAGE>   18
                 (e)      forgiven, compromised, canceled, released, waived, or
permitted to lapse any material rights or claims;

                 (f)      entered into or terminated any material agreement or
commitment, or agreed or made any changes in material leases or agreements,
other than renewals or extensions thereof and leases, agreements, and
commitments entered into, terminated, or modified in the ordinary course of
business;

                 (g)      increased its investment in any Company Investment or
made new Company Investments;

                 (h)      written up, written down, or written off the book
value of any material amount of assets;

                 (i)      declared, paid, or set aside for payment any dividend
or distribution with respect to its capital stock;

                 (j)      redeemed, purchased, or otherwise acquired, or sold,
granted, or otherwise disposed of, directly or indirectly, any of its capital
stock or securities or any rights to acquire such capital stock or securities,
or agreed to changes in the terms and conditions of any such rights;

                 (k)      paid compensation, fees, bonuses or other payments to
the Shareholder or his family members or any of his affiliates or otherwise
paid or transferred any cash, property or assets to the Shareholder, his family
members or any of his affiliates, other than the base salary of Shareholder,
rent in accordance with the Lease (as defined in Section 5.11), and
distributions permitted by this Agreement; or materially increased the
compensation of or paid any bonus to any other employee or contributed to any
employee benefit plan other than in accordance with policies, practices or
requirements established and in effect on December 31, 1996;

                 (l)      Entered into any employment, compensation, or
collective bargaining agreement with any person or group or consulting
agreement not identified in Section 5.3 of the  Company Disclosure Schedule,
other than in the ordinary course of business;

                 (m)      Entered into, adopted, or materially amended any
employee benefit plan; or

                 (n)      Entered into any other material commitment or
transaction not disclosed elsewhere herein or in the Company Disclosure
Schedule, other than in the ordinary course of business.

         2.14    No Material Undisclosed Liabilities.  To the knowledge of the
Company or the Shareholder, there is no liability or obligation of the Company
and the Company Subsidiaries of any nature, whether absolute, accrued,
contingent, or otherwise, other than:





                                       11
<PAGE>   19
                 (a)       the liabilities and obligations that are fully
reflected, accrued, or reserved against on the Company Balance Sheet, for which
the reserves are appropriate and reasonable, or incurred in the ordinary course
of business and consistent with past practices since July 31, 1997;

                 (b)       the loss contingencies set forth in Section 2.14 of
the Company Disclosure Schedule;

                 (c)       contractual liabilities or obligations of a nature
not required to be disclosed on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles, but which, if material, are disclosed
in Section 2.14 of the Company Disclosure Schedule; and

                 (d)       other liabilities and loss contingencies which are
not material in the aggregate to the business, operations, assets or condition
(financial or otherwise) of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as
a whole.

          The Company and the Company Subsidiaries are not signatories to, and
are not in any manner a guarantor, endorser, assumptor or otherwise primarily
or secondarily liable for or responsible for the payment of, any notes payable
other than those set forth in Section 2.21 of the Company Disclosure Schedule.

         2.15    Tax Liabilities.  The Company and each Company Subsidiary have
filed all material federal, state, county, local, and foreign tax returns and
reports required to be filed by them, including those with respect to income,
payroll, property, withholding, social security, unemployment, franchise,
excise, use and sales taxes, and have either paid in full all taxes that have
become due as reflected on any such return or report and any interest and
penalties with respect thereto or, as of July 31, 1997, they have fully accrued
on their books or have established adequate reserves for all taxes payable but
not yet due, except that at July 31, 1997, the unrecorded contingent liability
of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries with respect to payroll,
withholding, social security, unemployment, franchise, property, sales, use and
excise taxes did not exceed $75,000 in the aggregate for all such taxes.  The
total of all payments in 1997 of taxes, interest and penalties of  the Company
and the Company Subsidiaries for periods ended prior to January 1, 1997 have
not exceeded the accrued liability for such items shown on the Company
Financial Statements as of July 31, 1997 for periods ended December 31, 1996;
neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has, subsequent to December 31,
1996, accrued or set aside any reserves on its books and records for any taxes,
interest or penalties for any period ended prior to January 1, 1997 nor has any
of them made any payments in 1997 of taxes, interest or penalties for periods
ended prior to January 1, 1997 that were not reflected in the accrued liability
therefor (including deferred taxes) shown on the  Company Financial Statements
as of July 31, 1997 for periods ended December 31, 1996.  There are no reserves
(other than for deferred taxes) reflected in the Company Financial Statements
as of July 31, 1997 for periods ended December 31, 1996 for taxes, interest or
penalties in excess of those shown to be due on any tax returns that have been
filed for any periods then ended.  Neither the Internal Revenue Service nor any
other taxing authority has audited or is in the process of





                                       12
<PAGE>   20
auditing the tax returns and reports of the Company and the Company
Subsidiaries, and no claim for additional taxes, interest, or penalties for any
fiscal year is pending.  The Company and the Company Subsidiaries have
delivered to Tyler true, complete and correct copies of (i) all federal and
state income or franchise tax returns for the Company and the Company
Subsidiaries for all periods ending on and after December 31, 1994 and (ii)
relevant portions of income and franchise tax examination reports, statements
of deficiencies, closing or other agreements received by, assessed against or
agreed to by the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries, relating to such
taxes, since December 31, 1994, if any.  No extension or waiver of any statute
of limitations has been requested of or granted by the Company or any Company
Subsidiary with respect to any tax year, and no extension or waiver of time
within which to file any tax return has been requested by or granted to the
Company or any Company Subsidiary except with respect to tax returns not yet
filed but otherwise due.  No unsatisfied deficiency, delinquency, or default
for any tax, assessment, or governmental charge has been claimed  or assessed,
or to the knowledge of the Company and Shareholder, proposed against the
Company or any Company Subsidiary, nor has the Company or any Company
Subsidiary received notice of any such deficiency, delinquency, or default, for
any tax period.  Neither the Company nor Shareholder has any reason to believe
that the Company or any Company Subsidiary has any material contingent income
tax liabilities other than those reflected on the Company Balance Sheet and
those arising in the ordinary course of business since the date thereof, and
those arising as a result of the transactions contemplated hereby.  The Company
has qualified and elected to be taxed as a "small business corporation" or "S
corporation" under Section 1361, et seq., of the Code since January 1, 1997.
The Company will take no action prior to the Closing which would cause it to no
longer qualify as such a "small business corporation" or "S corporation."

         2.16    Title to Properties.

                 (a)      Section 2.16(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule
lists or depicts on a map the location of the Headquarters Facilities (as
defined in Section 5.11) and each parcel of real property owned by the Company
and the Company Subsidiaries, summary descriptions of the real property and all
improvements located thereon, and the approximate acreage contained therein.

                 (b)      Except as they have since been affected subsequent to
July 31, 1997 by transactions in the ordinary course of business and consistent
with past practices, and except for assets subject to financing leases required
to be capitalized under generally accepted accounting principles which are
reflected in the Company Balance Sheet or notes thereto, the Company and the
Company Subsidiaries have good and marketable title to the assets reflected in
the Company Balance Sheet or otherwise on their books and records as being
owned as of July 31, 1997, or purchased or otherwise acquired by any of them
since July 31, 1997, and the Company has good and marketable title to or valid
licenses to use the assets described in Section 2.20 below and to the following
assets whether or not reflected in the Company Balance Sheet or on such books
and records:





                                       13
<PAGE>   21
                               (i)         Title or abstract plants meeting the
requirements of the Texas Insurance Code for the Texas counties of Collin,
Denton and Tarrant, and  as an integral part thereof the computer data files of
and the magnetic tapes containing information abstracted for title plant
purposes from documents maintained by county clerks or recorders or other
governmental officials and the microfilm of such documents created for title
plant purposes;

                              (ii)         The computer data files and magnetic
tapes containing information abstracted for purposes of preparing printed
copies of indices provided as a service to county clerks, recorders or other
governmental officials from documents maintained by such county clerks,
recorders or other governmental officials (but not the printed copies of such
indices or the microfilm created as a service to such officials);

                             (iii)         The computer programs and
applications software, in both object code and source code form, and all
documentation therefor (excluding operating systems software leased by or
licensed to the Company and the Company Subsidiaries) utilized by the Company
and the Company Subsidiaries to provide on-line services to their title
insurance company customers;

                              (iv)         The computer programs and
applications software, in both object code and source code form, and all
documentation therefor (excluding operating systems software leased by or
licensed to the Company and the Company Subsidiaries) utilized by the Company
and the Company Subsidiaries for any other applications, including data entry,
batch processing for county customers, microcomputers installed at county
offices, financial applications and providing computer output microfilm; and

                               (v)         The camera equipment installed at
county offices which is identified in Section 2.16(b) of the Company Disclosure
Schedule.

                 (c)      The assets identified in subsection (b) above and the
assets described in Section 2.20 below are, and the Headquarters Facilities
will be, owned by or licensed to the Company or the Company Subsidiaries free
and clear of any lien, claim or encumbrance except those disclosed in the
Company Balance Sheet or notes thereto or in Section 2.16(c) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule and except for:

                               (i)         Liens for taxes, assessments, or
other governmental charges not yet delinquent, or the validity of which are
being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings listed in Section
2.16(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedule;

                              (ii)         Statutory liens incurred in the
ordinary course of business that are not yet delinquent, or the validity of
which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings described in
Section 2.16(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedule;





                                       14
<PAGE>   22
                             (iii)         The rights of customers of the
Company or any Company Subsidiary with respect to inventory or work in progress
under purchase orders or contracts entered into by the Company or a Company
Subsidiary in the ordinary course of business;

                              (iv)         Liens, claims, or encumbrances
consisting of leases of equipment to customers entered into in the ordinary
course of business;

                               (v)         Liens, claims, or encumbrances
described in real estate title insurance binders or commitments, or abstracts
of title to real estate, furnished or to be furnished to Tyler in connection
with the transactions contemplated hereby, unless Tyler objects to the same in
writing within five business days after receipt of such title documents;

                              (vi)         Restrictions and constraints set
forth in the license agreements described in Section 2.20 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule; and

                             (vii)         Other liens, claims, or encumbrances
that, in the aggregate, do not materially detract from the value of, or
materially interfere with the present use of, such assets.

                 (d)      Except for those assets acquired since the date of
the Company Balance Sheet, all tangible properties and assets material to the
present operations of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries are reflected on
the Company Balance Sheet and notes thereto in the manner and to the extent
required by generally accepted accounting principles.  Immediately after the
Closing, the Company and the Company Subsidiaries will own or lease or
otherwise possess the rights to use all assets necessary to the conduct of the
business conducted by Company and the Company Subsidiaries immediately before
the Closing.

         2.17    Condition of Tangible Assets.  Except as set forth in Section
2.17 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the tangible assets of the Company and
the Company Subsidiaries which are material to the business, operations, assets
or financial condition of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a
whole, are in good condition and repair and, in the good faith belief of the
Shareholder, are adequate for the uses to which they are being put in the
ordinary course of their respective businesses.

         2.18    Accounts Receivable.  To the knowledge of the Company and the
Shareholder, all accounts receivable reflected in the Company Balance Sheet or
arising since July 31, 1997 either have been collected or are enforceable and
collectible claims not subject to any valid defense, offset, or credit, except
to the extent of any reserves established for doubtful accounts in a manner
consistent with such practices in prior periods.

         2.19    Inventory Good and Salable. To the knowledge of the Company
and the Shareholder, the inventories reflected in the Company Balance Sheet or
acquired after July 31, 1997 consist





                                       15
<PAGE>   23
generally of items of a quantity and quality usable and salable in the ordinary
course of the business of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries.

         2.20    Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights.  Set forth in Section
2.20 of the Company Disclosure Schedule is a true and correct description of:

                 (a)      all material trademarks, trade names, service marks,
patents, copyrights, and applications therefor and all license, royalty,
assignment, and other similar agreements relating to the foregoing currently
owned, in whole or in part, by the Company or any Company Subsidiary;

                 (b)      all material agreements relating to technology,
know-how, or processes that  the Company or any Company Subsidiary is licensed
or authorized to use by others or licenses or authorizes others to use; and

                 (c)      all computer programs and applications software
utilized by the Company or the Company Subsidiaries and all license, royalty,
assignment, and other similar agreements relating to the foregoing.

Except to the extent set forth in Section 2.20 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, the Company or a Company Subsidiary has, to the knowledge of the
Company and the Shareholder, the sole and exclusive right to use the patents,
trademarks, trade names, copyrights, service marks, technology, know-how, and
processes identified in such Section 2.20 without infringing or violating the
rights of any other person, and to the knowledge of the Company and the
Shareholder no consent of third parties will be required for the use thereof by
the Company upon consummation of the Merger and there are no past due or
delinquent license fees, rents, royalties, or other charges that the Company is
required or obligated to pay with respect to any of the foregoing.  Except as
disclosed in Section 2.20 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, no claim has been
asserted by any person to the ownership of or right to use any such patent,
trademark, trade name, copyright, service mark, technology, know-how, or
process or challenging or questioning the validity or effectiveness of any such
license or agreement, and the Company knows of no valid basis for any such
claim. To the knowledge of the Company and the Shareholder, except as disclosed
in Section 2.20 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, each of the foregoing is
valid and subsisting, has not been canceled, abandoned, or otherwise
terminated, and, if applicable, has been duly issued or filed.

         2.21    Contracts. Set forth in Section 2.21 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule are complete and accurate lists of the following contracts and
commitments (including summaries of oral contracts) to which the Company or any
Company Subsidiary is a party or bound:

                 (a)      Contracts with any labor union;

                 (b)      Employee benefit plans or contracts;





                                       16
<PAGE>   24
                 (c)      Employment or similar contracts, including
confidentiality agreements and agreements to assign inventions, patents and
copyrights, and consulting agreements (other than those entered into in the
ordinary course of business);

                 (d)      Leases, whether as lessor or lessee, involving annual
rental payments in excess of $15,000, that are not terminable at will or upon
notice of 30 days or less by the Company or a  Company Subsidiary;

                 (e)      Loan agreements, mortgages, indentures, instruments
of indebtedness or commitments involving indebtedness for borrowed money or
money loaned to others in excess of $15,000, but excluding intercompany items;

                 (f)      Guaranty or suretyship, performance bond,
indemnification, or contribution agreements involving obligations in excess of
$15,000, but excluding intercompany items;

                 (g)      Contracts with customers or suppliers that involve
aggregate payments to or by the Company or any Company Subsidiary of more than
$15,000, and that are not terminable at will or upon notice of 30 days or less
by the Company or a Company Subsidiary;

                 (h)      Distribution, marketing, dealership, sales, or agency
agreements material to  the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a
whole, that are not terminable at will or upon notice of 30 days or less by the
Company or a Company Subsidiary;

                 (i)      Joint venture, partnership, or other agreements
evidencing an ownership interest or a participation in or sharing of profits;

                 (j)      Contracts containing noncompetition covenants,
covenants to register securities, or negative or restrictive financial
covenants that are not terminable at will or upon notice of 30 days or less by
the Company or a Company Subsidiary;

                 (k)      Voting agreements relating to securities of the
Company or the Company Subsidiaries (whether or not any of those entities is a
party thereto);

                 (l)      Insurance policies involving annual premium payments
of more than $1,500;

                 (m)      Powers of attorney;

                 (n)      Contracts between the Company or any Company
Subsidiary and the Shareholder, his spouse, or any affiliate or relative
thereof; and





                                       17
<PAGE>   25
                 (o)      Other contracts not made in the ordinary course of
business or that, in the reasonable judgment of the Shareholder, are material
to the businesses, operations, assets, or  financial condition of the Company
and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

Included in the list of customers specified in subsection (g) above, and so
identified, are all contracts and commitments, whether written or oral,
relating to the purchase, sale or lease of abstract or title plants by the
Company and the Company Subsidiaries in 1996 and 1997.  No contract or
commitment listed in Section 2.21 of the Company Disclosure Schedule has been
amended or modified or the rights and obligations evidenced thereby otherwise
affected in a manner materially adverse to the Company or the Company
Subsidiaries, except by an instrument which is also included in such listing,
and each contract or commitment, as so amended, modified or affected, contains
all material provisions with respect to the subject matter thereof.  The
Company and the  Shareholder have furnished or made available to Tyler accurate
and complete copies of all of the contracts, commitments or instruments listed
in Section 2.21 of the Company Disclosure Schedule. Except as set forth in
Section 2.21 of the Company Disclosure Schedule or with respect to contracts
not material to the businesses, operations, assets or financial condition of
the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, (i) to the
knowledge of the Company and the Shareholder, all such contracts are valid,
binding, subsisting, and enforceable in all material respects; (ii) to the
knowledge of the Company and the Shareholder and in their good faith belief the
Merger will not affect the continuance in full force and effect of such
contracts; and (iii) there is no material dispute among the parties to any such
contract and no material penalty has been incurred with respect thereto.
Except as set forth in Section 2.21 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, neither
the Company nor any Company Subsidiary nor the Shareholder has received notice
of any plan or intention of any other party to any such contract or agreement
to exercise any right to cancel or terminate any such contract or agreement,
and neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary nor the Shareholder knows of
any fact that would justify the exercise of such right.  Neither the Company
nor any Company Subsidiary nor the Shareholder currently contemplates, or has
any reason to believe any other person or entity currently contemplates, any
amendment or change to any of the contracts or agreements referred to in
Section 2.21 of the Company Disclosure Schedule.  Except as disclosed in
Section 2.21 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, none of the Company's or the
Company Subsidiaries' customers or suppliers, that during the year ended
December 31, 1996 accounted for as much as 2% of consolidated sales or
purchases of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, has refused, or
communicated that it will or may refuse, to purchase or supply goods or
services, as the case may be, or has communicated that it will or may
substantially reduce the amount of goods or services that it is willing to
purchase from, or sell to, the Company or any  Company Subsidiary after the
date hereof.

         2.22    Litigation and Claims.  Neither the Company nor any Company
Subsidiary nor the Shareholder is a party to, and the businesses or assets of
the Company and the Company Subsidiaries are not the subject of or affected by,
any pending or to the knowledge of the Company or the Shareholder, threatened
suit, claim, action, or litigation with any party or any administrative,
arbitration, or other governmental proceeding, investigation, or inquiry, or
any pending change in





                                       18
<PAGE>   26
any regulations, statutes or ordinances, which would, severally or in the
aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the businesses, results of
operations, assets, or the condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company
and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.  To the knowledge of the
Company or the Shareholder, no suit, claim, action or demand is currently
pending, has been made or filed, or is or has been threatened or contemplated
by any person or entity, and there exists no judgment or order (whether or not
the Company or a  Company Subsidiary is a party to any of the foregoing)
regarding or affecting the ownership, disclosure, copying, possession or
utilization by the Company or the Company Subsidiaries of the assets reflected
in the books and records of the Company or the Company Subsidiaries, or
(whether or not so reflected) the microfilm in the possession of the Company
and the Company Subsidiaries of title documents filed in any county clerk's or
recorder's office with which they conduct business, computer data files and
magnetic tapes containing information abstracted from such title documents,
indices (other than copies of grantor/grantee indices provided as a service to
county clerks or recorders) generated from such data files utilizing the
computer systems of the Company and the  Company Subsidiaries, software
programs used in their businesses, and the computers and peripheral equipment
and the other equipment and machines used in their businesses.

         2.23    Judgments, Decrees, and Orders in Restraint of Business.
Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is a party to or subject to any
judgment, order, or decree entered in any suit or proceeding brought by any
governmental agency or by any other person enjoining it in respect of any
business practice or the acquisition of any property or the conduct of its
business.

         2.24    No Violation of Any Instrument.  Neither the Company nor any
Company Subsidiary is in violation of or default under nor, to the knowledge of
the Company or the Shareholder, has any event occurred that, with or without
the giving of notice, lapse of time or the occurrence of any other event, would
constitute a violation of or default under, or permit the termination or the
acceleration of maturity of, or result in the imposition of a lien, claim, or
encumbrance upon any property or asset of the Company or any  Company
Subsidiary pursuant to, the articles or certificate of incorporation or bylaws
of the Company or any Company Subsidiary or any note, bond, indenture,
mortgage, deed of trust, evidence of indebtedness, loan or lease agreement, or
other agreement or instrument (including with customers) listed or required to
be listed in Section 2.21 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, or any judgment,
order, injunction, or decree, to which it is a party, by which it is bound, or
to which any of its assets is subject, which would have a material adverse
effect on the businesses, operations, assets or financial condition of the
Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

         2.25     Compliance With Laws.    The Company and the Company
Subsidiaries are substantially in compliance with all laws applicable to their
businesses, where failure so to comply would have a material adverse effect on
the businesses, operations, assets, prospects, or financial  condition of the
Company and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

         2.26    Compensation and Benefit Plans.





                                       19
<PAGE>   27
                 (a)      Section 2.26 of the Company Disclosure Schedule
includes a complete and accurate list of all pension, profit sharing, Section
401(k), thrift-savings, simplified employee pension, excess benefit plan,
deferred compensation, incentive compensation, stock bonus, stock option,
restricted stock, cash bonus, employee stock ownership, severance pay, golden
parachute, cafeteria, flexible compensation, life insurance, medical, dental,
disability, welfare, or vacation plans or arrangements of any kind and any
other Employee Pension Benefit Plan or Employee Welfare Benefit Plan (as such
terms are defined in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended ("ERISA")) in which employees or former employees of the Company or any
Company Subsidiary participate (collectively, the "Benefit Plans").

                 (b)      Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary
participates currently in or has ever participated in, or is required currently
to or has ever been required to contribute to or otherwise participate in, any
"multi-employer plan," as defined in Sections 3(37)(A) and 4001(a)(3) of ERISA
and Section 414(f) of the Code.  Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary
participates currently in or has ever participated in, or is required currently
to or has ever been required to contribute to or otherwise participate in, any
plan, program or arrangement subject to Title IV of ERISA.

                 (c)       No former employee of the Company or any Company
Subsidiary is entitled, and no current employee will be entitled after
termination of employment, to participate in any Employee Welfare Benefit Plan
as defined in ERISA, other than participation required to be permitted by the
Company or any Company Subsidiary under Section 4980B of the Code and Sections
601 to 609 of ERISA.

                 (d)      The Company and the Shareholder have delivered to
Tyler true, correct and complete copies of the Benefit Plans and each
applicable summary plan description and the most recent Form 5500s applicable
to such Benefit Plans.  Section 2.26 of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets
forth the costs attributable to each Benefit Plan determined on an annual
basis. Except as reflected or reserved against on the Company Balance Sheet,
there is no unfunded liability with respect to any Benefit Plan.  None of the
assets of any of the Company's or any Company Subsidiary's Benefit Plans are
invested in any property constituting employer real property or employer
security within the meaning of Section 407(d) of ERISA.

                 (e)      Each Employee Pension Benefit Plan sponsored,
maintained or contributed to by the Company or any Company Subsidiary is
qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code; all related trusts are exempt from
federal income tax under Section 501(a) of the Code; each such plan has
received a determination letter from the IRS stating that the plan is qualified
under Section 401(a) of the Code and all related trusts are exempt from federal
income tax under Section 501(a) of the Code (which determination letter
includes all statutory and regulatory provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1986
and subsequent legislation for which a determination letter may be obtained);
and to the knowledge of the Company, nothing has occurred since the date of the
last such determination which resulted in, or is likely to result in, the
revocation of such determination.  A





                                       20
<PAGE>   28
copy of the latest determination letter applicable to any Employee Pension
Benefit Plan has been delivered to Tyler.

                 (f)      Each of the Benefit Plans has been administered in
material compliance with its underlying documentation, the requirements of
ERISA, the Code and all other applicable laws.  All returns required to be made
under ERISA and the Code with respect to the Benefit Plans have been timely
filed and the Company or any Company Subsidiary has made all contributions
required under the terms of any Benefit Plan (including, but in no way limited
to, employer matching contributions and non-elective contributions and the
deposit of elective deferrals as such terms are defined in the Code) for all
periods through and including the date hereof.

                 (g)      To the knowledge of the Company, there are not now,
nor have there ever been, any transactions involving the Benefit Plans or any
fiduciary or administrator thereof which are prohibited under ERISA or the Code
or for which an individual, class or statutory exemption is not available.

                 (h)      There are no pending or, to the knowledge of the
Company, any threatened claims by or on behalf of the Benefit Plans, the United
States Department of Labor, the Internal Revenue Service, or any current or
former employee of the Company or any Company Subsidiary or beneficiary of such
current or former employee alleging a breach of any fiduciary duties or a
violation of applicable state or federal law which could result in liability on
the part of the Company, any Company Subsidiary or a Benefit Plan under ERISA
or any other law, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, is there any basis for
such a claim and neither the Company, any Company Subsidiary  nor, to the
knowledge of the Company, any administrator or fiduciary of any Benefit Plan
(or agent of the foregoing) has engaged in any transaction or acted or failed
to act in any manner which would subject the Company to any liability for a
breach of fiduciary duty under ERISA.  The transactions contemplated by this
Agreement (either alone or together with any other event) will not (i)
terminate or modify the provisions of any Benefit Plan or (ii) trigger an event
under any Benefit Plan or employer benefit arrangement or law that will result
in any payment (whether of severance pay or otherwise) becoming due from the
Company or a Company Subsidiary.

         2.27    Labor Relations.

                 (a)      To the knowledge of the Company or the Shareholder,
the Company and the Company Subsidiaries (i) are in substantial compliance with
all applicable laws respecting employment and employment practices, terms and
conditions of employment (including occupational health and safety),
nondiscrimination, and wages and hours and (ii) are not engaged in any unfair
labor practice, that in any such case would have a material adverse effect on
the businesses, operations, assets or financial condition of the Company and
the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.





                                       21
<PAGE>   29
                 (b)      There is no unfair labor practice complaint against
Company or any Company Subsidiary pending or, to the knowledge of the Company
or Shareholder, threatened before the National Labor Relations Board.

                 (c)      There is no strike, labor dispute, slowdown,
stoppage, or other material interference with or impairment by labor of the
business of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries actually pending or, to
the knowledge of the Company or the Shareholder, threatened or contemplated
against or directly affecting the Company or any Company Subsidiary.

                 (d)      To the knowledge of the Company or the Shareholder,
no question of union representation exists respecting the employees of the
Company or any Company Subsidiary and no union organizing activities are taking
place.

                 (e)      Since July 31, 1997, no key employees of the Company
or the Company Subsidiaries have been terminated or have resigned their
employment.

         2.28    Adequate Insurance.  The Company and the Company Subsidiaries
maintain insurance coverage that the Company and the Shareholder believe is
reasonably adequate to protect the assets and operations of the Company and the
Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, and is sufficient for material
compliance with all requirements of law and all agreements to which the Company
or any Company Subsidiary is a party.  No notice of any termination or
threatened termination of such policies has been received by the Company or any
Company Subsidiary and, to the knowledge of the Company or the Shareholder,
such policies are valid, binding, and enforceable.

         2.29    Contracts with Affiliates and Others.  No director or officer
of the Company or any Company Subsidiary, nor any person who is a spouse or
descendant of such director or officer, has any direct or indirect relationship
with any customer or supplier of, or other contracting party with, the Company
or any Company Subsidiary (other than as a director, officer, or shareholder of
the Company) that would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement
relating to the election of directors filed under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 (the "Exchange Act").

         2.30    Revenue Recognition.  The Company and the Company Subsidiaries
have not recognized and do not recognize revenues from customers in advance of
performing the services or furnishing the products for which the revenues were
or are received.

         2.31    Certain Fees.  Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary
nor any officer, director, or employee of the Company or any Company Subsidiary
has employed any broker or finder or incurred any liability for any brokerage
fees, commissions, or finders' fees in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby.

         2.32    Environmental Matters.  To the knowledge of the Company or the
Shareholder:





                                       22
<PAGE>   30
                 (a)      The Company, the Company Subsidiaries, and their
respective property (whether real, personal, owned, leased, managed or
operated) (collectively, "Business Facilities") are in compliance with
applicable laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, orders or guidance documents
now in effect of any applicable governmental authority or any judicial or
administrative decision relating thereto that relate in any manner to health,
Materials of Environmental Concern, the environment, or a community's right to
know (collectively, Environmental Laws");

                 (b)      There are no Materials of Environmental Concern on
any Business Facility in any quantity or concentration exceeding any limitation
or standard established pursuant to Environmental Laws;

                 (c)      There are no actual or threatened claims, demands,
allegations, actions, suits, investigations, notices, or proceedings against or
relating to the Company or any of its Company Subsidiaries or any of their
Business Facilities relating to or arising out of the use, presence, or
handling of Materials of Environmental Concern or compliance with Environmental
Laws (collectively, "Environmental Claims"), and there is no basis for any such
Environmental Claims; and

                 (d)      There are no events, conditions, circumstances,
facts, activities, practices, incidents or plans relating to or arising out of
the operations of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries which will
prevent or interfere with compliance with Environmental Laws by Tyler after the
Closing, or which may give rise to any common law or statutory liability under
Environmental Laws or form the basis of an Environmental Claim against the
Company, any of the Company Subsidiaries, or any of their respective Business
Facilities.

"Materials of Environmental Concern" means: (i) those substances included
within the statutory and/or regulatory definitions of "hazardous substance,"
"hazardous waste," "extremely hazardous substance," "regulated substance,"
"hazardous materials," or "toxic substances," under any Environmental Law; (ii)
any material, waste or substance which is or contains: (A) petroleum, oil or a
fraction or constituent thereof, (B) asbestos, (C) polychlorinated biphenyls,
(D) formaldehyde, (E) explosives, or (F) radioactive materials (including
NORM); (iii) solid wastes (as defined under the Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 6901 et seq., and its implementing regulations)
that post imminent and substantial endangerment to health or the environment;
(iv) any material, waste or substance designated classified or regulated as a
"Class I" or "Class II" waste under Title 30 of the Texas Administrative Code;
and (v) such other substances, materials, or wastes that are or become
classified or regulated as hazardous or toxic under any applicable federal,
state or local law or regulation. To the extent that the laws or regulations of
any applicable state or local jurisdiction establish a meaning for any term
defined herein through reference to federal Environmental Laws which is broader
than the meaning under such federal Environmental Laws, such broader meaning
shall apply.





                                       23
<PAGE>   31
         2.33    Section 368 Representations.  (a) There is no present plan,
intention or arrangement by the Shareholder, who owns of record and
beneficially, and on the Closing Date will own of record and beneficially, all
the outstanding Company Common Stock and who will receive the total Merger
Consideration, to sell, exchange, transfer or otherwise dispose of, or reduce
the risk of loss relating to any of, the shares of Tyler Common Stock received
by him pursuant to the Merger that would reduce the Shareholder's holdings, or
risks incident to the ownership, of Tyler Common Stock to a number of shares
having a total fair market value at the Effective Time of less than fifty
percent (50%) of the total fair market value of all of the Company's capital
stock outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time.  For purposes of
this Section 2.33, shares of the Company's capital stock sold, redeemed or
otherwise disposed of prior or subsequent to and as a part of the overall
transaction contemplated by the Merger will be considered to be capital stock
of the Company outstanding immediately prior to the Merger.

         (b)     Neither the Company, Tyler, any Company Subsidiary nor any
Tyler Subsidiary will assume any debts or obligations of the Shareholder as
part of the Merger, other than the assumption by Tyler Sub, as the Surviving
Corporation in the Merger, of debts of the Company that are guaranteed by
Shareholder.

         (c)     There have not been any sales or redemptions of the Company's
capital stock in contemplation of the Merger.  There have been no transactions
in the capital stock of the Company during the past twelve months.

         (d)     The liabilities of the Company assumed by Tyler as a part of
the Merger and the liabilities to which the transferred assets of the Company
are subject were incurred by the Company in the ordinary course of its
business, other than the funds borrowed to pay the bonuses to employees and
make the distributions to the Shareholder permitted pursuant to Sections 5.9
and 5.6 of this Agreement.

         (e)     The Company will pay the expenses incurred in connection with
the Merger by it and the Shareholder.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the
extent any of the expenses relating to the Merger (or the "plan of
reorganization" within the meaning of the Department of Treasury Regulation
Section 1.368-1(c) with respect to the Merger) are funded directly or
indirectly by a party other than the party incurring such expense, such
expenses will be within the guidelines established in Revenue Ruling 73-54,
1973-1 C.B. 187.

         (f)     Other than dividends to the Shareholder for purposes of
funding his federal tax liabilities with respect to 1997 income of the Company,
the Company has not, and pursuant to this Agreement will not, distribute any
assets (either as a dividend or otherwise) constituting more than 10% of the
fair market value of all of its assets at any time either during the past
twelve months or in contemplation of the Merger.





                                       24
<PAGE>   32
         (g)     The Company is not an investment company as defined in Section
368 (a) (2) (F) (iii) and (iv) of the Code.

         (h)     The Company is not under the jurisdiction of a court in a
Title 11 or similar case within the meaning of Section 368 (a) (3) (A) of the
Code.

         (i)     None of the compensation to be received by the Shareholder
under the Employment Agreement (or any other employment, consulting or similar
services agreement, whether written or oral) will be separate consideration
for, or allocable to, any of his shares of Company Common Stock.  None of the
shares of Tyler Common Stock to be received by the Shareholder will be separate
consideration for, or allocable, to the Employment Agreement (or any other
employment, consulting, or similar services agreement, whether written or
oral).

         2.34    Accuracy of Information Furnished.  No representation or
warranty by the Company or the Shareholder in this Agreement (including the
Company Disclosure Schedule) or any other agreement or document executed or to
be executed by the Company or the Shareholder in connection herewith contains
or will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omits or will omit
to state any material fact necessary to make the statements herein or therein,
in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not false or
misleading.

         2.35    Representations Limited.  Notwithstanding anything herein to
the contrary, representations or warranties with respect to any Company
Subsidiary with respect to periods prior to the time such Company Subsidiary
(or its assets if acquired as substantially all of the assets of another
person) was acquired by the Company are made to the knowledge of the Company or
the Shareholder.


                                   ARTICLE 3
                    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF  TYLER

          Tyler and Sub jointly and severally represent and warrant to the
Company and the Shareholder as follows:

         3.1     Organization and Good Standing of Tyler.  Tyler is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the
laws of the State of Delaware.  Sub is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Texas.

         3.2     Foreign Qualification.  Tyler is duly qualified or licensed to
do business as a foreign corporation and in good standing in those
jurisdictions set forth in Section 3.2 of the schedule delivered by Tyler
concurrently with the execution of this Agreement (the "Tyler Disclosure
Schedule").  Tyler is duly qualified or licensed to do business as a foreign
corporation in every jurisdiction where the failure so to qualify would have a
material adverse effect on the businesses,





                                       25
<PAGE>   33
operations, assets, or financial condition of Tyler and the Tyler Subsidiaries
(as defined in Section 3.7), taken as a whole.  For purposes of this Section
3.2, no material adverse affect shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of
non-payment of state or local franchise taxes not exceeding $75,000 in the
aggregate.

         3.3     Power and Authority to Conduct Business.  Each of Tyler and
Sub has the corporate power and authority, and possess all licenses and
permits, required by governmental authorities to own, lease, and operate its
properties and assets and to carry on its business as currently being
conducted, except where the failure to possess such license or permit does not
and would not have a material adverse effect on the business, operations,
assets or financial condition of Tyler and the Tyler Subsidiaries, taken as a
whole.

         3.4     Authority to Consummate Merger.  Each of Tyler and Sub has the
corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations
under this Agreement and the other agreements or documents executed or required
to be executed by it in connection with this Agreement and, subject to
obtaining approval of the stockholders of Tyler, the execution, delivery and
performance by each of Tyler and Sub of this Agreement and the other documents
executed or to be executed by it in connection with this Agreement have been
duly authorized by all necessary corporate action.

         3.5     Binding Effect.  This Agreement and the other documents
executed or required to be executed by Tyler or Sub in connection with this
Agreement have been or will have been duly executed and delivered by Tyler or
Sub and are or will be, when executed and delivered, the legal, valid, and
binding obligations of Tyler or Sub executing the same, enforceable in
accordance with their terms except that:

                 (a)       enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy,
insolvency, or other similar laws affecting creditors' rights;

                 (b)       the availability of equitable remedies may be
limited by equitable principles of general applicability; and

                 (c)       rights to indemnification under Section 10.6 may be
limited by considerations of public policy.

         3.6     Compliance with Other Instruments.  Subject to obtaining the
approval of the stockholders of Tyler and except as disclosed in Section 3.6 of
the Tyler Disclosure Schedule, neither the execution and delivery by Tyler or
Sub of this Agreement or the other agreements or documents executed or required
to be executed by Tyler or Sub in connection herewith, nor the consummation by
Tyler or Sub of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will (i)
conflict with the articles of incorporation or bylaws of Tyler or Sub, (ii)
assuming satisfaction of the requirements set forth in clause (iii) below,
violate any provision of law applicable to Tyler or any





                                       26
<PAGE>   34
of the Tyler Subsidiaries; (iii) except for (A) requirements arising out of the
HSR Act, (B) requirements of federal and state securities laws, and (C) the
filing of articles of merger in accordance with the TBCA, require any consent,
authorization, permit, license or approval of, or declaration, registration or
filing with or notice to, any person or governmental body or authority,
domestic or foreign, under any provision of law applicable to Tyler or any of
the Tyler Subsidiaries; or (iv) require any consent, approval or notice under,
violate, breach, be in conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event
that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) under,
or permit the termination or the acceleration of maturity of, or result in the
imposition of any lien, claim, or encumbrance upon any property or asset of
Tyler or any Tyler Subsidiary pursuant to any note, bond, indenture, mortgage,
deed of trust, evidence of indebtedness, loan or lease agreement, other
agreement or instrument or any judgment, order, injunction, or decree by which
Tyler or any Tyler Subsidiary is bound, to which any of them is a party, or to
which any of their assets is subject, except for those violations and breaches
that would not have a material adverse effect on the businesses, operations,
assets or financial condition of Tyler and the Tyler Subsidiaries, taken as a
whole.

         3.7     Capitalization of Tyler.

                 (a)      The authorized capital stock of Tyler consists of
50,000,000 shares of Tyler Common Stock, and 1,000,000 shares of preferred
stock, par value $10.00 per share ("Tyler Preferred Stock"), of which
22,007,921 shares of Tyler Common Stock and no shares of Tyler Preferred Stock
were issued and outstanding as of September 30, 1997 and 1,301,356 shares of
Common Stock were held in treasury.  All of the issued and outstanding shares
of Tyler Common Stock have been duly authorized and are validly issued and are
fully paid and nonassessable.  There are no shares of the capital stock of
Tyler held in its treasury or in the treasury of any corporation of which Tyler
is the record or beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of
the capital stock (each such corporation being referred to as a "Tyler
Subsidiary").  The shares of Tyler Common Stock to be issued in the Merger,
when issued and delivered, will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid,
and nonassessable.

                 (b)      As of the date hereof, the authorized capital stock
of Sub consists of 1,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, all
of which are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and are owned by
Tyler.

                 (c)      Except as described in Section 3.7 of the Tyler
Disclosure Schedule and in the Tyler Financial Statements (as hereinafter
defined), there is no outstanding subscription, contract, convertible or
exchangeable security, option, warrant, call, or other right obligating Tyler
or any Tyler Subsidiary to issue, sell, exchange, or otherwise dispose of, or
to purchase, redeem, or otherwise acquire shares of, or securities convertible
into or exchangeable for, capital stock of Tyler.

         3.8     Commission Filings; Financial Statements.  Section 3.8 of the
Tyler Disclosure Schedule lists all reports, registration statements and other
filings, together with any amendments





                                       27
<PAGE>   35
required to be made with respect thereto, that Tyler has filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission")under the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and the Exchange Act since October
1, 1995.  All reports, registration statements and other filings filed by Tyler
with the Commission since October 1, 1995 through the date of this Agreement,
together with any amendments thereto, are sometimes collectively referred to as
the "Tyler Commission Filings."  Tyler has heretofore provided  the Company and
the Shareholder true, correct and complete copies of the Tyler Commission
Filings.  As of the respective dates of their filing with the Commission, the
Tyler Commission Filings complied in all material respects with the Securities
Act, the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission
promulgated thereunder, and did not contain any untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements made therein, in light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading.

          Each of the consolidated financial statements (including any related
notes or schedules) included in or incorporated by reference into the Tyler
Commission Filings ("Tyler Financial Statements") was, and each of the
consolidated financial statements to be included in the Proxy Statement (as
defined in Section 6.2) (except for those financial statements of the Company
and the Company Subsidiaries furnished by or on behalf of the Company or the
Shareholder to Tyler specifically for use therein) will be, prepared in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied on a
consistent basis (except as may be noted therein or in the notes or schedules
thereto), and fairly present or will fairly present, as the case may be, the
consolidated financial position of Tyler and its consolidated subsidiaries as
of the dates thereof and the results of operations, cash flows and changes in
stockholders' equity for the periods then ended (subject, in the case of the
unaudited interim financial statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments).
Since December 31,  1996, there has been no change in accounting principles
applicable to, or methods of accounting utilized by, Tyler and the books and
records of Tyler and the Tyler Subsidiaries have been and are being maintained
in accordance with all applicable legal and accounting requirements and good
business practice, reflect only valid transactions, are complete and correct in
all material respects, and accurately reflect in all material respects the
basis for the consolidated financial position and consolidated results of
operations and cash flows of Tyler and its consolidated subsidiaries set forth
in the Tyler Financial Statements.

         3.9     Absence of Certain Changes.  Since June 30, 1997, Tyler has
not (except as contemplated by this Agreement or as may result from the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or as described in the Tyler
Disclosure Schedule):

                 (a)      suffered any change in its business, results of
operations, working capital, assets, liabilities, or financial condition or the
manner of conducting its business other than changes that, individually or in
the aggregate, have not had a material adverse effect on the businesses,
operations, assets or financial condition of Tyler and the Tyler Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole;





                                       28
<PAGE>   36
                 (b)       entered into any material commitment or transaction
other than in the ordinary course of business;

                 (c)       written up, written down, or written off the book
value of any material amount of assets;

                 (d)       declared, paid, or set aside for payment any
dividend or distribution with respect to the capital stock of Tyler; or

                 (e)       redeemed, purchased, or otherwise acquired, or sold,
granted or otherwise disposed of, directly or indirectly, any of the capital
stock or securities of Tyler or any rights to acquire such capital stock or
securities, other than normal or periodic purchases, sales and grants under
provisions of existing employee benefit plans and programs of Tyler.

         3.10    No Material Undisclosed Liabilities.  To the knowledge of
Tyler, there is no liability or obligation of  Tyler and the  Tyler
Subsidiaries of any nature, whether absolute, accrued, contingent, or
otherwise, other than:

                 (a)       the liabilities and obligations that are fully
reflected, accrued, or reserved against in the unaudited consolidated balance
sheet of  Tyler and its consolidated subsidiaries as of June 30, 1997, for
which the reserves are appropriate and reasonable, or incurred in the ordinary
course of business and consistent with past practices since June 30,  1997;

                 (b)       the loss contingencies set forth in Section 3.10 of
the  Tyler Disclosure Schedule;

                 (c)       contractual liabilities or obligations of a nature
not required to be disclosed on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles; and

                 (d)       other liabilities and loss contingencies which are
not material in the aggregate to the business, operations, assets or financial
condition of  Tyler and the  Tyler Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

         3.11    Litigation and Government Claims.  Except as described in
Section 3.11 of the Tyler Disclosure Schedule, neither Tyler nor any Tyler
Subsidiary is a party to, and the business or assets of Tyler and the Tyler
Subsidiaries are not the subject of, any pending or, to the knowledge of Tyler,
threatened suit, claim, action, or litigation with any party, or any
administrative, arbitration, or other governmental proceeding, investigation,
or inquiry, in which the amount involved and not covered by insurance exceeds
$250,000.  In the opinion of Tyler and its management, none of such pending or
threatened matters would, severally or in the aggregate, have a material
adverse effect on the business, operations, assets or financial condition of
Tyler and the Tyler Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.





                                       29
<PAGE>   37
         3.12    No Violation of Any Instrument.  Except as disclosed in
Section 3.12 of the Tyler Disclosure Schedule, neither Tyler nor any Tyler
Subsidiary is in violation of or default under nor, to the knowledge of Tyler,
has any event occurred that, with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or
both, would constitute a violation of or default under, or permit the
termination or the acceleration of maturity of, or result in the imposition of
a lien, claim, or encumbrance upon any property or asset of Tyler or any Tyler
Subsidiary pursuant to the articles or certificate of incorporation or bylaws
of  Tyler or any Tyler Subsidiary or any note, bond, indenture, mortgage, deed
of trust, evidence of indebtedness, loan or lease agreement, or other agreement
or instrument or any judgment, order, injunction, or decree to which it is a
party, by which it is bound, or to which any of its assets is subject, which
would have a material adverse effect on the business, operations, assets or
financial condition of Tyler and the Tyler Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

         3.13     Certain Fees.  Neither Tyler nor any officer, director, or
employee of Tyler has employed any broker or finder or incurred any liability
for any brokerage fees, commissions, or finders' fees in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby.

         3.14    No Interim Operations of Sub.  Sub was formed solely for the
purpose of engaging in the transactions contemplated hereby, has engaged in no
other business activities and has conducted its operations only as contemplated
hereby.

         3.15    Accuracy of Information Furnished.  No representation or
warranty by Tyler or Sub in this Agreement (including the Tyler Disclosure
Schedule) or any other agreement or document executed or to be executed by
Tyler or Sub in connection herewith contains or will contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omits or will omit to state any material fact
necessary to make the statements herein or therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not false or misleading.

         3.16    Company Contract Bids.  Tyler acknowledges that,
notwithstanding Section 2.21, certain of the Company's contracts with
governments or governmental agencies may come up for bid in the ordinary course
of business (including Dallas County, Texas in late 1997) and that no guarantee
can be made that the Company will be the successful bidder for such contracts.



                                   ARTICLE 4
           JOINT COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY, THE SHAREHOLDER AND TYLER

         4.1     Access; Confidentiality.

                 (a)      During the period pending the Closing Date, the
Company and the  Shareholder (with respect only to the properties to be leased
by the Shareholder to the Company after the Merger) shall afford to Tyler and
its officers, employees, accountants, counsel, and other





                                       30
<PAGE>   38
authorized representatives, full access to and the right to review and make
copies of the Company's, the Company Subsidiaries', the Company Investments'
(to the extent practicable), and the Shareholder's assets, properties, books,
contracts, commitments, and records, view their physical properties, and
communicate with the key employees of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries
on a basis reasonably satisfactory to and with the prior specific approval of
the Shareholder, and will furnish and use their reasonable best efforts to
cause representatives to furnish promptly to Tyler such additional financial
and operating data and other documents and information (certified if requested
and reasonably susceptible to certification) relating to the Company, the
Company Subsidiaries', the Company Investments' (to the extent practicable),
and the Shareholder's businesses and properties as Tyler or its duly authorized
representatives may from time to time reasonably request.

                 (b)      During the period pending the Closing Date, Tyler
shall afford to the Company and the Shareholder and their accountants, counsel
and other authorized representatives the same rights of access to and
inspection of the books, records, properties, contracts and personnel of Tyler
as those afforded to Tyler and its representatives in Section 4.1(a) above.

                 (c)      Notwithstanding any such investigation by Tyler, the
Company, or the  Shareholder, or any information obtained pursuant thereto, it
or he shall be entitled to rely in full upon the accuracy of the
representations and warranties of the other party or parties contained in this
Agreement and upon its or his representations at Closing as to compliance with
or performance of any covenants made by it or him in this Agreement.  Tyler,
the Company, or the Shareholder shall have no obligation to investigate any
such matters and, if any such matters are investigated, shall have no
obligation to the other party or parties with respect to information obtained
thereby except as provided in Section 12.1 of this Agreement.

                 (d)      The rights and obligations of the Shareholder, the
Company and Tyler pursuant to the Confidentiality Agreement (the
"Confidentiality Agreement") dated September 24, 1997 by and among the
Shareholder, the Company and Tyler will survive the execution and delivery of
this Agreement, and all information obtained by the Shareholder, the Company
and Tyler or any of their respective Representatives (as defined in the
Confidentiality Agreement) pursuant hereto shall be deemed "Information" as
that term is defined in the Confidentiality Agreement, and shall be subject to
the provisions of the Confidentiality Agreement, except to the extent that
Tyler is advised by counsel that disclosure of any such Information, including
the existence of the Confidentiality Agreement, is required by law in
connection with the Merger.

         4.2     Notice of any Material Change.  Each of the Company and Tyler
shall, promptly after the first notice or occurrence or failure to occur
thereof but not later than the Closing Date, supplement or amend its Disclosure
Schedule to disclose the occurrence of any event or the existence of any state
of facts that would:





                                       31
<PAGE>   39
                 (a)       make any of its representations and warranties in
this Agreement untrue in any material respect or constitute a material failure
of such party to comply with or satisfy any covenant, condition or agreement to
be complied with or satisfied by it hereunder;

                  (b)     make it necessary to amend the Proxy Statement in
order to render the statements therein not misleading or to comply with
applicable law; or

                 (c)      otherwise constitute a material adverse change in the
respective businesses, results of operations, working capital, assets,
liabilities or condition (financial or otherwise) of Tyler and the Tyler
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or the Company and the Company Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole.  Subject to the provisions of Section 12.1 of this Agreement,
no supplement or amendment to any Disclosure Schedule shall have any effect for
the purpose of determining the satisfaction of or compliance with the
conditions to the obligations of the parties set forth elsewhere in this
Agreement.

         4.3     Monthly Financial Statements.  During the period pending the
Closing Date, each of  Tyler and the Company shall furnish to the other its
unaudited consolidated balance sheet and  related statements of operations,
stockholders' equity, and cash flows and any supporting schedules for the
accounting periods ending on or about the last day of each such month, promptly
after they are available, but not later than 30 days after the close of such
accounting period.

         4.4     Antitrust Notification.  Within 10 days after the date hereof,
Tyler and the Shareholder shall each file with the Federal Trade Commission
("FTC") and the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice ("DOJ")
the Notification and Report Form required to be filed pursuant to the HSR Act,
and shall timely supply any supplemental information that may be reasonably
requested by the FTC or DOJ in connection therewith.  The Company, the
Shareholder and Tyler shall furnish to each other such necessary information
and reasonable assistance as the other party may request in connection with the
preparation of its respective necessary submissions under the HSR Act.  The
Company, the Shareholder and Tyler shall furnish to each other copies of all
correspondence, filings, or communications (or memoranda setting forth the
substance thereof), between them or their representatives and the FTC or DOJ.

         4.5     Tax Matters.

                 (a)      The Shareholder and the Company shall prepare and
timely file all tax returns and amendments thereto required to be filed by the
Company and the Company Subsidiaries on or before the Closing Date and all
federal income tax returns of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries that are
due to be filed after the Closing Date and relate to the tax periods of the
Company and the Company Subsidiaries ending on or before the Closing Date.
Tyler shall have a reasonable opportunity to review all such tax returns and
amendments thereto.





                                       32
<PAGE>   40
                 (b)      Tyler or the Surviving Corporation, as appropriate,
shall prepare and file all  tax returns other than federal income tax returns
of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries that are due to be filed after the
Closing Date and shall pay all taxes shown on such returns as due and owing.

                 (c)      The Shareholder covenants and agrees that he will be
fully responsible for, and indemnifies and holds harmless Tyler, the Company
and the Company Subsidiaries from and against, any and all claims, demands,
losses, obligations and liabilities for income taxes of the Company and the
Company Subsidiaries, any penalties and interest with respect thereto, and any
costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' and accountants' fees) of
Tyler, the Company or a Company Subsidiary incurred as an incident thereto,
relating to tax periods of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries ending on
or before the Closing Date.  Tyler agrees that the Shareholder shall have the
sole right to contest, resolve and defend, at his cost, against any assessment
for additional income taxes, notice of income tax deficiency or other
adjustment of income taxes of the Company or the Company Subsidiaries made or
proposed by any taxing authority for such periods.  The Shareholder shall be
entitled to retain such tax representatives, subject to the consent of Tyler
(which shall not be unreasonably withheld), as he selects to represent him in
resolving any such income tax controversies or disputes for tax periods ending
on or before the Closing Date, and Tyler or the Company, as appropriate, shall
execute and deliver powers of attorney, limited to such tax periods, in favor
of the Shareholder or his tax representatives as necessary to effectuate the
provisions of this Section 4.5.

                 (d)      Subject to Closing, and specifically reserving any
rights or remedies Tyler or the Surviving Corporation may have for breach of
the representations and warranties of the  Shareholder contained in Article 2
of this Agreement, Tyler covenants and agrees that either it or the Surviving
Corporation, as appropriate, will be fully responsible for, and Tyler
indemnifies and holds harmless the Shareholder from and against, any and all
claims, demands, losses, obligations and liabilities for income taxes of the
Surviving Corporation and the Company Subsidiaries, any penalties and interest
with respect thereto, and any costs and expenses (including reasonable
attorneys' and accountants' fees) of the Shareholder incurred as an incident
thereto, relating to tax  periods of the Surviving Corporation and the Company
Subsidiaries ending after the Closing Date; such responsibility of and
indemnity by Tyler shall include the amounts of any and all tax consequences or
liabilities attributable to any election by Tyler or the Surviving Corporation
after the Closing to change the tax accounting methods utilized by the Company
or the Company Subsidiaries applicable to tax periods ending after the Closing
Date. The Shareholder agrees that Tyler or the Surviving Corporation, as
appropriate, shall have the sole right to contest, resolve and defend, at its
cost, against any assessment for additional income taxes, notice of income tax
deficiency or other adjustments of income taxes of the Surviving Corporation or
the Company Subsidiaries made or proposed by any taxing authority for tax
periods ending  after the Closing Date.





                                       33
<PAGE>   41
                 (e)      All parties hereto agree if requested to reasonably
cooperate with one another and assist in the settlement, compromise, defense or
other disposition of any assessments for additional taxes, notices of
deficiency, proposed adjustments or other income tax disputes or controversies
by or with taxing authorities relating to the Company and the Company
Subsidiaries.  Tyler or the Surviving Corporation, as appropriate, will provide
to the Shareholder or his tax representatives prompt written notification and
copies of any communications from or to any taxing authority received or made
by either of them relating to income tax liabilities of the Company or the
Company Subsidiaries for any tax periods ended on or before the Closing Date.
The Shareholder or his tax representatives will provide to Tyler prompt written
notification and copies of any communications from or to any taxing authority
received or made by either of them relating to income tax liabilities of the
Company or the Company Subsidiaries. Subsequent to any such notice, Tyler and
the Shareholder shall keep the other fully advised of the status and
developments with respect to such proposed or asserted income tax liability,
and of the terms of any settlement or other final resolution thereof.  Failure
by any party to notify any other party, as provided herein, shall not relieve
the party otherwise entitled to such notice from its obligations contained in
this Section 4.5 of this Agreement; provided, however, that the party entitled
to such notice may pursue other remedies available to it at law or in equity
for breach, if any, of the covenant to notify contained herein.

                 (f)      The Shareholder shall not, in any capacity, agree to
any audit adjustments by a taxing authority, or settle, compromise or otherwise
agree to a resolution of any dispute or controversy, with respect to the income
tax liability of the Company or the Company Subsidiaries if the effect of the
adjustment or the terms of the settlement increases the income tax liabilities
(including loss of carry forwards) of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries:

                               (i)         for the taxable period commencing on
January 1, 1997 and ending on the Closing Date to an amount that, when added to
the income taxes paid for such period by Tyler or the Company in accordance
with Section 4.5(b) above (excluding the amount of any such income tax
liability attributable to any election by Tyler or the Company after the
Closing to change tax accounting methods utilized by the Company and the
Company Subsidiaries applicable to tax periods ending on or after January 1,
1997) exceeds the tax liability (excluding deferred taxes) accrued on the books
and records of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries for the period
commencing January 1, 1997 and ending on the Closing Date; or

                              (ii)         for taxable periods commencing after
the Closing Date (but including the amount of any such income tax liability
attributable to any election by Tyler or the Company after the Closing to
change tax accounting methods utilized by the Company and the  Company
Subsidiaries applicable to tax periods ending on or after January 1, 1997),

unless the Shareholder or his tax representatives shall have in advance thereof
consulted with Tyler and shall have agreed on mutually acceptable terms to pay
to Tyler or the Surviving Corporation, as appropriate, the additional income
taxes (subject to the limitation set forth in Subsection (i)





                                       34
<PAGE>   42
above)  that would be owed by Tyler or the Company for all periods subsequent
to December 31, 1996 as a result of such settlement.  In any event, the
Shareholder shall pay to Tyler or the Surviving Corporation, as appropriate,
the amount of any increase in income tax liabilities (including loss of carry
forwards) of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries for all tax periods
ending on or after the Closing Date (subject to the limitation set forth in
subsection (i) above) that results from a final administrative or judicial
determination adjusting the income tax liabilities of the Company and the
Company Subsidiaries for any period ending on or before the Closing Date, and
such payment or payments shall be made at the time Tyler or the Surviving
Corporation files an income tax return with a taxing authority covering a tax
period that is affected by such increase in income tax liability.

                 (g)      Tyler or the Surviving Corporation, as appropriate,
shall pay to the Shareholder the amount of any reduction in income tax
liabilities of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries for all tax periods
ending on or after the Closing Date that result from a corresponding adverse
adjustment by a taxing authority to the tax liability of the Company and the
Company Subsidiaries for tax periods ended on or before the Closing Date.  Any
such payment or payments shall be made at the time Tyler or the Company files
an income tax return with the taxing authority covering a tax period that is
benefitted by such reduction.

                 (h)      The Shareholder agrees promptly to pay over to Tyler
or the Surviving Corporation, as appropriate, at the time of receipt by the
Shareholder, all proceeds he receives from any refund of income taxes arising
out of any carry back to prior tax periods of the Company and the  Company
Subsidiaries of any net operating loss of Sub for tax periods ending on or
after the Closing Date, including any benefits derived from such carry backs to
otherwise reduce an income tax liability for such prior periods.  At the
request of Tyler or Sub and at their expense, the Shareholder shall promptly
file all necessary documents or prosecute all other necessary proceedings to
claim and recover such refunds. Tyler or Sub, as appropriate, at the time of
the receipt thereof, agree to timely pay over to Shareholder all proceeds
received by either of them from any refund of income taxes as a result of an
adjustment to the income tax liability of the Company or any Company Subsidiary
for tax periods ending on or before the Closing Date.  At the request of
Shareholder and at his expense, Tyler or Sub, as appropriate, shall promptly
file all necessary documents or prosecute all other necessary proceedings to
claim and recover such refunds.

                 (i)      At the request of the Shareholder, Tyler or the
Company, as appropriate, shall submit for filing with the Internal Revenue
Service a Request for Prompt Assessment of Income Taxes pursuant to Section
6501(d) of the Internal Revenue Code for all open tax periods through  the
Closing Date for which a federal income tax return or returns or amended return
or returns have been filed by the Company and the Company Subsidiaries.

                 (j)      From and after the Closing Date, the Shareholder will
not (a) extend the statute of limitations; (b) make or change any elections
affecting the Company or the Company Subsidiaries; or (c) change a method of
accounting, in each instance with respect to tax liabilities





                                       35
<PAGE>   43
of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries relating to periods ending on or
prior to the Closing Date, without the prior written consent of Tyler (which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld).

                 (k)      To the extent the provisions of this Section 4.5 and
the provisions of Article 11 of this Agreement are inconsistent or conflict,
the provisions of this Section 4.5 shall be determinative of the rights and
obligations of the parties hereto.

                 (l)      Except as required by applicable law, the
Shareholder, Tyler, the Company and the Company Subsidiaries will not take or
cause to be taken any action which would prevent the transactions contemplated
hereby from qualifying as a reorganization under Section 368 of the Code.

         4.6     Cooperation Pending Closing.  Each of the parties hereto shall
use its reasonable best efforts to:

                 (a)       proceed promptly to make or give the necessary
applications, notices, requests, and filings in an effort to obtain at the
earliest practicable date and, in any event, before the Closing Date, the
approvals, authorizations, and consents of third parties necessary to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

                 (b)       cooperate with and keep the other informed in
connection with this Agreement; and

                 (c)       take such actions as the other party may reasonably
request to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and use
its reasonable best efforts and diligently attempt to satisfy, to the extent
within its control, all conditions precedent to the obligations to close this
Agreement.

         4.7     Non-competition Allocation.  Each of the parties agree that
$100,000 of the cash portion of the Merger Consideration is in consideration
of, and shall be allocated to, the non-competition and non-solicitation
covenants of the Shareholder in the Employment Agreement (as defined herein).


                                   ARTICLE 5
                 COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY AND THE  SHAREHOLDER

         5.1     Conduct of Business Prior to Closing Date.  During the period
pending the Closing Date (or other indicated date), the Company and the
Shareholder:

                 (a)       shall, and shall cause each Company Subsidiary to,
use its reasonable best efforts to conduct the operations of the Company and
the Company Subsidiaries in the ordinary and





                                       36
<PAGE>   44
usual course of business consistent with past and current practices, and to
maintain marketing organizations intact and to preserve the goodwill of their
employees, representatives, suppliers, and customers;

                 (b)       shall confer upon request of Tyler with one or more
representatives of Tyler to report material operational matters and the general
status of ongoing operations;

                 (c)       shall notify Tyler of any emergency or other change
in the normal course of  the Company's or the Company Subsidiaries' businesses
and of any governmental complaints, investigations, or hearings that are
pending (or that the same may be contemplated) if such emergency, complaint,
investigation, or hearing would be material to the Company's businesses or
properties and those of the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

                 (d)       shall take no action that, and shall not fail to use
reasonable best efforts to take (without material cost) any action the failure
to take which, would cause or permit their representations and warranties
contained in this Agreement to be untrue in any material respect on the Closing
Date; and

                 (e)       except as may be permitted or required by this
Agreement, shall not directly or indirectly do any of the following: (i) issue,
sell, pledge, dispose of or encumber, or permit any Company Subsidiary to
issue, sell, pledge, dispose of or encumber, (A) any capital stock of the
Company or any Company Subsidiary or (B) other than in the ordinary course of
business and consistent with past practice, any assets of the Company or any
Company Subsidiary; (ii) amend or propose to amend the respective charters or
bylaws of the Company or any Company Subsidiary;  (iii) split, combine or
reclassify any outstanding capital stock, or, except as provided in Section 5.6
hereof, declare, set aside or pay any dividend or distribution payable in cash,
stock, property or otherwise with respect to its capital stock whether now or
hereafter outstanding; (iv) redeem, purchase or acquire or offer to acquire, or
permit any of the Company Subsidiaries to redeem, purchase or acquire or offer
to acquire, any of the Company's or any Company Subsidiary's capital stock; or
(v) enter into any contract, agreement, commitment or arrangement with respect
to any of the matters set forth in this Section 5.1(e).

         5.2      Employment Agreement.  At or before the Closing the
Shareholder and the Company shall execute and deliver an Employment and
Noncompetition Agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto, with
such changes therein prior to execution as may be mutually approved by Tyler
and the Shareholder (the "Employment Agreement"), and providing for the
employment of the Shareholder by the Surviving Corporation after the Closing,
covenants by the Shareholder not to compete with the Surviving Corporation, and
compensation, all as provided therein.

         5.3     Noncompetition Agreements.  The Company and the Shareholder
agree to use their reasonable best efforts to cause the employees and
consultants of the Company and the Company





                                       37
<PAGE>   45
Subsidiaries identified in Section 5.3 of the Tyler Disclosure Schedule to
terminate their current employment and consulting agreements and, in the case
of the employees, to execute and deliver employment agreements with the Company
acceptable to Tyler (the "Noncompetition Agreements").

         5.4     Agreement Not to Negotiate.  Pending the Closing, and through
the period ending December 31, 1997 if this Agreement is terminated without
closing by the Company or the Shareholder, the Company and the Shareholder
shall not, either directly or indirectly through an agent, representative or
other person, solicit or authorize any person to solicit, or initiate or
encourage, directly or indirectly, any proposal for the acquisition of all or
any material part of the capital stock, assets, or business of the Company or
any of the Company Subsidiaries, or for the merger, consolidation, or other
combination of the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries with any other
person or entity, or enter into any discussions or negotiations for any such
proposal, or provide any person with information or assistance in furtherance
of any such proposal, and shall promptly notify Tyler in writing of all
proposals received with respect to such matters.

         5.5     Permitted Distributions of Cash and Condo.  After June 30,
1997 and on or before the Closing Date the Company shall be entitled to
distribute to the Shareholder aggregate cash dividends or other cash
distributions not exceeding $3,300,000.  On or before the Closing Date, the
Shareholder will cause the Company or the appropriate Company Subsidiary to
convey, transfer and assign to the Shareholder or such other party as he
determines, the record title to, and all other rights of ownership of the
Company or the Company Subsidiaries in Unit 900, Bridgeport Condominiums, 344
Padre Boulevard, South Padre Island, Texas (the "Condo"), subject to any
indebtedness incurred in connection with the Condo, and shall obtain and
provide to Tyler an absolute and unconditional release, executed by the holders
of any indebtedness, notes, mortgages, pledges, security agreements or other
similar obligations incurred in connection with the Condo, releasing the
Company and the Company Subsidiaries from any liability with respect to any
such obligations, whether as maker, endorser, surety, obligor, guarantor or
otherwise, or shall provide to Tyler the Shareholder's agreement to indemnify
Tyler, the Surviving Corporation and the Company Subsidiaries against any such
liability, which indemnification agreement shall be reasonably acceptable to
Tyler.

         5.6     Waiver of Adverse Claims.  The Shareholder releases, waives
and disclaims any ownership interest, right, title or other claim to any of the
assets, other than the Condo and the real property which is subject to the
Lease, which are or during the twelve months preceding the Closing Date have
been utilized by the Company or the Company Subsidiaries in the conduct of
their respective businesses.





                                       38
<PAGE>   46
         5.7     Accuracy of Information Furnished.  The information supplied
by the Shareholder to Tyler in writing expressly for inclusion in any documents
(including the Proxy Statement) filed with the Commission in connection with or
as a result of the transactions contemplated hereby, will, at the respective
times such documents are filed with the Commission, not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not false or misleading.

         5.8     Pre-Closing Bonuses.  Prior to the Closing, the Company shall
be entitled to pay bonuses to employees of the Company for past services
rendered and to pay the consultant identified in Schedule 2.8 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule in connection with termination of his consulting
arrangement, which bonuses and payment shall not exceed an aggregate of
$2,000,000.

         5.9     New Indebtedness.  The Company shall be entitled to incur
additional indebtedness to the extent necessary to make the cash distributions
contemplated by Section 5.6 or pay the bonuses contemplated by Section 5.9.

         5.10    Stock Options.  At or prior to the Closing, the Shareholder
will grant options to purchase an aggregate of up to 1,250,000 shares of the
Tyler Common Stock to be received by him in the Merger (the "Key Employee
Options") to key employees of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries ("Key
Employee Optionees") selected by the Shareholder.  The exercise price of the
Key Employee Options shall be the average of the closing prices of the Tyler
Common Stock for the five consecutive trading days beginning two trading days
prior to public announcement by Tyler of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.  The vesting schedules and the remaining terms of the Key Employee
Options shall be as set forth, and the Key Employee Options will be evidenced
by, option agreements in substantially the form of Exhibit C hereto with such
changes therein prior to execution as may be mutually approved by the
Shareholder and Tyler.  Each grant of a Key Employee Option shall be made
subject to the execution by the Key Employee Optionee of a Noncompetition
Agreement or other confidentiality and noncompetition agreement mutually
acceptable to Tyler and Shareholder, and investment representations and an
offeree/purchaser questionnaire mutually acceptable to Tyler and the
Shareholder.

         5.11    Contribution of Headquarters Facilities.  At or prior to the
Closing, the Shareholder shall contribute to the Company, by special warranty
deed, all the real property facilities and fixtures (the "Headquarters
Facilities") leased by Government Records Services, Inc. pursuant to that
certain Lease Agreement dated July 1, 1995 between the Shareholder and
Government Records Services, Inc. (the "Lease") and as amended effective
January 1, 1996.  In connection therewith, Shareholder shall obtain and provide
to Tyler an absolute and unconditional release, executed by First National Bank
of Grapevine, of all mortgages, liens, deeds of trust or other security
interests in or to the Headquarters Facilities.





                                       39
<PAGE>   47
                                   ARTICLE 6
                               COVENANTS OF TYLER

         Tyler covenants and agrees with the Company and the Shareholder as
follows:

         6.1     Conduct Prior to Closing Date.  Pending the Closing, Tyler
shall:

                 (a)       confer upon request of the Shareholder with one or
more representatives of the Shareholder to report material operational matters
and the general status of ongoing operations of Tyler and the Tyler
Subsidiaries; and

                 (b)       take no action that, and shall not fail to use
reasonable best efforts to take (without material cost) any action the failure
to take which, would cause or permit its representations and warranties
contained in this Agreement to be untrue in any material respect at the
Closing.

         6.2      Proxy Statement.  As promptly as practicable after the
execution of this Agreement, Tyler shall prepare and file with the Commission a
proxy statement (the "Proxy Statement") pursuant to the Exchange Act.  Subject
to the fiduciary obligations of the Board of Directors of Tyler under
applicable law, the Proxy Statement shall contain the recommendation of the
Board of Directors of Tyler that the stockholders of Tyler vote to approve the
Merger and this Agreement.

         6.3     Meetings of Stockholders.  Tyler shall promptly take all
action reasonably necessary in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation
Law, the rules of the NYSE and its articles of incorporation and bylaws to
convene a meeting of its stockholders to consider and vote upon the adoption
and approval of the Merger and this Agreement (the "Tyler Stockholders
Meeting").  Subject to its fiduciary obligations under applicable law and in
accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, the Board of Directors of
Tyler (i) shall recommend at such meeting that the stockholders of Tyler vote
to adopt and approve the Merger and this Agreement; (ii) shall use its
reasonable efforts to solicit from stockholders of Tyler proxies in favor of
such adoption and approval; and (iii) shall take all other action reasonably
necessary to secure a vote of its stockholders in favor of the adoption and
approval of the Merger and this Agreement.

         6.4     Stock Exchange Listing.  Tyler shall use its reasonable best
efforts to cause the shares of Tyler Common Stock to be issued upon
consummation of the Merger to be approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to
official notice of issuance, prior to the Closing Date.

         6.5     Guaranties of Company Obligations.

                 (a)      From and after the Closing, Tyler guarantees to the
Shareholder, respectively, and his heirs, successors and assigns, the full and
prompt payment by the Company of all amounts that become due and payable to
them under or pursuant to the terms of the Employment Agreement, to be entered
into between the Company and the Shareholder as provided in Section 5.2 of this
Agreement, and the timely performance by the Company of all of the terms,
conditions, covenants





                                       40
<PAGE>   48
and agreements to be performed by the Company under or pursuant to the terms of
said Employment Agreement.

                 (b)      Payments by Tyler pursuant to Subsection (a) shall be
reduced by any amounts that either Tyler, the Company or a Company Subsidiary
may be entitled to offset pursuant to the provisions of Section 11.8 of this
Agreement and any comparable provisions contained in the Employment Agreement.
The obligation of Tyler to make any payments or render performance under this
guaranty shall be coextensive with the obligation of the Company or the Company
Subsidiary to make payment or render performance under the Employment
Agreement, and Tyler shall be entitled to assert as a defense to or excuse for
or delay in any payment or performance by it the same defenses or excuses for
payment or performance as would be available to the Company or such Company
Subsidiary.  Subject to the foregoing, the guaranty by Tyler contained herein
is absolute and unconditional.

                 (c)       Tyler waives notice of acceptance of this agreement
of guaranty, and waives diligence or presentment on the part of the Shareholder
in the enforcement of any liability, obligation or duty guaranteed hereby.

                 (d)       Tyler agrees that the validity of this agreement of
guaranty shall not in any way be terminated, affected or impaired by reason of
any waiver of or failure to enforce any of the rights or remedies of the
Shareholder contained in the Employment Agreement, or by reason of any
extension of time or other forbearance granted to the Company or a Company
Subsidiary by the Shareholder.

                 (e)       Tyler agrees that, at the option of the Shareholder,
it may be joined in any action or proceedings commenced against the Company or
a Company Subsidiary in connection with and based upon any provisions of the
Employment Agreement, and that recovery may be had against Tyler in such action
or proceedings, or in any independent action or proceedings against Tyler,
without requirement that the Shareholder or his successors or assigns, first
assert, prosecute, or exhaust any remedy or claim against the Company or the
Company Subsidiary.

                 (f)      In the event of any bankruptcy, reorganization,
winding up, or similar proceedings with respect to the Company or a Company
Subsidiary, no limitation on its liability under the Employment Agreement which
may now or hereafter be imposed or permitted by any federal, state, or other
statute, law regulation, or judicial or administrative determination applicable
to such proceedings, shall in any way limit Tyler's obligations hereunder.

         6.6     Other Tyler Obligations.  At the Closing, if not theretofore
accomplished,  Tyler will cause the Company to execute and deliver to the
Shareholder the Employment Agreement, against execution and delivery by the
Shareholder.

         6.7     Company Indemnification Obligations.





                                       41
<PAGE>   49
                 (a) Tyler and Sub agree that all rights to indemnification
existing in favor of the present or former directors, officers, employees,
fiduciaries and agents of the Company or any Company Subsidiary (collectively,
the "D&O Indemnified Parties") as provided in the Company's or any Company
Subsidiary's Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, or other organizational
documents as in effect as of the date hereof, shall survive the Merger and
shall continue in full force and effect for six years after the Effective Time
(without modification or amendment, except as required by applicable law), to
the fullest extent permitted by law, and shall be enforceable by the D&O
Indemnified Parties against the Surviving Corporation or applicable Company
Subsidiary; provided that in any event Tyler and the Surviving Corporation
shall pay and reimburse expenses in advance of the final disposition of any
action or proceeding to each D&O Indemnified Party to the fullest extent
permitted by law.

                 (b)      The provisions of this Section 6.7 shall survive the
consummation of the Merger and expressly are intended to benefit each of the
D&O Indemnified Parties.  Each of the D&O Indemnified Parties shall be entitled
to enforce the covenants contained herein.

                 (c)      If the Surviving Corporation, applicable Company
Subsidiary, or any of their respective successors or assigns (i) reorganizes,
amalgamates or consolidates with or merges into any other person and is not the
resulting, continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such
reorganization, amalgamation, consolidation or merger, or (ii) liquidates,
dissolves or transfers all or substantially all of its properties and assets to
any person or persons, then, and in such case, proper provision will be made so
that the successors or assigns of the Surviving Corporation assume all of the
obligations of the Surviving Corporation set forth in this Section 6.7.

         6.8     Agreements Regarding Stock Options.

                 (a)      Within one year after the Effective Time, Tyler
agrees to file a registration statement under the Securities Act on Form S-3,
Form S-8 or another appropriate form with respect to the sale by the
Shareholder of Tyler Common Stock to Key Employee Optionees  pursuant to
exercise of the Key Employee Options and the resale from time to time in the
open market of those shares by the Key Employee Optionees.  Tyler agrees to use
its reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to be made
effective as soon as practicable after it has been filed and to cause such
registration statement to remain effective until such time as no Key Employee
Options remain outstanding and any shares of Tyler Common Stock acquired
pursuant to exercise of the Key Employee Options have been held for a
sufficient time and otherwise are eligible for resale in the open market
pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act (or under other rules then in
effect).

                 (b)      Tyler agrees to grant options, conditioned on the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and Tyler stockholder
approval of any required increase in the number of shares of Tyler Common Stock
which may be issued pursuant to the Tyler Stock Option Plan, to purchase an
aggregate of  400,000 shares of Tyler Common Stock to employees of the Company
and the Company Subsidiaries designated by the Shareholder.  The selection by
the





                                       42
<PAGE>   50
Shareholder of such employees and the number of option shares to be granted to
each shall be subject to the reasonable approval of Tyler.  The exercise price
of such options shall be the greater of (i) the average of the closing prices
of the Tyler Common Stock for the five consecutive trading days beginning two
trading days prior to public announcement by Tyler of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or (ii) the reported closing price of the Tyler
Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the date of grant.  The options
shall have a term of 10 years from the date of grant and shall vest on each of
the first five anniversary dates at the rate of 20% of the original number of
option shares granted.  The options shall be incentive stock options pursuant
to the Tyler Stock Option Plan, as amended, shall contain such other terms as
are customary for options granted under that plan, and shall be evidenced by
option agreements incorporating all of such terms.

         6.9     Release of Shareholder Guaranties.  At or prior to the
Closing, Tyler shall obtain and provide to the Shareholder an absolute and
unconditional release, executed by the holders of the indebtedness of the
Company and the Company Subsidiaries identified in Section 2.21 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule as guaranteed by the Shareholder and by the surety
companies that issued the performance bonds identified in such Section 2.21,
from any liability with respect to such indebtedness or performance bonds,
whether as maker, endorser, surety, obligor, guarantor or otherwise, or shall
provide to the Shareholder the agreement of Tyler to indemnify Shareholder
against any such liability, which indemnification agreement shall be reasonably
acceptable to Shareholder.

                                   ARTICLE 7
               JOINT CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CLOSING OBLIGATIONS

         Except as may be waived by both Tyler and the Shareholder, the
obligations of the Company, the Shareholder, Tyler and Sub to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be subject to the
satisfaction, on or before the Closing Date, of each of the following
conditions:

         7.1     HSR Act.  All filings required under the HSR Act shall have
been made, and all waiting periods, including any extension thereof, that may
be applicable to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement under the
provisions of the HSR Act shall have expired or been waived or otherwise
terminated.

         7.2     Absence of Litigation. No governmental agency or authority
shall have instituted, or threatened in writing to institute, any action or
proceeding seeking to delay, restrain, enjoin, or prohibit the consummation of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and no order, judgment, or
decree by any court or governmental agency or authority shall be in effect that
enjoins, restrains, or prohibits the same or, in the reasonable judgment of
Tyler, otherwise would materially interfere with the operation of the assets
and business of Tyler and the Tyler Subsidiaries or the Company and the Company
Subsidiaries after the Closing Date.





                                       43
<PAGE>   51
                                   ARTICLE 8
                      CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS
                       OF THE COMPANY AND THE SHAREHOLDER

         Except as may be waived by the Company and the Shareholder, the
obligations of the Company and the Shareholder to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall be subject to the satisfaction on or
before the Closing Date of each of the following conditions:

         8.1     Compliance.  Tyler shall have, or shall have caused to be,
satisfied or complied with and performed in all material respects all terms,
covenants, and conditions of this Agreement to be complied with or performed by
Tyler on or before the Closing Date.

         8.2     Representations and Warranties.  All of the representations
and warranties made by  Tyler in this Agreement, the Tyler Disclosure Schedule
(prior to supplementation or amendment thereto pursuant to Section 4.2 of this
Agreement), the Employment Agreement, and in all certificates and other
agreements delivered by Tyler to the Shareholder pursuant hereto or in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, shall have been true and
correct in all material respects as of the date hereof, and shall be true and
correct in all material respects at the Closing Date with the same force and
effect as if such representations and warranties had been made at and as of the
Closing Date, except for changes permitted or contemplated by this Agreement.

         8.3     Opinion.  The Company and the Shareholder shall have received
an opinion of  Liddell, Sapp, Zivley, Hill & LaBoon, L.L.P. ("Liddell, Sapp"),
counsel for Tyler, dated the Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Company, the Shareholder and their counsel, relating to the
matters set forth in the following Sections of this Agreement:

                 3.1; 3.4 (except the opinion shall contain no exception with
         respect to shareholder approval); and 3.5 (except the opinion as to
         enforceability may exclude the Employment Agreement and the
         Noncompetition Agreements).

         8.4     No Material Adverse Change.  There shall have occurred no
material adverse change in the businesses, properties, assets, liabilities,
results of operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of Tyler and the
Tyler Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

         8.5     Tyler Stockholder Approval.  The stockholders of Tyler shall
have approved the  Merger and this Agreement on or before January 31, 1998.

         8.6     Financing. On or before thirty days after the date hereof,
Tyler shall have obtained financing for the transactions contemplated hereby
acceptable to Tyler.

         8.7     Certificates.   The Company and the Shareholder shall have
received a certificate or certificates, executed on behalf of Tyler by the
President or any Vice President of Tyler, to the effect





                                       44
<PAGE>   52
that the conditions contained in Sections 7.1 and 7.2 hereof with respect to
matters therein relating to Tyler, and in Sections 8.1, 8.2, 8.4, 8.5 and 8.6
hereof, have been satisfied.

                                   ARTICLE 9
                  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF TYLER

         Except as may be waived by Tyler, the obligations of Tyler and Sub to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be subject to
the satisfaction, on or before the Closing Date, of each of the following
conditions:

         9.1     Compliance.  The Company and the Shareholder shall have, or
shall have caused to be, satisfied or complied with and performed in all
material respects all terms, covenants, and conditions of this Agreement to be
complied with or performed by any of them on or before the Closing Date.

         9.2     Representations and Warranties.  All of the representations
and warranties made by  the Company and the Shareholder in this Agreement, the
Company Disclosure Schedule (prior to any supplementation or amendment pursuant
to Section 4.2 of this Agreement), and in all certificates and other documents
delivered by the Company and the Shareholder pursuant hereto or in connection
with the transactions contemplated hereby, shall have been true and correct in
all material respects as of the date hereof, and shall be true and correct in
all material respects at the Closing Date with the same force and effect as if
such representations and warranties had been made at and as of the Closing
Date, except for changes permitted or contemplated by this Agreement, and
except to the extent the Company or the Shareholder is unable to give such
representation or warranty due to any of the following: (a) loss of any title
insurance customer of Title Records Corporation, or (b) loss of Dallas County
as a customer due to the bidding process.

         9.3     Securities Law Compliance.  The issuance and delivery of
shares of Tyler Common Stock in the Merger shall have been registered or
qualified under the Securities Act and all applicable state securities laws or
counsel for Tyler shall be satisfied that an exemption from such registration
or qualification is available; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of
any such registration or qualification shall be in effect; and no proceeding
for such purpose shall be pending before any agency or authority having
jurisdiction thereof.

         9.4     Opinions.  Tyler shall have received the opinion of Gardere &
Wynne, L.L.P. ("Gardere & Wynne"), counsel for the Company and the Shareholder,
dated as of the Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to Tyler and
its counsel, relating to the matters set forth in the following Sections of
this Agreement:

                 2.1; 2.6; and 2.7  (except the opinion as to enforceability
         may exclude the Employment Agreement and the Noncompetition
         Agreements).





                                       45
<PAGE>   53
         9.5     No Material Adverse Change.  There shall have occurred no
material adverse change in the businesses, properties, assets, liabilities,
results of operations, or condition (financial or otherwise), of the Company
and the Company Subsidiaries, taken as a whole. Tyler acknowledges and agrees
that the following shall not be deemed a material adverse effect: (a) loss of
any title insurance customer of Title Records Corporation, or (b) loss of
Dallas County as a customer due to the bidding process.

         9.6     Consents to Transaction.  Tyler and the Company shall have
received all consents or approvals, and made all applications, requests,
notices, and filings with, any person, governmental authority, or governmental
agency required to be obtained or made in connection with the consummation of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, excluding actions required
under the HSR Act (which are conditions precedent to closing under Section
7.1), but including the consents of the lenders and third parties set forth in
the Company Disclosure Schedule and the Tyler Disclosure Schedule.

         9.7     Stockholder Approval.  The stockholders of Tyler shall have
approved the Merger and this Agreement on or before January 31, 1998.

         9.8     Financing.  On or before thirty days after the date hereof,
Tyler shall have obtained financing for the transactions contemplated hereby
acceptable to Tyler.

         9.9     Noncompetition Agreements.  Each of the Employees shall have
duly entered into Noncompetition Agreements with the Company acceptable to
Tyler.

         9.10    Certificates.  Tyler shall have received a certificate or
certificates, executed on behalf of the Company by the President of the
Company, and by the Shareholder in his individual capacity, to the effect that
the conditions in Sections 7.1 and 7.2 hereof with respect to matters therein
relating to the Company, and Sections 9.1, 9.2, and 9.5 hereof, have been
satisfied.

                                   ARTICLE 10
                   SECURITIES LAW REGISTRATION AND COMPLIANCE


         10.1    Securities Law Compliance; Restrictions on Shares.  The
Shareholder acknowledges receipt of the Tyler Commission Filings and the Tyler
Disclosure Schedule and the opportunity to ask questions of and receive answers
from representatives of the management of Tyler concerning the terms and
conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and to obtain all additional
information that Tyler possesses or could acquire without unreasonable expense
that is necessary to verify the accuracy of information furnished to him, and
acknowledges and agrees:

                 (a)      The shares of Tyler Common Stock to be received by
him as a result of the Merger have not been registered under the Securities Act
or any applicable state securities law;





                                       46
<PAGE>   54
                 (b)      Except for transfers pursuant to the Key Employee
Options, the Shareholder is acquiring the shares so to be received in the
Merger for his own account and not with a view to the distribution or resale
thereof and will not sell, pledge, hypothecate, or otherwise transfer the
shares unless they are registered under the Securities Act and applicable state
securities  laws unless, prior thereto, the Shareholder shall have delivered to
Tyler an opinion, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory  to Tyler, of
counsel experienced and competent in federal securities laws and acceptable to
Tyler, to the effect that an exemption from registration is available therefor;

                 (c)      Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, Tyler
has no obligation to register any sales or transfers of the shares so received
by the Shareholder;

                 (d)      Except pursuant to the Key Employee Options, during
the year after the Merger, the Shareholder will not be able to sell, transfer,
or otherwise dispose of the shares so received unless, prior thereto, the
Shareholder shall have delivered to Tyler an opinion, in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to Tyler, of counsel experienced and competent in
federal securities laws and acceptable to Tyler, to the effect that an
exemption from registration under the Securities Act and applicable state
securities laws is at the time available (unless registered as elsewhere
provided in this Agreement), and thereafter any sales, transfers, or other
dispositions may be limited by the provisions of Rule 144 under the Securities
Act (or by other rules then in effect);

                 (e)      In view of the foregoing, each Shareholder
understands that he is at economic risk with respect to his investment in the
shares so received in the Merger;

                 (f)      Tyler may place an appropriate legend on the
certificate representing the shares so to be received restricting their
transfer, and stop-transfer instructions will be given to the transfer agent
for the Tyler Common Stock with respect to such certificates; and

                 (g)      To provide such information as may be requested by
Tyler in order for Tyler to determine if the Shareholder is an accredited
purchaser under Regulation D of the Commission or otherwise can be qualified as
a purchaser under Rule 506 of such Regulation D.

         10.2    Demand Registration.

                 (a)      At any time after the Closing Date, the Shareholder
may request Tyler to register under the Securities Act, the shares of Tyler
Common Stock received in the Merger and held by the Shareholder ("Shares") for
sale in accordance with the intended methods of disposition described in the
Shareholder's request for registration; provided, however, that the number of
Shares to be registered in any such offering, whether registered on behalf of
the Shareholder, Tyler or any other selling shareholder, shall not be less than
3,000,000.  Tyler is only obligated to register Shares under this Section 10.2
on two occasions.





                                       47
<PAGE>   55
                 (b)      Promptly following receipt of any notice under this
Section 10.2, Tyler shall file a registration statement under the Securities
Act for the offering and sale of the Shares specified in such notice from the
Shareholder within 90 days of receipt of such notice; provided, however, that
Tyler shall not be required to maintain the effectiveness of any registration
statement pursuant to this Section 10.2 for a period in excess of the
completion of the distribution of such Shares as described in Section 10.4(g)
hereof if such registration statement relates to an underwritten public
offering and, if not, a period not in excess of the earlier of (i) two years
after the effectiveness of such registration statement, or (ii) such time as
the Shareholder is free to sell his Shares under Rule 144 under the Securities
Act (or any successor rule then in effect) without any volume restrictions.
Tyler shall be obligated to register Shares pursuant to this Section 10.2 on
two occasions only; provided that no request may be made more than six years
after the date hereof; provided, further, that a request shall be counted only
when (i) all of the Shares requested to be included in any such registration
have been so included, (ii) the corresponding registration statement has become
effective under the Securities Act, and (iii) the public offering has been
consummated on the terms and conditions specified therein or, if not
consummated, such failure was not attributable to an action taken, or a failure
to take action, by Tyler in connection with such registration.  Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained herein, Tyler shall not be obligated to
prepare and file any registration statement pursuant to this Section 10.2, or
prepare or file any amendment or supplement thereto, and may suspend the
Shareholder's rights to make sales of Shares pursuant to an effective
registration statement, at any time when the Board of Directors of Tyler in
good faith believes that the filing thereof at the time requested, or the
offering of securities pursuant thereto, would not be in Tyler's best
interests.  The filing of a registration statement, or any amendment or
supplement thereto, by Tyler cannot be deferred, and the Shareholder's rights
to make sales pursuant to an effective registration statement cannot be
suspended, pursuant to the provisions of the immediately preceding sentence for
more than 180 days after the date of the receipt of notice under this Section
10.2.

                 (c)      If the Shareholder proposes to register Shares for
sale in an underwritten public offering, Tyler shall be entitled to select, in
its sole discretion, the managing underwriter or underwriters for the offering
by the Shareholder.  Tyler shall be entitled to include in any registration
statement filed pursuant to this Section 10.2 for an offering specified by the
Shareholder, securities of Tyler entitled generally to vote in the election of
directors (or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for or
exercisable for the purchase of securities so entitled generally to vote in the
election of directors) (collectively, the "Voting Securities") to be sold by
Tyler for its own account.  Subject to the provisions of this Agreement, Tyler
agrees to use its reasonable efforts to cause all the Shares for which the
Shareholder has requested registration to be registered as soon as practicable
under the Securities Act to the extent required to permit the sale by the
Shareholder of such Shares; provided, that if the managing underwriter or
underwriters believe that the inclusion of all shares requested to be included
in the proposed underwritten public offering (including the Shares) would
adversely affect the marketing of such shares, then Tyler may first include in
such registration all securities Tyler proposes to sell, and in such event the
Shareholder shall accept a reduction (including a total elimination) in the
number of Shares to be





                                       48
<PAGE>   56
included in such registration, pro rata with the other holders of Tyler Common
Stock making requests for registration, on the basis of the number of shares of
Tyler Common Stock so requested to be included by the Shareholder and the other
selling shareholders.  In the event of any such reduction (or elimination) of
the number of Shares to be included in such registration, the request made by
the Shareholder under Section 10.2 shall not be counted.

         10.3    Piggyback Registration.  If Tyler proposes (whether or not for
its own account) to register any of its securities under the Securities Act
(other than  pursuant to Section 10.2) for sale (other than on Form S-8, Form
S-4, or Form S-3 with respect to sales of securities acquired by employees or
former employees of Tyler or its subsidiaries upon exercise of options granted
by the Shareholder of Tyler) Tyler shall give written notice to the Shareholder
of its intention to effect such a registration not later than 15 days prior to
the anticipated date of filing with the Commission of a registration statement,
which notice shall offer the Shareholder the opportunity to include in such
registration statement any of the Shares the Shareholder may request (a
"Piggyback Registration").  Tyler's obligation under this Section 10.3 shall be
limited to registrations as to which a registration statement is to be filed on
or before six years after the date hereof.  Subject to the provisions of this
Agreement, Tyler will use its reasonable efforts to cause all the Shares for
which the Shareholder has requested registration to be registered as soon as
practicable under the Securities Act to the extent required to permit the sale
by the Shareholder of such Shares; provided, that if the registration relates
to an underwritten public offering and the managing underwriter or underwriters
believe that the inclusion of all shares requested to be included in the
proposed registration would adversely affect the marketing of such shares,
Tyler may first include in such registration all securities Tyler proposes to
sell, and the Shareholder shall accept a reduction (including a total
elimination) in the number of shares to be included in such registration, pro
rata with the other holders of Tyler Common Stock making requests for
registration, on the basis of the number of shares of Tyler Common Stock so
requested to be included by the Shareholder and the other selling shareholders.
Nothing in this section shall limit Tyler's ability to withdraw a registration
statement it has filed either before or after effectiveness.

         10.4    Registration Procedures.  If and whenever Tyler is required by
the provisions of Section 10.2 to use its best efforts to effect the
registration of any of the Shares under the Securities Act, Tyler will:

                 (a)      prepare and file with the Commission a registration
statement with respect to such securities and use its best efforts to cause
such registration statement to become and remain effective for the period
specified in Section 10.2(b);

                 (b)      prepare and file with the Commission such amendments
and supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in
connection therewith as may be necessary to keep such registration statement
effective for the period specified in Section 10.2(b) and as may be necessary
to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the
disposition of all





                                       49
<PAGE>   57
Shares covered by such registration statement in accordance with the method of
disposition set forth in such registration statement for such period;

                 (c)      furnish to the Shareholder and to any underwriter
such number of copies of the registration statement and the prospectus included
therein (including each preliminary prospectus and each document incorporated
by reference therein to the extent then required by the rules and regulations
of the Commission) as such persons may reasonably request in order to
facilitate the public sale or other disposition of the Shares covered by such
registration statement;

                 (d)      use its best efforts to register or qualify the
Shares covered by such registration statement under the securities or blue sky
laws of such jurisdictions as the Shareholder or any managing underwriter shall
reasonably request and to take all necessary action to keep such registration
or qualification effective as required by this Section 10.4 as to a
registration statement filed with the Commission; provided, that Tyler shall
not be required to qualify to transact business as a foreign corporation in any
jurisdiction in which it would not otherwise be required to be so qualified or
to take any action which would subject it to general service of process in any
such jurisdictions in which it is not then so subject;

                 (e)      immediately notify the Shareholder and any
underwriter, at any time when a prospectus relating thereto is required to be
delivered under the Securities Act, of the happening of any event as result of
which the prospectus contained in such registration statement, as then in
effect, includes an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then existing (in
which case, Tyler shall promptly provide the Shareholder with revised or
supplemental prospectuses and if so requested by Tyler, the Shareholder shall
promptly take action to cease making any offers of the Shares until receipt and
distribution of such revised supplemental prospectuses);

                 (f)      furnish at the request of the Shareholder, (i) on the
date that the Shares are delivered to any underwriters for sale pursuant to
such registration statement, an opinion of counsel representing Tyler dated as
of such date for the purposes of such registration, addressed to the
underwriters and to the Shareholder, stating that such registration statement
has become effective under the Securities Act and that (A) to the best
knowledge of such counsel, no stop order suspending the effectiveness thereof
has been issued and no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are
pending or contemplated under the Securities Act, (B) the registration
statement, the related prospectus, and each amendment or supplement thereof,
comply as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the
Securities Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder (except that
such counsel need express no opinion as to the financial statements or any
other financial or statistical data or any engineering report contained or
incorporated therein) and (C) to such other effects as may reasonably be
requested by counsel for the underwriters or by the Shareholder or their
counsel, and (ii) on the effective date of the registration statement, the date
that Shares are delivered to any underwriters for sale pursuant to such
registration statement and on the





                                       50
<PAGE>   58
effective date of each post-effective amendment to the registration statement,
a "comfort" letter dated such date from the regular independent accountants
retained by Tyler, addressed to the underwriters, stating that they are
independent public accountants within the meaning of the Securities Act and
that, in the opinion of such accountants, the financial statements of Tyler
included or incorporated by reference in the registration statement or the
prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, comply as to form in all
material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Securities
Act and the published rules and regulations thereunder, and such letter shall
additionally cover such other financial matters (including information as to
the period ending no more than five business days prior to the date of such
letter) included in the registration statement in respect of which such letter
is being given as the underwriters or the Shareholder may reasonable request;

                 (g)      make available for inspection during normal business
hours to the Shareholder, any underwriter participating in any distribution
pursuant to such registration statement, and any attorney, accountant or other
agent retained by the Shareholder or underwriters, all financial and other
records, pertinent corporate documents and properties of Tyler and its
subsidiaries, and cause Tyler's officers, directors and employees to supply all
information reasonably requested by any such representative of the Shareholder,
underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent in connection with such registration
statement.  For purposes of Section 10.2(b), the period of distribution of
Shares in a firm commitment underwritten public offering shall be deemed to
extend until each underwriter has completed the distribution of all securities
purchased by it; and

                 (h)      use its best efforts to keep effective and maintain
any registration, qualification, approval or listing obtained to cover the
Shares as may be necessary for the Shareholder to dispose of such Shares during
the period of distribution and shall from time to time amend or supplement any
prospectus used in connection therewith to the extent necessary in order to
comply with applicable law; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, Tyler
shall not be required to file or to keep effective and maintain any such
registration, qualification, approval or listing for such period that would
require it to cause an audit of Tyler to be performed other than as is required
by the rules and regulations of the Commission with respect to reports required
to be filed under the Exchange Act.

         In connection with any registration hereunder, the Shareholder will
furnish promptly to Tyler in writing such information (together with such
supplements as may be necessary from time to time) with respect to itself and
the proposed distribution by it as shall be reasonably necessary in order to
ensure compliance with federal and applicable state securities laws.  Such
information shall not, at the time the registration statement is filed or
becomes effective, contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not false or misleading.

         In any registration relating to an underwritten public offering of
Tyler Common Stock or other Voting Securities, whether or not the Shareholder
is participating in such registered





                                       51
<PAGE>   59
underwritten public offering, at the request of the managing underwriter or
underwriters, the Shareholder will agree not to effect any sale or
distribution, including any sale pursuant to Rule 144 (or any successor
provision) promulgated under the Securities Act of any Shares, and not to
effect  any such sale or distribution of any other Tyler Common Stock or Voting
Securities (in each case, other than as part of such registration) for such
period of time as reasonably required by such managing underwriter or
underwriters ("Lockup Period"), but in no event shall the Shareholder be
required to agree to a Lockup Period longer than the Lockup Period to which any
other selling shareholder is subject.

         In connection with any registration hereunder relating to an
underwritten public offering, Tyler agrees to enter into a written agreement
with the managing underwriter or underwriters, and condition the participation
of any other shareholder in such registration on such shareholder entering into
such a written agreement, in such form and containing such provisions as are
customary in the securities business for such an arrangement between
underwriters and companies of Tyler's size and investment stature, including,
but not limited to, indemnification and contribution provisions from the
underwriters for the benefit of Tyler and its controlling persons; provided
that such agreement shall not contain any such provisions applicable to Tyler
that are inconsistent with the provisions hereof; and further provided, that
the time and place of the closing under said agreement shall be as mutually
agreed upon among Tyler, the Shareholder and such managing underwriter or
underwriters.  The obligation of Tyler set forth in the immediately preceding
sentences shall apply on each occasion of an underwritten public offering as
may be contemplated by a request for registration permitted by Section 10.2(a).

         10.5    Expenses.  In connection with any proposed registration of
securities by Tyler, whether or not effected or consummated, Tyler, the
Shareholder, and any other selling shareholders shall each pay their pro rata
share of Tyler's out of pocket expenses incurred in connection with a proposed
registration under either Section 10.2 or 10.3 in which Tyler is not selling
any securities for its own account, including, without limitation, all
registration and filing fees, printing expenses, and fees and disbursements of
counsel and accountants for Tyler.  The Shareholder shall pay all of his
expenses, including his attorney's fees, and including the underwriting
discount, selling commissions and all expenses of the underwriters relating to
his Shares incurred in connection with each registration pursuant to Section
10.2 or 10.3.

         10.6    Indemnification.

                 (a)      In the event of a registration of any of the Shares
under the Securities Act pursuant to Section 10.2 or 10.3, Tyler shall
indemnify and hold harmless the Shareholder and each underwriter of Shares
thereunder and each person who controls the Shareholder or underwriter within
the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act against any losses,
claims, damages or liabilities (including reasonable attorneys' fees), joint or
several, to which the Shareholder or underwriter or controlling person may
become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar
as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof)
or





                                       52
<PAGE>   60
arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement
of any material fact contained in the registration statement under which such
Shares were registered under the Securities Act pursuant to Section 10.2 or
10.3, any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein, or any
amendment or supplement thereof, 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 such Shareholder, underwriter and controlling person for any
legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with
investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action;
provided, however, that Tyler will not be liable in any such case if and 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 so made in conformity with information furnished by the Shareholder,
underwriter or controlling person for use in such registration statement or
prospectus; provided, further, that Tyler will not be liable hereunder to any
underwriter or any person who controls any underwriter within the meaning of
the Securities Act and the Exchange Act for any loss, claim, damage or
liability that arises out of, or is based upon, any untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement or any omission or alleged omission contained in any
preliminary prospectus that was corrected by any subsequent prospectus, and the
underwriter was required to deliver but failed to deliver such prospectus as
required by the Securities Act.

                 (b)      In the event of a registration of any of the Shares
under the Securities Act pursuant to Section 10.2 or 10.3, the Shareholder
shall indemnify and hold harmless Tyler and each person who controls Tyler
within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, each officer of
Tyler who signs the registration statement, each director of Tyler, each
underwriter and each person who controls any underwriter within the meaning of
the Securities Act and the Exchange Act against all losses, claims, damages or
liabilities, joint or several, to which Tyler or such officer or director or
underwriter or controlling person may become subject under the Securities Act,
the Exchange Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in
the registration statement under which such Shares were registered under the
Securities Act pursuant to Section 10.2 or 10.3, any preliminary prospectus or
final prospectus contained therein, or any amendment or supplement thereof, or
arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein not misleading, and will
reimburse Tyler and each such officer, director, underwriter and controlling
person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in
connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage,
liability or action; provided, however, that the Shareholder will be liable
hereunder in any such case if and only 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 relating to the
Shareholder made in reliance upon and in conformity with information pertaining
to the Shareholder, as such, furnished in writing to Tyler by the Shareholder
for use in such registration statement or prospectus ("Shareholder
Information"); provided, further, that the Shareholder will not be liable
hereunder to any underwriter or any person who controls an underwriter within
the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act for any





                                       53
<PAGE>   61
loss, claim, damage or liability that arises out of, or is based upon, any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or any omission or alleged
omission in any Shareholder Information contained in any preliminary prospectus
that was corrected by any subsequent prospectus, and the underwriter was
required to deliver but failed to deliver such prospectus as required by the
Securities Act.

                 (c)      Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party
hereunder 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 hereunder, notify the indemnifying party in writing 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 other than under this
Section 10.6.  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 in and, to the extent
it shall wish, to assume and undertake the defense thereof with counsel
reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party and, after notice from the
indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume and
undertake the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to
such indemnified party under this Section 10.6 for any legal expenses
subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense
thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation and of liaison with
counsel so selected; provided, however, that (i) if the indemnifying party has
failed to assume the defense and employ counsel or (ii) if the defendants in
any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party
and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be
reasonable defenses available to it that are different from or additional to
those available to the indemnifying party or if the interests of the
indemnified party reasonably may be deemed to conflict with the interests of
the indemnifying party, then the indemnified party shall have the right to
select a separate counsel and to assume such legal defense and otherwise to
participate in the defense of such action, with the expenses and fees of such
separate counsel and other expenses related to such participation to be
reimbursed by the indemnifying party as incurred.

                 (d)      If the indemnification provided for in this Section
10.6 is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in
respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities or actions in respect
thereof, then each indemnifying party shall in lieu of indemnifying such
indemnified party contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified
party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions in
such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of Tyler, on
the one hand, and the Shareholder, on the other, in connection with the
statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or actions as well as any other relevant equitable considerations,
including the failure to give any required notice.  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 relates to information supplied by Tyler, on the one
hand, or the Shareholder, on the other, and the parties' relative intent,
knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such
statement or omission.  Tyler and the Shareholder agree that it would not be
just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 10.6(d) were
determined by pro rata allocation or





                                       54
<PAGE>   62
by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable
considerations referred to above in this Section 10.6(d).  The amount paid or
payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or actions in respect thereof referred to above in this Section
10.6(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.  No person guilty or fraudulent
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act)
shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such
fraudulent misrepresentation.

         10.7    No Transferability of Registration Rights.  Except with the
prior written consent of Tyler, the Shareholder's registration rights under
Sections 10.2 and 10.3 shall not inure to the benefit of any person to whom any
Shares are transferred, other than the spouse or descendants of the Shareholder
(his "Relatives"), a trust solely for the benefit of the Shareholder or his
Relatives, or a partnership all of the equity interests in which are directly
or indirectly owned by the Shareholder or his Relatives.


                                   ARTICLE 11
                          INDEMNIFICATION AND REMEDIES

         11.1    Indemnification by the Shareholder Based on Agreement.  The
Shareholder agrees to indemnify and hold harmless Tyler (and if the
transactions contemplated hereby are consummated,  the Surviving Corporation),
from and against any and all claims, losses, obligations, damages, demands, and
liabilities (after giving effect to and reducing the same by (i) any net tax
benefits realized by Tyler or the Surviving Corporation as a result of such
event, and (ii) the net amount of any insurance proceeds received by Tyler or
the Surviving Corporation as a result of such event), including, without
limitation, costs and expenses of litigation (including reasonable attorneys'
and accountants' fees) (collectively, "Tyler Indemnified Losses"), based on,
relating to, or arising out of, or any allegation by any third party of, any
facts or circumstances that would constitute a breach by the Shareholder of any
representation, warranty, or covenant contained herein or in any agreement
executed pursuant hereto; but excluding from this covenant to indemnify any
claims or liabilities separately covered by Section 10.6 hereof or any Customer
Claims (hereinafter defined) to the extent and only while covered by the
provisions of Section 11.3 hereof.

         11.2    Indemnification by Tyler Based on Agreement.  Tyler (and if
the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, the Surviving
Corporation) agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Shareholder from and
against any and all claims, losses, expenses, obligations, demands and
liabilities (after giving effect to and reducing the same by (i) any net tax
benefits realized by the Shareholder as a result of such event, and (ii) the
net amount of any insurance proceeds received by the Shareholder as a result of
such event), including, without limitation, costs and expenses of litigation
and including reasonable attorneys' and accountants' fees (collectively,
"Shareholder Indemnified Losses"), based on, relating to, or arising out of, or
any allegation by any





                                       55
<PAGE>   63
third party of, any facts or circumstances that would constitute a breach by
Tyler of any representation, warranty, or covenant contained herein or in any
agreement executed pursuant hereto, but excluding from this covenant to
indemnify any claims or liabilities separately covered by the provisions of
Section 10.6 hereof.

         11.3    Customer Claims.  If any claim, demand, or cause of action of
the type referred to in Section 11.1 is asserted by a customer of the Company
or a Company Subsidiary ("Customer Claim"), the following provisions shall be
applicable until such time as the Customer Claim results in a filed and pending
lawsuit or other judicial proceeding (at which time the provisions of Section
11.1 shall be applicable):

                 (a)       Tyler or the Surviving Corporation shall promptly
notify the Shareholder in writing that a Customer Claim has been made,
describing the nature of the Customer Claim to the extent then known.

                 (b)      After receipt of Tyler's or the Surviving
Corporation's written notice, the parties hereto will fully cooperate with each
other to investigate the Customer Claim and determine whether the parties can
agree that the Customer Claim is an obligation or liability for which the
Shareholder is responsible.  The investigation shall be conducted expeditiously
and with all reasonable due diligence, considering the circumstances
surrounding the Customer Claim.

                 (c)      If, after an investigation, Tyler or the Surviving
Corporation and the  Shareholder agree in writing that the Customer Claim is an
obligation or liability for which the  Shareholder is responsible, the
Shareholder and Tyler or the Surviving Corporation agree to use their
reasonable best efforts to reach an agreement with the customer as to the terms
and conditions of settlement, compromise or satisfaction of the Customer Claim,
including, but not limited to, the amount that the Shareholder shall pay to the
customer for the damages, losses, costs or expenses incurred by it.

                 (d)      If the provisions of this Section 11.3 are
applicable, Tyler or the Surviving Corporation shall conduct all communications
and settlement negotiations with the customer and shall convey to the customer
any offers of settlement or compromise by the Shareholder.  Any amounts that
the Shareholder agrees so to pay in settlement of the Customer Claim shall be
paid by  him to Tyler or the Surviving Corporation, as the case may be, in
trust for payment over to the customer.  If Tyler or the Surviving Corporation
agrees to pay the customer an amount in excess of that offered for settlement
purposes by the Shareholder, the excess shall be paid by Tyler or the Surviving
Corporation, as the case may be, without any right to indemnification therefor
from the  Shareholder.  If the amounts so paid and entrusted to Tyler or the
Surviving Corporation are paid over to the customer, the payment over shall be
deemed to be a release by Tyler or the Surviving Corporation of any further
claim with respect to that Customer Claim against the Shareholder and Tyler and
the Surviving Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless the Shareholder
from any further liability with respect thereto.





                                       56
<PAGE>   64
                 (e)      In the absence of an agreement among the parties as
to the settlement of any Customer Claim not involving litigation, Tyler or the
Surviving Corporation may take such action with respect to the Customer Claim
as Tyler in its sole judgment may deem necessary or advisable under the
circumstances to settle, compromise or satisfy the Customer Claims provided;
however, neither Tyler nor the Surviving Corporation shall in any such event be
considered to have waived its right to pursue a judicial action to determine
its right against the Shareholder.

                 (f)      An indemnified party shall give notice to the
indemnifying party or parties within 15 business days after actual receipt of
service or summons to appear in any action begun in respect of which indemnity
may be sought hereunder, or actual notice of assertion of a claim with respect
to which it seeks indemnification.  Except as provided in Section 4.5, failure
so to notify the indemnifying party or parties shall cause the indemnified
party to lose its right to indemnification under this Article 11, but failure
so to notify the indemnifying party or parties shall not relieve the
indemnifying party or parties from any liability that they may have other than
on account of this Article 11.  The indemnifying party or parties may
participate at their own expense and with their counsel in the defense of such
action.

                 Except as otherwise provided in Section 11.3(d), if the
indemnifying party or parties so elect within a reasonable time after receipt
of such notice they may assume the defense of such action with counsel chosen
by the indemnifying party or parties and approved by the indemnified party in
such action, unless the indemnified party reasonably objects to such assumption
on the ground that its counsel has advised it that there may be legal defenses
available to it that are different from or in addition to those available to
the indemnifying party or parties and counsel for the indemnifying party
concurs in such advice, in which case the indemnified party shall have the
right to employ counsel approved by the indemnifying party or parties.  If the
indemnifying party or parties assume the defense of such action, the
indemnifying party or parties shall not be liable for fees and expenses of
counsel for the indemnified party incurred thereafter in connection with such
action.  In no event shall the indemnifying party or parties be liable for the
fees and expenses of more than one counsel for the indemnified parties in
connection with any one action or separate but similar or related actions in
the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or
circumstances unless, in the reasonable opinion of such counsel, there is,
under applicable standards of professional conduct, a conflict on any
significant issue between the positions of any two or more indemnified parties.

         11.4    Claims Limitations.  Notwithstanding anything otherwise
contained in this Agreement, no party hereto shall assert any single claim or
claims against any other party hereto, including any right of offset by Tyler
or Surviving Corporation pursuant to Section 11.8 hereof, unless the single
claim (after giving effect to and reducing the same by (i) any net tax benefits
realized by the indemnified party as a result of such event, and (ii) the net
amount of any insurance proceeds received by the indemnified party as a result
of such event) exceeds the sum of $37,500, and the sum of all such single
claims in the aggregate exceeds $300,000; provided, that claims made by Tyler
or Surviving Corporation pursuant to Section 2.9 or 4.5 of this Agreement, or
for breach





                                       57
<PAGE>   65
of the Employment Agreement or the Confidentiality Agreement shall not be
subject to the foregoing limitations; and provided further, that claims made by
the Shareholder pursuant to Section 3.7 or 4.5 of this Agreement, or for breach
of the Employment Agreement or the Confidentiality Agreement shall not be
subject to the foregoing limitations.

         11.5    Maximum Liability. The maximum aggregate liability of the
Shareholder to Tyler or the Surviving Corporation for all claims made by Tyler
or the Company pursuant to this Agreement is $7,500,000; provided, that claims
made by Tyler or the Surviving Corporation pursuant to Sections 2.9 or 4.5 of
this Agreement, or for breach of the Employment Agreement or the
Confidentiality Agreement, shall not be subject to the foregoing limitation.
The maximum aggregate liability of Tyler or the Surviving Corporation to the
Shareholder for all claims made by  the Shareholder pursuant to this Agreement
is $7,500,000; provided, that claims made by the Shareholder pursuant to
Section 3.7 or 4.5 of this Agreement, or for breach of the Employment Agreement
or the Confidentiality Agreement, shall not be subject to the foregoing
limitation.  Any claim based upon facts and circumstances that would, if true,
constitute a breach of any representation, warranty or covenant contained in
this Agreement shall be subject to the  limitations contained herein,
notwithstanding the fact that such claim is asserted by a cause of action or
legal theory other than breach of contract.  When calculating the amount of
liability in a claim for damages for purposes of this Section 11.5 (whether
such calculation is through agreement of the parties, litigation or otherwise)
and the claim relates to the breach of a representation as to the income of the
Company for any period or periods prior to the Closing Date, all of the parties
hereto agree that, in determining the amount involved in the claim, the damages
shall be actual damages incurred and proven and such actual damages shall not
be computed by using a multiplier or capitalization rate.

         11.6    Equitable Remedies.  The parties hereto acknowledge that a
refusal by a party to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby will
cause irreparable harm to the other parties, for which there may be no adequate
remedy at law.  A party not in default at the time of such refusal shall be
entitled, in addition to other remedies at law or in equity, to specific
performance of this Agreement by the party that refused to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby.

         11.7    Remedies of the Surviving Corporation.  After the Closing, the
Surviving Corporation shall have the same rights and benefits under this
Agreement as does Tyler with respect to the representations, warranties and
covenants of the Shareholder contained herein, as fully as if such
representations, warranties and covenants had been made to the Surviving
Corporation in lieu or in place of Tyler.  In any proceeding by the Surviving
Corporation to assert or prosecute any claims under, or to otherwise enforce,
this Agreement on behalf of itself or Tyler, the Shareholder agrees that he
shall not assert as a defense or bar to recovery by the Surviving Corporation,
and hereby waives any right to so assert such defense or bar such recovery,
that (a) prior to Closing, the Company shall have had knowledge of the
circumstances giving rise to the claim being pursued by it; (b) prior to
Closing, the Company engaged in conduct or took action that caused or brought
about the circumstances giving rise to its claim, or otherwise contributed
thereto; (c) the Company is





                                       58
<PAGE>   66
estopped from asserting or recovering upon its claim by reason of having joined
in the representations, warranties and covenants made by the Shareholder in
this Agreement; or (d) the Shareholder has a right of contribution from the
Surviving Corporation to the extent that there is any recovery against  him.

         11.8    Right of Offset.  In addition to all other remedies at law or
in equity, after the Closing  Tyler and Surviving Corporation (which for
purposes of this Section 11.8 shall mean the Surviving Corporation and
Government Record Services, Inc.) shall have the right to credit and offset
against any payment otherwise due the Shareholder under this Agreement, the
Employment Agreement or any other agreement or document, amounts equal to
liabilities and costs incurred or damages suffered by Tyler or the Surviving
Corporation, directly or indirectly (including payments made pending or subject
to a final resolution of any dispute or controversy with a third party and
whether or not agreed to by the Shareholder if necessary, in the judgment of
Tyler, to protect business relationships or assets) based on, relating to or
arising out of, or any allegation by a third party of, any breach, or any facts
or circumstances which would constitute a breach, by the Shareholder of any
representation, warranty, or covenant contained in this Agreement, the
Employment Agreement or any other agreement or document between the
Shareholder, Tyler and/or the Surviving Corporation executed pursuant hereto or
thereto, unless (with respect to a third party claimant) the Shareholder shall
have specifically affirmed that he will indemnify and hold Tyler and the
Surviving Corporation harmless from such liabilities, costs and damages
pursuant to applicable provisions of this Article 11 and shall have undertaken
the defense of such claim in accordance with this Article 11.  Tyler will give
the Shareholder 30 days prior written notice of  the Surviving Corporation's
intention to offset against any payment otherwise due hereunder or under the
Employment Agreement or other agreement or document. If Tyler or the Surviving
Corporation offsets any payment so due and, after final determination, Tyler or
Surviving Corporation is required to restore payment, such payment shall bear
interest from the day of initial offset until payment restoration at a rate per
annum which shall from day to day be the higher of 12% or the prime rate of
interest from time to time published or announced by Texas Commerce Bank
National Association or any successor thereto.

         11.9    Costs of Defense.  If any claim for which an indemnified party
seeks indemnification under this Article 11 results in a judgment that no
damages are due the claimant on a basis for which the indemnifying party is
responsible hereunder, then, as between the indemnifying and indemnified
parties, the indemnified parties shall be liable for any damages awarded and
the costs (including attorneys' fees) of defending such claim.





                                       59
<PAGE>   67
                                   ARTICLE 12
                                 MISCELLANEOUS

         12.1    Breach Discovered Prior to Closing.

                 (a)      If, prior to the Time of Closing, Tyler has actual
and certain knowledge (as opposed to an opinion or belief) of any facts or
circumstances that it determines would constitute a failure to satisfy the
conditions to the obligations of Tyler to close this Agreement contained in
Sections 9.1, 9.2 or 9.5 hereof, Tyler shall promptly give written notice to
the Shareholder.  If the  Shareholder fails to cure any such alleged defect
within 15 days from the date of notice, Tyler shall have the right either to
(i) terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 12.2 below, in which case
Tyler, shall, if not then in default under this Agreement, be entitled to
recover from the Company and the Shareholder as liquidated damages the actual
legal, accounting and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred by it in connection
with the negotiation, preparation and execution of this Agreement and the other
agreements and instruments referred to herein, its investigation and
examination of the affairs of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, and
other actions taken preparatory to consummating the transactions contemplated
hereby, or (ii) waive such defect as a condition to closing this Agreement, in
which case Tyler shall not be entitled to make any claims against the
Shareholder pursuant to this Agreement or to exercise any other remedial rights
with respect to such alleged defect.

                 (b)      If, prior to the Time of Closing, the Shareholder has
actual and certain knowledge (as opposed to an opinion or belief) of any facts
or circumstances that the Shareholder determines would constitute a failure to
satisfy the conditions to the obligations of the Company and the Shareholder to
close this Agreement contained in Sections 8.1, 8.2 and 8.4 hereof, the Company
and the Shareholder shall promptly give written notice to Tyler. If Tyler fails
to cure any such alleged defect, the Company and the Shareholder shall have the
right either to (i) terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 12.2 below, in
which case the Company and the Shareholder shall, if not then in default under
this Agreement, be entitled to recover from Tyler as liquidated damages the
actual legal, accounting and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred by them (but
not including such expenses incurred to appropriately document the corporate
records and transactions of the Company, the Company Subsidiaries and the
Shareholder) in connection with the negotiation, preparation and execution of
this Agreement and the other agreements and instruments referred to herein,
their investigation and examination of the affairs of Tyler, and other actions
taken preparatory to consummating the transactions contemplated hereby, or (ii)
waive such defect as a condition to closing this Agreement, in which case the
Shareholder shall not be entitled to make any claims against Tyler or the
Surviving Corporation pursuant to this Agreement or to exercise any other
remedial rights with respect to such alleged defect.

         12.2    Termination.  This Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby may be terminated at any time on or before the Closing Date:




                                       60
<PAGE>   68
                 (a)      by mutual consent of Tyler and the Shareholder;

                 (b)      by Tyler if there has been a material
misrepresentation or breach of warranty in the representations and warranties
of the Company and the Shareholder set forth herein or if there has been any
material failure on the part of the Company or the Shareholder to comply with
their obligations hereunder;

                 (c)      by the Shareholder if there has been a material
misrepresentation or breach of warranty in the representations and warranties
of Tyler set forth herein or if there has been any material failure on the part
of Tyler to comply with its obligations hereunder;

                 (d)      by either Tyler or the Shareholder if the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement have not been consummated by the
date specified in Section 1.3 of this Agreement, unless such failure of
consummation is due to the failure of the terminating party to perform or
observe the covenants, agreements, and conditions hereof to be performed or
observed by it at or before the Closing Date;

                 (e)      by either Tyler or the Shareholder if the conditions
precedent to its or his obligations to close this Agreement have not been
satisfied or waived by it or him at or before the Closing Date; and

                 (f)      by either the Shareholder or Tyler if the
transactions contemplated hereby violate any non- appealable final order,
decree, or judgment of any court or governmental body or agency having
competent jurisdiction.

         12.3    Expenses.  If the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
are not consummated, each party hereto shall pay its own expenses incurred in
connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, except
as otherwise provided in Section 12.1.

         12.4    Disclosure Schedules.  The Company Disclosure Schedule and the
Tyler Disclosure Schedule are incorporated herein by reference.

         12.5    Entire Agreement.  This Agreement and the Exhibits and
Disclosure Schedules hereto, the Confidentiality Agreement and the other
agreements and documents contemplated hereby, contain the complete agreement
among the parties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby and
supersede all prior agreements and understandings among the parties with
respect to such transactions.  Section and other headings, the table of
contents and indexes to the Disclosure Schedules are for reference purposes
only and shall not affect the interpretation or construction of this Agreement.
The parties hereto have not made any representation or warranty except as
expressly set forth in this Agreement, the Employment Agreement, the
Confidentiality Agreement, the Noncompetition Agreements, the Company
Disclosure Schedule, the Tyler Disclosure Schedule or in any agreement,
certificate or other document delivered pursuant hereto





                                       61
<PAGE>   69
or thereto.  The obligations of any party under any agreement executed pursuant
to this Agreement shall not be affected by this Section.

         12.6    Survival.  All representations and warranties (except those
contained in Sections 2.9 and 2.15) of Tyler, Sub, the Company or the
Shareholder contained herein, in the Tyler Disclosure Schedule, in the Company
Disclosure Schedule, or in any exhibit, certificate, document or instrument
delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the Closing and shall
continue in full force and effect for two years after the date of Closing.  All
representations and warranties of the  Shareholder contained in Section 2.9(b)
above shall survive the Closing and shall continue in full force and effect
after the Closing without time limitation.  All representations and warranties
of the  Shareholder contained in Sections 2.9(a), (c) and (d) above shall
survive the Closing and shall continue in full force and effect after the
Closing until expiration, in accordance with the laws of Texas, of the
applicable time period in which claims may be judicially asserted for breach of
a written contract.  All representations and warranties of the Shareholder
contained in Section 2.15 above shall survive the Closing and shall continue in
full force and effect after the Closing until expiration, in accordance with
applicable law, of the applicable time periods in which the taxing authority
having jurisdiction may assert a claim for failure of or deficiency in the
payment of taxes.  The representations and warranties of the Company shall not
survive the Closing.

         12.7    Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an
original, and such counterparts together shall constitute only one original.

         12.8    Notices.  All notices, demands, requests, or other
communications that may be or are required to be given, served, or sent by any
party to any other party pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and
shall be mailed by first-class, registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested, postage prepaid, or transmitted by hand delivery, telegram, or
telecopy, addressed as follows:

         (i)     If to the Company or the Shareholder;

                          William D. Oates
                          Business Resources Corporation
                          2800 West Mockingbird Lane
                          Dallas, Texas 75235
                          Telecopy No.: (214) 902-0211





                                       62
<PAGE>   70
                 with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

                          Gardere & Wynne, L.L.P.
                          1601 Elm Street
                          3000 Thanksgiving Tower
                          Dallas, Texas 75201-4761
                          Attention: John K. Sterling
                          Telecopy No.: (214) 999-4667

         (ii)    If to Tyler:

                          Tyler Corporation
                          520 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 850
                          Houston, Texas 77027
                          Attention: Chairman of the Board
                          Telecopy No.: (713) 629-9936

                 with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

                          Liddell, Sapp, Zivley, Hill & LaBoon, L.L.P.
                          3400 Texas Commerce Tower
                          600 Travis Street
                          Houston, Texas 77002-3004
                          Attention: Gene G. Lewis
                          Telecopy No.: (713) 223-3717

         Each party may designate by notice in writing a new address to which
any notice, demand, request, or communication may thereafter be so given,
served, or sent.  Each notice, demand, request, or communication that is
mailed, delivered, or transmitted in the manner described above shall be deemed
sufficiently given, served, sent and received for all purposes at such time as
it is delivered to the addressee (with the return receipt, the delivery
receipt, the affidavit of messenger, or (with respect to a telecopy) the
confirmation being deemed conclusive evidence of such delivery) or at such time
as delivery is refused by the addressee upon presentation.

         12.9    Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement and the rights,
interests, and obligations hereunder shall be binding upon and shall inure to
the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

         12.10   Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be construed and enforced
in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas (except the choice of law
rules thereof).





                                       63
<PAGE>   71
         12.11    Waiver and Other Action.  This Agreement may be amended,
modified, or supplemented only by a written instrument executed by the parties
against which enforcement of the amendment, modification, or supplement is
sought.

         12.12   Severability.  If any provision of this Agreement is held to
be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable, such provision shall be fully severable,
and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid,
or unenforceable provision were never a part hereof; the remaining provisions
hereof shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by the
illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision or by its severance (except to the
extent such remaining provisions constitute obligations of another party to
this Agreement corresponding to the unenforceable provision); and in lieu of
such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision, there shall be added
automatically as part of this Agreement, a provision as similar in its terms to
such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be
legal, valid, and enforceable.

         12.13   Knowledge.  At any time there is a reference in a
representation, covenant or warranty of a party to this Agreement that is
qualified by the knowledge of such party, the terms "knowledge" or "knows" or
"known", or "belief" or "believes" shall mean (i) as to the Company and the
Shareholder, the knowledge or belief of the Shareholder or any of  those
certain individuals who have executed or will execute Noncompetition Agreements
pursuant to Section 5.3, and (ii) as to Tyler, the knowledge or belief of its
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief
Operating Officer, Louis A. Waters, or James E. Russell.





                  [The following page is the signature page.]





                                       64
<PAGE>   72
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as
of the day and year first above written.


                                   TYLER CORPORATION
                                   
                                   
                                   By: /s/ C.A. RUNDELL, JR.
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                           C. A. Rundell, Jr., President and
                                           Chief Executive Officer
                                   
                                   
                                   
                                   T1 ACQUISITION CORPORATION
                                   
                                   
                                   By: /s/ C.A. RUNDELL, JR.
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                           C.A. Rundell, Jr., President
                                   
                                   
                                   
                                   BUSINESS RESOURCES CORPORATION
                                   
                                   
                                   By: /s/ WILLIAM D. OATES
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                           William D. Oates, President
                                   
                                   
                                   
                                   
                                       /s/ WILLIAM D. OATES
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                           WILLIAM D. OATES, Individually





                                       65
<PAGE>   73
                                   EXHIBIT A

                  Surviving Corporation Directors and Officers



Directors

Brian B. Berry
William D. Oates
C.A. Rundell, Jr.
Glenn A. Smith
Louis A. Waters


Officers              

Scott R. Creasman         Chief Financial Officer
William D. Oates          President, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
John D. Woolf             Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary
Donna L. Allen            Controller and Assistant Secretary





                                      A-1
<PAGE>   74
                                   EXHIBIT B

                                 EMPLOYMENT AND
                            NONCOMPETITION AGREEMENT

         This Agreement, made as of October ___, 1997, is among Tyler
Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Tyler"), Business Resources Corporation,
a Texas corporation (the "Company"), and William D. Oates ("Oates").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS, pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated October
____, 1997 among Tyler, T1 Acquisition Corporation ("Sub"), the Company, and
Oates (the "Merger Agreement"), Tyler has agreed to acquire the Company through
the merger (the "Merger") of the Company into Sub, a wholly-owned subsidiary of
Tyler; and

         WHEREAS, Tyler and Sub only entered into the Merger Agreement after
receiving Oates' agreement to execute and deliver this Agreement to Tyler prior
to the consummation of the Merger,

         WHEREAS, Oates is now an employee of the Company and certain
corporations of which either the Company or a Company subsidiary is the record
or beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the capital
stock (the "Company Subsidiaries") and possesses information that is
confidential and proprietary to their businesses; and

         WHEREAS, pursuant to the Merger Agreement and as a further inducement
to Tyler to consummate the acquisition of the Company, Oates is executing this
Agreement;

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

         1.      Effective Date.  This Agreement shall be effective upon, and
shall not be effective until, the consummation of the transactions contemplated
by the Merger Agreement (the "Closing").

         2.      Employment.

                 (a)      The Company hereby agrees to employ Oates, and Oates
hereby agrees to remain an employee of the Company, for a minimum period of
three years after the effective date of this Agreement.

                 (b)      During his employment by the Company, Oates will
serve as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company with all of the
authority normally appertaining to those positions, and in such other executive
capacities commensurate with his talents and abilities as may





                                      B-1
<PAGE>   75
be assigned to him from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Company,
provided that no duties so assigned shall require Oates to establish permanent
residence in a city other than Dallas, Texas.

                 (c)      Oates agrees that he will serve the Company
faithfully, diligently and to the best of his ability during the period of his
employment with the Company, and that he will devote his full business time and
efforts to the business of the Company, reasonable vacations and sick leaves in
accordance with the Company's policies excluded.

                 (d)      As compensation for his employment services with the
Company, Oates shall receive an annual salary of $200,000 per year, and shall
participate in performance  bonus or incentive compensation plans made
available to other comparable level employees of the Company, Tyler and Tyler's
subsidiaries from time to time.  The Company shall reimburse Oates for all
reasonable and necessary expenses incurred by him in the performance of his
duties to the Company, provided that Oates presents to the Company written
accounts thereof and appropriate evidence of payment in accordance with the
Company's normal policies.

                 (e)      The Company shall make available to Oates all
employee fringe benefits and perquisites normally offered by the Company to its
executive employees, including the use of a suitable automobile, vacations and
sick leave in accordance with the Company policies, and health insurance
benefits.

                 (f)      After expiration of the initial three year term of
this Agreement, either the Company or Oates may terminate Oates' employment by
the Company at will and without any cause whatsoever by giving 30 days' prior
written notice to the other party of the intention to terminate such
employment.  The Company may at any time terminate the employment of Oates for
"just cause", as defined in Section 7 hereof.

         3.      Confidentiality.  Oates acknowledges that the nature of his
employment with the Company and the Company Subsidiaries has necessarily
involved the creation of, transmittal of, handling of, and access to
confidential information of a proprietary nature and that Oates has had and
will have access to and has become and will become familiar with various trade
secrets, including scientific, engineering and technical know-how, processes,
computer programs, compilations of information, records, sales procedures,
customer requirements, pricing and bidding techniques, customer lists,
employees' compensation, methods of doing business and other confidential
information (all of which are referred to as "Proprietary Information"), that
are owned by the Company and the Company Subsidiaries and will be owned by the
Company and the Company Subsidiaries and are and will be regularly used in the
operation of the business of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries.  Oates
acknowledges and agrees that all items of such Proprietary Information are
valuable, special and unique assets the disclosure of which would cause
substantial injury and loss of profits and goodwill to the Company and the
Company Subsidiaries, and in which the Company and the Company Subsidiaries
will retain on their own account and that





                                      B-2
<PAGE>   76
of their clients a proprietary interest that persists beyond any termination of
Oates' employment with the Company and the Company Subsidiaries.  Oates further
acknowledges that the preservation and protection of the Proprietary
Information is an essential part of the duties of Oates' employment.
Therefore, Oates agrees that he will take all steps necessary to safeguard all
Proprietary Information, whether such information derives from Oates, other
employees of the Company or the Company Subsidiaries, or the customers of the
Company and the Company Subsidiaries as defined in Section 7(c) of this
Agreement, and that he will not, directly or indirectly, use, disclose, or
disseminate to any other person or other entity, lecture upon, publish articles
concerning, or otherwise employ any such Proprietary Information, except as
required in the course of his employment by the Company and the Company
Subsidiaries.  All files, specifications, drawings, blueprints, reproductions,
records, documents, information, data, and similar items relating to the
business of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries (the "Documents"), whether
prepared or compiled by Oates or otherwise coming into his possession, shall
remain the exclusive property of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries and
shall not be removed from the premises of the Company and the Company
Subsidiaries under any circumstances without the prior written consent of the
board of directors of the Company (except in the ordinary course of business
during the period of Oates' active employment) and in any event shall be
promptly delivered to the Company upon termination of his employment; provided
that Oates may remove Documents necessary to prepare tax returns of Oates,
Oates' family or personal businesses of Oates from the premises of the Company
and the Company Subsidiaries and use them for his personal business use if he
retains a copy of any such Document on the premises of the Company or the
Company Subsidiary, respectively.

         4.  Assignment Agreement.

                 (a)      Discovery or Invention.  If, during his employment or
within six (6) months after termination for any reason of his employment with
the Company or any Company Subsidiary, Oates conceives or makes any discovery,
invention, or improvement that relates to the art or business of the Company
and the Company Subsidiaries, as then conducted, whether or not such discovery,
invention, or improvement is conceived or made alone or with others or at the
request or suggestion of the Company or any Company Subsidiary, during regular
work hours or otherwise or in or outside of the facilities of the Company or
the Company Subsidiaries, then Oates's rights in such discovery, invention, or
improvement shall be the exclusive property of the Company.  The term "art or
business," as used in this Agreement, pertains to goods, materials, machinery,
or equipment manufactured, sold, or used, or to services provided, by the
Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries during Oates's employment with the
Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries or proposed (and not subsequently
rejected by management of the Company) during his employment with the Company
or any of the Company Subsidiaries to be manufactured, sold, used, or provided
by the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries, or to formulas, designs,
patterns, processes, programs, systems, software or methods concerned with the
production or design of goods, materials, machinery, or equipment manufactured,
sold, or used, or with services provided, by the Company or any of the Company
Subsidiaries during his employment with the Company or any of the Company
Subsidiaries or proposed (and not subsequently rejected by





                                      B-3
<PAGE>   77
management of the Company) during his employment with the Company or any of the
Company Subsidiaries to be manufactured, sold, used, or provided by the Company
or any of the Company Subsidiaries.  The term "discovery, invention, or
improvement" includes any new and novel art, machine, method, software,
process, use, apparatus, composition of matter, design, or configuration of any
kind or improvements thereon.

                 (b)      Disclosure and Cooperation.  Immediately upon making
any such discovery, invention, or improvement, Oates shall disclose it to the
officers of the Company, but to no one else, and Oates hereby assigns and
agrees to assign to the Company his full and exclusive right to any such
discovery, invention, or improvement and agrees to execute all documents and
instruments the Company deems necessary to vest title to such discovery,
invention, or improvement in the Company or the Company Subsidiary or its
nominee and, if such discovery, invention, or improvement be patentable or
copyrightable, to any application for copyrights or letters patent that may be
filed on and copyrights or letters patent that may be obtained or issued on
such discovery, invention, or improvement.  Oates shall cooperate in all
respects with the Company in prosecuting applications for copyrights or letters
patent on any such discovery, invention, or improvement and procuring and
maintaining copyrights and patents and in obtaining or registering any
trademarks or service marks that he may originate.  In connection therewith
Oates shall:

                          (i)              sign all instruments the Company
         deems necessary or desirable for the filing and prosecution of
         applications for copyrights or letters patent of the United States or
         of any foreign country that Oates may desire to file upon such
         discovery, invention, or improvement;

                          (ii)             sign all instruments the Company
         deems necessary or desirable for filing and prosecuting divisional
         applications that may be required upon such patent applications;

                          (iii)   sign all instruments the Company deems
         necessary or desirable for reviving or renewing any of such
         applications if revival or renewal of such applications becomes
         necessary or desirable; and

                          (iv)             sign all instruments the Company
         deems necessary or desirable to file and prosecute continued
         applications or reissue applications that subsequently appear to the
         Company to be necessary or desirable to render such discovery,
         invention, or improvement effective and fully useful for the purposes
         of the Company.

         5.      Solicitation of Employees.  Until the later of (i) the fifth
anniversary of the date of the Closing or (ii) the third anniversary of Oates'
termination or cessation for any reason of Oates' employment with the Company
and all of its affiliates, Oates shall not, on his own behalf or on behalf of
any other person, partnership, entity, association, or corporation, either
hire, solicit or seek to hire any employee of the Company or any of its
affiliates who is party to a confidentiality





                                      B-4
<PAGE>   78
agreement with the Company or has covenanted not to compete with the Company or
any of its affiliates, or in any other manner attempt directly or indirectly to
influence, induce, or encourage any such employee of the Company or any of its
affiliates to leave the employment of the Company or such affiliate, nor shall
he use or disclose to any person, partnership, entity, association, or
corporation any information concerning the names and addresses of any of the
employees of the Company or its affiliates.

         6.      Noncompetition Agreement.  Oates acknowledges and agrees that
the information he has acquired and will acquire while an employee and a
shareholder of the Company or the Company Subsidiaries regarding the
Proprietary Information of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries will enable
him to injure the Company and the Company Subsidiaries and diminish the value
of the investment by Tyler in the Company and the Company Subsidiaries if he
should engage in any business that is competitive with the business conducted
by the Company and the Company Subsidiaries.  Therefore, Oates hereby agrees to
the following:

                 (a)      Oates will not directly or indirectly engage in any
art or business that relates to or offers the same or similar products or
services as the art or business, as defined in Subsection 4(a) hereof, of the
Company or any of its affiliates, or any products or services directly or
indirectly related thereto:

                          (i)     in any state in the United States in which
         such products or services are being or were provided by the Company or
         any its affiliates as of the Closing;

                          (ii)    in any state in the United States in which
         such products or services are being or were provided by the Company or
         any of its affiliates during the course of Oates' employment by the
         Company or any of its affiliates; or

                          (iii)   to any person or entity that is or was a
         customer or affiliate of a customer of the Company or any of the
         Company's affiliates at any time during the course of Oates'
         employment by the Company or any of its affiliates.

                 (b)      The agreements contained in this Section 6 shall
terminate on the later of (i) the fifth anniversary of the date of the Closing
or (ii) the third anniversary of Oates' termination or cessation for any reason
of Oates' employment with the Company and all of its affiliates.

         7.  Definitions.  For purposes of this Agreement:

                 (a)      The term "indirectly" means the performance of
services by any business or entity in which Oates either owns or possesses more
than a 10% interest in profits, losses, or capital, or is an officer, director,
partner or employee, or for which Oates acts as an agent or representative, or
to which Oates provides consulting or advisory services.





                                      B-5
<PAGE>   79
                 (b)      The term "affiliate" means the Company, the Company
Subsidiaries and any other business or entity that the Company directly, or
indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by,
or is under common control with, including Tyler, Tyler's subsidiary
corporations as they existed immediately prior to the Closing, and Tyler's
subsidiary corporations as they may be acquired or organized after the Closing.

                 (c)      The term "customer" includes any person or entity
with respect to which, the Company or any of its affiliates has an outstanding
bid, offer or agreement to perform services or, to the knowledge of Oates at
the date of termination, the Company or any of its affiliates is preparing or
contemplating preparation of such a bid, offer or agreement.

                 (d)      The term "just cause" means (i) conviction by a
criminal court of fraud, embezzlement, theft, bribery, or conviction by a
criminal court of other conduct or acts constituting a crime under federal law
or a felony under applicable state law (a conviction under this subsection
7(d)(i) shall mean only those convictions which stand after all
non-discretionary appeals which a criminal defendant must receive have been
exhausted), or (ii) the commission of any act or acts or any course of conduct
that constitutes a material breach of any of the terms of this Agreement and
which breach has not been cured after notice and opportunity to do so in
accordance with the provisions of Section 10 hereof.

         8.      Breach, Notice and Right to Cure.  If at any time during the
term of this Agreement, the Company deems Oates to be in breach of any of the
covenants made by him herein, the Company will notify Oates of such breach in
writing and Oates shall have 30 days after receipt of such notice to cure the
breach to the satisfaction of the Company.


                 If Oates fails to cure the alleged breach for any reason
within 30 days after notice and the breach has occurred during the first five
calendar years after the date of Closing:

                          (i)     Oates shall not be entitled to receive and
         the Company shall be deemed relieved of any obligation hereunder to
         pay any amount that at the time is otherwise due, if any, pursuant to
         Section 2 hereof or any future annual amounts at the times they
         otherwise would have become due, and Oates' covenants and agreements
         herein shall remain in full force and effect, or in the alternative,

                          (ii)    On or before such 30th day, Oates shall cease
         the activity deemed by the Company to be a breach of Oates's covenant
         or covenants herein and, if requested by the Company, shall agree to
         the entry of an order by an appropriate court of law or judicial or
         administrative tribunal, as determined solely by the Company,
         restraining Oates from continuing such activity until final judicial
         or administrative determination of the issue of reach.  Upon entry of
         the agreed restraining order, the Company shall pay Oates any sums
         which would have been paid to Oates hereunder had the alleged breach
         not occurred and the





                                      B-6
<PAGE>   80
         Company shall resume payments hereunder pending final judicial or
         administrative determination of the issue of breach.

                 The parties agree that in the event of a breach by Oates of
Section 2 of this Agreement, Tyler or the Company may not recover damages from
Oates for such breach of Section 2 of this Agreement in excess of the lesser of
$1,000,000 or the total increased cost to the Company or Tyler to replace Oates
as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company for the balance of the
initial three year term of Oates' employment by the Company under this
Agreement; provided, however, that in the event that the closing price of the
Tyler Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange is not less than $10.00 per
share for a period of at least 180 consecutive days, then the release of the
Company's obligation to make payments under Section 2 is specifically agreed by
the parties to be the sole remedy and the maximum limit on any damages that may
be recovered by Tyler or the Company for a breach by Oates of Section 2 of this
Agreement.  The parties further specifically agree that Tyler's and the
Company's remedies against Oates for a breach of Section 2 of this Agreement
shall be in addition to, and not in limitation of, any other damages or
remedies to which the Company may be entitled at law or in equity for a breach
by Oates of any other sections or provisions of this Agreement.  The parties
further agree that any allocation of Merger Consideration (as defined in the
Merger Agreement) to the non- competition and non-solicitation covenants of
Oates made herein (i) shall not be evidence of the damages that would be
suffered by Tyler or the Company as a result of any breach, and (ii) shall not
limit or otherwise be considered in determining any damages or other remedies
to which the Company or Tyler may be entitled at law or in equity for a breach
by Oates of any other sections or provisions of this Agreement.

                 If at any time during the term of this Agreement, the Company
fails to notify Oates of a deemed breach of this Agreement by Oates and fails
to make a payment due hereunder, Oates shall notify the Company of such failure
to pay pursuant to this Section 8.  If the Company does not cure the failure to
pay within 10 days after receipt of such notice, then the Company shall be
deemed to be in breach of this Agreement.

         9.      Severability.

                 (a)      Oates agrees and acknowledges that each agreement and
covenant set forth herein constitutes a separate agreement independently
supported by good and adequate  consideration and that each such agreement
shall be severable from the other provisions of this Agreement and shall
survive this Agreement.  The existence of any claim or cause of action of Oates
against the Company or Tyler, whether predicated on this Agreement or
otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by the Company or
Tyler of the covenants and agreements of Oates contained herein or in those
separate agreements.

                 (b)      The parties hereto intend all provisions of this
Agreement to be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law. Accordingly,
should a court of competent jurisdiction determine





                                      B-7
<PAGE>   81
that the scope of any provision is too broad to be enforced as written, the
parties intend that the court should reform the provision to such narrower
scope as it determines to be enforceable. If any provision of this Agreement is
held to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable under present or future law, such
provision shall be fully severable and this Agreement shall be construed and
enforced as if such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision were never a
part hereof; and the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in
full force and effect and shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid, or
unenforceable provision or by its severance, except to the extent such
remaining provisions constitute obligations of another party to this Agreement
corresponding to the unenforceable provision.  Furthermore, in lieu of such
illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision, there shall be added
automatically as part of this Agreement, a provision as similar in its terms to
such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be
legal, valid, and enforceable.

         10.     Remedies.  Oates acknowledges and agrees that the
ascertainment of damages in the event of his breach of any provision of this
Agreement would be difficult, and Oates agrees that the Company, in addition to
all other remedies it may have (including, without limitation, those described
in Section 8 hereof), shall have the right to injunctive relief if there is
such a breach.

         11.     Acknowledgments.  Oates recognizes and agrees that the
enforcement of this Agreement is necessary and essential to ensure the
preservation and continuity of the business and good will of the Company and
its affiliates and to realize and derive all of the benefits, rights, and
expectations of conducting such business. Oates agrees that, due to the nature
of the Company's business, the scope and the duration of the covenants set
forth in this Agreement are in all respects reasonable.

         12.     Notices.  All notices, demands, requests, or other
communications that may be or are required to be given, served, or sent by any
party to any other party pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and
shall be mailed by first-class, registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested, postage prepaid, or transmitted by hand delivery or telegram,
addressed as follows:

                 (i)      If to Tyler or the Company:

                          520 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 850
                          Houston, Texas 77027
                          Attention: Chairman of the Board
                          Telecopy No.: (713) 629-9936

                          with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

                          Liddell, Sapp, Zivley, Hill & LaBoon, L.L.P.
                          3400 Texas Commerce Tower
                          600 Travis
                          Houston, Texas 77002
                          Attention: Gene G. Lewis





                                      B-8
<PAGE>   82
                          (ii)    If to Oates:

                          William D. Oates
                          Business Resources Corporation
                          2800 West Mockingbird Lane
                          Dallas, Texas 75235
                          Telecopy No.: (214) 902-0211


                          with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

                          Gardere & Wynne, L.L.P.
                          1601 Elm Street, Suite 3000
                          Dallas, Texas 75201-4761
                          Attention: John K. Sterling

         Each party may designate by notice in writing a new address to which
any notice, demand, request, or communication may thereafter be so given,
served, or sent.  Each notice, demand, request, or communication that is
mailed, delivered, or transmitted in the manner described above shall be deemed
sufficiently given, served, sent, and received for all purposes at such time as
it is delivered to the addressee (with the return receipt, the delivery
receipt, the affidavit of messenger, or (with respect to a telecopy) the
answer-back being deemed conclusive evidence of such delivery) or at such time
as delivery is refused by the addressee upon presentation.

         13.     Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement and the rights,
interests, and obligations hereunder shall be binding upon and shall inure to
the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

         14.     Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be construed and enforced
in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas (except the choice of law
rules thereof).

         15.     Waiver and Other Action.  This Agreement may be amended,
modified, or supplemented only by a written instrument executed by the parties
against which enforcement of the amendment, modification, or supplement is
sought.

         16.     Suspension of Term.  The running of the time periods
applicable to any covenant not to compete contained herein shall be suspended
during the period of any violation by Oates of such covenant.





                                      B-9
<PAGE>   83
         17.     Costs.  If any action at law or in equity is necessary to
enforce or interpret the terms of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be
entitled to receive from the nonprevailing party reasonable attorneys' fees,
court costs and necessary disbursements in addition to all other relief to
which he or it may be entitled.

         18.     Right of Offset.  In addition to all other remedies at law or
in equity, the Company shall have the right to credit and offset against any
payment otherwise due Oates under this Agreement amounts equal to liabilities
and costs incurred or damages suffered by Tyler or the Company, directly or
indirectly (including payments made pending or subject to a final resolution of
any dispute or controversy with a third party and whether or not agreed to by
Oates if necessary, in the judgment of Tyler, to protect business relationships
or assets) arising out of, based on or relating to any breach by Oates of any
representation, warranty or covenant contained in this Agreement, the Merger
Agreement or any other agreement or document between or among any of Oates,
Sub, Tyler, the Company or any Company Subsidiary executed pursuant hereto or
thereto, unless (with respect to a third party claimant) Oates shall have
specifically affirmed that he will indemnify and hold Tyler and the Company
harmless from such liabilities, costs and damages pursuant to applicable
provisions of Article 11 of the Merger Agreement and shall have undertaken
defense of such claim in accordance with the said Article 11.  The Company will
give Oates 30 days prior written notice of its intention to offset against any
payment otherwise due hereunder.  If the Company offsets any payment due under
this Agreement and, after final determination, the Company is required to
restore payment, such payment shall bear interest from the day of initial
offset until payment restoration at a rate per annum which shall from day to
day be the higher of 12% or the prime rate of interest from time to time
published or announced by Texas Commerce Bank National Association or any
successor thereto.  For purposes of this Section 18, reference to the Company
includes Sub or any other successor to the business of the Company by merger or
otherwise.

         EXECUTED as of the date first above written.

                                  TYLER CORPORATION
                                  
                                  
                                  
                                  By:                                         
                                     -----------------------------------------
                                  Name:                                       
                                       ---------------------------------------
                                  Title:                                      
                                        --------------------------------------
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                  BUSINESS RESOURCES CORPORATION              
                                                                              
                                  By:                                         
                                     -----------------------------------------
                                  Name:                                       
                                       ---------------------------------------
                                  Title:                                      
                                        --------------------------------------
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                                                              
                                  --------------------------------------------
                                  WILLIAM D. OATES                            





                                      B-10
<PAGE>   84
                                   EXHIBIT C

                                    FORM OF
                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT


         This Stock Option Agreement (this "Agreement") dated as of October 8,
1997 (the "Grant Date") is by and between WILLIAM D. OATES ("Oates") and
_______________ ("Optionee").


                                    RECITALS

         WHEREAS, Oates, individually and as President of Business Resources
Corporation, a Texas corporation ("BRC"), is negotiating the terms of a Merger
Agreement (the "Merger Agreement") between Tyler Corporation, a Delaware
corporation ("Tyler"), T1 Acquisition Corporation, a Texas corporation and
wholly owned acquisition subsidiary of Tyler ("Sub"), BRC and Oates; and

         WHEREAS, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, it is contemplated that BRC
will merge with and into Sub, with Sub being the surviving corporation and
thereby becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tyler (the "Merger"); and

         WHEREAS, if the Merger is consummated, Oates will receive shares of
Tyler's common stock, $.01 par value per share ("Tyler Stock") pursuant to the
terms of the Merger Agreement; and

         WHEREAS, Oates desires to recognize Optionee for his past service to
BRC and its affiliates and to provide incentives for Optionee to continue in
the employment of BRC and its affiliates after the Merger by granting Optionee
a right and option to acquire certain of the Tyler Stock to be owned by Oates,
as provided herein;

         NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the above premises, the covenants
and agreements provided herein, and for other good and valuable consideration,
the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, but subject to
the satisfaction of the conditions set forth herein, the parties hereto agree
as follows:

         1.      GRANT OF OPTION -- NUMBER OF SHARES AND PRICE.  Oates hereby
grants to Optionee an option (the "Option") to purchase __________ shares (the
"Option Shares") of the Tyler Stock to be owned by Oates as a result of the
Merger, and otherwise on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement.
The exercise price for the Option Shares (the "Exercise Price") shall be
$______ per share (i.e., the average of the closing prices of Tyler Stock on
the New York Stock Exchange for the five consecutive trading days beginning two
trading days prior to Tyler's public announcement of the Merger).

         2.      EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS AGREEMENT.  This Agreement shall take
effect, if at all, only upon (a) the consummation of the Merger and the Closing
of the transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement and their
effectiveness on the Merger Effective Date (as defined below), and (b)
execution by Optionee of an agreement containing confidentiality and
non-competition provisions in form and substance satisfactory to Oates and
Tyler.  If both of the foregoing conditions are not satisfied on or before
January 31, 1998, this Agreement shall be void and of no effect.
<PAGE>   85
         3.      OPTION PERIOD.  The term of this option (the "Option Period")
will commence on the date the Merger Agreement is signed, and will expire at
5:00 o'clock p.m. Dallas time on the earlier of (i) the 90th day after
termination of Optionee's continuing employment or consulting relationship with
Tyler and its affiliates for any reason other than death or permanent
disability (as determined in the sole discretion of Oates) or retirement at or
after Normal Retirement Age (as defined herein); or (ii) the tenth anniversary
of the Merger Effective Date.  After the expiration date, no further Option
Shares may be purchased under this Agreement.

         4.      VESTING OF OPTIONS.

                 (a)       On the effective date of the Merger (the "Merger
         Effective Date"), 40% of the Option Shares shall become vested and
         will be available thereafter for purchase by Optionee during the
         remaining term of the Option Period subject to Section 4(c) and the
         other restrictions in and provisions of this Agreement.

                 (b)      Effective on each anniversary of the Merger Effective
         Date, 15% of the Option Shares shall become vested and will be
         available thereafter for purchase by Optionee during the remaining
         term of the Option Period subject to Section 4(c) and the other
         restrictions in and provisions of this Agreement.

                 (c)      Notwithstanding the above, on each such vesting date,
         Optionee must have been in a continuing employment or consulting
         relationship with BRC or its subsidiaries or successors, including
         Tyler or its subsidiaries, since the Grant Date.

                 (d)      If Optionee dies or becomes permanently disabled (as
         determined in the sole discretion of Oates), 100% of the Option Shares
         will become vested and immediately available for purchase by Optionee,
         or in the case of death of Optionee, by the person(s) specified in
         Section 8(a) of this Agreement.

                 (e)      If Optionee retires at or after Normal Retirement
         Age, the vesting set forth in Section 4(b) shall continue despite such
         retirement provided Optionee is not in violation of any agreements not
         to compete in favor of Oates, BRC or their successors and assigns.

         5.      VESTING UPON CHANGE OF CONTROL.  Upon a Change of Control (as
defined below), 100% of the Option Shares will become vested and immediately
available for purchase by Optionee, and Optionee will be entitled to receive,
for the aggregate exercise price payable upon exercise of this option, in lieu
of the Tyler Stock otherwise issuable upon exercise of this option, the same
kind and amount of securities, assets, or other consideration as may be
distributable upon such sale, merger, consolidation or corporate
reorganization, to a holder of the number of shares of stock of the company
into which this option is convertible immediately prior to such transactions.

         6.      EXERCISE OF OPTION.        Subject to Section 7 below, this
option shall be exercisable at any time and from time to time after the Grant
Date and during the Option Period, in whole or in part with respect to any
portion of the Option Shares that has become vested and available for purchase
in accordance with this Agreement.  No fractional shares will be issued.  If an
exercise covers a fractional share, the number of shares to be issued on
exercise will be rounded to the next lowest share and the exercise price for
the fraction will be returned to Optionee.





                                      C-2
<PAGE>   86
         7.      RIGHT TO EXERCISE; RESTRICTIONS.  This option shall be
exercisable during the Option Term only by Optionee and only if, at the time of
exercise, Optionee has been in a continuing employment or consulting
relationship with BRC, Tyler or their respective subsidiaries or successors,
since the Grant Date of this option, except that:

                 (a)      If Optionee should die while in a continuing
         employment or consulting relationship with BRC, Tyler or their
         respective subsidiaries and successors, or during retirement at or
         after Normal Retirement Age, this option may be exercised by the
         estate of Optionee or by a person who acquired the right to exercise
         this option by bequest or inheritance or by reason of the death of
         Optionee for the remainder of the Option Term.

                 (b)      If Optionee should become permanently disabled (as
         determined in the sole discretion of Oates) while in a continuing
         employment or consulting relationship with BRC, Tyler or their
         respective subsidiaries or successors, Optionee may exercise this
         option for the remainder of the Option Term.

                 (c)      If Optionee should retire at or after Normal
         Retirement Age from his employment or consulting relationship with
         BRC, Tyler or their respective subsidiaries successors, Optionee may
         exercise this option for the remainder of the Option Term.

                 (d)      Optionee may exercise this Option, other than as set
         forth in subsections (a) through (c) above, with respect only to
         shares that were vested on the date of termination of his continuing
         employment or consulting relationship with BRC, Tyler or their
         respective subsidiaries or successors, for a period of ninety (90)
         days after such termination;

         8.      MANNER OF EXERCISE.  This option shall be exercisable by a
written notice which:

                 (a)      States the election to exercise this option and the
         number of shares with respect to which it is being exercised;

                 (b)      Contains an undertaking to provide such information
         as is required, in the discretion of counsel for Oates and Tyler, to
         determine whether an exemption from registration of such shares is
         available under federal and applicable state securities laws and to
         make such representations and warranties regarding Optionee's
         investment intent as such counsel may require;

                 (c)      Is signed by Optionee or other person or persons
         authorized to exercise the Option and, if signed by a person other
         than Optionee, is accompanied by appropriate evidence or proof of the
         authority or right of such person to exercise the Option;

                 (d)      Is accompanied by cash, check, or other consideration
         acceptable to Oates, in the amount of the exercise price for the total
         number of shares being purchased, or instructions to allow a cashless
         exercise (as defined below); and

                 (e)      Confirms that all representations and warranties in
         the Investment Representations dated as of October 8, 1997, executed
         and delivered by Optionee to Oates and Tyler prior to or concurrently
         with the grant of the Option to Optionee, remain true and correct as
         of the date of exercise.





                                      C-3
<PAGE>   87
                 To the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, at
the request of Optionee and at no expense to Oates, Oates will cooperate in a
"cashless exercise" of any portion of the Option by Optionee so that Optionee
may obtain the cash to pay the Exercise Price from a partial sale, through a
broker, of the Option Shares that are received under his Option.

         9.      RESTRICTIONS ON SALE OF TYLER STOCK.  Optionee acknowledges
and agrees that he shall not sell any Option Shares to which he may become
entitled through exercise of the Option granted herein prior to the first
anniversary of the Merger Effective Date.  In addition, Optionee acknowledges
and agrees that no Option Shares will be sold, pledged, transferred or assigned
in any manner in the absence of (a) an effective registration statement under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act") covering such Option Shares,
(b) compliance with Rule 144 promulgated under the Act, or (c) an opinion of
counsel reasonably satisfactory to Oates and Tyler that such sale, pledge,
transfer or assignment is in compliance with the Act and the general rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder.

         10.     TYLER APPROVAL OF VESTING CHANGES.  Optionee acknowledges that
no waiver of any vesting requirement or acceleration of any vesting schedule
provided herein by Oates shall be effective unless Tyler consents to same, and
that Tyler is a third party beneficiary of and entitled to enforce this
covenant.

         11.     NON-TRANSFERABILITY.  This option may not be transferred or
assigned in any manner by Optionee otherwise than by will or the laws of
descent and distribution, and may be exercised only by Optionee during his
lifetime or as provided in Section 8.

         12.     RIGHTS AS STOCKHOLDER.  Optionee shall have no rights as a
stockholder with respect to any shares covered by this Option, until such time
as the Option is properly exercised, in whole or in part, and a certificate is
issued to him for Option Shares.  Except as provided in Section 13, no
adjustment will be made for dividends or other rights of stockholders for which
the record date is prior to the issuance of a certificate for Option Shares in
favor of Optionee.

         13.     CAPITAL ADJUSTMENTS. The number of Option Shares covered by
the Option and the Exercise Price may be adjusted to reflect, as deemed
appropriate by Oates, any stock dividend, stock split, share combination,
exchange of shares, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, separation,
reorganization, liquidation, or the like, of or by Tyler.

         14.     RELEASE BY OPTIONEE.  In consideration for the Option,
Optionee hereby releases and forever discharges any and all actions or causes
of action, suits, claims, debts, charges, complaints, promises and contracts
(whether oral or written, express or implied from any source), whatsoever, in
law or equity, which the Optionee, his heirs, executors, administrators,
successors and/or assigns may now have or hereafter may have under any
municipal, local, state or federal law, regulation, ordinance or common law
against BRC, Oates and all of their respective predecessors, successors,
assigns, subsidiaries, and affiliates, and each person who is or was an
officer, director, shareholder, optionee, agent, employee or attorney of or for
BRC, Oates, or their affiliates at any time either before or after the Merger
Effective Date, and arising out of or by reason of any facts or circumstances
occurring prior to the Merger Effective Date or in existence on such date.

         15.     NOTICES.  Each notice relating to this option will be in
writing and delivered in person or by certified mail to the proper address.
Each notice will be deemed to have been given on the date it is received.
Notices to Oates should be mailed or delivered to 2800 W. Mockingbird Lane,





                                      C-4
<PAGE>   88
Dallas, Texas, 75235.  Notices to Optionee will be addressed to Optionee at his
home address as reflected on the signature page of this Agreement.  Any party
may change its address for notices under this Agreement by giving a notice to
that effect in accordance with this Section 15.

         16.     BENEFITS OF AGREEMENT.  This option agreement shall inure to
the benefit of and be binding upon the heirs, legal representatives and
successors of Optionee.  This option agreement shall be the sole and exclusive
source of any and all rights which Optionee, his heirs, legal representatives
or successors may have with respect to the shares subject to the Option.

         17.     DEFINITIONS.  For the purpose of this Agreement, unless the
context requires otherwise, the following terms shall have the meanings
indicated:

                 (a)      "Continuing employment or consulting relationship"
         means the absence of any interruption or termination of Optionee's
         employment by or consulting relationship with BRC, Tyler or their
         respective subsidiaries and successors, which now exists or hereafter
         is organized or acquired by BRC, Tyler or their respective
         subsidiaries or successors.   A continuing employment or consulting
         relationship shall not be considered interrupted in the case of sick
         leave, military leave or any other leave of absence approved by Oates.
         If Optionee's employment or consulting relationship is terminated for
         any reason (including disability or retirement from active employment)
         but simultaneously therewith Optionee becomes a member of the Board of
         Directors of BRC and its subsidiaries and successors, including Tyler
         and its subsidiaries, or is already a member, the employment or
         consulting relationship will be deemed to be a continuing employment
         or consulting relationship as long as Optionee serves as a member of
         such Board of Directors and (if otherwise applicable) he shall not be
         deemed to have retired until termination of or retirement from his
         membership on such Board of Directors.

                 (b)      "Normal Retirement Age" means the age established by
         the Board of Directors of BRC and its subsidiaries and successors,
         including Tyler and its subsidiaries, from time to time as the normal
         age for retirement of a director or employee, as applicable.  In the
         absence of a determination by such Board, the Normal Retirement Age of
         employees shall be deemed to be 65 years of age.

                 (c)      A "Change of Control" shall be deemed to have
         occurred on the earliest of the following dates:

                          (i)     The date any entity or person (including a
                 "group" as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities
                 Exchange Act of 1934, or comparable successor provisions)
                 shall have become the beneficial owner of, or shall have
                 obtained voting control over, thirty percent (30%) or more of
                 the then outstanding Tyler Stock (assuming full dilution),
                 without the approval of the Tyler Board of Directors (the
                 "Tyler Board"); or

                          (ii)    The date upon which, during any period of two
                 consecutive years, individuals who at the beginning of such
                 period constitute the Tyler Board cease for any reason to
                 constitute at least a majority thereof, unless the election,
                 or the nomination for election by Tyler's stockholders, of
                 each new Tyler Board member was approved by a vote of at least
                 three-fourths of the Tyler Board members then still in office
                 who were Tyler Board members at the beginning of such period.





                                      C-5
<PAGE>   89
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Oates and Optionee have caused this option
agreement to be executed as of the Grant Date noted above.

OPTIONEE                                            OATES


                                                                                
- -------------------------------------------         ----------------------------
Name:                                               William D. Oates
     --------------------------------------                                 

Address for Notice:


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

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

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


                                      C-6

<PAGE>   1
                                                                 EXHIBIT 10.26




                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER


                                     AMONG


                               TYLER CORPORATION,


                          T2 ACQUISITION CORPORATION,


                            THE SOFTWARE GROUP, INC.


                                 BRIAN B. BERRY


                                      AND


                                 GLENN A. SMITH


                                     DATED


                                OCTOBER 8, 1997
<PAGE>   2
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                   ARTICLE 1
THE MERGER

<TABLE>
         <S>     <C>                                                          <C>
         1.1     The Merger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1
                 ----------                                                     
         1.2     Closing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  1
                 -------                                                        
         1.3     Effective Time . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2
                 --------------                                                 
         1.4     Effects of the Merger  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2
                 ---------------------                                          
         1.5     Articles of Incorporation; Bylaws  . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2
                 ---------------------------------                              
         1.6     Directors and Officers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  2
                 ----------------------                                         
         1.7     Conversion of Securities; Exchange; Fractional Shares. . . .  2
                 ------------------------------------------------------         
         1.8     Adjustments to Prevent Dilution  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  4
                 -------------------------------                                
         1.9     Taking of Necessary Action; Further Action . . . . . . . . .  5
                 ------------------------------------------                     

                                    ARTICLE 2
                      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE
                          COMPANY AND THE SHAREHOLDERS

         2.1     Organization and Good Standing of Company  . . . . . . . . .  5
                 -----------------------------------------                      
         2.2     No Company Subsidiaries  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5
                 -----------------------                                        
         2.3     No Other Investments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5
                 --------------------                                           
         2.4     Foreign Qualification  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5
                 ---------------------                                          
         2.5     Power and Authority to Conduct Business  . . . . . . . . . .  5
                 ---------------------------------------                        
         2.6     Authority to Consummate Merger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  5
                 ------------------------------                                 
         2.7     Binding Effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6
                 --------------                                                 
         2.8     Compliance with Other Instruments  . . . . . . . . . . . . .  6
                 ---------------------------------                              
         2.9     Capitalization of Company  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7
                 -------------------------                                      
         2.10    [Intentionally Omitted]  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7
                 -----------------------                                        
         2.11    [Intentionally Omitted]  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7
                 -----------------------                                        
         2.12    Company Financial Statements.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  7
                 ----------------------------                                   
         2.13    Absence of Certain Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  8
                 --------------------------                                     
         2.14    No Material Undisclosed Liabilities  . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
                 -----------------------------------                            
         2.15    Tax Liabilities  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
                 ---------------                                                
         2.16    Title to Properties  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
                 -------------------                                            
         2.17    Condition of Tangible Assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
                 ----------------------------                                   
         2.18    Accounts Receivable  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
                 -------------------                                            
         2.19    Inventories  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
                 -----------                                                    
         2.20    Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights  . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
                 -----------------------------------                            
         2.21    Contracts  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
                 ---------                                                      
         2.22    Litigation and Claims  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
                 ---------------------                                          
         2.23    Judgments, Decrees, and Orders in Restraint of Business  . . 16
                 -------------------------------------------------------        
</TABLE>





                                       i
<PAGE>   3
<TABLE>
         <S>                                                                  <C>
         2.24    No Violation of Any Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
                 ------------------------------                                 
         2.25     Compliance With Laws  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
                 ---------------------                                          
         2.26    Compensation and Benefit Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
                 ------------------------------                                 
         2.27    Labor Relations  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
                 ---------------                                                
         2.28    Adequate Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
                 ------------------                                             
         2.29    Contracts with Affiliates and Others . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
                 ------------------------------------                           
         2.30    Revenue Recognition  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
                 -------------------                                            
         2.31    Certain Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
                 ------------                                                   
         2.32    Environmental Matters  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
                 ---------------------                                          
         2.33    Accuracy of Information Furnished  . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
                 ---------------------------------                              

                                    ARTICLE 3
                     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF TYLER

         3.1     Organization and Good Standing of Tyler  . . . . . . . . . . 20
                 ---------------------------------------                        
         3.2     Foreign Qualification  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
                 ---------------------                                          
         3.3     Power and Authority to Conduct Business                      21
                 ---------------------------------------                        
         3.4     Authority to Consummate Merger . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
                 ------------------------------                                 
         3.5     Binding Effect . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
                 --------------                                                 
         3.6     Compliance with Other Instruments  . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
                 ---------------------------------                              
         3.7     Capitalization of Tyler  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
                 -----------------------                                        
         3.8     Commission Filings; Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . 22
                 ----------------------------------------                       
         3.9     Absence of Certain Changes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
                 --------------------------                                     
         3.10    No Material Undisclosed Liabilities  . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
                 -----------------------------------                            
         3.11    Litigation and Government Claims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
                 --------------------------------                               
         3.12    No Violation of Any Instrument . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
                 ------------------------------                                 
         3.13     Certain Fees  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
                 -------------                                                  
         3.14    No Interim Operations of Sub . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
                 ----------------------------                                   
         3.15    Accuracy of Information Furnished  . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
                 ---------------------------------                              

                                    ARTICLE 4
           JOINT COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY, THE SHAREHOLDERS AND TYLER

         4.1     Access; Confidentiality  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
                 -----------------------                                        
         4.2     Notice of any Material Change  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
                 -----------------------------                                  
         4.3     Monthly Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
                 ----------------------------                                   
         4.4     Antitrust Notification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
                 ----------------------                                         
         4.5     Tax Matters  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
                 -----------                                                    
         4.6     Cooperation Pending Closing  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
                 ---------------------------                                    
</TABLE>





                                       ii
<PAGE>   4
<TABLE>
         <S>                                                                  <C>
                                    ARTICLE 5
                  COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY AND THE SHAREHOLDERS

         5.1     Conduct of Business Prior to Closing Date  . . . . . . . . . 30
                 -----------------------------------------                      
         5.2      Employment Agreement  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
                  --------------------                                          
         5.3     Noncompetition Agreements  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
                 -------------------------                                      
         5.4     Agreement Not to Negotiate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
                 --------------------------                                     
         5.5     Accuracy of Information Furnished  . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
                 ---------------------------------                              
         5.6     Regulation S-X Financial Statements  . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
                 -----------------------------------                            
         5.7     Termination of Shareholders Agreement  . . . . . . . . . . . 32
                 -------------------------------------                          

                                    ARTICLE 6
                               COVENANTS OF TYLER

         6.1     Conduct Prior to Closing Date  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
                 -----------------------------                                  
         6.2      Proxy Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
                 ----------------                                               
         6.3     Meetings of Stockholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
                 ------------------------                                       
         6.4     Stock Exchange Listing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
                 ----------------------                                         
         6.5     Guaranties of Company Obligations  . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
                 ---------------------------------                              
         6.6     Other Tyler Obligations  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
                 -----------------------                                        
         6.7     Company Indemnification Obligations  . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
                 -----------------------------------                            

                                    ARTICLE 7
              JOINT CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CLOSING OBLIGATIONS

         7.1     HSR Act  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
                 -------                                                        
         7.2     Absence of Litigation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
                 ---------------------                                          

                                    ARTICLE 8
                       CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS
                       OF THE COMPANY AND THE SHAREHOLDERS

         8.1     Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
                 ----------                                                     
         8.2     Representations and Warranties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
                 ------------------------------                                 
         8.3     Opinion  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
                 -------                                                        
         8.4     No Material Adverse Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
                 --------------------------                                     
         8.5     Financing                                                    36
                 ---------                                                      
         8.6     Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
                 ------------                                                   

                                    ARTICLE 9
                  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF TYLER

         9.1     Compliance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
                 ----------                                                     
</TABLE>





                                      iii
<PAGE>   5
<TABLE>
         <S>     <C>                                                          <C>
         9.2     Representations and Warranties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
                 ------------------------------                                 
         9.3     Securities Law Compliance  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
                 -------------------------                                      
         9.4     Opinions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
                 --------                                                       
         9.5     No Material Adverse Change . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
                 --------------------------                                     
         9.6     Consents to Transaction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
                 -----------------------                                        
         9.8     Noncompetition Agreements  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
                 -------------------------                                      
         9.11    Certificates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
                 ------------                                                   

                                   ARTICLE 10
                   SECURITIES LAW REGISTRATION AND COMPLIANCE

         10.1    Securities Law Compliance; Restrictions on Shares. . . . . . 38
                 -------------------------------------------------              
         10.2    Piggyback Registration.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
                 ----------------------                                         
         10.3    Registration Procedures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
                 ------------------------                                       
         10.4    Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
                 --------                                                       
         10.5    Indemnification  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
                 ---------------                                                
         10.6    No Transferability of Registration Rights  . . . . . . . . . 43
                 -----------------------------------------                      

                                   ARTICLE 11
                          INDEMNIFICATION AND REMEDIES

         11.1    Indemnification by the Shareholders Based on Agreement . . . 43
                 ------------------------------------------------------         
         11.2    Indemnification by Tyler Based on Agreement  . . . . . . . . 43
                 -------------------------------------------                    
         11.3    Customer Claims  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
                 ---------------                                                
         11.4    Claims Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
                 ------------------                                             
         11.5    Maximum Liability  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
                 -----------------                                              
         11.6    Equitable Remedies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
                 ------------------                                             
         11.7    Remedies of the Surviving Corporation  . . . . . . . . . . . 46
                 -------------------------------------                          
         11.8    Costs of Defense.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
                 ----------------                                               

                                   ARTICLE 12
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         12.1    Breach Discovered Prior to Closing . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
                 ----------------------------------                             
         12.2    Termination  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
                 -----------                                                    
         12.3    Expenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
                 --------                                                       
         12.4    Disclosure Schedules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
                 --------------------                                           
         12.5    Entire Agreement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
                 ----------------                                               
         12.6    Survival . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
                 --------                                                       
         12.7    Counterparts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
                 ------------                                                   
         12.8    Notices  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
                 -------                                                        
         12.9    Successors and Assigns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
                 ----------------------                                         
</TABLE>





                                       iv
<PAGE>   6
<TABLE>
         <S>     <C>                                                          <C>
         12.10   Governing Law  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
                 -------------                                                  
         12.11    Waiver and Other Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
                 ------------------------                                       
         12.12   Severability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
                 ------------                                                   
         12.13   Knowledge  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
                 ---------                                                      
</TABLE>

ANNEX I          Shareholders and Optionholders

EXHIBITS

<TABLE>
       <S>              <C>
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Exhibit A        Surviving Corporation Directors and Officers
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Exhibit B        Employment and Noncompetition Agreement (Shareholders)
  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                       v
<PAGE>   7
                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

         THIS AGREEMENT, made as of the 8th day of October, 1997, is entered
into by and among Tyler Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Tyler"), T2
Acquisition Corporation, a Texas corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of
Tyler ("Sub"), The Software Group, Inc., a Texas corporation, (the "Company"),
Brian B. Berry and Glenn Smith (each, a "Shareholder" and collectively, the
"Shareholders").

                                  WITNESSETH:

         WHEREAS, subject to and in accordance with the terms and conditions of
this Agreement, the respective Boards of Directors of Tyler, Sub and the
Company, and Tyler as sole shareholder of Sub, have approved the merger of Sub
with and into the Company (the "Merger"), whereby all the issued and
outstanding shares of common stock, without par value, of the Company (the
"Company Common Stock") not owned directly or indirectly by the Company will be
converted into the right to receive in the aggregate $12,000,000 in cash and
2,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Tyler ("Tyler
Common Stock"), as provided herein;

         WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to set forth certain
representations, warranties and covenants made by each to the other as an
inducement to the consummation of the Merger;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and of the mutual
representations, warranties and covenants herein contained, the parties hereto
hereby agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE 1
                                   THE MERGER

         1.1     The Merger. Subject to and in accordance with the terms and
conditions of this Agreement and in accordance with the Texas Business
Corporation Act (the "TBCA"), at the Effective Time (as defined in Section 1.3)
Sub shall be merged with and into Company. As a result of the Merger, the
separate corporate existence of the Sub shall cease and Company shall continue
as the surviving corporation (sometimes referred to herein as the "Surviving
Corporation") and shall succeed to and assume all of the rights and obligations
of the Company in accordance with the TBCA.

         1.2     Closing. The closing of the Merger (the "Closing") shall take
place at the offices of Liddell, Sapp, Zivley, Hill & LaBoon, L.L.P., 2200 Ross
Avenue, Suite 900, Dallas, Texas 75201 as soon as practicable after the
satisfaction or waiver of the conditions set forth in Article V or at such
other time and place and on such other date as Tyler and the Company shall
agree; provided, that the closing conditions set forth in Article V shall have
been satisfied or waived at or prior to such time. The date on which the
Closing occurs is herein referred to as the "Closing Date."





<PAGE>   8
         1.3     Effective Time. On the Closing Date, or as soon as practicable
thereafter, the Company and Sub will cause Articles of Merger (the "Articles of
Merger") to be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Texas as
provided in Article 5.04 of the TBCA. The Merger will become effective at the
time that the Articles of Merger have been filed with the Secretary of State of
the State of Texas or at such other time specified in the Articles of Merger as
the effective time (the "Effective Time").

         1.4     Effects of the Merger. The Merger shall have the effects set
forth in the applicable provisions of the TBCA.

         1.5     Articles of Incorporation; Bylaws. The Articles of
Incorporation (the "Articles") and Bylaws (the "Bylaws") of the Company, as in
effect immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall be the articles of
incorporation and bylaws of the Surviving Corporation and thereafter shall
continue to be its articles of incorporation and bylaws until amended as
provided therein and under the TBCA.

         1.6     Directors and Officers. The persons specified as directors on
Exhibit A hereto shall be the initial directors of the Surviving Corporation,
each to hold office in accordance with the Articles and Bylaws, and the persons
specified as officers on Exhibit A hereto shall be the initial officers of the
Surviving Corporation, in each case until their respective successors are duly
elected or appointed and qualified in accordance with the Articles and Bylaws.

         1.7     Conversion of Securities; Exchange; Fractional Shares. Subject
to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the Effective Time, by virtue
of the Merger and without any action on the part of the Company, Sub or their
Shareholder:

                 (a)      Each share of the Company Common Stock issued and
outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, other than any shares of
the Company Common Stock to be canceled pursuant to Section 1.7(b), shall be
converted, subject to the provisions of this Section 1.7, into the right to
receive, without interest, $5.7943 in cash and 0.965717 shares of Tyler Common
Stock (collectively, the "Merger Consideration"); provided that no fractional
shares of Tyler Common Stock shall be issued, and, in lieu thereof, a cash
payment shall be made in accordance with the procedure set forth in Section
1.7(h) hereof.

                 (b)      Each share of Company Common Stock held in the
treasury of the Company and each share of Company Common Stock held by Sub,
Tyler or any direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Tyler, or the
Company immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be canceled and
extinguished at the Effective Time without any conversion thereof and no
payment shall be made with respect thereto.

                 (c)      Each option outstanding at the Effective Time to
purchase shares of Company Common Stock (a "Stock Option") granted under (i)
the 1988 Stock Option Plan for Software


                                      2
<PAGE>   9
Group, Inc., as amended (the "Company Stock Option Plan"), or (ii) any other
stock plan or agreement of the Company, which by its terms is not extinguished
in the Merger, shall be exercised prior to the Closing and the holders of any
such Stock Options agree to exercise such Stock Options at or prior to the
Closing.

                 (d)      Each share of common stock, par value $1.00 per
share, of Sub issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time
shall at the Effective Time be converted into one validly issued, fully paid
and nonassessable share of common stock of the Surviving Corporation.

                 (e)      At the Effective Time, each holder of an outstanding
certificate that prior thereto represented shares of Company Common Stock shall
be entitled to receive, upon surrender to the Surviving Corporation of such
certificate or certificates for cancellation and subject to any required
withholding of taxes, a certificate or certificates representing the number of
whole shares of Tyler Common Stock (of such denominations and registered in
such names as such holder may request) into which the shares of Company Common
Stock so surrendered shall have been converted. Each holder of shares of
Company Common Stock who would otherwise be entitled to a fraction of a share
of Tyler Common Stock shall, upon surrender to the Surviving Corporation of the
certificates representing shares of Company Common Stock held by such holder,
be paid an amount in cash in accordance with the provisions of Section 1.7(h).
Until so surrendered, each outstanding certificate that prior to the Effective
Time represented shares of Company Common Stock shall be deemed from and after
the Effective Time to evidence the right to receive that amount of cash and
that number of full shares of Tyler Common Stock into which such shares of
Company Common Stock shall have been converted pursuant to this Section 1.7,
and any cash in lieu of fractional shares of Tyler Common Stock, subject to any
of required withholding of taxes. No interest shall be paid on the cash payable
upon surrender of the certificate or certificates evidencing shares of Company
Common Stock. Unless and until any such outstanding certificates representing
shares of Company Common Stock shall be surrendered, no dividends or other
distributions declared and payable to the holders of Tyler Common Stock on or
after the Effective Time shall be paid to the holders of such outstanding
certificates which prior to the Effective Time represented shares of Company
Common Stock; provided, however, that, upon surrender and exchange of such
outstanding certificates, there shall be paid to the record holders of the
certificates issued and exchanged therefor the amount, without interest
thereon, of dividends and other distributions, if any, that theretofore were
declared and became payable since the Effective Time with respect to the number
of full shares of Tyler Common Stock issued to such holders.

                 (f)      The cash and shares of Tyler Common Stock into which
the shares of Company Common Stock shall have been converted pursuant to this
Section 1.7 shall be issued in full satisfaction of all rights pertaining to
such converted shares of Company Common Stock.

                 (g)      If any certificate for shares of Tyler Common Stock
is to be issued in a name other than that in which the certificate surrendered
in exchange therefor is registered, it shall be a





                                       3
<PAGE>   10
condition of the issuance thereof that the certificate so surrendered shall be
properly endorsed and otherwise in proper form for transfer and that the person
requesting such exchange shall have paid to Tyler or the Surviving Corporation
any transfer or other taxes required by reason of the issuance of a certificate
for shares of Tyler Common Stock in any name other than that of the registered
holder of the certificate surrendered, or established to the satisfaction of
Tyler or its transfer agent that such tax has been paid or is not payable.

                 (h)      No fraction of a share of Tyler Common Stock shall be
issued, but in lieu thereof each holder of shares of Company Common Stock who
would otherwise be entitled to a fraction of a share of Tyler Common Stock
shall, upon surrender to the Surviving Corporation of the certificate or
certificates representing the shares of Company Common Stock held by such
holder, be paid an amount in cash equal to the value of such fraction of a
share of Tyler Common Stock based upon the closing price of one share of Tyler
Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. ("NYSE") on the last trading
day prior to the Effective Time. No interest shall be paid on such amount. All
shares of Company Common Stock held by a record holder shall be aggregated for
purposes of computing the number of shares of Tyler Common Stock to be issued
pursuant to this Section 1.7.

                 (i)      At the Closing, Tyler shall provide each holder of
certificates which prior to the Effective Time represented shares of Company
Common Stock a letter of transmittal and other documentation enabling such
holder to effect the exchange of stock certificates as contemplated by Article
1 of this Agreement.

                 (j)      Neither Tyler, the Surviving Corporation, nor any
other person shall be liable to any former holder of shares of Company Common
Stock for any amount properly delivered to a public official pursuant to
applicable abandoned property, escheat or similar laws.

                 (k)      In the event any certificate formerly representing
shares of the Company Common Stock shall have been lost, stolen or destroyed,
upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming such
certificate to be lost, stolen or destroyed and, if required by Tyler or the
Surviving Corporation, the posting by such person of a bond in customary amount
as indemnity against any claim that may be made against Tyler or the Surviving
Corporation with respect to such certificate, the Surviving Corporation shall
deliver in exchange for such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate the cash and
shares of Tyler Common Stock that would be deliverable pursuant to this Article
1 upon due surrender of the shares of Company Common Stock represented by such
lost, stolen or destroyed certificate.

         1.8     Adjustments to Prevent Dilution. In the event that the Company
changes the number of shares of the Company Common Stock or securities
convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for shares of the Company
Common Stock, or Tyler changes the number of shares of Tyler Common Stock or
securities convertible or exchangeable into or exercisable for shares of Tyler
Common Stock, issued and outstanding prior to the Effective Time as a result of
a





                                       4
<PAGE>   11
reclassification, stock split (including a reverse split or combination), stock
dividend or distribution, recapitalization, subdivision, or other similar
transaction, the Merger Consideration shall be correspondingly adjusted.

         1.9     Taking of Necessary Action; Further Action. The parties hereto
shall take all such reasonable and lawful action as may be necessary or
appropriate in order to effectuate the Merger as promptly as possible. If at
any time after the Effective Time any further action is necessary or desirable
to carry out the purposes of this Agreement and to vest the Surviving
Corporation with full right, title and possession to all assets, property,
rights, privileges, powers and franchises of the Company or Sub, such
corporations shall direct their respective officers and directors to take, and
the Shareholders shall take, all such lawful and necessary action.


                                   ARTICLE 2
                     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE
                          COMPANY AND THE SHAREHOLDERS

          The Company and the Shareholders jointly and severally represent and
warrant to Tyler and Sub as follows:

         2.1     Organization and Good Standing of Company. The Company is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the
laws of the State of Texas.

         2.2     No Company Subsidiaries. The Company is not, and has never
been, the record or beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of
the capital stock of any corporation.

         2.3     No Other Investments. The Company does not own, and has never
owned, any capital stock of any other corporation or any equity, profit
sharing, participation, or other interest of any type in any partnership, joint
venture, and other entity.

         2.4     Foreign Qualification. The Company is duly qualified or
licensed to do business as a foreign corporation and in good standing in those
jurisdictions set forth in Section 2.4 of the schedule delivered by the Company
concurrently with the execution of this Agreement (the "Company Disclosure
Schedule"). The Company is duly qualified or licensed to do business as a
foreign corporation in every jurisdiction where the failure so to qualify could
have a material adverse effect on the businesses, operations, assets or
financial condition of the Company. For purposes of this Section 2.4, no
material adverse effect shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of non-
payment of state or local franchise taxes not exceeding $37,500 in the
aggregate.

         2.5     Power and Authority to Conduct Business. The Company has the
corporate power and authority, and possesses all licenses and permits required
by governmental authorities, to own, lease, and operate their properties and
assets and to carry on its business as currently being





                                       5
<PAGE>   12
conducted, except where the failure to possess such license or permit would not
have a material adverse effect on the businesses, operations, assets or
financial condition of the Company.

         2.6     Authority to Consummate Merger. The Company has the corporate
power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under this
Agreement and the other agreements or documents executed or required to be
executed by the Company in connection with this Agreement, and the execution,
delivery, and performance by the Company of this Agreement and the other
documents executed or required to be executed by the Company in connection with
this Agreement have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action.
Each Shareholder has the capacity and authority to execute, deliver and perform
his obligations under this Agreement, and the other agreements or documents
executed or required to be executed by him in connection herewith.

         2.7     Binding Effect. This Agreement and the other agreements and
documents executed or required to be executed by the Company or the
Shareholders in connection with this Agreement have been or will have been duly
executed and delivered by the Company or the Shareholders, as appropriate, and
are or will be, when executed and delivered, the legal, valid, and binding
obligations of the Company or the Shareholders executing the same, enforceable
in accordance with their terms, except that:

                 (a)       enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy,
insolvency, or other similar laws affecting creditors' rights;

                 (b)       the availability of equitable remedies may be
limited by equitable principles of general applicability; and

                 (c)       rights to indemnification under Section 10.5 may be
limited by considerations of public policy.

         2.8     Compliance with Other Instruments. Except as disclosed in
Section 2.8 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, neither the execution and
delivery by the Company or the Shareholders of this Agreement, or the other
agreements or documents executed or required to be executed by the Company or
the Shareholders in connection herewith, nor the consummation by the Company or
the Shareholders of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, will (i)
conflict with the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the Company; (ii)
assuming satisfaction of the requirements set forth in clause (iii) below,
violate any provision of law applicable to the Company; (iii) except for (A)
requirements arising out of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of
1976 (the "HSR Act"), and (B) the filing of articles of merger in accordance
with the TBCA, require any consent, authorization, permit, license or approval
of, or declaration, registration or filing with or notice to, any person or
governmental body or authority, domestic or foreign, under any provision of law
applicable to the Company; or (iv) require any consent, approval or notice
under, violate, breach, be in conflict with, or constitute a default (or an
event that, with notice or





                                       6
<PAGE>   13
lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) under, or permit the
termination or the acceleration of maturity of, or result in the imposition of
any lien, claim, or encumbrance upon any property or asset of the Company or
either Shareholder, pursuant to any note, bond, indenture, mortgage, deed of
trust, evidence of indebtedness, loan or lease agreement, or other agreement or
instrument (including with customers) listed or required to be listed in
Section 2.21 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, or any judgment, order,
injunction, or decree by which the Company or either Shareholder is bound, to
which any of them is a party, or to which any of their assets is subject, where
any such failure to obtain any consent, approval or notice, or violation,
breach, conflict or default would result in a material adverse effect on the
businesses, operations, assets or financial condition of the Company.

         2.9     Capitalization of Company.

                 (a)      The authorized capital stock of the Company is
5,000,000 shares of Company Common Stock, of which 1,921,000 shares of Company
Common Stock are issued and outstanding at the date hereof and 150,000 shares
are subject to Stock Options. All of the issued and outstanding shares of
Company Common Stock have been duly authorized and are validly issued, fully
paid and nonassessable. There are and at the Closing will be no shares of the
capital stock of the Company held in its treasury or in the treasury.

                 (b)      At the Closing, each Shareholder will be the lawful
record and beneficial owner of the shares of the Company Common Stock, set
forth opposite such Shareholder's name on Annex I, free and clear of all liens,
encumbrances, and claims of every kind, and the shares so owned by the
Shareholders will constitute 93% of the issued and outstanding shares of the
Company capital stock. Set forth on Annex I are the number of shares of Company
Common Stock outstanding and Company Common Stock subject to options. Each
Shareholder has the right to vote or direct the vote of his shares at his
discretion on any matter submitted to a vote of the Company shareholders.

                 (c)      Except as disclosed in Section 2.9 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, there are no voting trusts, shareholder agreements, or
other voting arrangements among the shareholders of the Company.

                 (d)      Except as described in Section 2.9 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule , there presently is no outstanding subscription, contract,
convertible or exchangeable security, option, warrant, call, or other right
obligating the Company or any Shareholder to issue, sell, exchange, or
otherwise dispose of, or to purchase, redeem, or otherwise acquire, shares of,
or securities convertible into or exchangeable for, capital stock of the
Company; no such rights disclosed in Section 2.9 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule will remain outstanding at the Closing. No shareholder of the Company
is entitled to any preemptive right.

         2.10    [Intentionally Omitted].





                                       7
<PAGE>   14
         2.11    [Intentionally Omitted].

         2.12    Company Financial Statements.

                 (a)       The Company has delivered to Tyler true, correct,
and complete copies of the following financial statements of the Company (the
"Company Financial Statements"), which are attached to Section 2.12 of the
Company Disclosure Schedule:

                               (i)         the audited balance sheets of the
Company as of October 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 and the related audited
statements of operations, stockholder's equity, and cash flows for the years
then ended, with notes thereto, prepared in accordance with United States
generally accepted accounting principles, except as disclosed in the notes
thereto; and

                              (ii)         the unaudited balance sheet of the
Company as of August 31, 1997 (the "Company Balance Sheet"), and the related
unaudited statements of operations, stockholder's equity, and cash flows for
the ten months then ended, with notes thereto, prepared in accordance with
United States generally accepted accounting principles, except as disclosed in
the notes thereto.

 The Company Financial Statements present fairly, in all material respects, the
financial position of the Company as of the dates thereof and the results of
operations and cash flows for the periods then ended, in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles applied, except as may be set forth in
the notes thereto, on a consistent basis throughout such periods.

                 (b)      Since August 31, 1997, there has been no change in
accounting principles applicable to, or methods of accounting utilized by the
Company, and the books and records of Company have been and are being
maintained in accordance with all applicable legal and accounting requirements
and what the Shareholders believe in good faith to be good business practice,
reflect only valid transactions, are complete and correct in all material
respects, and accurately reflect in all material respects the basis for the
financial position and results of operations and cash flows of the Company set
forth in the Company Financial Statements.

         2.13    Absence of Certain Changes. Since August 31, 1997 (or other
date indicated below), the Company has not (except as may be contemplated by
this Agreement or as may result from the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement):

                 (a)      except as disclosed in Section 2.13 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, suffered any change in its businesses, results of
operations, working capital, assets, liabilities, or financial condition or the
manner of conducting its business other than changes that, individually or in
the aggregate, have not had a material adverse effect on the businesses,
operations, assets or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company;





                                       8
<PAGE>   15
                 (b)       experienced a decline in the shareholder's equity of
the Company from its shareholder's equity shown on the Company Balance Sheet at
August 31, 1997, determined using the same accounting principles applied in the
preparation of the Company Financial Statements;

                 (c)      except as disclosed in Section 2.13 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, suffered any damage or destruction to or loss of its
assets not covered by insurance, or any loss of customers or suppliers, or
terminated or lost the services of any key employee (including any employee who
had agreed with the Company to maintain the confidentiality of proprietary or
technical information or know-how or to assign inventions, patents, or
copyrights) that has had, or in the good faith belief of the Shareholders is
likely to have, a material adverse effect on the businesses, operations,
assets, financial condition, or prospects of the Company;

                 (d)       acquired or disposed of any material asset, or
incurred, assumed, guaranteed, endorsed, paid, or discharged any material
indebtedness, liability, or obligation, or subjected or permitted to be
subjected any material amount of assets to any lien, claim, or encumbrance of
any kind, except in the ordinary course of business or pursuant to agreements
in force at the date of this Agreement;

                 (e)      forgiven, compromised, canceled, released, waived, or
permitted to lapse any material rights or claims, except as disclosed in
Section 2.13 of the Company Disclosure Schedule;

                 (f)       entered into or terminated any material agreement or
commitment, or agreed or made any changes in material leases or agreements,
other than renewals or extensions thereof and leases, agreements, and
commitments entered into, terminated, or modified in the ordinary course of
business;

                 (g)       written up, written down, or written off the book
value of any material amount of assets, except as disclosed in Section 2.13 of
the Company Disclosure Schedule;

                 (h)       declared, paid, or set aside for payment any
dividend or distribution with respect to its capital stock;

                 (i)       except as set forth in Section 2.13 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, redeemed, purchased, or otherwise acquired, or sold,
granted, or otherwise disposed of, directly or indirectly, any of its capital
stock or securities or any rights to acquire such capital stock or securities,
or agreed to changes in the terms and conditions of any such rights;

                 (j)       except as set forth in Section 2.13 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, paid compensation , fees, bonuses or other payments to any
Shareholder or his family members or any of his affiliates, or otherwise paid
or transferred any cash, property or assets to any Shareholder, his family
members or any of his affiliates, other than the base salary of each
Shareholder; or materially increased the compensation of or paid any bonus to
any other employee or contributed to any





                                       9
<PAGE>   16
employee benefit plan other than in accordance with policies, practices or
requirements established and in effect on October 31, 1996;

                 (k)      Entered into any employment, compensation, or
collective bargaining agreement with any person or group or consulting
agreement not identified in Section 2.13 of the Company Disclosure Schedule,
other than in the ordinary course of business;

                 (l)      Entered into, adopted, or materially amended any
employee benefit plan; or

                 (m)      Entered into any other material commitment or
transaction not disclosed elsewhere herein or in the Company Disclosure
Schedule, other than in the ordinary course of business.

         2.14    No Material Undisclosed Liabilities. To the knowledge of the
Company or the Shareholders, there is no liability or obligation of the Company
of any nature, whether absolute, accrued, contingent, or otherwise, other than:


                 (a)       the liabilities and obligations that are fully
reflected, accrued, or reserved against on the Company Balance Sheet, for which
the reserves are appropriate and reasonable, or incurred in the ordinary course
of business and consistent with past practices since August 31, 1997;

                 (b)       the loss contingencies set forth in Section 2.14 of
the Company Disclosure Schedule;

                 (c)       contractual liabilities or obligations of a nature
not required to be disclosed on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles, but which, if material, are disclosed
in Section 2.14 of the Company Disclosure Schedule; and

                 (d)       other liabilities and loss contingencies which are
not material in the aggregate to the business, operations, assets or condition
(financial or otherwise) of the Company.

         The Company is not a signatory to, and is not in any manner a
guarantor, endorser, assumptor or otherwise primarily or secondarily liable for
or responsible for the payment of, any notes payable other than those set forth
in Section 2.21 of the Company Disclosure Schedule.

         2.15    Tax Liabilities. The Company has filed all material federal,
state, county, local, and foreign tax returns and reports required to be filed
by them, including those with respect to income, payroll, property,
withholding, social security, unemployment, franchise, excise, use and sales
taxes, and has either paid in full all taxes that have become due as reflected
on any such return or report and any interest and penalties with respect
thereto or, as of August 31, 1997, it has fully accrued on its books or has
established adequate reserves for all taxes payable but not yet due, except
that at August 31, 1997 the unrecorded contingent liability of the Company with
respect to payroll,





                                       10
<PAGE>   17
withholding, social security, unemployment, franchise, property, sales, use and
excise taxes did not exceed $37,500 in the aggregate for all such taxes. The
total of all payments made in 1996 and in 1997 for taxes, interest and
penalties of the Company for periods ended prior to November 1, 1996 have not
exceeded the accrued liability for such items shown on the Company Financial
Statements as of August 31, 1997 for periods ended October 31, 1996; the
Company has not, subsequent to October 31, 1996, accrued or set aside any
reserves on its books and records for any taxes, interest or penalties for any
period ended prior to November 1, 1996 nor has the Company made any payments in
1996 or 1997 of taxes, interest or penalties for periods ended prior to
November 1, 1996 that were not reflected in the accrued liability therefor
(including deferred taxes) shown on the Company Financial Statements as of
August 31, 1997 for periods ended October 31, 1996. There are no reserves
(other than for deferred taxes) reflected in the Company Financial Statements
as of August 31, 1997 for periods ended October 31, 1996 for taxes, interest or
penalties in excess of those shown to be due on any tax returns that have been
filed for any periods then ended. Except as disclosed on Section 2.15 of the
Company Disclosure Schedule, neither the Internal Revenue Service nor any other
taxing authority has audited or is in the process of auditing the tax returns
and reports of the Company, and no claim for additional taxes, interest, or
penalties for any fiscal year is pending. The Company has delivered to Tyler
true, complete and correct copies of (i) all federal and state income or
franchise tax returns for the Company for all periods ending on and after
October 31, 1994 and (ii) relevant portions of income and franchise tax
examination reports, statements of deficiencies, closing or other agreements
received by, assessed against or agreed to by the Company, relating to such
taxes, since October 31, 1994, if any. No extension or waiver of any statute of
limitations has been requested of or granted by the Company with respect to any
tax year, and no extension or waiver of time within which to file any tax
return has been requested by or granted to the Company except with respect to
tax returns not yet filed but otherwise due. No unsatisfied deficiency,
delinquency, or default for any tax, assessment, or governmental charge has
been claimed or assessed, or to the knowledge of the Company or the
Shareholders, proposed against the Company, nor has the Company received notice
of any such deficiency, delinquency, or default, for any tax period. Neither
the Company nor either Shareholder has any reason to believe that the Company
has any material contingent income tax liabilities other than those reflected
on the Company Balance Sheet and those arising in the ordinary course of
business since the date thereof, and those arising as a result of the
transactions contemplated hereby. The Company has not filed a consent under
Section 341(f) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"),
concerning collapsible corporations. The Company has not made any material
payments, is not obligated to make any material payments, and is not a party to
any agreement that under certain circumstances could obligate it to make any
material payments that will not be deductible under Code Section 280G. The
Company is not a party to any tax allocation or sharing agreement. The Company
(i) has not been a member of an affiliated group filing a consolidated federal
income tax return and (ii) does not have any liability for the taxes of any
person under Treasury Reg. Section 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state,
local or foreign law) as a transferee or successor, by contract, or otherwise.






                                       11
<PAGE>   18
         2.16    Title to Properties.
                                     
                 (a)      The Company owns no real property.

                 (b)      Except as disclosed in Section 2.16(b) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule and except as they have since been affected subsequent to
August 31, 1997 by transactions in the ordinary course of business and
consistent with past practices, and except for assets subject to financing
leases required to be capitalized under generally accepted accounting
principles which are reflected in the Company Balance Sheet or notes thereto,
the Company has good and marketable title to the assets reflected in the
Company Balance Sheet or otherwise on their books and records as being owned as
of August 31, 1997, or purchased by it since August 31, 1997, and to the assets
described in Section 2.20 below and to the following assets whether or not
reflected in the Company Balance Sheet or on such books and records:


         The computer programs and applications software, in both object code
and source code form, and all documentation therefor (excluding operating
systems software leased by or licensed to the Company) utilized by the Company
in its business.

                 (c)      The assets identified in subsection (b) above and the
assets described in Section 2.20 below are owned by or licensed to the Company
free and clear of any lien, claim or encumbrance except those disclosed in the
Company Balance Sheet or notes thereto or in Section 2.16(c) of the Company
Disclosure Schedule and except for:

                               (i)         Liens for taxes, assessments, or
other governmental charges not yet delinquent, or the validity of which are
being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings listed in Section
2.16(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedule;

                              (ii)         Statutory liens incurred in the
ordinary course of business that are not yet delinquent, or the validity of
which are being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings described in
Section 2.16(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedule;

                             (iii)         The rights of customers of the
Company with respect to inventory or work in progress under purchase orders or
contracts entered into by the Company in the ordinary course of business;

                              (iv)         Liens, claims, or encumbrances
consisting of leases of equipment to customers entered into in the ordinary
course of business;

                               (v)         Liens, claims, or encumbrances
described in real estate title insurance binders or commitments, or abstracts
of title to real estate, furnished or to be furnished to Tyler in connection
with the transactions contemplated hereby, unless Tyler objects to the same in
writing within five business days after receipt of such title documents;





                                       12
<PAGE>   19
                              (vi)         Restrictions and constraints set
forth in the license agreements described in Section 2.20 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule; and

                             (vii)         Other liens, claims, or encumbrances
that, in the aggregate, do not materially detract from the value of, or
materially interfere with the present use of, such assets.

                 (d)      Except for those assets acquired since the date of
the Company Balance Sheet, all tangible properties and assets material to the
present operations of the Company are reflected on the Company Balance Sheet
and notes thereto in the manner and to the extent required by generally
accepted accounting principles. Immediately after the Closing, the Company will
own or lease or otherwise possess the rights to use all assets necessary to the
conduct of the business conducted by the Company immediately before the
Closing.

         2.17    Condition of Tangible Assets. Except as set forth in Section
2.17 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the tangible assets of the Company
which are material to the business, operations, assets or financial condition
of the Company, are in good condition and repair and, in the good faith belief
of each Shareholder, are adequate for the uses to which they are being put in
the ordinary course of their respective businesses.

         2.18    Accounts Receivable. To the knowledge of the Company or the
Shareholders, all accounts receivable reflected in the Company Balance Sheet or
arising since August 31, 1997 either have been collected or are enforceable and
collectible claims not subject to any valid defense, offset, or credit, except
to the extent of any reserves established for doubtful accounts in a manner
consistent with such practices in prior periods and except as set forth in
Section 2.18 of the Company Disclosure Schedule.

         2.19    Inventories. The Company has no inventories.

         2.20    Patents, Trademarks, and Copyrights. Set forth in Section 2.20
of the Company Disclosure Schedule is a true and correct description of:

                 (a)      all material trademarks, trade names, service marks,
patents, copyrights, and applications therefor and all license, royalty,
assignment, and other similar agreements relating to the foregoing currently
owned, in whole or in part, by the Company;

                 (b)      all material agreements relating to technology, know-
how, or processes that the Company is licensed or authorized to use by others
or licenses or authorizes others to use; and

                 (c)      all material trademarks, trade names, service marks,
patents, copyrights, and applications therefor and other similar and intangible
intellectual property and all license, royalty, assignment, and other similar
agreements relating to the foregoing and all material agreements





                                       13
<PAGE>   20
relating to technology, know-how, or processes used in connection with the
business of the Company.

Except to the extent set forth in Section 2.20 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, the Company has, to the knowledge of the Company and each
Shareholder, the sole and exclusive right to use the patents, trademarks, trade
names, copyrights, service marks, technology, know-how, and processes
identified in such Section 2.20 without infringing or violating the rights of
any other person, and to the knowledge of the Company and each Shareholder no
consent of third parties will be required for the use thereof by the Company
upon consummation of the Merger and there are no past due or delinquent license
fees, rents, royalties, or other charges that the Company is required or
obligated to pay with respect to any of the foregoing. Except as disclosed in
Section 2.20 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, no claim has been asserted by
any person to the ownership of or right to use any such patent, trademark,
trade name, copyright, service mark, technology, know-how, or process or
challenging or questioning the validity or effectiveness of any such license or
agreement, and the Company knows of no valid basis for any such claim. To the
knowledge of the Company and each Shareholder, except as disclosed in Section
2.20 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, each of the foregoing is valid and
subsisting, has not been canceled, abandoned, or otherwise terminated, and, if
applicable, has been duly issued or filed.

         2.21    Contracts. Set forth in Section 2.21 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule are complete and accurate lists of the following contracts and
commitments (including summaries of oral contracts) to which the Company is a
party or bound:

                 (a)      Contracts with any labor union;

                 (b)      Employee benefit plans or contracts;

                 (c)      Employment or similar contracts, including
confidentiality agreements and agreements to assign inventions, patents and
copyrights, and consulting agreements (other than those entered into in the
ordinary course of business);

                 (d)      Leases, whether as lessor or lessee, involving annual
rental payments in excess of $7,500, that are not terminable at will or upon
notice of 30 days or less by the Company;

                 (e)      Loan agreements, mortgages, indentures, instruments
of indebtedness or commitments involving indebtedness for borrowed money or
money loaned to others in excess of $7,500, but excluding intercompany items;

                 (f)      Guaranty or suretyship, performance bond,
indemnification, or contribution agreements involving obligations in excess of
$7,500, but excluding intercompany items;





                                       14
<PAGE>   21
                 (g)      Contracts with customers or suppliers that involve
aggregate payments to or by the Company of more than $15,000, and that are not
terminable at will or upon notice of 90 days or less by the Company;

                 (h)      Distribution, marketing, dealership, sales, or agency
agreements material to the Company that are not terminable at will or upon
notice of 30 days or less by the Company;

                 (i)      Joint venture, partnership, or other agreements
evidencing an ownership interest or a participation in or sharing of profits;

                 (j)      Contracts containing noncompetition covenants,
covenants to register securities, or negative or restrictive financial
covenants that are not terminable at will or upon notice of 30 days or less by
the Company;

                 (k)      Voting agreements relating to securities of the
Company (whether or not the Company is a party thereto);

                 (l)      Insurance policies involving annual premium payments
of more than $750;

                 (m)      Powers of attorney; and

                 (n)      Contracts between the Company and any of the
Shareholders, their spouses or any affiliates or relatives thereof; and

                 (o)      Other contracts not made in the ordinary course of
business or that, in the reasonable judgment of the Shareholders, are material
to the businesses, operations, assets, or financial condition of the Company.

No contract or commitment listed in Section 2.21 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule has been amended or modified or the rights and obligations evidenced
thereby otherwise affected in a manner materially adverse to the Company,
except by an instrument which is also included in such listing, and each
contract or commitment, as so amended, modified or affected, contains all
material provisions with respect to the subject matter thereof. The Company and
the Shareholders have furnished or made available to Tyler accurate and
complete copies of all of the contracts, commitments or instruments listed in
Section 2.21 of the Company Disclosure Schedule. Except as set forth in Section
2.21 of the Company Disclosure Schedule or with respect to contracts not
material to the businesses, operations, assets or financial condition of the
Company, (i) to the knowledge of the Company and the Shareholders, all such
contracts are valid, binding, subsisting, and enforceable in all material
respects; (ii) to the knowledge of the Company and the Shareholders and in
their good faith belief the Merger will not affect the continuance in full
force and effect of such contracts; and (iii) there is no material dispute
among the parties to any such contract and no material penalty has been
incurred with respect thereto. Neither the Company nor any Shareholder





                                       15
<PAGE>   22
has received notice of any plan or intention of any other party to any such
contract or agreement to exercise any right to cancel or terminate any such
contract or agreement, and neither the Company nor any Shareholder knows of any
fact that would justify the exercise of such right. Neither the Company nor any
Shareholder currently contemplates, or has any reason to believe any other
person or entity currently contemplates, any amendment or change to any of the
contracts or agreements referred to in Section 2.21 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule. Except as disclosed in Section 2.21 of the Company Disclosure
Schedule, none of the Company's customers or suppliers, that during the fiscal
year ended October 31, 1996 accounted for as much as 2% of consolidated sales
or purchases of the Company, has refused, or communicated that it will or may
refuse, to purchase or supply goods or services, as the case may be, or has
communicated that it will or may substantially reduce the amount of goods or
services that it is willing to purchase from, or sell to, the Company after the
date hereof.

         2.22    Litigation and Claims. Except as described in Section 2.22 of
the Company Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any Shareholder is a
party to, and the businesses or assets of the Company are not the subject of or
affected by, any pending or to the knowledge of the Company or any Shareholder,
threatened suit, claim, action, or litigation with any party or any
administrative, arbitration, or other governmental proceeding, investigation,
or inquiry, or any pending change in any regulations, statutes or ordinances,
which would, severally or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on
the businesses, results of operations, assets, or the condition (financial or
otherwise) of the Company. Except as described in Section 2.22 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, to the knowledge of the Company or any Shareholder, no
suit, claim, action or demand is currently pending, has been made or filed, or
is or has been threatened or contemplated by any person or entity, and there
exists no judgment or order (whether or not the Company is a party to any of
the foregoing) regarding or affecting the ownership, disclosure, copying,
possession or utilization by the Company of the assets reflected in the books
and records of the Company.

         2.23    Judgments, Decrees, and Orders in Restraint of Business. The
Company is not a party to or subject to any judgment, order, or decree entered
in any suit or proceeding brought by any governmental agency or by any other
person enjoining it in respect of any business practice or the acquisition of
any property or the conduct of its business.

         2.24    No Violation of Any Instrument. Except as disclosed in Section
2.24 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company is not in violation of or
default under nor, to the knowledge of the Company or any Shareholder, has any
event occurred that, with or without the giving of notice, lapse of time or the
occurrence of any other event, would constitute a violation of or default
under, or permit the termination or the acceleration of maturity of, or result
in the imposition of a lien, claim, or encumbrance upon any property or asset
of the Company pursuant to, the articles or certificate of incorporation or
bylaws of the Company or any note, bond, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust,
evidence of indebtedness, loan or lease agreement, or other agreement or
instrument (including with customers) listed or required to be listed in
Section 2.21





                                       16
<PAGE>   23
of the Company Disclosure Schedule, or any judgment, order, injunction, or
decree, to which it is a party, by which it is bound, or to which any of its
assets is subject, which would have a material adverse effect on the
businesses, operations, assets or financial condition of the Company.

         2.25     Compliance With Laws.    The Company is substantially in
compliance with all laws applicable to their businesses, where failure so to
comply would have a material adverse effect on the businesses, operations,
assets, prospects, or financial condition of the Company.

         2.26    Compensation and Benefit Plans.

                 (a)      Section 2.26 of the Company Disclosure Schedule
includes a complete and accurate list of all pension, profit sharing, Section
401(k), thrift-savings, simplified employee pension, excess benefit plan,
deferred compensation, incentive compensation, stock bonus, stock option,
restricted stock, cash bonus, employee stock ownership, severance pay, golden
parachute, cafeteria, flexible compensation, life insurance, medical, dental,
disability, welfare, or vacation plans or arrangements of any kind and any
other Employee Pension Benefit Plan or Employee Welfare Benefit Plan (as such
terms are defined in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended "ERISA") in which employees or former employees of the Company
participate (collectively, the "Benefit Plans").

                 (b)      The Company does not participate currently in and has
never participated in, and is not required currently to and has never been
required to contribute to or otherwise participate in, any "multi-employer
plan," as defined in Sections 3(37)(A) and 4001(a)(3) of ERISA and Section
414(f) of the Code. The Company does not participate currently in and has never
participated in, and is not required currently to and has never been required
to contribute to or otherwise participate in, any plan, program or arrangement
subject to Title IV of ERISA.

                 (c)       No former employee of the Company is entitled, and
no current employee will be entitled after termination of employment, to
participate in any Employee Welfare Benefit Plan as defined in ERISA, other
than participation required to be permitted by the Company under Section 4980B
of the Code and Sections 601 to 609 of ERISA.

                 (d)      The Company and the Shareholders have delivered to
Tyler true, correct and complete copies of the Benefit Plans and each
applicable summary plan description and the most recent Form 5500s applicable
to such Benefit Plans. Section 2.26 of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets
forth the costs attributable to each Benefit Plan determined on an annual
basis. Except as reflected or reserved against on the Company Balance Sheet,
there is no unfunded liability with respect to any Benefit Plan. None of the
assets of the Company's Benefit Plans are invested in any property constituting
employer real property or employer security within the meaning of Section
407(d) of ERISA.





                                       17
<PAGE>   24
                 (e)      Each Employee Pension Benefit Plan sponsored,
maintained or contributed to by the Company is qualified under Section 401(a)
of the Code; all related trusts are exempt from federal income tax under
Section 501(a) of the Code; each such plan has received a determination letter
from the IRS stating that the plan is qualified under Section 401(a) of the
Code and all related trusts are exempt from federal income tax under Section
501(a) of the Code (which determination letter includes all statutory and
regulatory provisions of the Tax Reform Act of 1986 and subsequent legislation
for which a determination letter may be obtained); and to the knowledge of the
Company, nothing has occurred since the date of the last such determination
which resulted in, or is likely to result in, the revocation of such
determination. A copy of the latest determination letter applicable to any
Employee Pension Benefit Plan has been delivered to Tyler.

                 (f)      Each of the Benefit Plans has been administered in
material compliance with its underlying documentation, the requirements of
ERISA, the Code and all other applicable laws. All returns required to be made
under ERISA and the Code with respect to the Benefit Plans have been timely
filed and the Company has made all contributions required under the terms of
any Benefit Plan (including, but in no way limited to, employer matching
contributions and non-elective contributions and the deposit of elective
deferrals as such terms are defined in the Code) for all periods through and
including the date hereof.

                 (g)      To the knowledge of the Company, there are not now,
nor have there ever been, any transactions involving the Benefit Plans or any
fiduciary or administrator thereof which are prohibited under ERISA or the Code
or for which an individual, class or statutory exemption is not available.

                 (h)      There are no pending or, to the knowledge of the
Company, any threatened claims by or on behalf of the Benefit Plans, the United
States Department of Labor, the Internal Revenue Service, or any current or
former employee of the Company or beneficiary of such current or former
employee alleging a breach of any fiduciary duties or a violation of applicable
state or federal law which could result in liability on the part of the
Company, or a Benefit Plan under ERISA or any other law, nor, to the knowledge
of the Company, is there any basis for such a claim and neither the Company,
nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any administrator or fiduciary of any
Benefit Plan (or agent of the foregoing) has engaged in any transaction or
acted or failed to act in any manner which would subject the Company to any
liability for a breach of fiduciary duty under ERISA. The transactions
contemplated by this Agreement (either alone or together with any other event)
will not (i) terminate or modify the provisions of any Benefit Plan or (ii)
trigger an event under any Benefit Plan or employer benefit arrangement or law
that will result in any payment (whether of severance pay or otherwise)
becoming due from the Company.

         2.27    Labor Relations.

                 (a)      To the knowledge of the Company or the Shareholders,
the Company (i) is in substantial compliance with all applicable laws
respecting employment and employment





                                       18
<PAGE>   25
practices, terms and conditions of employment (including occupational health
and safety), nondiscrimination, and wages and hours and (ii) are not engaged in
any unfair labor practice, that in any such case would have a material adverse
effect on the businesses, operations, assets or financial condition of the
Company.

                 (b)      Except as disclosed in Section 2.27 of the Company
Disclosure Schedule, there is no unfair labor practice complaint against
Company pending or, to the knowledge of the Company or any Shareholder,
threatened before the National Labor Relations Board.

                 (c)      There is no strike, labor dispute, slowdown,
stoppage, or other material interference with or impairment by labor of the
business of the Company actually pending or, to the knowledge of the Company or
any Shareholder, threatened or contemplated against or directly affecting the
Company.

                 (d)      To the knowledge of the Company or the Shareholders,
no question of union representation exists respecting the employees of the
Company and no union organizing activities are taking place.

                 (e)      Since August 31, 1997, no key employees of the
Company have been terminated or have resigned their employment.

         2.28    Adequate Insurance. The Company maintains insurance coverage
that the Company and the Shareholders believe is reasonably adequate to protect
the assets and operations of the Company, and is sufficient for material
compliance with all requirements of law and all agreements to which the Company
is a party. No notice of any termination or threatened termination of such
policies has been received by the Company and, to the knowledge of the Company
or the Shareholders, such policies are valid, binding, and enforceable.

         2.29    Contracts with Affiliates and Others. Except as set forth in
Section 2.29 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, no director or officer of the
Company, nor any person who is a spouse or descendant of such director or
officer, has any direct or indirect relationship with any customer or supplier
of, or other contracting party with, the Company (other than as a director,
officer, or shareholder of the Company) that would be required to be disclosed
in a proxy statement relating to the election of directors filed under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act").

         2.30    Revenue Recognition. The Company has not recognized and does
not recognize revenues from customers in advance of performing the services or
furnishing the products for which the revenues were or are received.

         2.31    Certain Fees. Except as disclosed in Section 2.31 of the
Company Disclosure Schedule, neither the Company nor any officer, director, or
employee of the Company has employed





                                       19
<PAGE>   26
any broker or finder or incurred any liability for any brokerage fees,
commissions, or finders' fees in connection with the transactions contemplated
hereby. Tyler recognizes and acknowledges that, subject to the Company's
satisfaction of the representation and warranty in Section 2.13(b) hereof, the
fees shown in Section 2.31 of the Company Disclosure Schedule shall be paid by
the Company at Closing.

         2.32    Environmental Matters. To the knowledge of the Company or the
Shareholders:

The Company and its property (whether real, personal, owned, leased, managed or
operated) (collectively, "Business Facilities") are in compliance with
applicable laws, rules, regulations, ordinances, orders or guidance documents
now in effect of any applicable governmental authority or any judicial or
administrative decision relating thereto that relate in any manner to health,
Materials of Environmental Concern, the environment, or a community's right to
know (collectively, Environmental Laws"). There are no Materials of
Environmental Concern on any Business Facility in any quantity or concentration
exceeding any limitation or standard established pursuant to Environmental
Laws. There are no actual or threatened claims, demands, allegations, actions,
suits, investigations, notices, or proceedings against or relating to the
Company or any of its Business Facilities relating to or arising out of the
use, presence, or handling of Materials of Environmental Concern or compliance
with Environmental Laws (collectively, "Environmental Claims"), and there is no
basis for any such Environmental Claims. There are no events, conditions,
circumstances, facts, activities, practices, incidents or plans relating to or
arising out of the operations of the Company which will prevent or interfere
with compliance with Environmental Laws by Tyler after the Closing, or which
may give rise to any common law or statutory liability under Environmental Laws
or form the basis of an Environmental Claim against the Company, or any of
their respective Business Facilities.

                 "Materials of Environmental Concern" means: (i) those
substances included within the statutory and/or regulatory definitions of
"hazardous substance," "hazardous waste," "extremely hazardous substance,"
"regulated substance," "hazardous materials," or "toxic substances," under any
Environmental Law; (ii) any material, waste or substance which is or contains:
(A) petroleum, oil or a fraction or constituent thereof, (B) asbestos, (C)
polychlorinated biphenyls, (D) formaldehyde, (E) explosives, or (F) radioactive
materials (including NORM); (iii) solid wastes (as defined under the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 6901 et seq., and its
implementing regulations) that post imminent and substantial endangerment to
health or the environment; (iv) any material, waste or substance designated
classified or regulated as a "Class I" or "Class II" waste under Title 30 of
the Texas Administrative Code; and (v) such other substances, materials, or
wastes that are or become classified or regulated as hazardous or toxic under
any applicable federal, state or local law or regulation. To the extent that
the laws or regulations of any applicable state or local jurisdiction establish
a meaning for any term defined herein through reference to federal
Environmental Laws which is broader than the meaning under such federal
Environmental Laws, such broader meaning shall apply.





                                       20
<PAGE>   27
         2.33    Accuracy of Information Furnished. No representation or
warranty by the Company or the Shareholders in this Agreement (including the
Company Disclosure Schedule) or any other agreement or document executed or to
be executed by the Company or the Shareholders in connection herewith contains
or will contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omits or will omit
to state any material fact necessary to make the statements herein or therein,
in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not false or
misleading.


                                   ARTICLE 3
                    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF TYLER

          Tyler and Sub jointly and severally represent and warrant to the
Company and the Shareholders as follows:

         3.1     Organization and Good Standing of Tyler. Tyler is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing, and in good standing under the
laws of the State of Delaware. Sub is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Texas.

         3.2     Foreign Qualification. Tyler is duly qualified or licensed to
do business as a foreign corporation and in good standing in those
jurisdictions set forth in Section 3.2 of the schedule delivered by Tyler
concurrently with the execution of this Agreement (the "Tyler Disclosure
Schedule"). Tyler is duly qualified or licensed to do business as a foreign
corporation in every jurisdiction where the failure so to qualify would have a
material adverse effect on the businesses, operations, assets, or financial
condition of Tyler and the Tyler Subsidiaries (as defined in Section 3.7),
taken as a whole. For purposes of this Section 3.2, no material adverse affect
shall be deemed to have occurred as a result of non-payment of state or local
franchise taxes not exceeding $37,500 in the aggregate.

         3.3     Power and Authority to Conduct Business. Each of Tyler and Sub
has the corporate power and authority, and possess all licenses and permits,
required by governmental authorities to own, lease, and operate its properties
and assets and to carry on its business as currently being conducted, except
where the failure to possess such license or permit does not and would not have
a material adverse effect on the business, operations, assets or financial
condition of Tyler and the Tyler Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

         3.4     Authority to Consummate Merger. Each of Tyler and Sub has the
corporate power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations
under this Agreement and the other agreements or documents executed or required
to be executed by it in connection with this Agreement and, subject to
obtaining the approval of the stockholders of Tyler, the execution, delivery
and performance by each of Tyler and Sub of this Agreement and the other
documents executed or to be executed by it in connection with this Agreement
have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action.





                                       21
<PAGE>   28
         3.5     Binding Effect. This Agreement and the other documents
executed or required to be executed by Tyler or Sub in connection with this
Agreement have been or will have been duly executed and delivered by Tyler or
Sub and are or will be, when executed and delivered, the legal, valid, and
binding obligations of Tyler or Sub executing the same, enforceable in
accordance with their terms except that:

                 (a)       enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy,
insolvency, or other similar laws affecting creditors' rights;

                 (b)       the availability of equitable remedies may be
limited by equitable principles of general applicability; and

                 (c)       rights to indemnification under Section 10.5 may be
limited by considerations of public policy.

         3.6     Compliance with Other Instruments. Subject to obtaining the
approval of the stockholders of Tyler and except as disclosed in Section 3.6 of
the Tyler Disclosure Schedule, neither the execution and delivery by Tyler or
Sub of this Agreement or the other agreements or documents executed or required
to be executed by Tyler or Sub in connection herewith, nor the consummation by
Tyler or Sub of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will (i)
conflict with the articles of incorporation or bylaws of Tyler or Sub, (ii)
assuming satisfaction of the requirements set forth in clause (iii) below,
violate any provision of law applicable to Tyler or any of the Tyler
Subsidiaries; (iii) except for (A) requirements arising out of the HSR Act, (B)
requirements of federal and state securities laws, and (C) the filing of
articles of merger in accordance with the TBCA, require any consent,
authorization, permit, license or approval of, or declaration, registration or
filing with or notice to, any person or governmental body or authority,
domestic or foreign, under any provision of law applicable to Tyler or any of
the Tyler Subsidiaries; or (iv) require any consent, approval or notice under,
violate, breach, be in conflict with, or constitute a default (or an event
that, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) under,
or permit the termination or the acceleration of maturity of, or result in the
imposition of any lien, claim, or encumbrance upon any property or asset of
Tyler or any Tyler Subsidiary pursuant to any note, bond, indenture, mortgage,
deed of trust, evidence of indebtedness, loan or lease agreement, other
agreement or instrument or any judgment, order, injunction, or decree by which
Tyler or any Tyler Subsidiary is bound, to which any of them is a party, or to
which any of their assets is subject, except for those violations and breaches
that would not have a material adverse effect on the businesses, operations,
assets or financial condition of Tyler and the Tyler Subsidiaries, taken as a
whole.

         3.7     Capitalization of Tyler.

                 (a)      The authorized capital stock of Tyler consists of
50,000,000 shares of Tyler Common Stock, and 1,000,000 shares of preferred
stock, par value $10.00 per share ("Tyler





                                       22
<PAGE>   29
Preferred Stock"), of which 22,007,921 shares of Tyler Common Stock and no
shares of Tyler Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding as of September 30,
1997 and 1,301,356 shares of Common Stock were held in treasury. All of the
issued and outstanding shares of Tyler Common Stock have been duly authorized
and are validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable. There are no
shares of the capital stock of Tyler held in its treasury or in the treasury of
any corporation of which Tyler is the record or beneficial owner, directly or
indirectly, of 50% or more of the capital stock (each such corporation being
referred to as a "Tyler Subsidiary"). The shares of Tyler Common Stock to be
issued in the Merger, when issued and delivered, will be duly authorized,
validly issued, fully paid, and nonassessable.

                 (b)      As of the date hereof, the authorized capital stock
of Sub consists of 1,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share, all
of which are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and are owned by
Tyler.

                 (c)      Except as described in Section 3.7 of the Tyler
Disclosure Schedule and in the Tyler Financial Statements (as hereinafter
defined), there is no outstanding subscription, contract, convertible or
exchangeable security, option, warrant, call, or other right obligating Tyler
or any Tyler Subsidiary to issue, sell, exchange, or otherwise dispose of, or
to purchase, redeem, or otherwise acquire shares of, or securities convertible
into or exchangeable for, capital stock of Tyler.

         3.8     Commission Filings; Financial Statements. Section 3.8 of the
Tyler Disclosure Schedule lists all reports, registration statements and other
filings, together with any amendments required to be made with respect thereto,
that Tyler has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission")under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"), and the Exchange Act since October 1, 1995. All reports, registration
statements and other filings filed by Tyler with the Commission since October
1, 1995 through the date of this Agreement, together with any amendments
thereto, are sometimes collectively referred to as the "Tyler Commission
Filings." Tyler has heretofore provided the Company and the Shareholders true,
correct and complete copies of the Tyler Commission Filings. As of the
respective dates of their filing with the Commission, the Tyler Commission
Filings complied in all material respects with the Securities Act, the Exchange
Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder, and
did not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements
made therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.

          Each of the consolidated financial statements (including any related
notes or schedules) included in or incorporated by reference into the Tyler
Commission Filings ("Tyler Financial Statements") was, and each of the
consolidated financial statements to be included in the Proxy Statement (as
defined in Section 6.2) (except for those financial statements of the Company
furnished by or on behalf of the Company or the Shareholder to Tyler
specifically for use therein) will be, prepared in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles applied on a consistent basis (except as may be
noted therein or in the notes or schedules thereto), and fairly





                                      23
<PAGE>   30
present or will fairly present, as the case may be, the consolidated financial
position of Tyler and its consolidated subsidiaries as of the dates thereof and
the results of operations, cash flows and changes in stockholders' equity for
the periods then ended (subject, in the case of the unaudited interim financial
statements, to normal year-end audit adjustments). Since December 31, 1996,
there has been no change in accounting principles applicable to, or methods of
accounting utilized by, Tyler and the books and records of Tyler and the Tyler
Subsidiaries have been and are being maintained in accordance with all
applicable legal and accounting requirements and good business practice,
reflect only valid transactions, are complete and correct in all material
respects, and accurately reflect in all material respects the basis for the
consolidated financial position and consolidated results of operations and cash
flows of Tyler and its consolidated subsidiaries set forth in the Tyler
Financial Statements.

         3.9     Absence of Certain Changes. Since June 30, 1997, Tyler has not
(except as contemplated by this Agreement or as may result from the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or as described in the Tyler
Disclosure Schedule):

                 (a)      suffered any change in its business, results of
operations, working capital, assets, liabilities, or financial condition or the
manner of conducting its business other than changes that, individually or in
the aggregate, have not had a material adverse effect on the businesses,
operations, assets or financial condition of Tyler and the Tyler Subsidiaries,
taken as a whole;

                 (b)       entered into any material commitment or transaction
other than in the ordinary course of business;

                 (c)       written up, written down, or written off the book
value of any material amount of assets;

                 (d)       declared, paid, or set aside for payment any
dividend or distribution with respect to the capital stock of Tyler; or

                 (e)       redeemed, purchased, or otherwise acquired, or sold,
granted or otherwise disposed of, directly or indirectly, any of the capital
stock or securities of Tyler or any rights to acquire such capital stock or
securities, other than normal or periodic purchases, sales and grants under
provisions of existing employee benefit plans and programs of Tyler.

         3.10    No Material Undisclosed Liabilities. To the knowledge of
Tyler, there is no liability or obligation of Tyler and the Tyler Subsidiaries
of any nature, whether absolute, accrued, contingent, or otherwise, other than:

                 (a)       the liabilities and obligations that are fully
reflected, accrued, or reserved against in the unaudited consolidated balance
sheet of Tyler and its consolidated subsidiaries as of





                                      24
<PAGE>   31
June 30, 1997, for which the reserves are appropriate and reasonable, or
incurred in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices
since June 30, 1997;

                 (b)       the loss contingencies set forth in Section 3.10 of
the Tyler Disclosure Schedule;

                 (c)       contractual liabilities or obligations of a nature
not required to be disclosed on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles; and

                 (d)       other liabilities and loss contingencies which are
not material in the aggregate to the business, operations, assets or financial
condition of Tyler and the Tyler Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

         3.11    Litigation and Government Claims. Except as described in
Section 3.11 of the Tyler Disclosure Schedule, neither Tyler nor any Tyler
Subsidiary is a party to, and the business or assets of Tyler and the Tyler
Subsidiaries are not the subject of, any pending or, to the knowledge of Tyler,
threatened suit, claim, action, or litigation with any party, or any
administrative, arbitration, or other governmental proceeding, investigation,
or inquiry, in which the amount involved and not covered by insurance exceeds
$250,000. In the opinion of Tyler and its management, none of such pending or
threatened matters would, severally or in the aggregate, have a material
adverse effect on the business, operations, assets or financial condition of
Tyler and the Tyler Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

         3.12    No Violation of Any Instrument. Except as disclosed in Section
3.12 of the Tyler Disclosure Schedule, neither Tyler nor any Tyler Subsidiary
is in violation of or default under nor, to the knowledge of Tyler, has any
event occurred that, with the lapse of time or the giving of notice or both,
would constitute a violation of or default under, or permit the termination or
the acceleration of maturity of, or result in the imposition of a lien, claim,
or encumbrance upon any property or asset of Tyler or any Tyler Subsidiary
pursuant to the articles or certificate of incorporation or bylaws of Tyler or
any Tyler Subsidiary or any note, bond, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust,
evidence of indebtedness, loan or lease agreement, or other agreement or
instrument or any judgment, order, injunction, or decree to which it is a
party, by which it is bound, or to which any of its assets is subject, which
would have a material adverse effect on the business, operations, assets or
financial condition of Tyler and the Tyler Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

         3.13     Certain Fees. Neither Tyler nor any officer, director, or
employee of Tyler has employed any broker or finder or incurred any liability
for any brokerage fees, commissions, or finders' fees in connection with the
transactions contemplated hereby.

         3.14    No Interim Operations of Sub. Sub was formed solely for the
purpose of engaging in the transactions contemplated hereby, has engaged in no
other business activities and has conducted its operations only as contemplated
hereby.





                                      25
<PAGE>   32
         3.15    Accuracy of Information Furnished. No representation or
warranty by Tyler or Sub in this Agreement (including the Tyler Disclosure
Schedule) or any other agreement or document executed or to be executed by
Tyler or Sub in connection herewith contains or will contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omits or will omit to state any material fact
necessary to make the statements herein or therein, in light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not false or misleading.



                                   ARTICLE 4
           JOINT COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY, THE SHAREHOLDERS AND TYLER

         4.1     Access; Confidentiality.

                 (a)      During the period pending the Closing Date, the
Company shall afford to Tyler and its officers, employees, accountants,
counsel, and other authorized representatives, full access to and the right to
review and make copies of the Company's assets, properties, books, contracts,
commitments, and records, view their physical properties, and communicate with
the key employees of the Company on a basis reasonably satisfactory to the
Company, and will furnish and cause representatives to furnish promptly to
Tyler such additional financial and operating data and other documents and
information (certified if requested and reasonably susceptible to
certification) relating to the Company's businesses and properties as Tyler or
its duly authorized representatives may from time to time reasonably request.

                 (b)      During the period pending the Closing Date, Tyler
shall afford to the Company and the Shareholders and their accountants, counsel
and other authorized representatives the same rights of access to and
inspection of the books, records, properties, contracts and personnel of Tyler
as those afforded to Tyler and its representatives in Section 4.1(a) above.

                 (c)      Notwithstanding any such investigation by Tyler, the
Company, or the Shareholders, or any information obtained pursuant thereto, it
or he shall be entitled to rely in full upon the accuracy of the
representations and warranties of the other party or parties contained in this
Agreement and upon its or his representations at Closing as to compliance with
or performance of any covenants made by it or him in this Agreement. Tyler, the
Company, or the Shareholders shall have no obligation to investigate any such
matters and, if any such matters are investigated, shall have no obligation to
the other party or parties with respect to information obtained thereby except
as provided in Section 12.1 of this Agreement.

                 (d)      The rights and obligations of the Shareholders, the
Company and Tyler pursuant to the Confidentiality Agreement (the
"Confidentiality Agreement") dated September 17, 1997 by and among the
Shareholders, the Company and Tyler will survive the execution and delivery of
this Agreement, and all information obtained by the Shareholders, the Company
and





                                      26
<PAGE>   33
Tyler or any of their respective Representatives (as defined in the
Confidentiality Agreement) pursuant hereto shall be deemed "Information" as
that term is defined in the Confidentiality Agreement, and shall be subject to
the provisions of the Confidentiality Agreement, except to the extent that
Tyler is advised by counsel that disclosure of any such Information, including
the existence of the Confidentiality Agreement, is required by law in
connection with the Merger.

         4.2     Notice of any Material Change. Each of the Company and Tyler
shall, promptly after the first notice or occurrence or failure to occur
thereof but not later than the Closing Date, supplement or amend its Disclosure
Schedule to disclose the occurrence of any event or the existence of any state
of facts that would:

                 (a)       make any of its representations and warranties in
this Agreement untrue in any material respect or constitute a material failure
of such party to comply with or satisfy any covenant, condition or agreement to
be complied with or satisfied by it hereunder;

                  (b)     make it necessary to amend the Proxy Statement in
order to render the statements therein not misleading or to comply with
applicable law; or

                 (c)      otherwise constitute a material adverse change in the
respective businesses, results of operations, working capital, assets,
liabilities or condition (financial or otherwise) of Tyler and the Tyler
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or the Company. Subject to the provisions of
Section 12.1 of this Agreement, no supplement or amendment to any Disclosure
Schedule shall have any effect for the purpose of determining the satisfaction
of or compliance with the conditions to the obligations of the parties set
forth elsewhere in this Agreement.

         4.3     Monthly Financial Statements. During the period pending the
Closing Date, each of Tyler and the Company shall furnish to the other its
unaudited consolidated balance sheet and related statements of operations,
stockholders' equity, and cash flows and any supporting schedules for the
accounting periods ending on or about the last day of each such month, promptly
after they are available, but not later than 30 days after the close of such
accounting period.

         4.4     Antitrust Notification. Within 10 days after the date hereof,
Tyler and the Company shall each file with the Federal Trade Commission ("FTC")
and the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice ("DOJ") any
Notification and Report Form required to be filed pursuant to the HSR Act, and
shall timely supply any supplemental information that may be reasonably
requested by the FTC or DOJ in connection therewith. The Company and Tyler
shall furnish to each other such necessary information and reasonable
assistance as the other party may request in connection with the preparation of
its respective necessary submissions under the HSR Act. The Company and Tyler
shall furnish to each other copies of all correspondence, filings, or
communications (or memoranda setting forth the substance thereof), between them
or their representatives and the FTC or DOJ.





                                      27
<PAGE>   34
         4.5     Tax Matters.

                 (a)      Each Shareholder and the Company shall prepare and
timely file all tax returns and amendments thereto required to be filed by the
Company on or before the Closing Date. Tyler shall have a reasonable
opportunity to review all such tax returns of the Company and amendments
thereto.

                 (b)      Tyler or the Surviving Corporation, as appropriate,
shall prepare and file all tax returns of the Company that are due to be filed
after the Closing Date and relate to tax periods of the Company ending on or
before the Closing Date and shall pay all income taxes shown on such returns as
due and owing. The Shareholders shall reimburse Tyler for taxes of the Company
with respect to such periods within fifteen (15) days after payment by Tyler or
the Company of such taxes to the extent such taxes are not reflected in the
reserve for tax liability (other than any reserve for deferred taxes
established to reflect timing differences between book and tax income) shown on
the face of the Company Balance Sheet at Closing.

                 (c)      Each Shareholder covenants and agrees that he will be
fully responsible for, and indemnifies and holds harmless Tyler and the Company
from and against, any and all claims, demands, losses, obligations and
liabilities for income taxes of the Company, any penalties and interest with
respect thereto, and any costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys'
and accountants' fees) of Tyler or the Company incurred as an incident thereto,
relating to tax periods of the Company ending on or before the Closing Date.
Tyler agrees that each Shareholder shall have the sole right to contest,
resolve and defend, at his cost, against any assessment for additional income
taxes, notice of income tax deficiency or other adjustment of income taxes of
the Company made or proposed by any taxing authority for such periods. Each
Shareholder shall be entitled to retain such tax representatives, subject to
the consent of Tyler (which shall not be unreasonably withheld), as he selects
to represent him in resolving any such income tax controversies or disputes for
tax periods ending on or before the Closing Date, and Tyler or the Company, as
appropriate, shall execute and deliver powers of attorney, limited to such tax
periods, in favor of each Shareholder or his tax representatives as necessary
to effectuate the provisions of this Section 4.5.

                 (d)      Subject to Closing, and specifically reserving any
rights or remedies Tyler or the Surviving Corporation may have for breach of
the representations and warranties of Shareholders contained in Article 2 of
this Agreement, Tyler covenants and agrees that either it or the Surviving
Corporation, as appropriate, will be fully responsible for, and Tyler
indemnifies and holds harmless each Shareholder from and against, any and all
claims, demands, losses, obligations and liabilities for income taxes of the
Surviving Corporation, any penalties and interest with respect thereto, and any
costs and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' and accountants' fees) of
each Shareholder incurred as an incident thereto, relating to tax periods of
the Surviving Corporation ending after the Closing Date; such responsibility of
and indemnity by Tyler shall include the amounts of any and all tax
consequences or liabilities attributable to any election by Tyler or the
Surviving Corporation after the Closing to change the tax accounting methods
utilized by the





                                       28
<PAGE>   35
Company applicable to tax periods ending after the Closing Date. Each
Shareholder agrees that Tyler or the Surviving Corporation, as appropriate,
shall have the sole right to contest, resolve and defend, at its cost, against
any assessment for additional income taxes, notice of income tax deficiency or
other adjustments of income taxes of the Surviving Corporation made or proposed
by any taxing authority for tax periods ending after the Closing Date.

                 (e)      All parties hereto agree if requested to reasonably
cooperate with one another and assist in the settlement, compromise, defense or
other disposition of any assessments for additional taxes, notices of
deficiency, proposed adjustments or other income tax disputes or controversies
by or with taxing authorities relating to the Company. Tyler or the Surviving
Corporation, as appropriate, will provide to each Shareholder or his tax
representatives prompt written notification and copies of any communications
from or to any taxing authority received or made by either of them relating to
income tax liabilities of the Company for any tax periods ended on or before
the Closing Date. Each Shareholder or his tax representatives will provide to
Tyler prompt written notification and copies of any communications from or to
any taxing authority received or made by either of them relating to income tax
liabilities of the Company. Subsequent to any such notice, Tyler and each
Shareholder shall keep the other fully advised of the status and developments
with respect to such proposed or asserted income tax liability, and of the
terms of any settlement or other final resolution thereof. Failure by any party
to notify any other party, as provided herein, shall not relieve the party
otherwise entitled to such notice from its obligations contained in this
Section 4.5 of this Agreement; provided, however, that the party entitled to
such notice may pursue other remedies available to it at law or in equity for
breach, if any, of the covenant to notify contained herein.

                 (f)      No Shareholder shall, in any capacity, agree to any
audit adjustments by a taxing authority, or settle, compromise or otherwise
agree to a resolution of any dispute or controversy, with respect to the income
tax liability of the Company if the effect of the adjustment or the terms of
the settlement increases the income tax liabilities (including loss of carry
forwards) of the Company:

                               (i)         for the taxable period commencing on
November 1, 1996 and ending on the Closing Date to an amount that, when added
to the income taxes paid for such period by Tyler or the Company in accordance
with Section 4.5(b) above (excluding the amount of any such income tax
liability attributable to any election by Tyler or the Company after the
Closing to change tax accounting methods utilized by the Company applicable to
tax periods ending on or after November 1, 1996) exceeds the tax liability
(excluding deferred taxes) accrued on the books and records of the Company for
the period commencing November 1, 1996 and ending on the Closing Date; or

                              (ii)         for taxable periods commencing after
the Closing Date (but including the amount of any such income tax liability
attributable to any election by Tyler or the Company after the Closing to
change tax accounting methods utilized by the Company applicable





                                      29
<PAGE>   36
to tax periods ending on or after November 1, 1996), unless the Shareholder or
his tax representatives shall have in advance thereof consulted with Tyler and
shall have agreed on mutually acceptable terms to pay to Tyler or the Surviving
Corporation, as appropriate, the additional income taxes (subject to the
limitation set forth in Subsection (i) above) that would be owed by Tyler or
the Company for all periods subsequent to October 31, 1996 as a result of such
settlement. In any event, each Shareholder shall pay to Tyler or the Surviving
Corporation, as appropriate, the amount of any increase in income tax
liabilities (including loss of carry forwards) of the Company for all tax
periods ending on or after the Closing Date (subject to the limitation set
forth in subsection (i) above) that results from a final administrative or
judicial determination adjusting the income tax liabilities of the Company for
any period ending on or before the Closing Date, and such payment or payments
shall be made at the time Tyler or the Surviving Corporation files an income
tax return with a taxing authority covering a tax period that is affected by
such increase in income tax liability.

                 (g)      Each Shareholder agrees that, all proceeds received
from any refund of taxes arising out of any carry back to prior tax periods of
any net operating loss of the Company for tax periods ending on or after the
Closing Date, including any benefits derived from such carry backs to otherwise
reduce an income tax liability for such prior periods, shall belong to Tyler or
the Company. At the request of Tyler or the Company and at their expense, each
Shareholder shall promptly file any and all necessary documents or prosecute
all other necessary proceedings to claim and recover such refunds.

                 (h)      At the request of any Shareholder, Tyler or the
Company, as appropriate, shall submit for filing with the Internal Revenue
Service a Request for Prompt Assessment of Income Taxes pursuant to Section
6501(d) of the Internal Revenue Code for all open tax periods through the
Closing Date for which a federal income tax return or returns or amended return
or returns have been filed by the Company.

                 (i)      From and after the Closing Date, no Shareholder will
(a) extend the statute of limitations; (b) make or change any elections
affecting the Company; (c) change a method of accounting, in each instance with
respect to tax liabilities of the Company relating to periods ending on or
prior to the Closing Date, without the prior written consent of Tyler (which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld).

                 (j)      To the extent the provisions of this Section 4.5 and
the provisions of Article 11 of this Agreement are inconsistent or conflict,
the provisions of this Section 4.5 shall be determinative of the rights and
obligations of the parties hereto.

                 (k)      All tax sharing agreements or similar agreements with
respect to or involving the Company shall be terminated as of the Closing Date
and, after the Closing Date and the Company shall not be bound thereby or have
any liability thereunder.





                                      30
<PAGE>   37
         4.6     Cooperation Pending Closing. Each of the parties hereto shall
use its reasonable best efforts to:

                 (a)       proceed promptly to make or give the necessary
applications, notices, requests, and filings in an effort to obtain at the
earliest practicable date and, in any event, before the Closing Date, the
approvals, authorizations, and consents of third parties necessary to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

                 (b)       cooperate with and keep the other informed in
connection with this Agreement; and

                 (c)       take such actions as the other party may reasonably
request to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and use
its reasonable best efforts and diligently attempt to satisfy, to the extent
within its control, all conditions precedent to the obligations to close this
Agreement.

                                   ARTICLE 5
                 COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY AND THE SHAREHOLDERS

         5.1     Conduct of Business Prior to Closing Date. During the period
pending the Closing Date (or other indicated date), the Company and the
Shareholders.

                 (a)       shall use its reasonable best efforts to conduct the
operations of the Company in the ordinary and usual course of business
consistent with past and current practices, and to maintain marketing
organizations intact and to preserve the goodwill of their employees,
representatives, suppliers, and customers;

                 (b)       shall confer upon request of Tyler with one or more
representatives of Tyler to report material operational matters and the general
status of ongoing operations;

                 (c)       shall notify Tyler of any emergency or other change
in the normal course of the Company's businesses and of any governmental
complaints, investigations, or hearings that are pending (or that the same may
be contemplated) if such emergency, complaint, investigation, or hearing would
be material to the Company's businesses or properties;

                 (d)       shall take no action that, and shall not fail to use
reasonable best efforts to take (without material cost) any action the failure
to take which, would cause or permit their representations and warranties
contained in this Agreement to be untrue in any material respect on the Closing
Date; and

                 (e)       except as may be permitted or required by this
Agreement, shall not directly or indirectly do any of the following: (i) issue,
sell, pledge, dispose of or encumber, (A) any capital





                                      31
<PAGE>   38
stock of the Company or (B) other than in the ordinary course of business and
consistent with past practice, any assets of the Company; (ii) amend or propose
to amend the respective charters or bylaws of the Company; (iii) split, combine
or reclassify any outstanding capital stock, or, except as provided in Section
5.6 hereof, declare, set aside or pay any dividend or distribution payable in
cash, stock, property or otherwise with respect to its capital stock whether
now or hereafter outstanding; (iv) redeem, purchase or acquire or offer to
acquire any of the Company's capital stock; or (v) enter into any contract,
agreement, commitment or arrangement with respect to any of the matters set
forth in this Section 5.1(e).

         5.2      Employment Agreement. At or before the Closing each of the
Shareholders and the Company shall execute and deliver an Employment and
Noncompetition Agreement in substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto, with
such changes therein prior to execution as may be mutually approved by Tyler
and each Shareholder (the "Employment Agreements"), and providing for the
employment of the Shareholders by the Surviving Corporation after the Closing,
covenants by the Shareholders not to compete with the Surviving Corporation,
and compensation, all as provided therein.

         5.3     Noncompetition Agreements. Each Shareholder agrees to use his
best efforts to cause the key management and other employees of the Company
identified by Tyler in Section 5.3 of the Tyler Disclosure Schedule (the
"Employees") to execute and deliver employment, confidentiality and
noncompetition agreements with the Company in a form acceptable to Tyler (the
"Noncompetition Agreements").

         5.4     Agreement Not to Negotiate. Pending the Closing, and through
the period ending December 31, 1997 if this Agreement is terminated without
closing by the Company or the Shareholders the Company and the Shareholders
shall not, either directly or indirectly through an agent, representative or
other person, solicit or authorize any person to solicit, or initiate or
encourage, directly or indirectly, any proposal for the acquisition of all or
any material part of the capital stock, assets, or business of the Company, or
for the merger, consolidation, or other combination of the Company with any
other person or entity, or enter into any discussions or negotiations for any
such proposal, or provide any person with information or assistance in
furtherance of any such proposal, and shall promptly notify Tyler in writing of
all proposals received with respect to such matters.

         5.5     Accuracy of Information Furnished. The information supplied by
each Shareholder to Tyler in writing expressly for inclusion in any documents
(including the Proxy Statement) filed with the Commission in connection with or
as a result of the transactions contemplated hereby, will, at the respective
times such documents are filed with the Commission, not contain any untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to
make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they
were made, not false or misleading.





                                      32
<PAGE>   39
         5.6     Regulation S-X Financial Statements. Not later than October
10, 1997, the Company shall cause to be prepared and shall deliver to Tyler
audited balance sheets of the Company as of October 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 and
the related audited statements of operations, stockholder's equity, and cash
flows for the years then ended, with notes thereto, prepared in accordance with
United States generally accepted accounting principles and Regulation S-X
("Regulation S-X") promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission,
reported upon without exception or qualification by Bland Garvey Taylor Eads &
Medlock; and the unaudited balance sheet of the Company as of August 31, 1997,
and the related unaudited statements of operations, stockholder's equity, and
cash flows for the ten months then ended, with notes thereto, prepared in
accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles and
Regulation S-X, reviewed by Bland Garvey Taylor Eads & Medlock.

         5.7     Termination of Shareholders Agreement. The Shareholders agree
to cause that certain Shareholders Agreement among Glenn A. Smith, Brian B.
Berry, Joane Cogan and the Company to be terminated at or before the Closing.
The Shareholders hereby consent to, and waive any transfer restrictions under
the Shareholders Agreement that would limit, the transfer of all the
outstanding capital stock of the Company to Tyler pursuant to the Merger.


                                   ARTICLE 6
                               COVENANTS OF TYLER

         Tyler covenants and agrees with the Company and the Shareholders as
follows:

         6.1     Conduct Prior to Closing Date. Pending the Closing, Tyler
shall:

                 (a)       confer upon request of the Shareholders with one or
more representatives of the Shareholders to report material operational matters
and the general status of ongoing operations of Tyler and the Tyler
Subsidiaries; and

                 (b)       take no action that, and shall not fail to use
reasonable best efforts to take (without material cost) any action the failure
to take which, would cause or permit its representations and warranties
contained in this Agreement to be untrue in any material respect at the
Closing.

         6.2      Proxy Statement. As promptly as practicable after the
execution of this Agreement, Tyler shall prepare and file with the Commission a
proxy statement (the "Proxy Statement") pursuant to the Exchange Act. Subject
to the fiduciary obligations of the Board of Directors of Tyler under
applicable law, the Proxy Statement shall contain the recommendation of the
Board of Directors of Tyler that the stockholders of Tyler vote to approve the
Merger and this Agreement. Except to the extent required by law (and in any
such case only after three business days' prior notice to the Shareholders),
Tyler shall not include in the Proxy Statement or otherwise make public the
amount of compensation payable to any Shareholder.





                                      33
<PAGE>   40
         6.3     Meetings of Stockholders. Tyler shall promptly take all action
reasonably necessary in accordance with the Delaware General Corporation Law,
the rules of the NYSE and its articles of incorporation and bylaws to convene a
meeting of its stockholders to consider and vote upon the adoption and approval
of the Merger and this Agreement (the "Tyler Stockholders Meeting"). Subject to
its fiduciary obligations under applicable law and in accordance with the
provisions of this Agreement, the Board of Directors of Tyler (i) shall
recommend at such meeting that the stockholders of Tyler vote to adopt and
approve the Merger and this Agreement; (ii) shall use its reasonable efforts to
solicit from stockholders of Tyler proxies in favor of such adoption and
approval; and (iii) shall take all other action reasonably necessary to secure
a vote of its stockholders in favor of the adoption and approval of the Merger
and this Agreement.

         6.4     Stock Exchange Listing. Tyler shall use its reasonable best
efforts to cause the shares of Tyler Common Stock to be issued upon
consummation of the Merger to be approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to
official notice of issuance, prior to the Closing Date.

         6.5     Guaranties of Company Obligations.

                 (a)      From and after the Closing, Tyler guarantees to each
Shareholder, respectively, and his heirs, successors and assigns, the full and
prompt payment by the Company of all amounts that become due and payable to
them under or pursuant to the terms of any Employment Agreement, to be entered
into between the Company and the Shareholder as provided in Section 5.2 of this
Agreement, and the timely performance by the Company of all of the terms,
conditions, covenants and agreements to be performed by the Company under or
pursuant to the terms of said Employment Agreement.

                 (b)      The obligation of Tyler to make any payments or
render performance under this guaranty shall be coextensive with the obligation
of the Company to make payment or render performance under any Employment
Agreement, and Tyler shall be entitled to assert as a defense to or excuse for
or delay in any payment or performance by it the same defenses or excuses for
payment or performance as would be available to the Company. Subject to the
foregoing, the guaranty by Tyler contained herein is absolute and
unconditional.

                 (c)       Tyler waives notice of acceptance of this agreement
of guaranty, and waives diligence or presentment on the part of any Shareholder
in the enforcement of any liability, obligation or duty guaranteed hereby.

                 (d)       Tyler agrees that the validity of this agreement of
guaranty shall not in any way be terminated, affected or impaired by reason of
any waiver of or failure to enforce any of the rights or remedies of any
Shareholder contained in any Employment Agreement, or by reason of any
extension of time or other forbearance granted to the Company by any
Shareholder.





                                      34
<PAGE>   41
                 (e)       Tyler agrees that, at the option of any Shareholder,
it may be joined in any action or proceedings commenced against the Company in
connection with and based upon any provisions of the Employment Agreement, and
that recovery may be had against Tyler in such action or proceedings, or in any
independent action or proceedings against Tyler, without requirement that any
Shareholder or his successors or assigns, first assert, prosecute, or exhaust
any remedy or claim against the Company.

                 (f)      In the event of any bankruptcy, reorganization,
winding up, or similar proceedings with respect to the Company, no limitation
on its liability under the Employment Agreement which may now or hereafter be
imposed or permitted by any federal, state, or other statute, law regulation,
or judicial or administrative determination applicable to such proceedings,
shall in any way limit Tyler's obligations hereunder.

         6.6     Other Tyler Obligations. At the Closing, if not theretofore
accomplished, Tyler will cause the Company to execute and deliver to the
Shareholders the Employment Agreements, against execution and delivery by the
Shareholders.

         6.7     Company Indemnification Obligations. (a) Tyler and Sub agree
that all rights to indemnification existing in favor of the present or former
directors, officers, employees, fiduciaries and agents of the Company
(collectively, the "D&O Indemnified Parties") as provided in the Company's
Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, or other organizational documents as in
effect as of the date hereof, shall survive the Merger and shall continue in
full force and effect for six years after the Effective Time (without
modification or amendment, except as required by applicable law), to the
fullest extent permitted by law, and shall be enforceable by the D&O
Indemnified Parties against the Surviving Corporation; provided that in any
event Tyler and the Surviving Corporation shall pay and reimburse expenses in
advance of the final disposition of any action or proceeding to each D&O
Indemnified Party to the fullest extent permitted by law.

                 (b)      The provisions of this Section 6.7 shall survive the
consummation of the Merger and expressly are intended to benefit each of the
D&O Indemnified Parties. Each of the D&O Indemnified Parties shall be entitled
to enforce the covenants contained herein.

                 (c)      If the Surviving Corporation, or any of its
successors or assigns (i) reorganizes, amalgamates or consolidates with or
merges into any other person and is not the esulting, continuing or surviving
corporation or entity of such reorganization, amalgamation, consolidation or
merger, or (ii) liquidates, dissolves or transfers all or substantially all of
its properties and assets to any person or persons, then, and in such case,
proper provision will be made so that the successors or assigns of the
Surviving Corporation assume all of the obligations of the Surviving
Corporation set forth in this Section 6.7.

         6.8     Agreements Regarding Stock Options. Tyler agrees to grant
options, conditioned on the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby and Tyler stockholder approval of any required increase in the number of
shares of Tyler Common Stock which may be issued pursuant to the Tyler Stock
Option Plan, to purchase an aggregate of 200,000 shares of Tyler Common Stock
to employees of the Company designated by the Shareholders. The selection by
the





                                       35
<PAGE>   42
Shareholders of such employees and the number of option shares to be granted to
each shall be subject to the reasonable approval of Tyler. The exercise price
of such options shall be the greater of (i) the average of the closing prices
of the Tyler Common Stock for the five consecutive trading days beginning two
trading days prior to public announcement by Tyler of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or (ii) the reported closing price of the Tyler
Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the date of grant. The options
shall have a term of 10 years from the date of grant and shall vest on each of
the first five anniversary dates at the rate of 20% of the original number of
option shares granted. The options shall be incentive stock options pursuant to
the Tyler Stock Option Plan, as amended, shall contain such other terms as are
customary for options granted under that plan, and shall be evidenced by option
agreements incorporating all of such terms.

         6.9     Release of Shareholder Guaranties. At or prior to the Closing,
Tyler shall obtain and provide to the Shareholders an absolute and
unconditional release, executed by the holders of the indebtedness of the
Company identified in Section 2.21 of the Company Disclosure Schedule as
guaranteed by the Shareholders and by the surety companies that issued the
performance bonds identified in such Section 2.21, from any liability with
respect to such indebtedness or performance bonds whether as maker, endorser,
surety, obligor, guarantor or otherwise, or shall provide to the Shareholders
the agreement of Tyler to indemnify the Shareholders against any such
liability, which indemnification agreement shall be reasonably acceptable to
the Shareholders.

                                   ARTICLE 7
               JOINT CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CLOSING OBLIGATIONS

         Except as may be waived by both Tyler and the Shareholders, the
obligations of the Company, the Shareholders, Tyler and Sub to consummate the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be subject to the
satisfaction, on or before the Closing Date, of each of the following
conditions:

         7.1     HSR Act. All filings required under the HSR Act shall have
been made, and all waiting periods, including any extension thereof, that may
be applicable to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement under the
provisions of the HSR Act shall have expired or been waived or otherwise
terminated.

         7.2     Absence of Litigation. No governmental agency or authority
shall have instituted, or threatened in writing to institute, any action or
proceeding seeking to delay, restrain, enjoin, or prohibit the consummation of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and no order, judgment, or
decree by any court or governmental agency or authority shall be in effect that
enjoins, restrains, or prohibits the same or, in the reasonable judgment of
Tyler, otherwise would materially interfere with the operation of the assets
and business of Tyler and the Tyler Subsidiaries or the Company after the
Closing Date.





                                       36
<PAGE>   43
                                   ARTICLE 8
                      CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS
                      OF THE COMPANY AND THE SHAREHOLDERS

         Except as may be waived by the Company and the Shareholders, the
obligations of the Company and the Shareholders to consummate the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement shall be subject to the satisfaction on or
before the Closing Date of each of the following conditions:

         8.1     Compliance. Tyler shall have, or shall have caused to be,
satisfied or complied with and performed in all material respects all terms,
covenants, and conditions of this Agreement to be complied with or performed by
Tyler on or before the Closing Date.

         8.2     Representations and Warranties. All of the representations and
warranties made by Tyler in this Agreement, the Tyler Disclosure Schedule
(prior to supplementation or amendment thereto pursuant to Section 4.2 of this
Agreement), the Employment Agreements, and in all certificates and other
agreements delivered by Tyler to the Shareholders pursuant hereto or in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby, shall have been true and
correct in all material respects as of the date hereof, and shall be true and
correct in all material respects at the Closing Date with the same force and
effect as if such representations and warranties had been made at and as of the
Closing Date, except for changes permitted or contemplated by this Agreement.

         8.3     Opinion. The Company and the Shareholders shall have received
an opinion of Liddell, Sapp, Zivley, Hill & LaBoon, L.L.P. ("Liddell, Sapp"),
counsel for Tyler, dated the Closing Date, in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Company, the Shareholders and their counsel, relating to
the matters set forth in the following Sections of this Agreement:

                 3.1;

                 3.4; and

                 3.5      (except the opinion as to enforceability may exclude
         the Employment Agreements and the Noncompetition Agreements).

         8.4     No Material Adverse Change. There shall have occurred no
material adverse change in the businesses, properties, assets, liabilities,
results of operations or condition (financial or otherwise) of Tyler and the
Tyler Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

         8.5     Financing. On or before thirty days after the date hereof
Tyler shall have obtained financing for the transactions contemplated hereby
acceptable to Tyler.

         8.6     Certificates. The Company and the Shareholders shall have
received a certificate or certificates, executed on behalf of Tyler by the
President or any Vice President of Tyler, to the effect that the conditions
contained in Sections 7.1 and 7.2 hereof with respect to matters therein
relating to Tyler, and in Sections 8.1, 8.2, and 8.4 hereof, have been
satisfied.





                                       37
<PAGE>   44
                                   ARTICLE 9
                  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO OBLIGATIONS OF TYLER

         Except as may be waived by Tyler, the obligations of Tyler and Sub to
consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be subject to
the satisfaction, on or before the Closing Date, of each of the following
conditions:

         9.1     Compliance. The Company and each Shareholder shall have, or
shall have caused to be, satisfied or complied with and performed in all
material respects all terms, covenants, and conditions of this Agreement to be
complied with or performed by any of them on or before the Closing Date.

         9.2     Representations and Warranties. All of the representations and
warranties made by the Company and the Shareholders in this Agreement, the
Company Disclosure Schedule (prior to any supplementation or amendment pursuant
to Section 4.2 of this Agreement), and in all certificates and other documents
delivered by the Company and the Shareholders pursuant hereto or in connection
with the transactions contemplated hereby, shall have been true and correct in
all material respects as of the date hereof, and shall be true and correct in
all material respects at the Closing Date with the same force and effect as if
such representations and warranties had been made at and as of the Closing
Date, except for changes permitted or contemplated by this Agreement.

         9.3     Securities Law Compliance. The issuance and delivery of shares
of Tyler Common Stock in the Merger shall have been registered or qualified
under the Securities Act and all applicable state securities laws or counsel
for Tyler shall be satisfied that an exemption from such registration or
qualification is available; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of any
such registration or qualification shall be in effect; and no proceeding for
such purpose shall be pending before any agency or authority having
jurisdiction thereof.

         9.4     Opinions. Tyler shall have received the opinion of Andrews &
Barth, counsel for the Company and the Shareholder, dated as of the Closing
Date, in form and substance satisfactory to Tyler and its counsel, relating to
the matters set forth in the following Sections of this Agreement:

                 2.1 ;

                 2.6; and

                 2.7      (except the opinion as to enforceability may exclude
         the Employment Agreements and the Noncompetition Agreements).

         9.5     No Material Adverse Change. There shall have occurred no
material adverse change in the businesses, properties, assets, liabilities,
results of operations, or condition (financial or otherwise), of the Company.





                                       38
<PAGE>   45
         9.6     Consents to Transaction. Tyler and the Company shall have
received all consents or approvals, and made all applications, requests,
notices, and filings with, any person, governmental authority, or governmental
agency required to be obtained or made in connection with the consummation of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, excluding actions required
under the HSR Act (which are conditions precedent to closing under Section
7.1), but including the consents of the lenders and third parties set forth in
the Company Disclosure Schedule and the Tyler Disclosure Schedule.

         9.7     Financing. On or before thirty days after the date hereof,
Tyler shall have obtained financing for the transactions contemplated hereby
acceptable to Tyler.

         9.8     Noncompetition Agreements. Each of the Employees shall have
duly entered into Noncompetition Agreements with the Company acceptable to
Tyler.

         9.9     Business Resources Corporation. Tyler or a subsidiary of Tyler
shall have acquired all or substantially all of the outstanding capital stock
or assets of Business Resources Corporation ("BRC") pursuant to that certain
Agreement and Plan of Merger dated of even date herewith among Tyler, T1
Acquisition Corporation, BRC, and William D. Oates (the "BRC Merger
Agreement").

         9.10    Stockholder Approval. The stockholders of Tyler shall have
approved the Merger and this Agreement.

         9.11    Certificates. Tyler shall have received a certificate or
certificates, executed on behalf of the Company by the President of the
Company, and by each Shareholder in his individual capacity, to the effect that
the conditions in Sections 7.1 and 7.2 hereof with respect to matters therein
relating to the Company, and Sections 9.1, 9.2, and 9.5 hereof, have been
satisfied.

                                   ARTICLE 10
                   SECURITIES LAW REGISTRATION AND COMPLIANCE


         10.1    Securities Law Compliance; Restrictions on Shares. Each
Shareholder and each other holder of Stock Options or Company Common Stock
acknowledges receipt of the Tyler Commission Filing, this Agreement and the
Tyler Disclosure Schedule and the opportunity to ask questions of and receive
answers from representatives of the management of Tyler concerning the terms
and conditions of the transactions contemplated hereby and to obtain all
additional information that Tyler possesses or could acquire without
unreasonable expense that is necessary to verify the accuracy of information
furnished to him, and acknowledges and agrees:

                 (a)      The shares of Tyler Common Stock to be received by
him as a result of the Merger have not been registered under the Securities Act
or any applicable state securities law;

                 (b)      He is acquiring the shares so to be received in the
Merger for his own account and not with a view to the distribution or resale
thereof and will not sell, pledge, hypothecate, or





                                       39
<PAGE>   46
otherwise transfer the shares unless they are registered under the Securities
Act and applicable state securities laws unless, prior thereto, he shall have
delivered to Tyler an opinion, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
Tyler, of counsel experienced and competent in federal securities laws and
acceptable to Tyler, to the effect that an exemption from registration is
available therefor;

                 (c)      Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, Tyler
has no obligation to register any sales or transfers of the shares so received
by him;

                 (d)      During the year after the Merger, he will not be able
to sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of the shares so received unless, prior
thereto, the Shareholder shall have delivered to Tyler an opinion, in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to Tyler, of counsel experienced and
competent in federal securities laws and acceptable to Tyler, to the effect
that an exemption from registration under the Securities Act and applicable
state securities laws is at the time available (unless registered as elsewhere
provided in this Agreement), and thereafter any sales, transfers, or other
dispositions may be limited by the provisions of Rule 144 under the Securities
Act (or by other rules then in effect);

                 (e)      In view of the foregoing, he understands that he is
at economic risk with respect to his investment in the shares so received in
the Merger;

                 (f)      Tyler may place an appropriate legend on the
certificate representing the shares so to be received restricting their
transfer, and stop-transfer instructions will be given to the transfer agent
for the Tyler Common Stock with respect to such certificates; and

                 (g)      To provide such information as may be requested by
Tyler in order for Tyler to determine if he is an accredited purchaser under
Regulation D of the Commission or otherwise can be qualified as a purchaser
under Rule 506 of such Regulation D.

         10.2    Piggyback Registration. If within one year after the Closing
Date Tyler proposes (whether or not for its own account) to register any of its
securities under the Securities Act for sale in a firm commitment underwritten
public offering, Tyler shall give written notice to the Shareholders of its
intention to effect such a registration not later than 15 days prior to the
anticipated date of filing with the Commission of a registration statement,
which notice shall offer each Shareholder the opportunity to include in such
registration statement any of the shares of Tyler Common Stock received in the
Merger and held by such Shareholder ("Shares") that such Shareholder may
request (a "Piggyback Registration"). Tyler's obligation under this Section
10.2 shall be limited to registrations as to which a registration statement is
to be filed on or before one year after the date hereof. Subject to the
provisions of this Agreement, Tyler will use its reasonable efforts to cause
all the Shares for which the Shareholders have requested registration to be
registered under the Securities Act to the extent required to permit the sale
by the Shareholders of such Shares; provided, that if the registration relates
to an underwritten public offering and the managing underwriter or underwriters
believe that the inclusion of all shares requested to be included in the
proposed registration would adversely affect the marketing of such shares,
Tyler may first include





                                       40
<PAGE>   47
in such registration all securities Tyler proposes to sell, and the
Shareholders shall accept a reduction (including a total elimination) in the
number of shares to be included in such registration, pro rata with the other
holders of Tyler Common Stock making requests for registration, on the basis of
the number of shares of Tyler Common Stock so requested to be included by the
Shareholders and the other selling shareholders. Nothing in this section shall
limit Tyler's ability to withdraw a registration statement it has filed either
before or after effectiveness.

         10.3    Registration Procedures.

         (a)     In connection with any registration hereunder, each
Shareholder will furnish promptly to Tyler in writing such information
(together with such supplements as may be necessary from time to time) with
respect to itself and the proposed distribution by it as shall be reasonably
necessary in order to ensure compliance with federal and applicable state
securities laws. Such information shall not, at the time the registration
statement is filed or becomes effective, contain any untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not false or
misleading.

         (b)     In any registration relating to an underwritten public
offering of Tyler Common Stock or other securities of Tyler entitled generally
to vote in the election of directors (or any securities convertible into or
exchangeable for or exercisable for the purchase of securities so entitled
generally to vote in the election of directors) (collectively, the "Voting
Securities"), whether or not a Shareholder is participating in such registered
underwritten public offering, at the request of the managing underwriter or
underwriters, each Shareholder will agree not to effect any sale or
distribution, including any sale pursuant to Rule 144 (or any successor
provision) promulgated under the Securities Act of any Shares, and not to
effect any such sale or distribution of any other Tyler Common Stock or Voting
Securities (in each case, other than as part of such registration) for such
period of time as reasonably required by such managing underwriter or
underwriters ("Lockup Period"), but in no event shall the Shareholder be
required to agree to a Lockup Period longer than the Lockup Period to which any
other selling shareholder is subject.

         10.4    Expenses. In connection with any proposed registration of
securities by Tyler, whether or not effected or consummated, Tyler, each
Shareholder, and any other selling shareholders shall each pay their pro rata
share of Tyler's out of pocket expenses incurred in connection with a proposed
registration under Section 10.2 in which Tyler is not selling any securities
for its own account, including, without limitation, all registration and filing
fees, printing expenses, and fees and disbursements of counsel and accountants
for Tyler. Each Shareholder shall pay all of his expenses, including his
attorney's fees, and including the underwriting discount, selling commissions
and all expenses of the underwriters relating to his Shares incurred in
connection with each registration pursuant to Section 10.2.

         10.5    Indemnification.

                 (a)      In the event of a registration of any of the Shares
under the Securities Act pursuant to Section 10.2, Tyler shall indemnify and
hold harmless each Shareholder and each





                                       41
<PAGE>   48
underwriter of Shares thereunder and each person who controls the Shareholder
or underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act
against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (including reasonable
attorneys' fees), joint or several, to which the Shareholder or underwriter or
controlling person may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange
Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or
actions in respect thereof) or arise out of or are based upon any untrue
statement or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in the
registration statement under which such Shares were registered under the
Securities Act pursuant to Section 10.2, any preliminary prospectus or final
prospectus contained therein, or any amendment or supplement thereof, 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 such Shareholder, underwriter
and controlling person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by
them in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim,
damage, liability or action; provided, however, that Tyler will not be liable
in any such case if and 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 so made in conformity with
information furnished by the Shareholder, underwriter or controlling person for
use in such registration statement or prospectus; provided, further, that Tyler
will not be liable hereunder to any underwriter or any person who controls any
underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act for
any loss, claim, damage or liability that arises out of, or is based upon, any
untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or any omission or alleged
omission contained in any preliminary prospectus that was corrected by any
subsequent prospectus, and the underwriter was required to deliver but failed
to deliver such prospectus as required by the Securities Act.

                 (b)      In the event of a registration of any of the Shares
under the Securities Act pursuant to Section 10.2, the Shareholder shall
indemnify and hold harmless Tyler and each person who controls Tyler within the
meaning of the Securities Act and the Exchange Act, each officer of Tyler who
signs the registration statement, each director of Tyler, each underwriter and
each person who controls any underwriter within the meaning of the Securities
Act and the Exchange Act against all losses, claims, damages or liabilities,
joint or several, to which Tyler or such officer or director or underwriter or
controlling person may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange
Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or
actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement
or alleged untrue statement of any material fact contained in the registration
statement under which such Shares were registered under the Securities Act
pursuant to Section 10.2, any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus
contained therein, or any amendment or supplement thereof, or arise out of or
are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material
fact required to be stated therein not misleading, and will reimburse Tyler and
each such officer, director, underwriter and controlling person for any legal
or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating
or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided,
however, that the Shareholder will be liable hereunder in any such case if and
only 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 relating to the Shareholder made in reliance upon and in
conformity with information pertaining to the Shareholder, as such, furnished
in writing to Tyler by the Shareholder for use in





                                       42
<PAGE>   49
such registration statement or prospectus ("Shareholder Information");
provided, further, that the Shareholder will not be liable hereunder to any
underwriter or any person who controls an underwriter within the meaning of the
Securities Act and the Exchange Act for any loss, claim, damage or liability
that arises out of, or is based upon, any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement or any omission or alleged omission in any Shareholder Information
contained in any preliminary prospectus that was corrected by any subsequent
prospectus, and the underwriter was required to deliver but failed to deliver
such prospectus as required by the Securities Act.

                 (c)      Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party
hereunder 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 hereunder, notify the indemnifying party in writing 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 other than under this
Section 10.5. 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 in and, to the extent
it shall wish, to assume and undertake the defense thereof with counsel
reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party and, after notice from the
indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume and
undertake the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to
such indemnified party under this Section 10.5 for any legal expenses
subsequently incurred by such indemnified party in connection with the defense
thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation and of liaison with
counsel so selected; provided, however, that (i) if the indemnifying party has
failed to assume the defense and employ counsel or (ii) if the defendants in
any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party
and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be
reasonable defenses available to it that are different from or additional to
those available to the indemnifying party or if the interests of the
indemnified party reasonably may be deemed to conflict with the interests of
the indemnifying party, then the indemnified party shall have the right to
select a separate counsel and to assume such legal defense and otherwise to
participate in the defense of such action, with the expenses and fees of such
separate counsel and other expenses related to such participation to be
reimbursed by the indemnifying party as incurred.

                 (d)      If the indemnification provided for in this Section
10.5 is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in
respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities or actions in respect
thereof, then each indemnifying party shall in lieu of indemnifying such
indemnified party contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified
party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions in
such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of Tyler, on
the one hand, and the Shareholder, on the other, in connection with the
statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages,
liabilities or actions as well as any other relevant equitable considerations,
including the failure to give any required notice. 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 relates to information supplied by Tyler, on the one
hand, or the Shareholder, on the other, and the parties' relative intent,
knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such
statement or omission. Tyler and the Shareholder agree that it would not be
just and





                                       43
<PAGE>   50
equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 10.5(d) were determined by
pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take
account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this Section
10.5(d). The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the
losses, claims, damages, liabilities or actions in respect thereof referred to
above in this Section 10.5(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. No person guilty or
fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the
Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not
guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

         10.6    No Transferability of Registration Rights. Except with the
prior written consent of Tyler, the Shareholders' registration rights under
Section 10.2 shall not inure to the benefit of any person to whom any Shares
are transferred, other than a spouse or descendant of a Shareholder
("Relative"), a trust solely for the benefit of a Shareholder or Relative, or a
partnership all of the equity interests in which are directly or indirectly
owned by a Shareholder or Relative.


                                   ARTICLE 11
                          INDEMNIFICATION AND REMEDIES

         11.1    Indemnification by the Shareholders Based on Agreement. Each
Shareholder agrees jointly and severally to indemnify and hold harmless Tyler
(and if the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, the Surviving
Corporation), from and against any and all claims, losses, obligations,
damages, demands, and liabilities (after giving effect to and reducing the same
by (i) any net tax benefits realized by Tyler or the Surviving Corporation as a
result of such event, and (ii) the net amount of any insurance proceeds
received by Tyler or the Surviving Corporation as a result of such event),
including, without limitation, costs and expenses of litigation (including
reasonable attorneys' and accountants' fees) (collectively, "Tyler Indemnified
Losses"), based on, relating to, or arising out of, or any allegation by any
third party of, any facts or circumstances that would constitute a breach by
the Shareholders of any representation, warranty, or covenant contained herein
or in any agreement executed pursuant hereto, but excluding from this covenant
to indemnify any claims or liabilities separately covered by Section 10.5
hereof or any Customer Claims (hereinafter defined) to the extent and only
while covered by the provisions of Section 11.3 hereof.

         11.2    Indemnification by Tyler Based on Agreement. Tyler (and if the
transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, the Surviving Corporation)
agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Shareholders from and against any and
all claims, losses, expenses, obligations, demands and liabilities (after
giving effect to and reducing the same by (i) any net tax benefits realized by
the Shareholders as a result of such event, and (ii) the net amount of any
insurance proceeds received by the Shareholders as a result of such event),
including, without limitation, costs and expenses of litigation and including
reasonable attorneys' and accountants' fees (collectively, "Shareholder
Indemnified Losses"), based on, relating to, or arising out of, or any
allegation by any third party of, any facts or circumstances that would
constitute a breach by Tyler of any representation, warranty, or covenant
contained herein or in any agreement executed pursuant





                                       44
<PAGE>   51
hereto, but excluding from this covenant to indemnify any claims or liabilities
separately covered by the provisions of Section 10.5 hereof.

         11.3    Customer Claims. If any claim, demand, or cause of action of
the type referred to in Section 11.1 is asserted by a customer of the Company
("Customer Claim"), the following provisions shall be applicable until such
time as the Customer Claim results in a filed and pending lawsuit or other
judicial proceeding (at which time the provisions of Section 11.1 shall be
applicable):

                 (a)       Tyler or the Surviving Corporation shall promptly
notify the Shareholders in writing that a Customer Claim has been made,
describing the nature of the Customer Claim to the extent then known.

                 (b)      After receipt of Tyler's or the Surviving
Corporation's written notice, the parties hereto will fully cooperate with each
other to investigate the Customer Claim and determine whether the parties can
agree that the Customer Claim is an obligation or liability for which the
Shareholders are responsible. The investigation shall be conducted
expeditiously and with all reasonable due diligence, considering the
circumstances surrounding the Customer Claim.

                 (c)      If, after an investigation, Tyler or the Surviving
Corporation and the Shareholders agree in writing that the Customer Claim is an
obligation or liability for which the Shareholders are responsible, the
Shareholders and Tyler or the Surviving Corporation agree to use their
reasonable best efforts to reach an agreement with the customer as to the terms
and conditions of settlement, compromise or satisfaction of the Customer Claim,
including, but not limited to, the amount that the Shareholders shall pay to
the customer for the damages, losses, costs or expenses incurred by it.

                 (d)      If the provisions of this Section 11.3 are
applicable, Tyler or the Surviving Corporation shall conduct all communications
and settlement negotiations with the customer and shall convey to the customer
any offers of settlement or compromise by the Shareholders. Any amounts that
the Shareholders agree so to pay in settlement of the Customer Claim shall be
paid by them to Tyler or the Surviving Corporation, as the case may be, in
trust for payment over to the customer. If Tyler or the Surviving Corporation
agrees to pay the customer an amount in excess of that offered for settlement
purposes by the Shareholders, the excess shall be paid by Tyler or the
Surviving Corporation, as the case may be, without any right to indemnification
therefor from the Shareholders. If the amounts so paid and entrusted to Tyler
or the Surviving Corporation are paid over to the customer, the payment over
shall be deemed to be a release by Tyler or the Surviving Corporation of any
further claim with respect to that Customer Claim against the Shareholders and
Tyler and the Surviving Corporation shall indemnify and hold harmless the
Shareholders from any further liability with respect thereto.

                 (e)      In the absence of an agreement among the parties as
to the settlement of any Customer Claim not involving litigation, Tyler or the
Surviving Corporation may take such action with respect to the Customer Claim
as Tyler in its sole judgment may deem necessary or advisable





                                       45
<PAGE>   52
under the circumstances to settle, compromise or satisfy the Customer Claims
provided; however, neither Tyler nor the Surviving Corporation shall in any
such event be considered to have waived its right to pursue a judicial action
to determine its right against the Shareholders.

                 (f)      An indemnified party shall give notice to the
indemnifying party or parties within 15 business days after actual receipt of
service or summons to appear in any action begun in respect of which indemnity
may be sought hereunder, or actual notice of assertion of a claim with respect
to which it seeks indemnification. Except as provided in Section 4.5, failure
so to notify the indemnifying party or parties shall cause the indemnified
party to lose its right to indemnification under this Article 11, but failure
so to notify the indemnifying party or parties shall not relieve the
indemnifying party or parties from any liability that they may have other than
on account of this Article 11. The indemnifying party or parties may
participate at their own expense and with their counsel in the defense of such
action.

                 Except as otherwise provided in Section 11.3(d), if the
indemnifying party or parties so elect within a reasonable time after receipt
of such notice they may assume the defense of such action with counsel chosen
by the indemnifying party or parties and approved by the indemnified party in
such action, unless the indemnified party reasonably objects to such assumption
on the ground that its counsel has advised it that there may be legal defenses
available to it that are different from or in addition to those available to
the indemnifying party or parties and counsel for the indemnifying party
concurs in such advice, in which case the indemnified party shall have the
right to employ counsel approved by the indemnifying party or parties. If the
indemnifying party or parties assume the defense of such action, the
indemnifying party or parties shall not be liable for fees and expenses of
counsel for the indemnified party incurred thereafter in connection with such
action. In no event shall the indemnifying party or parties be liable for the
fees and expenses of more than one counsel for the indemnified parties in
connection with any one action or separate but similar or related actions in
the same jurisdiction arising out of the same general allegations or
circumstances unless, in the reasonable opinion of such counsel, there is,
under applicable standards of professional conduct, a conflict on any
significant issue between the positions of any two or more indemnified parties.

         11.4    Claims Limitations. Notwithstanding anything otherwise
contained in this Agreement, no party hereto shall assert any single claim or
claims against any other party hereto, unless the single claim (after giving
effect to and reducing the same by (i) any net tax benefits realized by the
indemnified party as a result of such event, and (ii) the net amount of any
insurance proceeds received by the indemnified party as a result of such event)
exceeds the sum of $18,750, and the sum of all such single claims in the
aggregate exceeds $150,000; provided, that claims made by Tyler or the
Surviving Corporation pursuant to Section 2.9 or 4.5 of this Agreement, or for
breach of the Employment Agreement or the Confidentiality Agreement shall not
be subject to the foregoing limitations; and provided further, that claims made
by the Shareholders pursuant to Section 3.7 or 4.5 of this Agreement, or for
breach of the Employment Agreement or the Confidentiality Agreement shall not
be subject to the foregoing limitations.





                                       46
<PAGE>   53
         11.5    Maximum Liability. The maximum aggregate liability of the
Shareholders to Tyler or the Surviving Corporation for all claims made by Tyler
or the Company pursuant to this Agreement is $3,000,000; provided, that claims
made by Tyler or the Surviving Corporation pursuant to Sections 2.9 or 4.5 of
this Agreement, or for breach of the Employment Agreement or the
Confidentiality Agreement, shall not be subject to the foregoing limitation.
The maximum aggregate liability of Tyler or the Surviving Corporation to the
Shareholders for all claims made by the Shareholders pursuant to this Agreement
is $3,000,000; provided, that claims made by the Shareholders pursuant to
Section 3.7 or 4.5 of this Agreement, or for breach of the Employment Agreement
or the Confidentiality Agreement, shall not be subject to the foregoing
limitation. Any claim based upon facts and circumstances that would, if true,
constitute a breach of any representation, warranty or covenant contained in
this Agreement shall be subject to the limitations contained herein,
notwithstanding the fact that such claim is asserted by a cause of action or
legal theory other than breach of contract. When calculating the amount of
liability in a claim for damages for purposes of this Section 11.5 (whether
such calculation is through agreement of the parties, litigation or otherwise)
and the claim relates to the breach of a representation as to the income of the
Company for any period or periods prior to the Closing Date, all of the parties
hereto agree that, in determining the amount involved in the claim, the damages
shall be actual damages incurred and proven and such actual damages shall not
be computed by using a multiplier or capitalization rate.

         11.6    Equitable Remedies. The parties hereto acknowledge that a
refusal by a party to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby will
cause irreparable harm to the other parties, for which there may be no adequate
remedy at law. A party not in default at the time of such refusal shall be
entitled, in addition to other remedies at law or in equity, to specific
performance of this Agreement by the party that refused to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby.

         11.7    Remedies of the Surviving Corporation. After the Closing, the
Surviving Corporation shall have the same rights and benefits under this
Agreement as does Tyler with respect to the representations, warranties and
covenants of the Shareholders contained herein, as fully as if such
representations, warranties and covenants had been made to the Surviving
Corporation in lieu or in place of Tyler or Sub. In any proceeding by the
Surviving Corporation to assert or prosecute any claims under, or to otherwise
enforce, this Agreement on behalf of itself or Tyler, each Shareholder agrees
that he shall not assert as a defense or bar to recovery by the Surviving
Corporation, and hereby waives any right to so assert such defense or bar such
recovery, that (a) prior to Closing, the Company shall have had knowledge of
the circumstances giving rise to the claim being pursued by it; (b) prior to
Closing, the Company engaged in conduct or took action that caused or brought
about the circumstances giving rise to its claim, or otherwise contributed
thereto; (c) the Company is estopped from asserting or recovering upon its
claim by reason of having joined in the representations, warranties and
covenants made by the Shareholders in this Agreement; or (d) the Shareholder
has a right of contribution from the Surviving Corporation to the extent that
there is any recovery against him.

         11.8    Costs of Defense. If any claim for which an indemnified party
seeks indemnification under this Article 11 results in a judgment that no
damages are due the claimant on a basis for which





                                       47
<PAGE>   54
the indemnifying party is responsible hereunder, then, as between the
indemnifying and indemnified parties, the indemnified parties shall be liable
for any damages awarded and the costs (including attorneys' fees) of defending
such claim.

                                   ARTICLE 12
                                 MISCELLANEOUS

         12.1    Breach Discovered Prior to Closing.

                 (a)      If, prior to the Time of Closing, Tyler has actual
and certain knowledge (as opposed to an opinion or belief) of any facts or
circumstances that it determines would constitute a failure to satisfy the
conditions to the obligations of Tyler to close this Agreement contained in
Sections 9.1, 9.2 or 9.5 hereof, Tyler shall promptly give written notice to
the Shareholders. If the Shareholders fail to cure any such alleged defect
within 15 days from the date of notice, Tyler shall have the right either to
(i) terminate this Agreement pursuant to Section 12.2 below, in which case
Tyler, shall, if not then in default under this Agreement, be entitled to
recover from the Company and the Shareholders as liquidated damages the actual
legal, accounting and other out-of-pocket expenses incurred by it in connection
with the negotiation, preparation and execution of this Agreement and the other
agreements and instruments referred to herein, its investigation and
examination of the affairs of the Company, and other actions taken preparatory
to consummating the transactions contemplated hereby, or (ii) waive such defect
as a condition to closing this Agreement, in which case Tyler shall not be
entitled to make any claims against the Shareholders pursuant to this Agreement
or to exercise any other remedial rights with respect to such alleged defect.

                 (b)      If, prior to the Time of Closing, the Shareholders
have actual and certain knowledge (as opposed to an opinion or belief) of any
facts or circumstances that the Shareholders determine would constitute a
failure to satisfy the conditions to the obligations of the Company and the
Shareholders to close this Agreement contained in Sections 8.1, 8.2 and 8.4
hereof, the Company and the Shareholders shall promptly give written notice to
Tyler. If Tyler fails to cure any such alleged defect, the Company and the
Shareholders shall have the right either to (i) terminate this Agreement
pursuant to Section 12.2 below, in which case the Company and the Shareholders
shall, if not then in default under this Agreement, be entitled to recover from
Tyler as liquidated damages the actual legal, accounting and other out-of-
pocket expenses incurred by them (but not including such expenses incurred to
appropriately document the corporate records and transactions of the Company
and the Shareholders) in connection with the negotiation, preparation and
execution of this Agreement and the other agreements and instruments referred
to herein, their investigation and examination of the affairs of Tyler, and
other actions taken preparatory to consummating the transactions contemplated
hereby, or (ii) waive such defect as a condition to closing this Agreement, in
which case the Shareholders shall not be entitled to make any claims against
Tyler or the Surviving Corporation pursuant to this Agreement or to exercise
any other remedial rights with respect to such alleged defect.





                                       48
<PAGE>   55
         12.2    Termination. This Agreement and the transactions contemplated
hereby may be terminated at any time on or before the Closing Date:

                 (a)      by mutual consent of Tyler and the Shareholders;

                 (b)      by Tyler if there has been a material
misrepresentation or breach of warranty in the representations and warranties
of the Company and the Shareholders set forth herein or if there has been any
material failure on the part of the Company or the Shareholders to comply with
their obligations hereunder;

                 (c)      by the Shareholders if there has been a material
misrepresentation or breach of warranty in the representations and warranties
of Tyler set forth herein or if there has been any material failure on the part
of Tyler to comply with its obligations hereunder;

                 (d)      by either Tyler or the Shareholders if the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement have not been consummated by
February 28, 1998, unless such failure of consummation is due to the failure of
the terminating party to perform or observe the covenants, agreements, and
conditions hereof to be performed or observed by it at or before the Closing
Date;

                 (e)      by either Tyler or the Shareholders if the conditions
precedent to its or their obligations to close this Agreement have not been
satisfied or waived by it or them at or before the Closing Date; and

                 (f)      by either the Shareholders or Tyler if the
transactions contemplated hereby violate any non-appealable final order,
decree, or judgment of any court or governmental body or agency having
competent jurisdiction.

         12.3    Expenses. If the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
are not consummated, each party hereto shall pay its own expenses incurred in
connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, except
as otherwise provided in Section 12.1; provided, however, that if the
transactions contemplated hereby are not consummated because of the failure of
either of the conditions in Section 9.7 or 9.9 to be satisfied, Tyler shall
reimburse the Shareholders for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred
in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby, not
to exceed $30,000.

         12.4    Disclosure Schedules. The Company Disclosure Schedule and the
Tyler Disclosure Schedule are incorporated herein by reference.

         12.5    Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Exhibits and
Disclosure Schedules hereto, the Confidentiality Agreement and the other
agreements and documents contemplated hereby, contain the complete agreement
among the parties with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby and
supersede all prior agreements and understandings among the parties with
respect to such transactions. Section and other headings, the table of contents
and indexes to the Disclosure Schedules are for reference purposes only and
shall not affect the interpretation or





                                       49
<PAGE>   56
construction of this Agreement. The parties hereto have not made any
representation or warranty except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, the
Employment Agreement, the Confidentiality Agreement, and the Noncompetition
Agreements, the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Tyler Disclosure Schedule or
in any agreement, certificate or other document delivered pursuant hereto or
thereto. The obligations of any party under any agreement executed pursuant to
this Agreement shall not be affected by this Section.

         12.6    Survival. All representations and warranties (except those
contained in Sections 2.9 and 2.15) of Tyler, Sub, the Company or the
Shareholders contained herein, in the Tyler Disclosure Schedule, in the Company
Disclosure Schedule, or in any exhibit, certificate, document or instrument
delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the Closing and shall
continue in full force and effect for two years after the date of Closing. All
representations and warranties of the Shareholders contained in Section 2.9(b)
above shall survive the Closing and shall continue in full force and effect
after the Closing without time limitation. All representations and warranties
of the Shareholders contained in Sections 2.9(a), (c) and (d) above shall
survive the Closing and shall continue in full force and effect after the
Closing until expiration, in accordance with the laws of Texas, of the
applicable time period in which claims may be judicially asserted for breach of
a written contract. All representations and warranties of the Shareholders
contained in Section 2.15 above shall survive the Closing and shall continue in
full force and effect after the Closing until expiration, in accordance with
applicable law, of the applicable time periods in which the taxing authority
having jurisdiction may assert a claim for failure of or deficiency in the
payment of taxes. The representations and warranties of the Company shall not
survive the Closing.

         12.7    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed an
original, and such counterparts together shall constitute only one original.

         12.8    Notices. All notices, demands, requests, or other
communications that may be or are required to be given, served, or sent by any
party to any other party pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and
shall be mailed by first-class, registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested, postage prepaid, or transmitted by hand delivery, telegram, or
telecopy, addressed as follows:

         (i)     If to the Company or the Shareholders:

                          The Software Group, Inc.
                          Jupiter North Technology Park
                          1120 Jupiter Road, Suite 100
                          Plano, Texas 75074
                          Telecopy No.: (972) 516-2284





                                       50
<PAGE>   57
                 with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

                          Andrews & Barth
                          8235 Douglas, Suite 1120
                          Dallas, Texas 75225
                          Attention: John C. Andrews, III
                          Telecopy No.: (214) 691-3070

         (ii)    If to Tyler:

                          Tyler Corporation
                          520 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 850
                          Houston, Texas 77027
                          Attention: Chairman of the Board
                          Telecopy No.: (713) 629-9936

                 with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

                          Liddell, Sapp, Zivley, Hill & LaBoon, L.L.P.
                          3400 Texas Commerce Tower
                          600 Travis Street
                          Houston, Texas 77002-3004
                          Attention: Gene G. Lewis
                          Telecopy No.: (713) 223-3717

         Each party may designate by notice in writing a new address to which
any notice, demand, request, or communication may thereafter be so given,
served, or sent. Each notice, demand, request, or communication that is mailed,
delivered, or transmitted in the manner described above shall be deemed
sufficiently given, served, sent and received for all purposes at such time as
it is delivered to the addressee (with the return receipt, the delivery
receipt, the affidavit of messenger, or (with respect to a telecopy) the
confirmation being deemed conclusive evidence of such delivery) or at such time
as delivery is refused by the addressee upon presentation.

         12.9    Successors and Assigns. This Agreement and the rights,
interests, and obligations hereunder shall be binding upon and shall inure to
the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

         12.10   Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced
in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas (except the choice of law
rules thereof).

         12.11   Waiver and Other Action. This Agreement may be amended,
modified, or supplemented only by a written instrument executed by the parties
against which enforcement of the amendment, modification, or supplement is
sought.





                                       51
<PAGE>   58
         12.12   Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be
illegal, invalid, or unenforceable, such provision shall be fully severable,
and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such illegal, invalid,
or unenforceable provision were never a part hereof; the remaining provisions
hereof shall remain in full force and effect and shall not be affected by the
illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision or by its severance (except to the
extent such remaining provisions constitute obligations of another party to
this Agreement corresponding to the unenforceable provision); and in lieu of
such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision, there shall be added
automatically as part of this Agreement, a provision as similar in its terms to
such illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision as may be possible and be
legal, valid, and enforceable.

         12.13   Knowledge. At any time there is a reference in a
representation, covenant or warranty of a party to this Agreement that is
qualified by the knowledge of such party, the terms "knowledge" or "knows" or
"known", or "belief" or "believes" shall mean (i) as to the Company and the
Shareholders, the knowledge or belief of any Shareholder, and (ii) as to Tyler,
the knowledge or belief of its Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer,
Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Louis A. Waters, or James E.
Russell.





                  [The following page is the signature page.]





                                       52
<PAGE>   59
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as
of the day and year first above written.


                                   TYLER CORPORATION


                                  By:      /s/ C.A. RUNDELL, JR. 
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           C. A. Rundell, Jr., President and
                                           Chief Executive Officer



                                  T2 ACQUISITION CORPORATION


                                  By:      /s/ C.A. RUNDELL, JR.  
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           C.A. Rundell, Jr., President



                                  THE SOFTWARE GROUP, INC.


                                  By:      /s/ GLENN A. SMITH 
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Glenn A. Smith, President



                                           /s/ BRIAN B. BERRY
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           BRIAN B. BERRY, Individually


                                           /s/ GLENN A. SMITH
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           GLENN A. SMITH, Individually





                                       53
<PAGE>   60
The undersigned execute this Agreement solely to indicate their agreement to
Sections 1.7(c) and 10.1 hereof:

                                  /s/ JOANE COGAN 
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                      JOANE COGAN

                                  /s/ RICK HOFF 
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                      RICK HOFF

                                  /s/ DAVID LANDGREN 
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                      DAVID LANDGREN





                                       54
<PAGE>   61
                                    ANNEX I


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                          Shareholders                      Shares
                          ------------                      ------
                          <S>                               <C>
                          Brian B. Berry                    824,025
                          Joane Cogan                       136,475
                          Glenn A. Smith                    960,500
</TABLE>




<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    Shares Subject to
                          Optionholders                     Options
                          -------------                     -------
                          <S>                               <C>
                          Rick Hoff                         75,000
                          David Landgren                    75,000
</TABLE>





                                       55
<PAGE>   62
                                   EXHIBIT A





Directors
Brian B. Berry
William D. Oates
C.A. Rundell, Jr.
Glenn A. Smith
Louis A. Waters





Officers
Glenn A. Smith            President and Assistant Secretary
Brian B. Berry            Vice President and Secretary
Scott R. Creasman         Chief Financial Officer





<PAGE>   63
                                   EXHIBIT B

                                 EMPLOYMENT AND
                            NONCOMPETITION AGREEMENT


         This Agreement, made as of October ___, 1997, is among Tyler
Corporation, a Delaware corporation ("Tyler"), The Software Group, Inc., a
Texas corporation (the "Company"), and ______________________________ (the
"Shareholder").


                              W I T N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS, pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Merger dated October
____, 1997 among Tyler, T2 Acquisition Corporation ("Sub"), the Company, and
certain shareholders of the Company (the "Merger Agreement"), Tyler has agreed
to acquire the Company through the merger of a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tyler
into the Company; and

         WHEREAS, pursuant to the Merger Agreement the Shareholder is receiving
consideration of $__________ cash and __________ shares of Tyler common stock,
which consideration would not be paid to the Shareholder unless the Shareholder
executed and delivered this Agreement to Tyler,

         WHEREAS the Shareholder is now an employee of the Company and
possesses information that is confidential and proprietary to its businesses;
and

         WHEREAS, pursuant to the Merger Agreement and as a further inducement
to, and as further consideration for, Tyler to consummate the acquisition of
the Company, the Shareholder is executing this Agreement;

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

         1.      Effective Date. This Agreement shall be effective upon, and
shall not be effective until, the consummation of the transactions contemplated
by the Merger Agreement (the "Closing").

         2.      Employment.

                 (a)      The Company hereby agrees to employ the Shareholder,
and the Shareholder hereby agrees to remain an employee of the Company, for a
minimum period of five years after the effective date of this Agreement.

                 (b)      During his employment by the Company, the Shareholder
will serve as ____________ of the Company, or in such other executive
capacities commensurate with his talents





                                     B-1
<PAGE>   64
and abilities as may be assigned to him from time to time by the Board of
Directors of the Company, provided that no duties so assigned shall require the
Shareholder to establish permanent residence in a county other than Collin
County, Texas.

                 (c)      The Shareholder agrees that he will serve the Company
faithfully, diligently and to the best of his ability during the period of his
employment with the Company, and that he will devote his full time and efforts
during business hours to the business of the Company, reasonable vacations and
sick leaves in accordance with the Company's policies excluded.

                 (d)      As compensation for his employment services with the
Company, the Shareholder shall receive an annual salary of $200,000 per year,
and shall participate in performance bonus or incentive compensation plans made
available to other comparable level employees of the Company from time to time.
The Company shall reimburse the Shareholder for all reasonable and necessary
expenses incurred by him in the performance of his duties to the Company,
provided that the Shareholder presents to the Company written accounts thereof
and appropriate evidence of payment in accordance with the Company's normal
policies.

                 (e)      The Company shall make available to the Shareholder a
suitable automobile during the term of his employment by the Company. In
addition, the Company agrees to use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain
in full force and effect during the term of the Shareholder's employment by the
Company the Company's current disability insurance policy relating to the
Shareholder (or if such disability insurance policy ceases to remain available,
a comparable disability insurance policy). The Company shall also make
available to the Shareholder all employee fringe benefits and perquisites
normally offered by the Company to its executive employees, including vacations
and sick leave in accordance with the Company policies and health insurance
benefits.

                 (f)      After expiration of the initial five-year term of
this Agreement, either the Company or the Shareholder may terminate the
Shareholder's employment by the Company at will and without any cause
whatsoever by giving 30 days' prior written notice to the other party of the
intention to terminate such employment. The Company may at any time terminate
the employment of the Shareholder for "just cause", as defined in Section 7
hereof.

         3.      Confidentiality. The Shareholder acknowledges that the nature
of his employment with the Company and the Company Subsidiaries has necessarily
involved the creation of, transmittal of, handling of, and access to
confidential information of a proprietary nature and that the Shareholder has
had and will have access to and has become and will become familiar with
various trade secrets, including scientific, engineering and technical know-
how, processes, computer programs, compilations of information, records, sales
procedures, customer requirements, pricing and bidding techniques, customer
lists, employees' compensation, methods of doing business and other
confidential information (all of which are referred to as "Proprietary
Information"), that are owned by the Company and will be owned by the Company
or any corporation or other entity of which the Company is the record or
beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the capital stock
or other voting or equity interests of such entity (collectively, the "Company





                                     B-2
<PAGE>   65
Subsidiaries") and will be regularly used in the operation of the business of
the Company and the Company Subsidiaries. The Shareholder acknowledges and
agrees that all items of such Proprietary Information are valuable, special and
unique assets the disclosure of which would cause substantial injury and loss
of profits and goodwill to the Company and the Company Subsidiaries, and in
which the Company and the Company Subsidiaries will retain on their own account
and that of their clients a proprietary interest that persists beyond any
termination of the Shareholder's employment with the Company and the Company
Subsidiaries. The Shareholder further acknowledges that the preservation and
protection of the Proprietary Information is an essential part of the duties of
the Shareholder's employment. Therefore, the Shareholder agrees that he will
take all steps necessary to safeguard all Proprietary Information, whether such
information derives from the Shareholder, other employees of the Company or the
Company Subsidiaries, or the customers of the Company and the Company
Subsidiaries as defined in Section 7(c) of this Agreement, and that he will
not, directly or indirectly, use, disclose, or disseminate to any other person
or other entity, lecture upon, publish articles concerning, or otherwise employ
any such Proprietary Information, except as required in the course of his
employment by the Company and the Company Subsidiaries. All files,
specifications, drawings, blueprints, reproductions, records, documents,
information, data, and similar items relating to the business of the Company
and the Company Subsidiaries (the "Documents"), whether prepared or compiled by
the Shareholder or otherwise coming into his possession, shall remain the
exclusive property of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries and shall not be
removed from the premises of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries under any
circumstances without the prior written consent of the board of directors of
the Company (except in the ordinary course of business during the period of the
Shareholder's active employment) and in any event shall be promptly delivered
to the Company upon termination of his employment.

         4. Assignment Agreement.

                 (a)      Discovery or Invention. If, during his employment or
within six (6) months after termination for any reason of his employment with
the Company or any Company Subsidiary, the Shareholder conceives or makes any
discovery, invention, or improvement that relates to the art or business of the
Company and the Company Subsidiaries, as then conducted, whether or not such
discovery, invention, or improvement is conceived or made alone or with others
or at the request or suggestion of the Company or any Company Subsidiary,
during regular work hours or otherwise or in or outside of the facilities of
the Company or the Company Subsidiaries, then the Shareholder's rights in such
discovery, invention, or improvement shall be the exclusive property of the
Company. The term "art or business," as used in this Agreement, pertains to
goods, materials, machinery, or equipment manufactured, sold, or used, or to
services provided, by the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries during the
Shareholder's employment with the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries or
proposed (and not subsequently rejected by management of the Company) during
his employment with the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries to be
manufactured, sold, used, or provided by the Company or any of the Company
Subsidiaries, or to formulas, designs, patterns, processes, programs, systems,
software or methods concerned with the production or design of goods,
materials, machinery, or equipment manufactured, sold, or used, or with
services provided, by the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries during his
employment with the Company or any of the Company Subsidiaries or proposed (and
not subsequently rejected by





                                     B-3
<PAGE>   66
management of the Company) during his employment with the Company or any of the
Company Subsidiaries to be manufactured, sold, used, or provided by the Company
or any of the Company Subsidiaries. The term "discovery, invention, or
improvement" includes any new and novel art, machine, method, software,
process, use, apparatus, composition of matter, design, or configuration of any
kind or improvements thereon.

                 (b)      Disclosure and Cooperation. Immediately upon making
any such discovery, invention, or improvement, the Shareholder shall disclose
it to the officers of the Company, but to no one else, and the Shareholder
hereby assigns and agrees to assign to the Company his full and exclusive right
to any such discovery, invention, or improvement and agrees to execute all
documents and instruments the Company deems necessary to vest title to such
discovery, invention, or improvement in the Company or any Company Subsidiary
or its nominee and, if such discovery, invention, or improvement be patentable
or copyrightable, to any application for copyrights or letters patent that may
be filed on and copyrights or letters patent that may be obtained or issued on
such discovery, invention, or improvement. The Shareholder shall cooperate in
all respects with the Company in prosecuting applications for copyrights or
letters patent on any such discovery, invention, or improvement and procuring
and maintaining copyrights and patents and in obtaining or registering any
trademarks or service marks that he may originate. In connection therewith the
Shareholder shall:

                          (i)              sign all instruments the Company
         deems necessary or desirable for the filing and prosecution of
         applications for copyrights or letters patent of the United States or
         of any foreign country that the Shareholder may desire to file upon
         such discovery, invention, or improvement;

                          (ii)             sign all instruments the Company
         deems necessary or desirable for filing and prosecuting divisional
         applications that may be required upon such patent applications;

                          (iii)   sign all instruments the Company deems
         necessary or desirable for reviving or renewing any of such
         applications if revival or renewal of such applications becomes
         necessary or desirable; and

                          (iv)             sign all instruments the Company
         deems necessary or desirable to file and prosecute continued
         applications or reissue applications that subsequently appear to the
         Company to be necessary or desirable to render such discovery,
         invention, or improvement effective and fully useful for the purposes
         of the Company.

         5.      Solicitation of Employees. Until the later of (i) the fifth
anniversary of the date of the Closing or (ii) the second anniversary of the
termination or cessation for any reason of the Shareholder's employment with
the Company and all of its affiliates, the Shareholder shall not, on his own
behalf or on behalf of any other person, partnership, entity, association, or
corporation, either hire, solicit or seek to hire any employee of the Company
or any of its affiliates who is party to a confidentiality agreement with the
Company or has covenanted not to compete with the





                                     B-4
<PAGE>   67
Company or any of its affiliates, or in any other manner attempt directly or
indirectly to influence, induce, or encourage any such employee of the Company
or any of its affiliates to leave the employment of the Company or such
affiliate, nor shall he use or disclose to any person, partnership, entity,
association, or corporation any information concerning the names and addresses
of any of the employees of the Company or its affiliates.

         6.      Noncompetition Agreement. The Shareholder acknowledges and
agrees that the information he has acquired and will acquire while an employee
and a shareholder of the Company or the Company Subsidiaries regarding the
Proprietary Information of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries will enable
him to injure the Company and the Company Subsidiaries and diminish the value
of the investment by Tyler in the Company and the Company Subsidiaries if he
should engage in any business that is competitive with the business conducted
by the Company and the Company Subsidiaries. Therefore, the Shareholder hereby
agrees to the following:

                 (a)      The Shareholder will not directly or indirectly
engage in any art or business that relates to or offers the same or similar
products or services as the Company's art or business, as defined in Subsection
4(a) hereof, as conducted or proposed to be conducted by the Company or any of
its affiliates at any time prior to the later of the fifth anniversary of the
Closing Date or the termination or cessation for any reason of the
Shareholder's employment with the Company and all its affiliates, or any
products or services directly or indirectly related thereto:

                          (i)     in any state in the United States in which
         such products or services are being or were provided by the Company or
         any its affiliates as of the Closing;

                          (ii)    in any state in the United States in which
         such products or services are being or were provided by the Company or
         any of its affiliates during the course of the Shareholder's
         employment by the Company or any of its affiliates; or

                          (iii)   to any person or entity that is or was a
         customer or affiliate of a customer of the Company or any of the
         Company's affiliates at any time during the course of the
         Shareholder's employment by the Company or any of its affiliates.

                 (b)      The agreements contained in this Section 6 shall
terminate on the later of (i) the fifth anniversary of the date of the Closing
or (ii) the second anniversary of the termination or cessation for any reason
of the Shareholder's employment with the Company and all of its affiliates.

         7. Definitions. For purposes of this Agreement:

                 (a)      The term "indirectly" means the performance of
services by any business or entity in which the Shareholder either owns or
possesses more than a 10% interest in profits, losses, or capital, or is an
officer, director, partner or employee, or for which the Shareholder acts as an
agent or representative, or to which the Shareholder provides consulting or
advisory services.





                                     B-5
<PAGE>   68
                 (b)      The term "affiliate" means the Company, the Company
Subsidiaries and any other business or entity that the Company directly, or
indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by,
or is under common control with, including Tyler, Tyler's subsidiary
corporations as they existed immediately prior to the Closing, and Tyler's
subsidiary corporations as they may be acquired or organized after the Closing.

                 (c)      The term "customer" includes any person or entity
with respect to which, the Company or any of its affiliates has an outstanding
bid, offer or agreement to perform services or, to the knowledge of the
Shareholder at the date of termination, the Company or any of its affiliates is
preparing or contemplating preparation of such a bid, offer or agreement.

                 (d)      The term "just cause" means (i) conviction by a
criminal court of fraud, embezzlement, theft, bribery, or conviction by a
criminal court of other conduct or acts constituting a crime under federal law
or a felony under applicable state law (a conviction under this subsection
7(d)(i) shall mean only those convictions which stand after all non-
discretionary appeals which a criminal defendant must receive have been
exhausted), or (ii) the commission of any act or acts or any course of conduct
that constitutes a material breach of any of the terms of this Agreement and
which breach has not been cured after notice and opportunity to do so in
accordance with the provisions of Section 10 hereof.

         8.      Breach, Notice and Right to Cure. If at any time during the
term of this Agreement, the Company deems the Shareholder to be in breach of
any of the covenants made by him herein, the Company will notify the
Shareholder of such breach in writing and the Shareholder shall have 30 days
after receipt of such notice to cure the breach to the satisfaction of the
Company.

                 If the Shareholder fails to cure the alleged breach for any
reason within 30 days after notice and the breach has occurred during the first
five calendar years after the date of Closing:

                          (i)     The Shareholder shall not be entitled to
         receive and the Company shall be deemed relieved of any obligation
         hereunder to pay any amount that at the time is otherwise due, if any,
         pursuant to Section 3 hereof or any future annual amounts at the times
         they otherwise would have become due, and the Shareholder's covenants
         and agreements herein shall remain in full force and effect, or in the
         alternative,

                          (ii)    On or before such 30th day, the Shareholder
         shall cease the activity deemed by the Company to be a breach of the
         Shareholder's covenant or covenants herein and, if requested by the
         Company, shall agree to the entry of an order by an appropriate court
         of law or judicial or administrative tribunal, as determined solely by
         the Company, restraining the Shareholder from continuing such activity
         until final judicial or administrative determination of the issue of
         reach. Upon entry of the agreed restraining order, the Company shall
         pay the Shareholder any sums which would have been paid to the
         Shareholder hereunder had the alleged breach not occurred and the
         Company shall resume payments hereunder pending final judicial or
         administrative determination of the issue of breach.





                                     B-6
<PAGE>   69
                 The release of the Company's obligation to make payments under
Section 3 is specifically agreed by the parties to be in addition to, and not
in limitation of, any damages or other remedies to which the Company may be
entitled at law or in equity for a breach by the Shareholder of this Agreement.

                 If at any time during the term of this Agreement, the Company
fails to notify the Shareholder of a deemed breach of this Agreement by the
Shareholder and fails to make a payment due hereunder, the Shareholder shall
notify the Company of such failure to pay pursuant to this Section 8. If the
Company does not cure the failure to pay within 10 days after receipt of such
notice, then the Company shall be deemed to be in breach of this Agreement.

         9.      Severability.

                 (a)      The Shareholder agrees and acknowledges that each
agreement and covenant set forth herein constitutes a separate agreement
independently supported by good and adequate consideration and that each such
agreement shall be severable from the other provisions of this Agreement and
shall survive this Agreement. The existence of any claim or cause of action of
the Shareholder against the Company or Tyler, whether predicated on this
Agreement or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense to the enforcement by
the Company or Tyler of the covenants and agreements of the Shareholder
contained herein or in those separate agreements.

                 (b)      The parties hereto intend all provisions of this
Agreement to be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law. Accordingly,
should a court of competent jurisdiction determine that the scope of any
provision is too broad to be enforced as written, the parties intend that the
court should reform the provision to such narrower scope as it determines to be
enforceable. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be illegal, invalid,
or unenforceable under present or future law, such provision shall be fully
severable and this Agreement shall be construed and enforced as if such
illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision were never a part hereof; and the
remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect
and shall not be affected by the illegal, invalid, or unenforceable provision
or by its severance, except to the extent such remaining provisions constitute
obligations of another party to this Agreement corresponding to the
unenforceable provision. Furthermore, in lieu of such illegal, invalid, or
unenforceable provision, there shall be added automatically as part of this
Agreement, a provision as similar in its terms to such illegal, invalid, or
unenforceable provision as may be possible and be legal, valid, and
enforceable.

         10.     Remedies. The Shareholder acknowledges and agrees that the
ascertainment of damages in the event of his breach of any provision of this
Agreement would be difficult, and the Shareholder agrees that the Company, in
addition to all other remedies it may have (including, without limitation,
those described in Section 8 hereof), shall have the right to injunctive relief
if there is such a breach.

         11.     Acknowledgments. The Shareholder recognizes and agrees that
the enforcement of this Agreement is necessary and essential to ensure the
preservation and continuity of the business





                                     B-7
<PAGE>   70
and good will of the Company and its affiliates and to realize and derive all
of the benefits, rights, and expectations of conducting such business. The
Shareholder agrees that, due to the nature of the Company's business, the scope
and the duration of the covenants set forth in this Agreement are in all
respects reasonable.

         12.     Notices. All notices, demands, requests, or other
communications that may be or are required to be given, served, or sent by any
party to any other party pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and
shall be mailed by first-class, registered or certified mail, return receipt
requested, postage prepaid, or transmitted by hand delivery or telegram,
addressed as follows:

                 (i)      If to Tyler or the Company:

                          520 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 850
                          Houston, Texas 77027
                          Attention: Chairman of the Board
                          Telecopy No.: (713) 629-9936

                          with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

                          Liddell, Sapp, Zivley, Hill & LaBoon, L.L.P.
                          3400 Texas Commerce Tower
                          600 Travis
                          Houston, Texas 77002
                          Attention: Gene G. Lewis

                          (ii)    If to the Shareholder:

                          ---------------------------------
                          The Software Group, Inc.
                          Jupiter North Technology Park
                          1120 Jupiter Road, Suite 100
                          Plano, Texas 75074
                          Telecopy No.: (972) 516-2284

                          with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

                          Andrews & Barth
                          8235 Douglas, Suite 1120
                          Dallas, Texas 75225
                          Attention: John C. Andrews, III
                          Telecopy No.: (214) 691-3070

         Each party may designate by notice in writing a new address to which
any notice, demand, request, or communication may thereafter be so given,
served, or sent. Each notice, demand,





                                     B-8
<PAGE>   71
request, or communication that is mailed, delivered, or transmitted in the
manner described above shall be deemed sufficiently given, served, sent, and
received for all purposes at such time as it is delivered to the addressee
(with the return receipt, the delivery receipt, the affidavit of messenger, or
(with respect to a telecopy) the answer-back being deemed conclusive evidence
of such delivery) or at such time as delivery is refused by the addressee upon
presentation.

         13.     Successors and Assigns. This Agreement and the rights,
interests, and obligations hereunder shall be binding upon and shall inure to
the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

         14.     Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced
in accordance with the laws of the State of Texas (except the choice of law
rules thereof).

         15.     Waiver and Other Action. This Agreement may be amended,
modified, or supplemented only by a written instrument executed by the parties
against which enforcement of the amendment, modification, or supplement is
sought.

         16.     Suspension of Term. The running of the time periods applicable
to any covenant not to compete contained herein shall be suspended during the
period of any violation by the Shareholder of such covenant.

         17.     Costs. If any action at law or in equity is necessary to
enforce or interpret the terms of this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be
entitled to receive from the nonprevailing party reasonable attorneys' fees,
court costs and necessary disbursements in addition to all other relief to
which he or it may be entitled.






                                     B-9
<PAGE>   72
         EXECUTED as of the date first above written.

                                           TYLER CORPORATION



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



                                           THE SOFTWARE GROUP, INC.

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



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

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



                                    B-10

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 20.01


NEWS                                                                           
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[TYLER CORPORATION LETTERHEAD]



FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:       C. A. Rundell, Jr.
                               President and Chief Executive Officer
                               214/754-7804

                               David P. Tusa
                               Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
                               214/754-7831


Dallas, Texas, October 8, 1997 -- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

         Today, Tyler Corporation (NYSE:TYL) announced four events implementing
a new strategy to build the company and create value for its shareholders.

         The initial step in the corporate strategy is the acquisition of two
companies -- Business Resources Corporation ("Business Resources") of Dallas,
Texas, and The Software Group, Inc. (the "Software Group") of Plano, Texas.
Tyler signed definitive agreements with both companies on October 8, 1997,
subject to Tyler shareholder approval and customary regulatory approvals,
including Hart-Scott-Rodino.  The completion date for these two transactions is
expected to be prior to December 31, 1997.

         Business Resources and the Software Group provide integrated
information management services, systems, and outsourcing to approximately 200
county governments principally in the Southwest.  The $23 billion market for
county government services is the most rapidly growing government sector.
Consolidation opportunities exist in this fragmented marketplace of 3,043 U.S.
counties.  Automation, new technology, and outsourcing are in demand as county
governments are continually being asked to do more for less.

         On a proforma basis, Business Resources and the Software Group are
expected to represent approximately $35 million in revenue for the year ended
December 31, 1997.  The combined purchase price for these companies is 12
million shares of Tyler stock and $40 million of cash and debt assumption.
<PAGE>   2
         In addition on October 8, a transaction adding 10 stores to the Forest
City Auto Parts Company ("Forest City") network of 61 retail automotive parts
stores was completed by Tyler.  The company purchased inventory at a discount
and assumed leases on these stores, primarily in the Chicago and Milwaukee
areas. These stores are expected to immediately add sales and earnings to
Forest City, which has performed strongly under the leadership of Harold
Parkison.  Additionally, Forest City is expected to be a strong producer of
earnings and cash flow in 1998.

         Finally, Tyler announced management changes to facilitate its new
corporate strategy and its move into the information management field.  Louis
A. Waters, an outside board member and major Tyler shareholder, has been
elected Chairman of the Board.  Bruce W. Wilkinson resigned as President and
Chief Executive Officer as of October 8 but will continue to support the
company for a transition period.  C. A. Rundell, Jr. has been elected to the
positions of President and Chief Executive Officer.  In addition, William D.
Oates, sole shareholder and Chief Executive Officer of Business Resources, will
be elected a director of Tyler when the Business Resources transaction is
closed.  Waters brings vast experience in the acquisition arena while Rundell
and Oates add years of information management experience as Tyler pursues its
consolidation strategy in this field.

         President and CEO Rundell commented, "We are truly indebted to Bruce
Wilkinson for the contribution he has made in the six months he has been with
us.  Management and the directors of Tyler are excited about entering the
information management business for county and municipal government entities.
We look forward to reporting more progress in those endeavors."

         The web sites of Business Resources Corporation and The Software
Group, Inc. are www.govrcd.com and www.tsgweb.com, respectively.

         Tyler Corporation, founded in 1966, has corporate offices in both
Dallas and Houston.  In addition to the pending information management business
described above, the company operates principally in the retail automotive
parts business.

         Tyler has included forward-looking statements concerning its business
and operations in this press release.  Although Tyler believes that the
expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable,
these expectations and the related statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
projected.  These risks and uncertainties include the ability of the company to
integrate successfully the Business Resources, Software Group and future
acquisitions, as well as the ability of the company to take advantage of
consolidation opportunities.

         Tyler expressly disclaims any obligation to release publicly any
updates or revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect any change
in its expectations.


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