AUTOZONE INC
S-3/A, 1998-07-13
AUTO & HOME SUPPLY STORES
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<PAGE>
 
     
  AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JULY 13, 1998     
                                                   
                                                REGISTRATION NO. 333-58565     
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
                               ---------------
                                
                             AMENDMENT NO. 1     
                                       
                                    TO     
                                   FORM S-3
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                          THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
 
                               ---------------
                                AUTOZONE, INC.
            (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
                               ---------------
<TABLE>
<S>                                            <C>
                   NEVADA                                        62-1482048
        (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION                          (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
      OF INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)                    IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)
</TABLE>
 
                            123 SOUTH FRONT STREET
                           MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE 38103
                                (901) 495-6500
  (ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
 
                               ---------------
 
                              HARRY L. GOLDSMITH
                SECRETARY/SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT/GENERAL COUNSEL
                                AUTOZONE, INC.
                            123 SOUTH FRONT STREET
                           MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE 38103
                                (901) 495-6500
(NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
                             OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
 
                               ---------------
                                  COPIES TO:
<TABLE>
<S>                                              <C>
             EVA HERBST DAVIS, ESQ.                       JOSEPH W. ARMBRUST, JR., ESQ.
                LATHAM & WATKINS                                 BROWN & WOOD LLP
       633 WEST FIFTH STREET, SUITE 4000,                     ONE WORLD TRADE CENTER
         LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90071                       NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10048
                 (213) 485-1234                                   (212) 839-5300
</TABLE>
 
                               ---------------
 
       APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC:
 
 FROM TIME TO TIME AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT, AS
                         DETERMINED BY THE REGISTRANT.
 
                               ---------------
 
  If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the
following box. [_]
 
  If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or
interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. [X]
 
  If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following
box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [_]
 
  If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [_]
 
  If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [_]
 
                               ---------------
 
  THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SECTION 8(a) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID
SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART II
 
                    INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
  The expenses to be paid by the Company in connection with the distribution
of the securities being registered are as set forth in the following table:
 
<TABLE>
   <S>                                                                 <C>
    Securities and Exchange Commission Fee............................ $118,000
   *Rating Agency Fees................................................  295,000
   *Legal Fees and Expenses...........................................  100,000
   *Accounting Fees and Expenses......................................  125,000
   *Printing Expenses.................................................   33,000
   *Blue Sky Fees.....................................................    5,000
   *Trustee/Issuing & Paying Agent Fees and Expenses..................   10,000
   *Transfer Agent Fees & Expenses....................................    5,000
   *Miscellaneous.....................................................    9,000
                                                                       --------
     *Total........................................................... $700,000
                                                                       ========
</TABLE>
- --------
*Estimated.
 
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
  The Company's Articles of Incorporation provide that a director or officer
of the Company shall not be personally liable to the Company or its
stockholders for damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director or
officer, except for liability for (i) acts or omissions which involve
intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of law, or (ii) the
payment of distributions in violation of Nevada Code Section 78.300. In
addition, Nevada Code Section 78.751 and Article III, Section 13 of the
Company's Bylaws, under certain circumstances, provide for the indemnification
of the Company's officers, directors, employees, and agents against
liabilities which they may incur in such capacities. A summary of the
circumstances in which such indemnification is provided for is contained
herein, but that description is qualified in its entirety by reference to
Article III, Section 13 of the Company's Bylaws.
 
  In general, any officer, director, employee or agent shall be indemnified
against expenses including attorneys' fees, fines, settlements or judgments
which were actually and reasonably incurred in connection with a legal
proceeding, other than one brought by or on the behalf of the Company, to
which he was a party as a result of such relationship, if he acted in good
faith, and in the manner he believed to be in or not opposed to the Company's
best interest and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. If the action or suit is
brought by or on behalf of the Company, the person to be indemnified must have
acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not
opposed to the Company's best interest. No indemnification will be made in
respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been
adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction, after exhaustion of all appeals
therefrom, to be liable to the Company or for amounts paid in settlement to
the Company, unless and only to the extent that the court in which the action
or suit was brought or other court of competent jurisdiction, determines upon
application that in view of all the circumstances of the case, the person is
fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which such court
shall deem proper.
 
  Any indemnification under the previous paragraphs, unless ordered by a court
or advanced as provided in the succeeding paragraph, must be made by the
Company only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that
indemnification of the director, officer, employee or agent is proper in the
circumstances. The determination must be made (i) by the stockholders, (ii) by
the Board of Directors by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors
who were not parties to the act, suit or proceeding, (iii) if a majority vote
of a quorum of directors who were not parties to the act, suit or proceeding
so orders, by independent legal counsel in a written
 
                                     II-1
<PAGE>
 
opinion or (iv) if a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to
the act, suit or proceeding cannot be obtained, by independent legal counsel
in a written opinion. To the extent that a director, officer, employee or
agent of the Company has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense
of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in the previous paragraph, or in
defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, he must be indemnified by the
Company against expenses, including attorneys' fees, actually and reasonably
incurred by him in connection with the defense.
 
  Expenses incurred by an officer or director in defending a civil or criminal
action, suit or proceeding must be paid by the Company as they are incurred
and in advance of the final disposition of the action, suit or proceeding,
upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to
repay the amount if it is ultimately determined by a court of competent
jurisdiction that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company as
authorized by the Bylaws. Such expenses incurred by other employees and agents
may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the Board of
Directors deems appropriate.
 
  The indemnification and advancement of expenses authorized in or ordered by
a court as provided in the foregoing paragraphs does not exclude any other
rights to which a person seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses
may be entitled under the Articles of Incorporation or any bylaw, agreement,
vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, for either an
action in his official capacity or an action in another capacity while holding
his office, except that indemnification, unless ordered by a court as
described in the third preceding paragraph or for advancement of expenses made
as described in the next preceding paragraph, may not be made to or on behalf
of any director of officer if a final adjudication establishes that his acts
or omissions involved intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of
the law and was material to the cause of action. If a claim for
indemnification or payment of expenses under Section 13 of the Bylaws is not
paid in full within ninety (90) days after a written claim therefor has been
received by the Company, the claimant may file suit to recover the unpaid
amount of such claim and, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled
to be paid the expenses of prosecuting such claim. In any such action, the
Company shall have the burden of proving that the claimant was not entitled to
the requested indemnification or payment of expenses under applicable law.
 
  The Board of Directors may authorize, by a vote of a majority of a quorum of
the Board of Directors, the Company to purchase and maintain insurance on
behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of
the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director,
officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against him and
incurred by him in any such capacity, or arising out of his status as such,
whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify him against such
liability under provisions of Section 13 of the Bylaws. The Board of Directors
may authorize the Company to enter into a contract with any person who is or
was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or is or was serving
at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of
another partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise providing for
indemnification rights equivalent to or, if the Board of Directors so
determines, greater than those provided for in Section 13 of the Bylaws.
 
  The Company has also purchased insurance for its directors and officers for
certain losses arising from claims or charges made against them in their
capacities as directors and officers of the Company.
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS
 
  See Exhibit Index.
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
 
  The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
 
  (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
 
    (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
  Securities Act;
 
                                     II-2
<PAGE>
 
    (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the
  effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-
  effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
  represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the
  registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or
  decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of
  securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any
  deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range
  may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission
  pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and
  price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate
  offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in
  the effective registration statement;
 
    (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
  distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any
  material change to such information in the registration statement;
 
  provided, however, that the information required to be included in a post-
effective amendment by paragraphs (1)(i) and(1)(ii) above may be contained in
periodic reports filed by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the registration
statement.
 
  (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial
bona fide offering thereof.
 
  (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of
the offering.
 
  (4) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
Act, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to section 13(a)
or section 15(d) of the Exchange Act and (and, where applicable, each filing
of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement
shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
  (5) To deliver or cause to be delivered with the prospectus, to each person
to whom the prospectus is sent or given, the latest annual report, to security
holders that is incorporated by reference in the prospectus and furnished
pursuant to and meeting the requirements of Rule 14a-3 or Rule 14c-3 under the
Exchange Act and, where interim financial information required to be presented
by Article 3 of Regulation S-X is not set forth in the prospectus, to deliver,
or cause to be delivered to each person to whom the prospectus is sent or
given, the latest quarterly report that is specifically incorporated by
reference in the prospectus to provide such interim financial information.
 
  (6) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the
information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this
registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of
prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h)
under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration
statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
  (7) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act,
each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
  (8) To file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of
the trustee to act under Subsection (a) of Section 310 of the TIA in
accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under
Section 305(b)(2) of the TIA.
 
                                     II-3
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES
   
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, the Registrant certifies
that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Amendment No. 1
to Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Memphis, State of Tennessee on July
13, 1998.     
 
                                          AUTOZONE, INC.
                                                   
                                                /s/ J.C. Adams, Jr.*        
                                          By: _________________________________
                                                      J.C. Adams, Jr.
                                             Chairman, Chief Executive Officer
                                                        and Director
          
  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this Amendment No. 1 to
Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated:     
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
             SIGNATURE                           TITLE                  DATE
             ---------                           -----                  ----
 
<S>                                  <C>                           <C>
      /s/ J.C. Adams, Jr.*           Chairman, Chief Executive      July 13, 1998
____________________________________  Officer and Director
         (J.C. Adams, Jr.)            (Principal Executive
                                      Officer)
 
       /s/ Robert J. Hunt*           Executive Vice President,      July 13, 1998
____________________________________  Chief Financial Officer and
          (Robert J. Hunt)            Director (Principal
                                      Financial Officer)
 
    /s/ Michael E. Butterick*        Vice President and             July 13, 1998
____________________________________  Controller (Principal
       (Michael E. Butterick)         Accounting Officer)
 
      /s/ Timothy D. Vargo*          President, Chief Operating     July 13, 1998
____________________________________  Officer and Director
         (Timothy D. Vargo)
 
     /s/ Andrew M. Clarkson*         Director                       July 13, 1998
____________________________________
        (Andrew M. Clarkson)
 
       /s/ N. Gerry House*           Director                       July 13, 1998
____________________________________
          (N. Gerry House)
       /s/ J.R. Hyde, III*           Director                       July 13, 1998
____________________________________
          (J.R. Hyde, III)
 
      /s/ James F. Keegan*           Director                       July 13, 1998
____________________________________
         (James F. Keegan)
 
</TABLE>    
 
                                     II-4
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
             SIGNATURE                           TITLE                  DATE
             ---------                           -----                  ----
 
<S>                                  <C>                           <C>
    /s/ Michael W. Michelson*        Director                       July 13, 1998
____________________________________
       (Michael W. Michelson)
 

     /s/ George R. Roberts*          Director                       July 13, 1998
____________________________________
        (George R. Roberts)

 
                                     Director
____________________________________
         (Ronald A. Terry)
                                            
     
*By: /s/ Donald R. Rawlins                                          July 13, 1998
    ---------------------------
       (Donald R. Rawlins) 
        (Attorney-in-Fact)
</TABLE>    
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>   
 <C>    <S>
   1.1  Form of Purchase Agreement
   4.1  Form of Senior Indenture
   4.2  Form of Subordinated Indenture
 **4.3  Form of Specimen of Senior Debt Security
 **4.4  Form of Specimen of Subordinated Debt Security
   4.5  Form of Warrant Agreement
   4.6  Form of Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference from the
         Company's Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registration Statement
         filed by the Company under the Securities Act (No. 33-45649) (the
         "February 1992 Form S-1"))
 **4.7  Form of Preferred Stock Certificate
   4.8  Form of Warrant (included in Exhibit 4.5)
 **4.9  Form of Deposit Agreement
   4.10 Articles of Incorporation of the Company (incorporated by reference
         from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
         ended August 27, 1994 (the "1994 Form 10-K"))
   4.11 Amendment to Articles of Incorporation of the Company, dated December
         16, 1993 (incorporated by reference from the Company's Annual Report
         on the 1994 Form 10-K)
   4.12 Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by reference from the February 1992
         Form S-1)
   5.1  Opinion of Schreck Morris as to validity of Offered Securities
   5.2  Opinion of Latham & Watkins as to validity of Offered Securities
 *12.1  Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
 *23.1  Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
  23.2  Consent of Schreck Morris (included in its opinion filed as Exhibit
         5.1)
  23.3  Consent of Latham & Watkins (included in its opinion filed as Exhibit
         5.2)
 *24.1  Power of Attorney of Registrant's Director and Officers (incorporated
         in the signature page on page II-4 of the Registration Statement)
  25.1  Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1 with respect to Senior
         Indenture
  25.2  Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1 with respect to
         Subordinated Indenture
</TABLE>    
- --------
   
*  Previously filed.     
** To be incorporated by reference in connection with the offering of any
   Offered Securities.

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 1.1


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

                                 AUTOZONE, INC.

                             (a Nevada corporation)



                             PURCHASE AGREEMENT FOR
                             ----------------------
                COMMON STOCK, WARRANTS TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK,
                ------------------------------------------------
             PREFERRED STOCK, WARRANTS TO PURCHASE PREFERRED STOCK,
             ------------------------------------------------------
                               DEPOSITARY SHARES,
                               ------------------
           DEBT SECURITIES AND WARRANTS TO PURCHASE DEBT SECURITIES,
           ---------------------------------------------------------
                                     UNITS
                                     -----

                             Dated:  July __, 1998


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

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                      PAGE
                                                                                                      ----
<S>                                                                                                   <C>
SECTION 1.   Representations and Warranties........................................................    4
     (a) Representations and Warranties by the Company.............................................    4
            (1)   Compliance with Registration Requirements........................................    4
            (2)   Incorporated Documents...........................................................    5
            (3)   Independent Accountants..........................................................    5
            (4)   Financial Statements.............................................................    6
            (5)   No Material Adverse Change in Business...........................................    6
            (6)   Good Standing of the Company.....................................................    6
            (7)   Good Standing of Subsidiaries....................................................    6
            (8)   Capitalization...................................................................    7
            (9)   Authorization of this Underwriting Agreement and Terms Agreement.................    7
            (10)  Authorization of Common Stock....................................................    7
            (11)  Authorization of Preferred Stock and/or Depositary Shares........................    8
            (12)  Authorization of Deposit Agreement...............................................    8
            (13)  Authorization of Senior Debt Securities and/or Subordinated Debt Securities......    8
            (14)  Authorization of the Indentures..................................................    9
            (15)  Authorization of Warrants........................................................    9
            (16)  Authorization of Warrant Agreement...............................................    9
            (17)  Authorization of Underlying Securities...........................................   10
            (18)  Descriptions of the Underwritten Securities, Underlying Securities, Indentures,
                  Deposit Agreement and Warrant Agreement..........................................   10
            (19)  Absence of Defaults and Conflicts................................................   10
            (20)  Absence of Proceedings...........................................................   11
            (21)  Accuracy of Exhibits.............................................................   12
            (22)  Absence of Further Requirements..................................................   12
            (23)  Possession of Intellectual Property..............................................   12
            (24)  Title to Property................................................................   13
            (25)  Investment Company Act...........................................................   13
            (26)  Environmental Laws...............................................................   13
     (b) Officers' Certificates....................................................................   14
SECTION 2.   Sale and Delivery to Underwriters; Closing............................................   14
     (a) Underwritten Securities...................................................................   14
     (b) Option Underwritten Securities............................................................   14
     (c) Payment...................................................................................   15
     (d) Denominations; Registration...............................................................   15
</TABLE>


                                       i
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                   <C>
SECTION 3.   Covenants of the Company..............................................................   15
     (a) Compliance with Securities Regulations and Commission Requests............................   15
     (b) Filing of Amendments......................................................................   16
     (c) Delivery of Registration Statements.......................................................   16
     (d) Delivery of Prospectuses..................................................................   16
     (e) Continued Compliance with Securities Laws.................................................   16
     (f) Blue Sky Qualifications...................................................................   17
     (g) Earnings Statement........................................................................   17
     (h) Reservation of Securities.................................................................   17
     (i) Use of Proceeds...........................................................................   18
     (j) Listing...................................................................................   18
     (k) Restriction on Sale of Securities.........................................................   18
     (l) Reporting Requirements....................................................................   18
SECTION 4.   Payment of Expenses...................................................................   18
     (a) Expenses..................................................................................   18
     (b) Termination of Agreement..................................................................   19
SECTION 5.   Conditions of Underwriters' Obligations...............................................   19
     (a) Effectiveness of Registration Statement...................................................   19
     (b) Opinion of Counsel for Company............................................................   20
     (c) Opinion of Counsel for Underwriters.......................................................   20
     (d) Officers' Certificate.....................................................................   20
     (e) Accountant's Comfort Letter...............................................................   20
     (f) Bring-down Comfort Letter.................................................................   21
     (g) Ratings...................................................................................   21
     (h) Approval of Listing.......................................................................   21
     (i) No Objection..............................................................................   21
     (j) Lock-up Agreements........................................................................   21
     (k) Over-Allotment Option.....................................................................   21
     (l) Additional Documents......................................................................   22
     (m) Termination of Terms Agreement............................................................   22
SECTION 6.   Indemnification.......................................................................   23
     (a) Indemnification of Underwriters...........................................................   23
     (b) Indemnification of Company, Directors and Officers........................................   24
     (c) Actions against Parties; Notification.....................................................   24
     (d) Settlement without Consent if Failure to Reimburse........................................   25
SECTION 7.   Contribution..........................................................................   25
SECTION 8.   Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive Delivery........................   26
SECTION 9.   Termination...........................................................................   26
     (a) Underwriting Agreement....................................................................   26
</TABLE>


                                      ii
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                   <C>
     (b) Terms Agreement...........................................................................   27
     (c) Liabilities...............................................................................   27
SECTION 10.  Default by One or More of the Underwriters............................................   27
SECTION 11.  Notices...............................................................................   29
SECTION 12.  Parties...............................................................................   29
SECTION 13.  GOVERNING LAW AND TIME................................................................   29
SECTION 14.  Effect of Headings....................................................................   29
</TABLE>


                                      iii
<PAGE>
 

                                 AUTOZONE, INC.
                             (a Nevada corporation)

                Common Stock, Warrants to Purchase Common Stock,
             Preferred Stock, Warrants to Purchase Preferred Stock,
                               Depositary Shares,
           Debt Securities and Warrants to Purchase Debt Securities,
                                     Units


                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
                                                            July __, 1998

MERRILL LYNCH & CO.
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
         Incorporated
North Tower
World Financial Center
New York, New York  10281-1209

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     AutoZone, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the "Company"), proposes to issue and
sell up to $400,000,000 aggregate initial public offering price of its (i)
shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), (ii)
warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock (the "Common Stock Warrants"), (iii)
shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Preferred Stock"),
(iv) warrants to purchase shares of Preferred Stock (the "Preferred Stock
Warrants"), (v) senior or subordinated debt securities (the "Debt Securities"),
(vi) warrants to purchase Debt Securities (the "Debt Security Warrants") or
(vii) units consisting of two ore more of the foregoing securities (the
"Units"), or any combination thereof, from time to time, in or pursuant to one
or more offerings on terms to be determined at the time of sale.

     The Preferred Stock will be issued in one or more series and each series of
Preferred Stock may vary, as applicable, as to the title, specific number of
shares, rank, stated value, liquidation preference, dividend rate or rates (or
method of calculation), dividend payment dates, redemption provisions, sinking
fund requirements, conversion provisions (and terms of the related Underlying
Securities (as defined below)) and any other variable terms as set forth in the
applicable charter amendment, board resolution or certificate of designations
(each, the "Certificate of Designations") relating to such series of Preferred
Stock.  A series of Preferred Stock may be represented by depositary shares (the
"Depositary Shares") that are evidenced by depositary receipts (the "Depositary
Receipts") issued pursuant to a deposit agreement (each, a 
<PAGE>
 
"Deposit Agreement") among the Company, the depositary identified therein (the
"Depositary") and the registered holders of the Depositary Receipts issued
thereunder.

     The Debt Securities will be issued in one or more series as senior
indebtedness (the "Senior Debt Securities") under an indenture, dated as of July
__, 1998 (the "Senior Indenture"), between the Company and The First National
Bank of Chicago, as trustee (the "Senior Trustee"), or as subordinated
indebtedness (the "Subordinated Debt Securities") under an indenture, dated as
of July __, 1998 (the "Subordinated Indenture," and collectively with the Senior
Indenture, the "Indentures," and each, an "Indenture"), between the Company and
The First National Bank of Chicago, as trustee (the "Subordinated Trustee," and
collectively with the Senior Trustee, the "Trustees," and each, a "Trustee").
Each series of Debt Securities may vary, as applicable, as to title, aggregate
principal amount, rank, interest rate or formula and timing of payments thereof,
stated maturity date, redemption and/or repayment provisions, sinking fund
requirements, conversion provisions (and terms of the related Underlying
Securities) and any other variable terms established by or pursuant to the
applicable Indenture.

     Each issue of Common Stock Warrants, Preferred Stock Warrants and Debt
Security Warrants (collectively, the "Warrants") will be issued pursuant to a
separate warrant agreement (each, a "Warrant Agreement") between the Company and
the warrant agent identified therein (each, a "Warrant Agent").  The Warrants
may vary, as applicable, as to, among other terms, title, type, specific number,
exercise dates or periods, exercise price(s), expiration date(s) and terms of
the related Underlying Securities.

     As used herein, "Securities" shall mean the Common Stock, Common Stock
Warrants, Preferred Stock, Preferred Stock Warrants, Depositary Shares, Senior
Debt Securities, Subordinated Debt Securities or Units, or any combination
thereof, initially issuable by the Company and "Underlying Securities" shall
mean the Common Stock, Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Senior Debt
Securities or Subordinated Debt Securities issuable upon exercise of the
Warrants, as applicable, or upon conversion of the Preferred Stock, Depositary
Shares, Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated Debt Securities or Units, as
applicable.

     Whenever the Company determines to make an offering of Securities through
Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated
("Merrill Lynch"), or through an underwriting syndicate managed by Merrill
Lynch, the Company will enter into an agreement (each, a "Terms Agreement")
providing for the sale of such Securities to, and the purchase and offering
thereof by, Merrill Lynch and such other underwriters, if any, selected by
Merrill Lynch (the "Underwriters," which term shall include Merrill Lynch,
whether acting as sole Underwriter or as a member of an underwriting syndicate,
as well as any Underwriter substituted pursuant to Section 10 hereof).  The
Terms Agreement relating to the offering of Securities shall specify the number
or aggregate principal amount, as the case may be, of Securities to be initially
issued (the "Initial Underwritten Securities"), the name of each Underwriter
participating in such offering (subject to substitution as provided in Section
10 hereof) and the name of any Underwriter other than Merrill Lynch acting as
co-manager in connection with such offering, the number or aggregate principal
amount, as the case may be, of Initial Underwritten Securities which each such
Underwriter severally agrees to purchase, whether such offering is on a fixed or
variable 

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
price basis and, if on a fixed price basis, the initial offering price, the
price at which the Initial Underwritten Securities are to be purchased by the
Underwriters, the form, time, date and place of delivery and payment of the
Initial Underwritten Securities and any other material variable terms of the
Initial Underwritten Securities, as well as the material variable terms of any
related Underlying Securities. In addition, if applicable, such Terms Agreement
shall specify whether the Company has agreed to grant to the Underwriters an
option to purchase additional Securities to cover over-allotments, if any, and
the number or aggregate principal amount, as the case may be, of Securities
subject to such option (the "Option Underwritten Securities"). As used herein,
the term "Underwritten Securities" shall include the Initial Underwritten
Securities and all or any portion of any Option Underwritten Securities. The
Terms Agreement, which shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto,
may take the form of an exchange of any standard form of written
telecommunication between the Company and Merrill Lynch, acting for itself and,
if applicable, as representative of any other Underwriters. Each offering of
Underwritten Securities through Merrill Lynch as sole Underwriter or through an
underwriting syndicate managed by Merrill Lynch will be governed by this
Underwriting Agreement, as supplemented by the applicable Terms Agreement.

     The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission") a registration statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-58565) and pre-
effective amendment no. 1 thereto for the registration of the Securities and the
Underlying Securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933
Act"), and the offering thereof from time to time in accordance with Rule 415 of
the rules and regulations of the Commission under the 1933 Act (the "1933 Act
Regulations").  Such registration statement has been declared effective by the
Commission and each Indenture has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended (the "1939 Act"), and the Company has filed such post-
effective amendments thereto as may be required prior to the execution of the
applicable Terms Agreement and each such post-effective amendment has been
declared effective by the Commission.  Such registration statement (as so
amended, if applicable), including the information, if any, deemed to be a part
thereof pursuant to Rule 430A(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations (the "Rule 430A
Information") or Rule 434(d) of the 1933 Act Regulations (the "Rule 434
Information"), is referred to herein as the "Registration Statement"; and the
final prospectus and the final prospectus supplement relating to the offering of
the Underwritten Securities, in the form first furnished to the Underwriters by
the Company for use in connection with the offering of the Underwritten
Securities, are collectively referred to herein as the "Prospectus"; provided,
however, that all references to the "Registration Statement" and the
"Prospectus" shall also be deemed to include all documents incorporated therein
by reference pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
"1934 Act"), prior to the execution of the applicable Terms Agreement; provided,
further, that if the Company files a registration statement with the Commission
pursuant to Rule 462(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations (the "Rule 462(b)
Registration Statement"), then, after such filing, all references to
"Registration Statement" shall also be deemed to include the Rule 462
Registration Statement; and provided, further, that if the Company elects to
rely upon Rule 434 of the 1933 Act Regulations, then all references to
"Prospectus" shall also be deemed to include the final or preliminary prospectus
and the applicable term sheet or abbreviated term sheet (the "Term Sheet"), as
the case may be, in the form first furnished to the Underwriters by the Company
in reliance upon Rule 434 of the 

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
1933 Act Regulations, and all references in this Underwriting Agreement to the
date of the Prospectus shall mean the date of the Term Sheet. A "preliminary
prospectus" shall be deemed to refer to any prospectus used before the
Registration Statement became effective and any prospectus that omitted, as
applicable, the Rule 430A Information, the Rule 434 Information or other
information to be included upon pricing in a form of prospectus filed with the
Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations and was used
after such effectiveness and prior to the execution and delivery of the
applicable Terms Agreement. For purposes of this Underwriting Agreement, all
references to the Registration Statement, Prospectus, Term Sheet or preliminary
prospectus or to any amendment or supplement to any of the foregoing shall be
deemed to include any copy filed with the Commission pursuant to its Electronic
Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system ("EDGAR").

     All references in this Underwriting Agreement to financial statements and
schedules and other information which is "contained," "included" or "stated" (or
other references of like import) in the Registration Statement, Prospectus or
preliminary prospectus shall be deemed to mean and include all such financial
statements and schedules and other information which is incorporated by
reference in the Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary prospectus,
as the case may be, prior to the execution of the applicable Terms Agreement;
and all references in this Underwriting Agreement to amendments or supplements
to the Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary prospectus shall be
deemed to mean and include the filing of any document under the 1934 Act which
is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, Prospectus or
preliminary prospectus, as the case may be, after the execution of the
applicable Terms Agreement.

     SECTION 1.  Representations and Warranties.
     ----------  ------------------------------ 

     (a) Representations and Warranties by the Company.   The Company represents
and warrants to Merrill Lynch, as of the date hereof, and to each Underwriter
named in the applicable Terms Agreement, as of the date thereof, as of the
Closing Time (as defined below) and, if applicable, as of each Date of Delivery
(as defined below) (in each case, a "Representation Date"), as follows:

          (1) Compliance with Registration Requirements.   The Company meets the
          --- -----------------------------------------                         
     requirements for use of Form S-3 under the 1933 Act.  The Registration
     Statement (including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement) has become
     effective under the 1933 Act and no stop order suspending the effectiveness
     of the Registration Statement (or such Rule 462(b) Registration Statement)
     has been issued under the 1933 Act and no proceedings for that purpose have
     been instituted or are pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, are
     contemplated by the Commission, and any request on the part of the
     Commission for additional information has been complied with.  In addition,
     each Indenture has been duly qualified under the 1939 Act.

          At the respective times the Registration Statement (including any Rule
     462(b) Registration Statement) and any post-effective amendments thereto
     (including the filing of the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form
     10-K with the Commission (the 

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
     "Annual Report on Form 10-K")) became effective and at each Representation
     Date, the Registration Statement (including any Rule 462(b) Registration
     Statement) and any amendments thereto complied and will comply in all
     material respects with the requirements of the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act
     Regulations and the 1939 Act and the rules and regulations of the
     Commission under the 1939 Act (the "1939 Act Regulations") and did not and
     will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
     material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
     statements therein not misleading. At the date of the Prospectus, at the
     Closing Time and at each Date of Delivery, if any, neither the Prospectus
     nor any amendments and supplements thereto included or will include an
     untrue statement of a material fact or omitted or will omit to state a
     material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the
     light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading. If
     the Company elects to rely upon Rule 434 of the 1933 Act Regulations, the
     Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 434. Notwithstanding the
     foregoing, the representations and warranties in this subsection shall not
     apply to statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement or the
     Prospectus made in reliance upon and in conformity with information
     furnished to the Company in writing by any Underwriter through Merrill
     Lynch expressly for use in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus.

          Each preliminary prospectus and prospectus filed as part of the
     Registration Statement as originally filed or as part of any amendment
     thereto, or filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the 1933 Act, complied when so
     filed in all material respects with the 1933 Act Regulations and each
     preliminary prospectus and the Prospectus delivered to the Underwriters for
     use in connection with the offering of Underwritten Securities will, at the
     time of such delivery, be identical to any electronically transmitted
     copies thereof filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the
     extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

          (2) Incorporated Documents.   The documents incorporated or deemed to
          --- ----------------------                                           
     be incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement and the
     Prospectus, when they became effective or at the time they were or
     hereafter are filed with the Commission, complied and will comply in all
     material respects with the requirements of the 1934 Act and the rules and
     regulations of the Commission thereunder (the "1934 Act Regulations") and,
     when read together with the other information in the Prospectus, at the
     date of the Prospectus, at the Closing Time and at each Date of Delivery,
     if any, did not and will not include an untrue statement of a material fact
     or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements
     therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
     misleading.

          (3) Independent Accountants.   The accountants who certified the
          --- -----------------------                                     
     financial statements and any supporting schedules thereto included in the
     Registration Statement and the Prospectus are independent public
     accountants as required by the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations.

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
          (4) Financial Statements.   The financial statements of the Company
          --- --------------------                                           
     included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, together with
     the related schedules and notes, as well as those financial statements,
     schedules and notes of any other entity included therein, present fairly
     the financial position of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries, or
     such other entity, as the case may be, at the dates indicated and the
     statement of operations, stockholders' equity and cash flows of the Company
     and its consolidated subsidiaries, or such other entity, as the case may
     be, for the periods specified.  Such financial statements have been
     prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles
     ("GAAP") applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved.
     The supporting schedules, if any, included in the Registration Statement
     and the Prospectus present fairly in accordance with GAAP the information
     required to be stated therein.  The selected financial data included in the
     Prospectus present fairly the information shown therein and have been
     compiled on a basis consistent with that of the audited financial
     statements included in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus.

          (5) No Material Adverse Change in Business.   Since the respective
          --- --------------------------------------                        
     dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement and
     the Prospectus, except as otherwise stated therein, (A) there has been no
     material adverse change in the financial condition, earnings or business
     affairs, or any development involving a prospective material adverse change
     in the financial condition, earnings or business affairs, of the Company
     and its subsidiaries considered as one enterprise, whether or not arising
     in the ordinary course of business (a "Material Adverse Effect"), (B) there
     have been no transactions entered into by the Company or any of its
     subsidiaries, other than those arising in the ordinary course of business,
     which are material with respect to the Company and its subsidiaries
     considered as one enterprise and (C) there has been no dividend or
     distribution of any kind declared, paid or made by the Company on any class
     of its capital stock.

          (6) Good Standing of the Company.   The Company has been duly
          --- ----------------------------                             
     organized and is validly existing as a corporation in good standing under
     the laws of the State of Nevada and has corporate power and authority to
     own, lease and operate its properties and to conduct its business as
     described in the Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations
     under, or as contemplated under, this Underwriting Agreement and the
     applicable Terms Agreement.  The Company is duly qualified as a foreign
     corporation to transact business and is in good standing in each other
     jurisdiction in which such qualification is required, whether by reason of
     the ownership or leasing of property or the conduct of business, except
     where the failure to so qualify or be in good standing would not result in
     a Material Adverse Effect.

          (7) Good Standing of Subsidiaries.   Each "significant subsidiary" of
          --- -----------------------------                                    
     the Company (as such term is defined in Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X
     promulgated under the 1933 Act) (each, a "Subsidiary" and, collectively,
     the "Subsidiaries"), if any, has been duly organized and is validly
     existing as a corporation or limited partnership in good standing under the
     laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation, has corporate or 

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
     partnership power and authority to own, lease and operate its properties
     and to conduct its business as described in the Prospectus and is duly
     qualified as a foreign corporation or partnership, as the case may be, to
     transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which
     such qualification is required, whether by reason of the ownership or
     leasing of property or the conduct of business, except where the failure to
     so qualify or be in good standing would not result in a Material Adverse
     Effect. Except as otherwise stated in the Registration Statement and the
     Prospectus, all of the issued and outstanding capital stock or partnership
     interests of each Subsidiary has been duly authorized and is validly
     issued, fully paid and non-assessable and is owned by the Company, directly
     or through subsidiaries (with the exception of the preferred stock of
     AutoZone Development Corporation of which the Company owns, directly and
     indirectly, 1,072 shares and others own 128 shares), free and clear of any
     security interest, mortgage, pledge, lien, encumbrance, claim or equity.
     None of the outstanding shares of capital stock or partnership interest of
     any Subsidiary was issued in violation of preemptive or other similar
     rights of any securityholder of such Subsidiary.

          (8) Capitalization.   If the Prospectus contains a "Capitalization"
          --- --------------                                                 
     section, the authorized, issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of
     the Company is as set forth in the column entitled "Actual" under such
     section (except for (A) subsequent issuances thereof, if any, contemplated
     under this Underwriting Agreement, (B) pursuant to reservations, agreements
     or employee benefit plans referred to or incorporated by reference in the
     Prospectus, and (C) up to 20,000 shares of capital stock issuable under the
     Company's 1998 Director Stock Option Plan and up to 20,000 shares of
     capital stock issuable under the Company's Director Compensation Plan or
     (D) pursuant to the exercise of convertible securities or options referred
     to or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus). Such shares of capital
     stock have been duly authorized and validly issued by the Company and are
     fully paid and non-assessable, and none of such shares of capital stock was
     issued in violation of preemptive or other similar rights of any
     securityholder of the Company.

          (9) Authorization of this Underwriting Agreement and Terms Agreement.
          --- ---------------------------------------------------------------- 
     This Underwriting Agreement has been, and the applicable Terms Agreement as
     of the date thereof will have been, duly authorized, executed and delivered
     by the Company.

          (10) Authorization of Common Stock.   If the Underwritten Securities
          ---- -----------------------------                                  
     being sold pursuant to the applicable Terms Agreement include Common Stock,
     such Underwritten Securities have been, or as of the date of such Terms
     Agreement will have been, duly authorized by the Company for issuance and
     sale pursuant to this Underwriting Agreement and such Terms Agreement.
     Such Underwritten Securities, when issued and delivered by the Company
     pursuant to this Underwriting Agreement and such Terms Agreement against
     payment of the consideration therefor specified in such Terms Agreement,
     will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and will not be
     subject to preemptive or other similar rights of any securityholder of the
     Company.  No holder of such Underwritten Securities is or will be subject
     to personal liability by reason of being such a holder.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
          (11) Authorization of Preferred Stock and/or Depositary Shares.   If
          ---- ---------------------------------------------------------      
     the Underwritten Securities being sold pursuant to the applicable Terms
     Agreement include Preferred Stock and/or Depositary Shares, such
     Underwritten Securities have been, or as of the date of such Terms
     Agreement will have been, duly authorized by the Company for issuance and
     sale pursuant to this Underwriting Agreement and such Terms Agreement.  The
     applicable Preferred Stock, when issued and delivered by the Company
     pursuant to this Underwriting Agreement and such Terms Agreement against
     payment of the consideration therefor, or for the related Depositary
     Shares, as the case may be, specified in such Terms Agreement, will be
     validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and will not be subject to
     preemptive or other similar rights of any securityholder of the Company.
     In addition, upon deposit by the Company of any Preferred Stock represented
     by Depositary Shares with the applicable Depositary and the execution and
     delivery by such Depositary of the Depositary Receipts evidencing such
     Depositary Shares, in each case pursuant to the applicable Deposit
     Agreement, such Depositary Shares will represent legal and valid interests
     in such Preferred Stock.  No holder of such Preferred Stock or Depositary
     Receipts evidencing Depositary Shares is or will be subject to personal
     liability by reason of being such a holder.  The applicable Certificate of
     Designations will be in full force and effect prior to the Closing Time.

          (12) Authorization of Deposit Agreement.   If the Underwritten
          ---- ----------------------------------                       
     Securities being sold pursuant to the applicable Terms Agreement include
     Depositary Shares or if Debt Securities are convertible into Depositary
     Shares represented by Preferred Stock, the applicable Deposit Agreement has
     been, or prior to the issuance of such Depositary Shares will have been,
     duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and, upon such
     authorization, execution and delivery, will constitute a valid and binding
     agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance
     with its terms, except as enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy,
     insolvency (including, without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent
     transfers), reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the
     enforcement of creditors' rights generally or by general equitable
     principles (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding
     in equity or at law).  Each registered holder of a Depositary Receipt under
     the applicable Deposit Agreement will be entitled to the proportional
     rights, preferences and limitations of the Preferred Stock represented by
     the Depositary Shares evidenced by such Depositary Receipt and to such
     other rights as are granted to such registered holder in such Deposit
     Agreement.

          (13) Authorization of Senior Debt Securities and/or Subordinated Debt
          ---- ----------------------------------------------------------------
     Securities.   If the Underwritten Securities being sold pursuant to the
     ----------                                                             
     applicable Terms Agreement include Senior Debt Securities and/or
     Subordinated Debt Securities, such Underwritten Securities have been, or as
     of the date of such Terms Agreement will have been, duly authorized by the
     Company for issuance and sale pursuant to this Underwriting Agreement and
     such Terms Agreement.  Such Underwritten Securities, when issued and
     authenticated in the manner provided for in the applicable Indenture and
     delivered against payment of the consideration therefor specified in such
     Terms Agreement, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the
     Company, enforceable 

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
     against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as the
     enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency (including,
     without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent transfers),
     reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement
     of creditors' rights generally or by general equitable principles
     (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity
     or at law), and except further as enforcement thereof may be limited by
     requirements that a claim with respect to any Debt Securities payable in a
     foreign or composite currency (or a foreign or composite currency judgment
     in respect of such claim) be converted into U.S. dollars at a rate of
     exchange prevailing on a date determined pursuant to applicable law or by
     governmental authority to limit, delay or prohibit the making of payments
     outside the United States. Such Underwritten Securities will be in the form
     contemplated by, and each registered holder thereof is entitled to the
     benefits of, the applicable Indenture.

          (14) Authorization of the Indentures.   If the Underwritten Securities
          ---- -------------------------------                                  
     being sold pursuant to the applicable Terms Agreement include Senior Debt
     Securities and/or Subordinated Debt Securities or if Preferred Stock is, or
     Depositary Shares represented by Preferred Stock are or Units are,
     convertible into Debt Securities, each applicable Indenture has been, or
     prior to the issuance of the Debt Securities thereunder will have been,
     duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and, upon such
     authorization, execution and delivery, will constitute a valid and binding
     agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance
     with its terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by
     bankruptcy, insolvency (including, without limitation, all laws relating to
     fraudulent transfers), reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws
     affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally or by general
     equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a
     proceeding in equity or at law).

          (15) Authorization of Warrants.   If the Underwritten Securities being
          ---- -------------------------                                        
     sold pursuant to the applicable Terms Agreement include Warrants, such
     Underwritten Securities have been, or as of the date of such Terms
     Agreement will have been, duly authorized by the Company for issuance and
     sale pursuant to this Underwriting Agreement and such Terms Agreement.
     Such Underwritten Securities, when issued and authenticated in the manner
     provided for the applicable Warrant Agreement and delivered against payment
     of the consideration therefor specified in such Terms Agreement, will
     constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company, entitled to the
     benefits provided by such Warrant Agreement and enforceable against the
     Company in accordance with their terms, except as enforcement thereof may
     be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency (including, without limitation, all
     laws relating to fraudulent transfers), reorganization, moratorium or other
     similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally or by
     general equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is
     considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

          (16) Authorization of Warrant Agreement.   If the Underwritten
          ---- ----------------------------------                       
     Securities being sold pursuant to the applicable Terms Agreement include
     Warrants, each applicable Warrant Agreement has been, or prior to the
     issuance of such Underwritten Securities 

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
     will have been, duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and,
     upon such authorization, execution and delivery, will constitute a valid
     and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in
     accordance with its terms, except as enforcement thereof may be limited by
     bankruptcy, insolvency (including, without limitation, all laws relating to
     fraudulent transfers), reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws
     affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally or by general
     equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a
     proceeding in equity or at law).

          (17) Authorization of Underlying Securities.   If the Underlying
          ---- --------------------------------------                     
     Securities related to the Underwritten Securities being sold pursuant to
     the applicable Terms Agreement include Common Stock, Preferred Stock or
     Depositary Shares, such Underlying Securities have been, or as of the date
     of such Terms Agreement will have been, duly authorized and reserved for
     issuance by the Company upon exercise of the Common Stock Warrants or
     Preferred Stock Warrants, as applicable, or upon conversion of the related
     Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated
     Debt Securities or Units, as applicable.  If the Underlying Securities
     include Common Stock or Preferred Stock, such Underlying Securities, when
     issued upon such exercise or conversion, as applicable, will be validly
     issued, fully paid and non-assessable and will not be subject to preemptive
     or other similar rights of any securityholder of the Company.  If the
     Underlying Securities include Depositary Shares, such Underlying
     Securities, upon deposit by the Company of the Preferred Stock represented
     thereby with the applicable Depositary and the execution and delivery by
     such Depositary of the Depositary Receipts evidencing such Depositary
     Shares, in each case pursuant to the applicable Deposit Agreement, will
     represent legal and valid interests in such Preferred Stock.  No holder of
     such Common Stock, Preferred Stock or Depositary Receipts evidencing
     Depository Shares is or will be subject to personal liability by reason of
     being such a holder.  If the Underlying Securities related to the
     Underwritten Securities being sold pursuant to the applicable Terms
     Agreement include Senior Debt Securities and/or Subordinated Debt
     Securities, such Underlying Securities have been, or as of the date of such
     Terms Agreement will have been, duly authorized for issuance by the Company
     upon the exercise of the Debt Security Warrants or upon conversion of the
     related Preferred Stock or Depositary Shares, as applicable.  Such
     Underlying Securities, when issued and authenticated in the manner provided
     for in the applicable Indenture and delivered in accordance with the terms
     of the Debt Security Warrants or the related Preferred Stock or Depositary
     Shares, as applicable, will constitute valid and binding obligations of the
     Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms,
     except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency
     (including, without limitation, all laws relating to fraudulent transfers),
     reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforcement
     of creditors' rights generally or by general equitable principles
     (regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity
     or at law), and except further as enforcement thereof may be limited by
     requirements that a claim with respect to any Debt Securities payable in a
     foreign or composite currency (or a foreign or composite currency judgment
     in respect of such claim) be converted into U.S. dollars at a rate of
     exchange prevailing on a date 

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
     determined pursuant to applicable law or by governmental authority to
     limit, delay or prohibit the making of payments outside the United States.

          (18) Descriptions of the Underwritten Securities, Underlying
          ---- -------------------------------------------------------
     Securities, Indentures, Deposit Agreement and Warrant Agreement.   The
     ---------------------------------------------------------------       
     Underwritten Securities being sold pursuant to the applicable Terms
     Agreement and each applicable Indenture, Deposit Agreement and Warrant
     Agreement, as of each Representation Date, and any Underlying Securities,
     when issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of the related
     Underwritten Securities, will conform in all material respects to the
     statements relating thereto contained in the Prospectus and will be in
     substantially the form filed or incorporated by reference, as the case may
     be, as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

          (19) Absence of Defaults and Conflicts.   Neither the Company nor any
          ---- ---------------------------------                               
     of its subsidiaries is in violation of its charter or by-laws or in default
     in the performance or observance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or
     condition contained in any contract, indenture, mortgage, deed of trust,
     loan or credit agreement, note, lease or other agreement or instrument to
     which the Company or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which it or
     any of them may be bound, or to which any of the assets, properties or
     operations of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject
     (collectively, "Agreements and Instruments"), except for such defaults that
     would not result in a Material Adverse Effect.  The execution, delivery and
     performance of this Underwriting Agreement, the applicable Terms Agreement
     and each applicable Indenture, Warrant Agreement and Deposit Agreement and
     any other agreement or instrument entered into or issued or to be entered
     into or issued by the Company in connection with the transactions
     contemplated hereby or thereby or in the Registration Statement and the
     Prospectus and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein and
     in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus (including the issuance
     and sale of the Underwritten Securities and the use of the proceeds from
     the sale of the Underwritten Securities as described under the caption "Use
     of Proceeds" as well as the issuance of any Underlying Securities) and
     compliance by the Company with its obligations hereunder and thereunder
     have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and do not and
     will not, whether with or without the giving of notice or passage of time
     or both, (i) conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default or
     Repayment Event (as defined below) under, or (ii) result in the creation or
     imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any assets, properties
     or operations of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to, any
     Agreements and Instruments, nor (iii) will such action result in any
     violation of the provisions of the charter or by-laws of the Company or any
     of its subsidiaries or (iv) result in any violation of any applicable law,
     statute, rule, regulation, judgment, order, writ or decree of any
     government, government instrumentality or court, domestic or foreign,
     having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of
     their assets, properties or operations except in the case of clauses (i),
     (ii) or (iv) for such conflicts, creations, impositions or violations as
     would not result in a Material Adverse Effect or will be prior to the
     issuance of any Underlying Securities.  As used herein, a "Repayment Event"
     means any event or condition which gives the holder of any note, debenture
     or other evidence of indebtedness (or any person acting on such holder's
     behalf) the right to 

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
     require the repurchase, redemption or repayment of all or a portion of such
     indebtedness by the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

          (20) Absence of Proceedings.   There is no action, suit, proceeding,
          ---- ----------------------                                         
     inquiry or investigation before or brought by any court or governmental
     agency or body, domestic or foreign, now pending, or to the knowledge of
     the Company threatened, against or affecting the Company or any of its
     subsidiaries which is required to be disclosed in the Registration
     Statement and the Prospectus (other than as stated therein), or which might
     reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, or which
     might reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the assets,
     properties or operations thereof or the consummation of the transactions
     contemplated under the Prospectus, this Underwriting Agreement, the
     applicable Terms Agreement or any applicable Indenture, Warrant Agreement
     or Deposit Agreement or the performance by the Company of its obligations
     hereunder and thereunder.  The aggregate of all pending legal or
     governmental proceedings to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is
     a party or of which any of their respective assets, properties or
     operations is the subject which are not described in the Registration
     Statement and the Prospectus, including ordinary routine litigation
     incidental to the business, could not reasonably be expected to result in a
     Material Adverse Effect.

          (21) Accuracy of Exhibits.   There are no contracts or documents which
          ---- --------------------                                             
     are required to be described in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus
     or the documents incorporated by reference therein or to be filed as
     exhibits thereto which have not been so described and filed as required.

          (22) Absence of Further Requirements.   No filing with, or
          ---- -------------------------------                      
     authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration,
     qualification or decree of, any court or governmental authority or agency,
     domestic or foreign, is necessary or required for the due authorization,
     execution and delivery by the Company of this Underwriting Agreement or the
     applicable Terms Agreement or for the performance by the Company of the
     transactions contemplated under the Prospectus, this Underwriting
     Agreement, such Terms Agreement or any applicable Indenture, Warrant
     Agreement or Deposit Agreement, except such as have been already made,
     obtained or rendered, as applicable.

          (23) Possession of Intellectual Property.   The Company and its
          ---- -----------------------------------                       
     subsidiaries own or possess, or can acquire on reasonable terms, adequate
     patents, patent rights, licenses, inventions, copyrights, know how
     (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable
     proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures),
     trademarks, service marks, trade names or other intellectual property
     (collectively, "Intellectual Property") necessary to carry on the business
     now operated by them, and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries
     has received any notice or is otherwise aware of any infringement of or
     conflict with asserted rights of others with respect to any Intellectual
     Property or of any facts or circumstances which would render any
     Intellectual Property invalid or inadequate to protect the interest of the
     Company or any of its subsidiaries therein, and which infringement or
     conflict (if the subject of any unfavorable 

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
     decision, ruling or finding) or invalidity or inadequacy, singly or in the
     aggregate, would result in a Material Adverse Effect.

          (24) Title to Property.   The Company and its subsidiaries have good
          ---- -----------------                                              
     and marketable title to all real property owned by the Company and its
     subsidiaries and good title to all other properties owned by them, in each
     case, free and clear of all mortgages, pledges, liens, security interests,
     claims, restrictions or encumbrances of any kind, except (A) as otherwise
     stated in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus or (B) those which
     do not, singly or in the aggregate, materially affect the value of such
     property and do not interfere with the use made and proposed to be made of
     such property by the Company or any of its subsidiaries.  All of the leases
     and subleases material to the business of the Company and its subsidiaries
     considered as one enterprise, and under which the Company or any of its
     subsidiaries holds properties described in the Prospectus, are in full
     force and effect, and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has
     received any notice of any material claim of any sort that has been
     asserted by anyone adverse to the rights of the Company or any of its
     subsidiaries under any of the leases or subleases mentioned above, or
     affecting or questioning the rights of the Company or such subsidiary of
     the continued possession of the leased or subleased premises under any such
     lease or sublease.

          (25) Investment Company Act.   The Company is not, and upon the
          ---- ----------------------                                    
     issuance and sale of the Underwritten Securities as herein contemplated and
     the application of the net proceeds therefrom as described in the
     Prospectus will not be, an "investment company" within the meaning of the
     Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act").

          (26) Environmental Laws.   Except as otherwise stated in the
          ---- ------------------                                     
     Registration Statement and the Prospectus and except as would not, singly
     or in the aggregate, result in a Material Adverse Effect, (A) neither the
     Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of any federal, state,
     local or foreign statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, policy or
     rule of common law or any judicial or administrative interpretation thereof
     including any judicial or administrative order, consent, decree or
     judgment, relating to pollution or protection of human health, the
     environment (including, without limitation, ambient air, surface water,
     groundwater, land surface or subsurface strata) or wildlife, including,
     without limitation, laws and regulations relating to the release or
     threatened release of chemicals, pollutants, contaminants, wastes, toxic
     substances, hazardous substances, petroleum or petroleum products
     (collectively, "Hazardous Materials") or to the manufacture, processing,
     distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or handling of
     Hazardous Materials (collectively, "Environmental Laws"), (B) the Company
     and its subsidiaries have all permits, authorizations and approvals
     required under any applicable Environmental Laws and are each in compliance
     with their requirements, (C) there are no pending or threatened
     administrative, regulatory or judicial actions, suits, demands, demand
     letters, claims, liens, notices of noncompliance or violation,
     investigation or proceedings relating to any Environmental Law against the
     Company or any of its subsidiaries and (D) there are no events or

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
     circumstances that might reasonably be expected to form the basis of an
     order for clean-up or remediation, or an action, suit or proceeding by any
     private party or governmental body or agency, against or affecting the
     Company or any of its subsidiaries relating to Hazardous Materials or any
     Environmental Laws.

     (b) Officers' Certificates.   Any certificate signed by any officer of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries and delivered to any Underwriter or to
counsel for the Underwriters in connection with the offering of the Underwritten
Securities and dated a Representation Date shall be deemed a representation and
warranty by the Company to each Underwriter as to the matters covered thereby on
such Representation Date.

     SECTION 2.  Sale and Delivery to Underwriters; Closing.
     ----------  ------------------------------------------ 

     (a) Underwritten Securities.   The several commitments of the Underwriters
to purchase the Underwritten Securities pursuant to the applicable Terms
Agreement shall be deemed to have been made on the basis of the representations,
warranties and agreements herein contained and shall be subject to the terms and
conditions herein set forth.

     (b) Option Underwritten Securities.   Subject to the terms and conditions
herein set forth, the Company may grant, if so provided in the applicable Terms
Agreement, an option to the Underwriters, severally and not jointly, to purchase
up to the number or aggregate principal amount, as the case may be, of the
Option Underwritten Securities set forth therein at a price per Option
Underwritten Security equal to the price per Initial Underwritten Security, less
an amount equal to any dividends or distributions declared by the Company and
paid or payable on the Initial Underwritten Securities but not payable on the
Option Underwritten Securities.  Such option, if granted, will expire 30 days
after the date of such Terms Agreement, and may be exercised in whole or in part
from time to time only for the purpose of covering over-allotments which may be
made in connection with the offering and distribution of the Initial
Underwritten Securities upon notice by Merrill Lynch to the Company setting
forth the number or aggregate principal amount, as the case may be, of Option
Underwritten Securities as to which the several Underwriters are then exercising
the option and the time, date and place of payment and delivery for such Option
Underwritten Securities.  Any such time and date of payment and delivery (each,
a "Date of Delivery") shall be determined by Merrill Lynch, but shall not be
later than seven full business days after the exercise of said option, nor in
any event prior to the Closing Time, unless otherwise agreed upon by Merrill
Lynch and the Company.  If the option is exercised as to all or any portion of
the Option Underwritten Securities, each of the Underwriters, severally and not
jointly, will purchase that proportion of the total number or aggregate
principal amount, as the case may be, of Option Underwritten Securities then
being purchased which the number or aggregate principal amount, as the case may
be, of Initial Underwritten Securities each such Underwriter has severally
agreed to purchase as set forth in such Terms Agreement bears to the total
number or aggregate principal amount, as the case may be, of Initial
Underwritten Securities, subject to such adjustments as Merrill Lynch in its
discretion shall make to eliminate any sales or purchases of a fractional number
or aggregate principal amount, as the case may be, of Option Underwritten
Securities.

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
     (c) Payment.   Payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of, the
Initial Underwritten Securities shall be made at the offices of Brown & Wood
llp, or at such other place as shall be agreed upon by Merrill Lynch and the
Company, at 10:00 A.M. (New York City time) on the third (fourth, if the pricing
occurs after 4:30 P.M. (New York City time) on any given day) business day after
the date of the applicable Terms Agreement (unless postponed in accordance with
the provisions of Section 10 hereof), or such other time not later than ten
business days after such date as shall be agreed upon by Merrill Lynch and the
Company (such time and date of payment and delivery being herein called "Closing
Time").  In addition, in the event that the Underwriters have exercised their
option, if any, to purchase any or all of the Option Underwritten Securities,
payment of the purchase price for, and delivery of such Option Underwritten
Securities, shall be made at the above-mentioned offices of Brown & Wood llp, or
at such other place as shall be agreed upon by Merrill Lynch and the Company, on
the relevant Date of Delivery as specified in the notice from Merrill Lynch to
the Company.

     Payment shall be made to the Company by wire transfer of immediately
available funds to a bank account designated by the Company, against delivery to
Merrill Lynch for the respective accounts of the Underwriters of the
Underwritten Securities to be purchased by them.  It is understood that each
Underwriter has authorized Merrill Lynch, for its account, to accept delivery
of, receipt for, and make payment of the purchase price for, the Underwritten
Securities which it has severally agreed to purchase.  Merrill Lynch,
individually and not as representative of the Underwriters, may (but shall not
be obligated to) make payment of the purchase price for the Underwritten
Securities to be purchased by any Underwriter whose funds have not been received
by the Closing Time or the relevant Date of Delivery, as the case may be, but
such payment shall not relieve such Underwriter from its obligations hereunder.

     (d) Denominations; Registration.   The Underwritten Securities,
certificates for the Underwritten Securities or Depositary Receipts evidencing
the Depositary Shares, as applicable, shall be in such denominations and
registered in such names as Merrill Lynch may request in writing at least one
full business day prior to the Closing Time or the relevant Date of Delivery, as
the case may be.  The Underwritten Securities, certificates for the Underwritten
Securities or Depositary Receipts evidencing the Depositary Shares, as
applicable, will be made available for examination and packaging by Merrill
Lynch in The City of New York not later than 10:00 A.M. (New York City time) on
the business day prior to the Closing Time or the relevant Date of Delivery, as
the case may be.

     SECTION 3.  Covenants of the Company.   The Company covenants with Merrill
     ----------  ------------------------                                      
Lynch and with each Underwriter participating in the offering of Underwritten
Securities, as follows:

     (a) Compliance with Securities Regulations and Commission Requests.   The
Company, subject to Section 3(b), will comply with the requirements of Rule 430A
of the 1933 Act Regulations and/or Rule 434 of the 1933 Act Regulations, if and
as applicable, and will notify the Representative(s) immediately, and confirm
the notice in writing, of (i) the effectiveness of any post-effective amendment
to the Registration Statement or the filing of any supplement or amendment to
the Prospectus, (ii) the receipt of any comments from the Commission, (iii) any
request by the Commission for any amendment to the Registration Statement or any
amendment 

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
or supplement to the Prospectus or for additional information, and (iv) the
issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the
Registration Statement or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any
preliminary prospectus, or of the suspension of the qualification of the
Underwritten Securities for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, or of the
initiation or threatening of any proceedings for any of such purposes. The
Company will promptly effect the filings necessary pursuant to Rule 424 and will
take such steps as it deems necessary to ascertain promptly whether the
Prospectus transmitted for filing under Rule 424 was received for filing by the
Commission and, in the event that it was not, it will promptly file the
Prospectus. The Company will make every reasonable effort to prevent the
issuance of any stop order and, if any stop order is issued, to obtain the
lifting thereof at the earliest possible moment.

     (b) Filing of Amendments.   The Company will give Merrill Lynch notice of
its intention to file or prepare any amendment to the Registration Statement
(including any filing under Rule 462(b) of the 1933 Act Regulations), any Term
Sheet or any amendment, supplement or revision to either the prospectus included
in the Registration Statement at the time it became effective or to the
Prospectus, whether pursuant to the 1933 Act, the 1934 Act or otherwise, will
furnish Merrill Lynch with copies of any such documents a reasonable amount of
time prior to such proposed filing or use, as the case may be, and will not file
or use any such document to which Merrill Lynch or counsel for the Underwriters
shall object.  To the extent the distribution of Underwritten Securities has
been completed, the Company will not be required to provide Merrill Lynch with
reports it is required to file with the Commission under the 1934 Act.

     (c) Delivery of Registration Statements.   The Company has furnished or
will deliver to Merrill Lynch and counsel for the Underwriters, without charge,
signed copies of the Registration Statement as originally filed and of each
amendment thereto (including exhibits filed therewith or incorporated by
reference therein and documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by
reference therein) and signed copies of all consents and certificates of
experts, and will also deliver to Merrill Lynch, without charge, a conformed
copy of the Registration Statement as originally filed and of each amendment
thereto (without exhibits) for each of the Underwriters.  The Registration
Statement and each amendment thereto furnished to the Underwriters will be
identical to any electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the
Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

     (d) Delivery of Prospectuses.   The Company will deliver to each
Underwriter, without charge, as many copies of each preliminary prospectus as
such Underwriter may reasonably request, and the Company hereby consents to the
use of such copies for purposes permitted by the 1933 Act.  The Company will
furnish to each Underwriter, without charge, during the period when the
Prospectus is required to be delivered under the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act, such
number of copies of the Prospectus as such Underwriter may reasonably request.
The Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto furnished to the
Underwriters will be identical to any electronically transmitted copies thereof
filed with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by
Regulation S-T.

     (e) Continued Compliance with Securities Laws.   The Company will comply
with the 1933 Act and the 1933 Act Regulations and the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act
Regulations so as to 

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
permit the completion of the distribution of the Underwritten Securities as
contemplated in this Underwriting Agreement and the applicable Terms Agreement
and in the Registration Statement and the Prospectus. If at any time when the
Prospectus is required by the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act to be delivered in
connection with sales of the Securities, any event shall occur or condition
shall exist as a result of which it is necessary, in the reasonable opinion of
outside counsel for the Underwriters or for the Company, to amend the
Registration Statement in order that the Registration Statement will not contain
an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading
or to amend or supplement the Prospectus in order that the Prospectus will not
include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact
necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of
the circumstances existing at the time it is delivered to a purchaser, or if it
shall be necessary, in the reasonable opinion of such outside counsel, at any
such time to amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the
Prospectus in order to comply with the requirements of the 1933 Act or the 1933
Act Regulations, the Company will promptly prepare and file with the Commission,
subject to Section 3(b), such amendment or supplement as may be necessary to
correct such statement or omission or to make the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus comply with such requirements, and the Company will furnish to the
Underwriters, without charge, such number of copies of such amendment or
supplement as the Underwriters may reasonably request.

     (f) Blue Sky Qualifications.   The Company will use its best efforts, in
cooperation with the Underwriters, to qualify the Underwritten Securities and
any related Underlying Securities for offering and sale under the applicable
securities laws of such states and other jurisdictions (domestic or foreign) as
Merrill Lynch may designate and to maintain such qualifications in effect for a
period of not less than one year from the date of the applicable Terms
Agreement; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to file
any general consent to service of process or to qualify as a foreign corporation
or as a dealer in securities in any jurisdiction in which it is not so qualified
or to subject itself to taxation in respect of doing business in any
jurisdiction in which it is not otherwise so subject.  In each jurisdiction in
which the Underwritten Securities or any related Underlying Securities have been
so qualified, the Company will file such statements and reports as may be
required by the laws of such jurisdiction to continue such qualification in
effect for a period of not less than one year from the date of such Terms
Agreement.

     (g) Earnings Statement.   The Company will timely file such reports
pursuant to the 1934 Act as are necessary in order to make generally available
to its securityholders as soon as practicable an earnings statement for the
purposes of, and to provide the benefits contemplated by, the last paragraph of
Section 11(a) of the 1933 Act.

     (h) Reservation of Securities.   If the applicable Terms Agreement
specifies that any related Underlying Securities include Common Stock, Preferred
Stock and/or Depositary Shares, the Company will reserve and keep available at
all times, free of preemptive or other similar rights, a sufficient number of
shares of Common Stock and/or Preferred Stock, as applicable, for the purpose of
enabling the Company to satisfy any obligations to issue such Underlying
Securities upon exercise of the related Warrants, as applicable, or upon
conversion of the 

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
Preferred Stock, Depositary Shares, Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated Debt
Securities or Units, as applicable.

     (i) Use of Proceeds.   The Company will use the net proceeds received by it
from the sale of the Underwritten Securities in the manner specified in the
Prospectus under "Use of Proceeds".

     (j) Listing.   The Company will use its reasonable efforts to effect the
listing of the Underwritten Securities and any related Underlying Securities,
prior to the Closing Time, on any national securities exchange or quotation
system if and as specified in the applicable Terms Agreement.

     (k) Restriction on Sale of Securities. Between the date of the applicable
Terms Agreement and the Closing Time or such other date specified in such Terms
Agreement, the Company will not, without the prior written consent of Merrill
Lynch, directly or indirectly, issue, sell, offer or contract to sell, grant any
option for the sale of, or otherwise dispose of, the securities specified in
such Terms Agreement except, in the case of an offering of Underwritten
Securities containing Common Stock or Equity Warrants or any Underwritten
Security convertible into Common Stock, the Company may issue Common Stock
pursuant to the exercise of any options granted by the Company under any option
plans described in the Prospectus or whose description is incorporated by
reference into the Prospectus and, the Company also may issue up to 20,000
shares of Common Stock under the Company's 1998 Director Stock Option Plan and
up to 20,000 shares of Common Stock under the Company's Director Compensation
Plan.

     (l) Reporting Requirements.   The Company, during the period when the
Prospectus is required to be delivered under the 1933 Act or the 1934 Act, will
file all documents required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to the 1934
Act within the time periods required by the 1934 Act and the 1934 Act
Regulations.

     SECTION 4.  Payment of Expenses.
     ----------  ------------------- 

     (a) Expenses.   The Company will pay all expenses incident to the
performance of its obligations under this Underwriting Agreement or the
applicable Terms Agreement, including (i) the preparation, printing and filing
of the Registration Statement (including financial statements and exhibits) as
originally filed and of each amendment thereto, (ii) the preparation, printing
and delivery to the Underwriters of this Underwriting Agreement, any Terms
Agreement, any Agreement among Underwriters, the Indentures, any Deposit
Agreement, any Warrant Agreement and such other documents as may be required in
connection with the offering, purchase, sale, issuance or delivery of the
Underwritten Securities or any related Underlying Securities, (iii) the
preparation, issuance and delivery of the Underwritten Securities and any
related Underlying Securities, any certificates for the Underwritten Securities
or such Underlying Securities or Depositary Receipts evidencing the Depositary
Shares, as applicable, to the Underwriters, including any transfer taxes and any
stamp or other duties payable upon the sale, issuance or delivery of the
Underwritten Securities to the Underwriters, (iv) the fees and disbursements of
the Company's counsel, accountants and other advisors or agents (including
transfer agents and registrars), as well as the fees and disbursements of the
Trustees, any 

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
Depositary and any Warrant Agent, and their respective counsel, (v) the
qualification of the Underwritten Securities and any related Underlying
Securities under state securities laws in accordance with the provisions of
Section 3(f) hereof, including filing fees and the reasonable fees and
disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection therewith and in
connection with the preparation, printing and delivery of the Blue Sky Survey,
and any amendment thereto, (vi) the printing and delivery to the Underwriters of
copies of each preliminary prospectus, any Term Sheet, and the Prospectus and
any amendments or supplements thereto, (vii) the fees charged by nationally
recognized statistical rating organizations for the rating of the Underwritten
Securities and any related Underlying Securities, if applicable, (viii) the fees
and expenses incurred with respect to the listing of the Underwritten Securities
and any related Underlying Securities, if applicable, (ix) the filing fees
incident to, and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel to the
Underwriters in connection with, the review, if any, by the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc. (the "NASD") of the terms of the sale of the
Underwritten Securities and any related Underlying Securities, and (x) the fees
and expenses of any Underwriter acting in the capacity of a "qualified
independent underwriter" (as defined in Section 2(l) of Schedule E of the bylaws
of the NASD), if applicable. Except as set forth in clauses (v) and (ix) of this
Section 4(a) or upon termination of this Agreement in accordance with the
provisions of Section 5 or 9(b)(i) or by the Company, the Company shall not be
obligated to pay any fees or disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters.

     (b) Termination of Agreement.   If the applicable Terms Agreement is
terminated by Merrill Lynch in accordance with the provisions of Section 5 or
Section 9(b)(i) hereof, the Company shall reimburse the Underwriters for all of
their out-of-pocket expenses, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of
counsel for the Underwriters.

     SECTION 5.  Conditions of Underwriters' Obligations.   The obligations of
     ----------  ---------------------------------------                      
the Underwriters to purchase and pay for the Underwritten Securities pursuant to
the applicable Terms Agreement are subject to the accuracy of the
representations and warranties of the Company contained in Section 1 hereof or
in certificates of any officer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries
delivered pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance by the Company
of its covenants and other obligations hereunder, and to the following further
conditions:

     (a) Effectiveness of Registration Statement.   The Registration Statement,
including any Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, has become effective under the
1933 Act and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration
Statement shall have been issued under the 1933 Act and no proceedings for that
purpose shall have been instituted or be pending or threatened by the
Commission, and any request on the part of the Commission for additional
information shall have been complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of
counsel to the Underwriters.  A prospectus containing information relating to
the description of the Underwritten Securities and any related Underlying
Securities, the specific method of distribution and similar matters shall have
been filed with the Commission in accordance with Rule 424(b)(1), (2), (3), (4)
or (5), as applicable (or any required post-effective amendment providing such
information shall have been filed and declared effective in accordance with the
requirements of Rule 430A), or, if the Company has elected to rely upon Rule 434
of the 1933 Act Regulations, a Term Sheet including 

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
the Rule 434 Information shall have been filed with the Commission in accordance
with Rule 424(b)(7).

     (b) Opinion of Counsel for Company.   At Closing Time, Merrill Lynch shall
have received the favorable opinion, dated as of Closing Time, of Latham &
Watkins and/or Schreck Morris, counsel for the Company, and/or general counsel 
of the Company in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the
Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each
of the other Underwriters, to the effect set forth in Exhibit B hereto or to 
the effect set forth as an Exhibit to the applicable Terms Agreement.

     (c) Opinion of Counsel for Underwriters.   At Closing Time, Merrill Lynch
shall have received the favorable opinion reasonably satisfactory to the 
Underwriters, dated as of Closing Time, of Brown & Wood llp, counsel for the
Underwriters, together with signed or reproduced copies of such letter for each
of the other Underwriters.  In giving such opinion, such counsel may rely, as to
all matters governed by the laws of jurisdictions other than the law of the
State of New York, the federal law of the United States and the General
Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, upon the opinions of counsel
satisfactory to Merrill Lynch. Such counsel may also state that, insofar as such
opinion involves factual matters, they have relied, to the extent they deem
proper, upon certificates of officers of the Company and its subsidiaries and
certificates of public officials.

     (d) Officers' Certificate.   At Closing Time, there shall not have been,
since the date of the applicable Terms Agreement or since the respective dates
as of which information is given in the Prospectus, any material adverse change
in the condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs
or business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one
enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, and
Merrill Lynch shall have received a certificate of the President or a Vice
President of the Company and of the chief financial officer or chief accounting
officer of the Company, dated as of Closing Time, to the effect that (i) there
has been no such material adverse change, (ii) the representations and
warranties in Section 1(a) are true and correct with the same force and effect
as though expressly made at and as of the Closing Time, (iii) the Company has
complied with all agreements and satisfied all conditions on its part to be
performed or satisfied at or prior to the Closing Time, and (iv) no stop order
suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued and
no proceedings for that purpose have been instituted, are pending or, to the
best of such officer's knowledge, are threatened by the Commission.

     (e) Accountant's Comfort Letter.   At the time of the execution of the
applicable Terms Agreement, Merrill Lynch shall have received from Ernst & Young
LLP a letter dated such date, 

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
in form and substance satisfactory to Merrill Lynch, together with signed or
reproduced copies of such letter for each of the other Underwriters, containing
statements and information of the type ordinarily included in accountants'
"comfort letters" to underwriters with respect to the financial statements and
certain financial information contained in the Registration Statement and the
Prospectus.

     (f) Bring-down Comfort Letter.   At Closing Time, Merrill Lynch shall have
received from Ernst & Young LLP a letter, dated as of Closing Time, to the
effect that they reaffirm the statements made in the letter furnished pursuant
to subsection (e) of this Section 5, except that the specified date referred to
shall be a date not more than three business days prior to the Closing Time.

     (g) Ratings.   At Closing Time and at any relevant Date of Delivery, unless
the Underwritten Securities being sold pursuant to the applicable Terms
Agreement relate solely to Common Stock or Common Stock Warrants, the
Underwritten Securities shall have the ratings accorded by any "nationally
recognized statistical rating organization," as defined by the Commission for
purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) of the 1933 Act Regulations, if and as specified in
the applicable Terms Agreement, and the Company shall have delivered to Merrill
Lynch a letter, dated as of such date, from each such rating organization, or
other evidence satisfactory to Merrill Lynch, confirming that the Underwritten
Securities have such ratings.  Since the time of execution of such Terms
Agreement, there shall not have occurred a downgrading in, or withdrawal of, the
rating assigned to the Underwritten Securities or any of the Company's other
securities by any such rating organization, and no such rating organization
shall have publicly announced that it has under surveillance or review its
rating of the Underwritten Securities or any of the Company's other securities.

     (h) Approval of Listing.   At Closing Time, the Underwritten Securities
shall have been approved for listing, subject only to official notice of
issuance, if and as specified in the applicable Terms Agreement.

     (i) No Objection.   If the Registration Statement or an offering of
Underwritten Securities has been filed with the NASD for review, the NASD shall
not have raised any objection with respect to the fairness and reasonableness of
the underwriting terms and arrangements.

     (j) Lock-up Agreements.   On the date of the applicable Terms Agreement,
Merrill Lynch shall have received, in form and substance satisfactory to it,
each lock-up agreement, if any, specified in such Terms Agreement as being
required to be delivered by the persons listed therein.

     (k) Over-Allotment Option.   In the event that the Underwriters are granted
an over-allotment option by the Company in the applicable Terms Agreement and
the Underwriters exercise their option to purchase all or any portion of the
Option Underwritten Securities, the representations and warranties of the
Company contained herein and the statements in any certificates furnished by the
Company or any of its subsidiaries hereunder shall be true and correct as of
each Date of Delivery, and, at the relevant Date of Delivery Merrill Lynch shall
have received:

                                       21
<PAGE>
 
          (1)  A certificate, dated such Date of Delivery, of the President or a
     Vice President of the Company and the chief financial officer or chief
     accounting officer of the Company, confirming that the certificate
     delivered at the Closing Time pursuant to Section 5(d) hereof remains true
     and correct as of such Date of Delivery.

          (2)  The favorable opinion of Latham & Watkins and/or Schreck Morris,
     counsel for the Company and/or general counsel of the Company, in form and
     substance satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters, dated such Date of
     Delivery, relating to the Option Underwritten Securities and otherwise to
     the same effect as the opinion required by Section 5(b) hereof.

          (3)  The favorable opinion of Brown & Wood llp, counsel for the
     Underwriters, dated such Date of Delivery, relating to the Option
     Underwritten Securities and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion
     required by Section 5(c) hereof.

          (4)  A letter from Ernst & Young LLP, in form and substance
     satisfactory to Merrill Lynch and dated such Date of Delivery,
     substantially in the same form and substance as the letter furnished to
     Merrill Lynch pursuant to Section 5(f) hereof, except that the "specified
     date" on the letter furnished pursuant to this paragraph shall be a date
     not more than three business days prior to such Date of Delivery.

          (5)  Since the time of execution of such Terms Agreement, there shall
     not have occurred a downgrading in, or withdrawal of, the rating assigned
     to the Underwritten Securities or any of the Company's other securities by
     any such rating organization, and no such rating organization shall have
     publicly announced that it has under surveillance or review its rating of
     the Underwritten Securities or any of the Company's other securities.

     (l) Additional Documents.   At Closing Time and at each Date of Delivery,
counsel for the Underwriters shall have been furnished with such documents and
opinions as they may reasonably require for the purpose of enabling them to pass
upon the issuance and sale of the Underwritten Securities as herein
contemplated, or in order to evidence the accuracy of any of the representations
or warranties, or the fulfillment of any of the conditions, herein contained;
and all proceedings taken by the Company in connection with the issuance and
sale of the Underwritten Securities as herein contemplated shall be reasonably
satisfactory in form and substance to Merrill Lynch and counsel for the
Underwriters.

     (m) Termination of Terms Agreement.   If any condition specified in this
Section 5 shall not have been fulfilled when and as required to be fulfilled,
the applicable Terms Agreement (or, with respect to the Underwriters' exercise
of any applicable over-allotment option for the purchase of Option Underwritten
Securities on a Date of Delivery after the Closing Time, the obligations of the
Underwriters to purchase the Option Underwritten Securities on such Date of
Delivery) may be terminated by Merrill Lynch by notice to the Company at any
time at or prior to the Closing Time (or such Date of Delivery, as applicable),
and such termination shall be without liability of any party to any other party
except as provided in Section 4 and except that Sections 1, 6, 7 and 8 shall
survive any such termination and remain in full force and effect.

                                       22
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 6.  Indemnification.
     ----------  --------------- 

     (a) Indemnification of Underwriters.   The Company agrees to indemnify and
hold harmless each Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls any
Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of
the 1934 Act as follows:

          (1)  against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense
     whatsoever, as incurred, arising out of any untrue statement or alleged
     untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement
     (or any amendment thereto), including the Rule 430A Information and the
     Rule 434 Information deemed to be a part thereof, if applicable, or the
     omission or alleged omission therefrom of a material fact required to be
     stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading
     or arising out of any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
     material fact included in any preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or
     any amendment or supplement thereto), or the omission or alleged omission
     therefrom of a material fact necessary in order to make the statements
     therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
     misleading;

          (2)  against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage and expense
     whatsoever, as incurred, to the extent of the aggregate amount paid in
     settlement of any litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any
     governmental agency or body, commenced or threatened, or any claim
     whatsoever based upon any such untrue statement or omission, or any such
     alleged untrue statement or omission; provided that (subject to Section
     6(d) below) any such settlement is effected with the written consent of the
     Company; and

          (3)  against any and all expense whatsoever, as incurred (including
     the fees and disbursements of counsel chosen by Merrill Lynch), reasonably
     incurred in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation,
     or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body,
     commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue
     statement or omission, or any such alleged untrue statement or omission, to
     the extent that any such expense is not paid under (i) or (ii) above;

provided, however, that this indemnity agreement shall not apply to any loss,
- --------  -------                                                            
liability, claim, damage or expense to the extent arising out of any untrue
statement or omission or alleged untrue statement or omission made in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any
Underwriter through Merrill Lynch expressly for use in the Registration
Statement (or any amendment thereto), including the Rule 430A Information and
the Rule 434 Information deemed to be a part thereof, if applicable, or any
preliminary prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement
thereto); and provided further that the Company will not be liable to any
Underwriter with respect to any Preliminary Prospectus to the extent that the
Company shall sustain the burden of proving that any such loss, liability,
claim, damage or expense resulted from the fact that such Underwriter, in
contravention of a requirement of this Agreement or applicable law, sold
Securities to a person to whom such Underwriter failed to send or give, at or
prior to the Closing Date, a copy of the Final Prospectus, as then amended or
supplemented if:  (i) the Company has previously furnished copies thereof

                                       23
<PAGE>
 
(sufficiently in advance of the Closing Date to allow for distribution by the
Closing Date) to the Underwriters and the loss, liability, claim, damage or
expense of such Underwriter resulted from an untrue statement or omission of a
material fact contained in or omitted from the Preliminary Prospectus which was
corrected in the Final Prospectus as, if applicable, amended or supplemented
prior to the Closing Date and such Final Prospectus was required by law to be
delivered at or prior to the written confirmation of sale to such person and
(ii) such failure to give or send such Final Prospectus by the Closing Date to
the party or parties asserting such loss, liability, claim, damage or expense
would have constituted the sole defense to the claim asserted by such person.

     (b) Indemnification of Company, Directors and Officers.   Each Underwriter
severally agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company, its directors, each
of its officers who signed the Registration Statement, and each person, if any,
who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or
Section 20 of the 1934 Act against any and all loss, liability, claim, damage
and expense described in the indemnity contained in subsection (a) of this
Section, as incurred, but only with respect to untrue statements or omissions,
or alleged untrue statements or omissions, made in the Registration Statement
(or any amendment thereto), including the Rule 430A Information and the Rule 434
Information deemed to be a part thereof, if applicable, or any preliminary
prospectus or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto) in
reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the
Company by such Underwriter through Merrill Lynch expressly for use in the
Registration Statement (or any amendment thereto) or such preliminary prospectus
or the Prospectus (or any amendment or supplement thereto).

     (c) Actions against Parties; Notification.   Each indemnified party shall
give notice as promptly as reasonably practicable to each indemnifying party of
any action commenced against it in respect of which indemnity may be sought
hereunder, but failure to so notify an indemnifying party shall not relieve such
indemnifying party from any liability hereunder to the extent it is not
materially prejudiced as a result thereof and in any event shall not relieve it
from any liability which it may have otherwise than on account of this indemnity
agreement.  In the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 6(a) above,
counsel to the indemnified parties shall be selected by Merrill Lynch, and, in
the case of parties indemnified pursuant to Section 6(b) above, counsel to the
indemnified parties shall be selected by the Company.  An indemnifying party may
participate at its own expense in the defense of any such action; provided,
however, that counsel to the indemnifying party shall not (except with the
consent of the indemnified party) also be counsel to the indemnified party.  In
no event shall the indemnifying parties be liable for fees and expenses of more
than one counsel (in addition to any local counsel) separate from their own
counsel for all 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.  No indemnifying party shall,
without the prior written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or
compromise or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to any
litigation, or any investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or
body, commenced or threatened, or any claim whatsoever in respect of which
indemnification or contribution could be sought under this Section 6 or Section
7 hereof (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential parties
thereto), unless such 

                                       24
<PAGE>
 
settlement, compromise or consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each
indemnified party from all liability arising out of such litigation,
investigation, proceeding or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to
or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act by or on behalf of any
indemnified party.

     (d) Settlement without Consent if Failure to Reimburse.   If at any time an
indemnified party shall have requested in writing an indemnifying party to
reimburse the indemnified party for fees and expenses of counsel, such
indemnifying party agrees that it shall be liable for any settlement of the
nature contemplated by Section 6(a)(ii) effected without its written consent if
(i) such settlement is entered into more than 45 days after receipt by such
indemnifying party of the aforesaid written request, (ii) such indemnifying
party shall have received notice of the terms of such settlement at least 30
days prior to such settlement being entered into and (iii) such indemnifying
party shall not have reimbursed such indemnified party in accordance with such
written request prior to the date of such settlement.

     SECTION 7.  Contribution.   If the indemnification provided for in Section
     ----------  ------------                                                  
6 hereof is for any reason unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an
indemnified party in respect of any losses, liabilities, claims, damages or
expenses referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to
the aggregate amount of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses
incurred by such indemnified party, as incurred, (i) in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company, on the one
hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, from the offering of the
Underwritten Securities pursuant to the applicable Terms Agreement or (ii) if
the allocation provided by clause (i) is not permitted by applicable law, in
such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only the relative benefits
referred to in clause (i) above but also the relative fault of the Company, on
the one hand, and the Underwriters, on the other hand, in connection with the
statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, liabilities, claims,
damages or expenses, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.

     The relative benefits received by the Company, on the one hand, and the
Underwriters, on the other hand, in connection with the offering of the
Underwritten Securities pursuant to the applicable Terms Agreement shall be
deemed to be in the same respective proportions as the total net proceeds from
the offering of such Underwritten Securities (before deducting expenses)
received by the Company and the total underwriting discount received by the
Underwriters, in each case as set forth on the cover of the Prospectus, or, if
Rule 434 is used, the corresponding location on the Term Sheet bear to the
aggregate initial public offering price of such Underwritten Securities as set
forth on such cover.

     The relative fault of the Company, on the one hand, and the Underwriters,
on the other hand, shall be determined by reference to, among other things,
whether any such untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or
omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information
supplied by the Company or by the Underwriters and the parties' relative intent,
knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such
statement or omission.

                                       25
<PAGE>
 
     The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and
equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 7 were determined by pro rata
allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such
purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the
equitable considerations referred to above in this Section 7.  The aggregate
amount of losses, liabilities, claims, damages and expenses incurred by an
indemnified party and referred to above in this Section 7 shall be deemed to
include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified
party in investigating, preparing or defending against any litigation, or any
investigation or proceeding by any governmental agency or body, commenced or
threatened, or any claim whatsoever based upon any such untrue or alleged untrue
statement or omission or alleged omission.

     Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 7, no Underwriter shall be
required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total
price at which the Underwritten Securities underwritten by it and distributed to
the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which
such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of any such untrue
or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.

     No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of
Section 11(f) of the 1933 Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person
who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

     For purposes of this Section 7, each person, if any, who controls an
Underwriter within the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of
the 1934 Act shall have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and
each director of the Company, each officer of the Company who signed the
Registration Statement, and each person, if any, who controls the Company within
the meaning of Section 15 of the 1933 Act or Section 20 of the 1934 Act shall
have the same rights to contribution as the Company.  The Underwriters'
respective obligations to contribute pursuant to this Section 7 are several in
proportion to the number or aggregate principal amount, as the case may be, of
Initial Underwritten Securities set forth opposite their respective names in the
applicable Terms Agreement, and not joint.

     SECTION 8.  Representations, Warranties and Agreements to Survive Delivery.
     ----------  -------------------------------------------------------------- 
All representations, warranties and agreements contained in this Underwriting
Agreement or the applicable Terms Agreement or in certificates of officers of
the Company or any of its subsidiaries submitted pursuant hereto or thereto
shall remain operative and in full force and effect, regardless of any
investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or controlling person, or
by or on behalf of the Company, and shall survive delivery of and payment for
the Underwritten Securities.

     SECTION 9.  Termination.
     ----------  ----------- 

     (a) Underwriting Agreement.   This Underwriting Agreement (excluding the
applicable Terms Agreement) may be terminated for any reason at any time by the
Company or by Merrill Lynch upon the giving of 30 days' prior written notice of
such termination to the other party hereto.

                                       26
<PAGE>
 
     (b) Terms Agreement.    Merrill Lynch may terminate the applicable Terms
Agreement, by notice to the Company, at any time at or prior to the Closing Time
or any relevant Date of Delivery, if (i) there has been, since the time of
execution of such Terms Agreement or since the respective dates as of which
information is given in the Prospectus, any material adverse change in the
condition, financial or otherwise, or in the earnings, business affairs or
business prospects of the Company and its subsidiaries considered as one
enterprise, whether or not arising in the ordinary course of business, or (ii)
there has occurred any material adverse change in the financial markets in the
United States or, if the Underwritten Securities or any related Underlying
Securities include Debt Securities denominated or payable in, or indexed to, one
or more foreign or composite currencies, in the international financial markets,
or any outbreak of hostilities or escalation thereof or other calamity or crisis
or any change or development involving a prospective change in national or
international political, financial or economic conditions, in each case the
effect of which is such as to make it, in the judgment of Merrill Lynch,
impracticable to market the Underwritten Securities or to enforce contracts for
the sale of the Underwritten Securities, or (iii) trading in any securities of
the Company has been suspended or materially limited by the Commission or the
New York Stock Exchange, or if trading generally on the New York Stock Exchange
or the American Stock Exchange or in the Nasdaq National Market has been
suspended or materially limited, or minimum or maximum prices for trading have
been fixed, or maximum ranges for prices have been required, by either of said
exchanges or by such system or by order of the Commission, the NASD or any other
governmental authority, or (iv) a banking moratorium has been declared by either
Federal or New York authorities or, if the Underwritten Securities or any
related Underlying Securities include Debt Securities denominated or payable in,
or indexed to, one or more foreign or composite currencies, by the relevant
authorities in the related foreign country or countries.

     (c) Liabilities.   If this Underwriting Agreement or the applicable Terms
Agreement is terminated pursuant to this Section 9, such termination shall be
without liability of any party to any other party except as provided in Section
4 hereof, and provided further that Sections 1, 6, 7 and 8 shall survive such
termination and remain in full force and effect.

     SECTION 10.  Default by One or More of the Underwriters.   If one or more
     -----------  ------------------------------------------                  
of the Underwriters shall fail at the Closing Time or the relevant Date of
Delivery, as the case may be, to purchase the Underwritten Securities which it
or they are obligated to purchase under the applicable Terms Agreement (the
"Defaulted Securities"), then Merrill Lynch shall have the right, within 24
hours thereafter, to make arrangements for one or more of the non-defaulting
Underwriters, or any other underwriters, to purchase all, but not less than all,
of the Defaulted Securities in such amounts as may be agreed upon and upon the
terms herein set forth; if, however, Merrill Lynch shall not have completed such
arrangements within such 24-hour period, then:

          (a)  if the number or aggregate principal amount, as the case may be,
     of Defaulted Securities does not exceed 10% of the number or aggregate
     principal amount, as the case may be, of Underwritten Securities to be
     purchased on such date pursuant to such Terms Agreement, the non-defaulting
     Underwriters shall be obligated, severally and not jointly, to purchase the
     full amount thereof in the proportions that their respective underwriting

                                       27
<PAGE>
 
     obligations under such Terms Agreement bear to the underwriting obligations
     of all non-defaulting Underwriters, or

          (b)  if the number or aggregate principal amount, as the case may be,
     of Defaulted Securities exceeds 10% of the number or aggregate principal
     amount, as the case may be, of Underwritten Securities to be purchased on
     such date pursuant to such Terms Agreement, such Terms Agreement (or, with
     respect to the Underwriters' exercise of any applicable over-allotment
     option for the purchase of Option Underwritten Securities on a Date of
     Delivery after the Closing Time, the obligations of the Underwriters to
     purchase, and the Company to sell, such Option Underwritten Securities on
     such Date of Delivery) shall terminate without liability on the part of any
     non-defaulting Underwriter.

     No action taken pursuant to this Section 10 shall relieve any defaulting
Underwriter from liability in respect of its default.

     In the event of any such default which does not result in (i) a termination
of the applicable Terms Agreement or (ii) in the case of a Date of Delivery
after the Closing Time, a termination of the obligations of the Underwriters and
the Company with respect to the related Option Underwritten Securities, as the
case may be, either Merrill Lynch or the Company shall have the right to
postpone the Closing Time or the relevant Date of Delivery, as the case may be,
for a period not exceeding seven days in order to effect any required changes in
the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or in any other documents or
arrangements.

                                       28
<PAGE>
 
     SECTION 11.  Notices.   All notices and other communications hereunder
     -----------  -------                                                  
shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been duly given if mailed or
transmitted by any standard form of telecommunication.  Notices to the
Underwriters shall be directed to Merrill Lynch at World Financial Center, North
Tower, New York, New York 10281-1201, attention of A. Scott LeMone; and notices
to the Company shall be directed to it at 123 South Front Street, Memphis,
Tennessee 38103, attention of Harry L. Goldsmith, Esq.

     SECTION 12.  Parties.   This Underwriting Agreement and the applicable
     -----------  -------                                                  
Terms Agreement shall each inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the
Company, Merrill Lynch and, upon execution of such Terms Agreement, any other
Underwriters and their respective successors.  Nothing expressed or mentioned in
this Underwriting Agreement or such Terms Agreement is intended or shall be
construed to give any person, firm or corporation, other than the Underwriters
and the Company and their respective successors and the controlling persons and
officers and directors referred to in Sections 6 and 7 and their heirs and legal
representatives, any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under or in
respect of this Underwriting Agreement or such Terms Agreement or any provision
herein or therein contained.  This Underwriting Agreement and such Terms
Agreement and all conditions and provisions hereof and thereof are intended to
be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the parties hereto and thereto and
their respective successors, and said controlling persons and officers and
directors and their heirs and legal representatives, and for the benefit of no
other person, firm or corporation.  No purchaser of Underwritten Securities from
any Underwriter shall be deemed to be a successor by reason merely of such
purchase.

     SECTION 13.  GOVERNING LAW AND TIME.   THIS UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT AND ANY
     -----------  ----------------------                                       
APPLICABLE TERMS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.  SPECIFIED TIMES OF DAY REFER TO NEW YORK
CITY TIME.

     SECTION 14.  Effect of Headings.   The Article and Section headings herein
     -----------  ------------------                                           
and the Table of Contents are for convenience only and shall not affect the
construction hereof.

                                       29
<PAGE>
 
          If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our
agreement, please sign and return to the Company a counterpart hereof, whereupon
this Underwriting Agreement, along with all counterparts, will become a binding
agreement between Merrill Lynch and the Company in accordance with its terms.

                              Very truly yours,

                              AUTOZONE, INC.

                              By:
                                  ______________________________________________
                                    Name:
                                    Title:


                              By:
                                  ______________________________________________
                                    Name:
                                    Title:



CONFIRMED AND ACCEPTED,
 as of the date first above written:
MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH
           INCORPORATED

By:  _______________________________
         Authorized Signatory

                                       30
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       Exhibit A

                                 AUTOZONE, INC.
                             (a Nevada corporation)

                Common Stock, Warrants to Purchase Common Stock,
             Preferred Stock, Warrants to Purchase Preferred Stock,
                               Depositary Shares,
           Debt Securities and Warrants to Purchase Debt Securities,
                                     Units

                                TERMS AGREEMENT
                                ---------------

                                                            ___________, 1998

To:  AutoZone, Inc.
     123 South Front Street
     Memphis, Tennessee 38103


Ladies and Gentlemen:

     We understand that AutoZone, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the "Company"),
proposes to issue and sell [_______ shares of its common stock, par value $.01
per share (the "Common Stock")] [________ shares of its preferred stock, par
value $.01 per share (the "Preferred Stock")] [in the form of _________
depositary shares (the "Depositary Shares") each representing _______ of a share
of Preferred Stock] [$ _______ aggregate principal amount of its [senior]
[subordinated] debt securities (the "Debt Securities")] [_______ warrants (the
"Common Stock Warrants") to purchase common stock, par value $.01 per share]
[_______ warrants (the "Preferred Stock Warrants") to purchase preferred stock,
par value $.01 per share] [________ warrants (the "Debt Security Warrants") to
purchase $_________ aggregate principal amount of [senior] [subordinated] debt
securities] [________units (the "Units") consisting of ________ ([such
securities also being hereinafter referred to as] the "[Initial] Underwritten
Securities").  Subject to the terms and conditions set forth or incorporated by
reference herein, we [the underwriters named below (the "Underwriters")] offer
to purchase [, severally and not jointly,] the [[number] [principal] [amount]
of] Underwritten Securities [opposite their names set forth below] at the
purchase price set forth below [, and a proportionate share of Option
Underwritten Securities set forth below, to the extent any are purchased].

                                      A-1
<PAGE>
 
                     [Number]
                     [Principal Amount]
Underwriter          of [Initial] Underwritten Securities
- ---------------------------------------------------------

                     ________________
Total                [$]
                     ===                

     The Underwritten Securities shall have the following terms:

                                [Common Stock]
                                --------------

Title:
Number of shares:
Number of Option Underwritten Securities:
Initial public offering price per share:  $
Purchase price per share:  $
Listing requirements:
Black-out provisions:
Lock-up provisions:
Other terms and conditions:
Closing date and location:

                               [Preferred Stock]
                               -----------------

Title:
Rank:
Ratings:
Number of shares:
Number of Option Underwritten Securities:
Dividend rate (or formula) per share:  $
Dividend payment dates:
Stated value:  $
Liquidation preference per share:  $
Redemption provisions:
Sinking fund requirements:
Conversion provisions:
Listing requirements:
Black-out provisions:
Lock-up provisions:
Initial public offering price per share:  $___ plus accumulated dividends, if
any, from _____

Purchase price per share:  $___ plus accumulated dividends, if any, from _____

Other terms and conditions:

                                      A-2
<PAGE>
 
Closing date and location:

                                      A-3
<PAGE>
 
                             [Depositary Shares]
                              ----------------- 

[Title:
Fractional amount of Preferred Stock represented by each Depositary Share:

Ratings:
Rank:
Number of shares:
Number of Option Underwritten Securities:
Dividend rate (or formula) per share:
Dividend payment dates:
Liquidation preference per share:
Redemption provisions:
Sinking fund requirements:
Conversion provisions:
Listing requirements:
Black-out provisions:
Lock-up provisions:
Initial public offering price per share:  $____ plus accumulated dividends, if
any, from ___

Purchase price per share:  $____ plus accumulated dividends, if any, from ___

Other terms and conditions:
Closing date and location:]

                               [Debt Securities]
                                ---------------

Title:
Rank:
Ratings:
Aggregate principal amount:
Denominations:
Currency of payment:
Interest rate or formula:
Interest payment dates:
Regular record dates:
Stated maturity date:
Redemption provisions:
Sinking fund requirements:
Conversion provisions:
Listing requirements:
Black-out provisions:
Fixed or Variable Price Offering: [Fixed] [Variable] Price Offering

                                      A-4
<PAGE>
 
     If Fixed Price Offering, initial public offering price per share:       %
     of the principal amount, plus accrued interest [amortized original issue
     discount], if any, from _________________.

Purchase price per share: ___% of principal amount, plus accrued interest
[amortized original issue discount], if any, from _________________.

Form:
Other terms and conditions:
Closing date and location:

                                      A-5
<PAGE>
 
           [Common Stock] [Preferred Stock] [Debt Security] Warrants
           ---------------------------------------------------------

Title:
Type:
Number:
Warrant Agent:
Issuable jointly with [Common Stock] [Preferred Stock] [Debt Securities]:  [Yes]
[No]

Number of [Common Stock] [Preferred Stock] [Debt Security] Warrants issued with
     each [share of Common Stock] [share of Preferred Stock] [$__________
     principal amount of Debt Securities]:
Date(s) from which or period(s) during which [Common Stock] [Preferred Stock]
[Debt Security] Warrants are exercisable:
Date(s) on which [Common Stock] [Preferred Stock] [Debt Security] Warrants
expire:
Exercise price(s):
Initial public offering price:  $
Purchase price:  $
Title of Underlying Securities:
[Number of shares] [Principal amount] purchasable upon exercise of one [Common
Stock] [Preferred Stock] [Debt Security] Warrant:
Terms of Underlying Securities:
Other terms and conditions:
Closing date and location:

                                    [Units]
                                     ----- 

Title:
Number:
Consisting of:  [Number and title of securities]
Unit Agent:


     All of the provisions contained in the document attached as Annex I hereto
entitled "AUTOZONE, INC.-- Common Stock, Warrants to Purchase Common Stock,
Preferred Stock, Warrants to Purchase Preferred Stock, [Depositary Shares,] Debt
Securities, Warrants to Purchase Debt Securities and Units--Underwriting
Agreement" are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety herein and
shall be deemed to be a part of this Terms Agreement to the same extent as if
such provisions had been set forth in full herein.  Terms defined in such
document are used herein as therein defined.

     Counsel to the Company will be required to deliver an opinion in the form 
attached hereto.


                                      A-6
<PAGE>
 
     Please accept this offer no later than ____ o'clock P.M. (New York City
time) on ______________ by signing a copy of this Terms Agreement in the space
set forth below and returning the signed copy to us.

                                Very truly yours,

                                MERRILL LYNCH, PIERCE, FENNER & SMITH
                                            INCORPORATED

                                By _________________________
                                     Authorized Signatory

                                [Acting on behalf of itself and the other named
                                                 Underwriters.]

Accepted:

AUTOZONE, INC.

By _________________________
  Name:
  Title:

                                      A-7

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.1


                                 AUTOZONE, INC.

                                      AND

                  THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO, Trustee


                                   Indenture


                          Dated as of __________, 1998


                             Senior Debt Securities
<PAGE>
 
                         RECONCILIATION AND TIE BETWEEN
                        THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
                                 AND INDENTURE,
                           DATED AS OF JULY __, 1998*

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

TRUST INDENTURE
  ACT SECTION                                       INDENTURE SECTION
- ---------------                                     -----------------
<S>                                                 <C>
Section 310(a)(1)............................................. 609
     (a)(2)................................................... 609
     (a)(3)........................................ Not Applicable
     (a)(4)........................................ Not Applicable
     (a)(5).............................................. 608, 610
     (b)................................................. 608, 610
     (c)........................................... Not Applicable
Section 311(a)................................................ 613
     (b)...................................................... 613
Section 312(a)........................................... 701, 702(a)
     (b)...................................................... 702(b)
     (c)...................................................... 703
Section 313(a)................................................ 703
     (b)...................................................... 703
     (c)...................................................... 703
     (d)...................................................... 703
Section 314(a).......................................... 704,.1005
     (b)........................................... Not Applicable
     (c)(1)................................................... 102
     (c)(2)................................................... 102
     (c)(3)........................................ Not Applicable
     (d)........................................... Not Applicable
     (e)...................................................... 102
     (f)........................................... Not Applicable
Section 315(a)................................................ 601
     (b)...................................................... 602
     (c)...................................................... 601
     (d)...................................................... 601
     (e)...................................................... 514
Section 316(a)................................................ 101
     (a)(1)(A)................................................ 512
     (a)(1)(B)................................................ 513
     (a)(2)........................................ Not Applicable
     (b)...................................................... 508
Section 317(a)(1)............................................. 503
     (a)(2)................................................... 504
     (b)......................................................1003
Section 318(a)................................................ 107
     (c)...................................................... 107
</TABLE>

* This table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the
  Indenture.

                                       i
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                PAGE
                                                                                ----

                                  ARTICLE ONE

            DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION
 <S>                                                                               <C>
  Section 101      Definitions....................................................   1
  Section 102      Compliance Certificates and Opinions...........................  10
  Section 103      Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.........................  10
  Section 104      Acts of Holders; Record Dates..................................  11
  Section 105      Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company..........................  12
  Section 106      Notice to Holders; Waiver......................................  13
  Section 107      Conflict with Trust Indenture Act..............................  13
  Section 108      Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.......................  13
  Section 109      Successors and Assigns.........................................  14
  Section 110      Separability Clause............................................  14
  Section 111      Benefits of Indenture..........................................  14
  Section 112      Governing Law..................................................  14
  Section 113      Legal Holidays.................................................  14

                                  ARTICLE TWO

                                 SECURITY FORMS

  Section 201      Forms of Securities............................................  14
  Section 202      Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication................  15
  Section 203      Securities in Global Form......................................  15

                                 ARTICLE THREE

                                 THE SECURITIES

  Section 301      Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series...........................  16
  Section 302      Denominations..................................................  18
  Section 303      Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.................  18
  Section 304      Temporary Securities...........................................  20
  Section 305      Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange and
                   Book-Entry Securities..........................................  20
  Section 306      Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities...............  22
  Section 307      Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.................  23
  Section 308      Persons Deemed Owners..........................................  24
  Section 309      Cancellation...................................................  25
  Section 310      Computation of Interest........................................  25
</TABLE> 
                                      ii
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE FOUR

                           SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
<TABLE> 
 <S>                                                                              <C> 
  Section 401      Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture........................  25
  Section 402      Application of Trust Money.....................................  27

                                  ARTICLE FIVE

                                    REMEDIES

  Section 501      Events of Default..............................................  27
  Section 502      Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.............  29
  Section 503      Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by
                   Trustee........................................................  31
  Section 504      Trustee May File Proofs of Claim...............................  31
  Section 505      Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities....  32
  Section 506      Application of Money Collected.................................  32
  Section 507      Limitation on Suits............................................  33
  Section 508      Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium
                   and Interest...................................................  33
  Section 509      Restoration of Rights and Remedies.............................  33
  Section 510      Rights and Remedies Cumulative.................................  34
  Section 511      Delay or Omission Not Waiver...................................  34
  Section 512      Control by Holders.............................................  34
  Section 513      Waiver of Defaults.............................................  35
  Section 514      Undertaking for Costs..........................................  35
  Section 515      Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws...............................  36

                                  ARTICLE SIX

                                  THE TRUSTEE

  Section 601      Certain Duties and Responsibilities............................  36
  Section 602      Notice of Defaults.............................................  37
  Section 603      Certain Rights of Trustee......................................  37
  Section 604      Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.........  38
  Section 605      May Hold Securities............................................  39
  Section 606      Money Held in Trust............................................  39
  Section 607      Compensation and Reimbursement.................................  39
  Section 608      Disqualification; Conflicting Interests........................  40
  Section 609      Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility........................  40
  Section 610      Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor..............  40
  Section 611      Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.........................  41
  Section 612      Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business....  42
  Section 613      Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company..............  43
</TABLE> 
                                      iii
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<S>                                                                               <C>    
  Section 614      Appointment of Authenticating Agent............................  43

                                 ARTICLE SEVEN

               HOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

  Section 701      Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders......  45
  Section 702      Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.........  45
  Section 703      Reports by Trustee.............................................  45
  Section 704      Reports by Company.............................................  46
  Section 705      Holders' Meetings..............................................  46

                                 ARTICLE EIGHT

              CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE

  Section 801      Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms...........  48
  Section 802      Successor Substituted..........................................  49

                                  ARTICLE NINE

                            SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

  Section 901      Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.............  50
  Section 902      Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders................  51
  Section 903      Execution of Supplemental Indentures...........................  52
  Section 904      Effect of Supplemental Indentures..............................  53
  Section 905      Conformity with Trust Indenture Act............................  53
  Section 906      Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.............  53
  Section 907      Notice of Supplemental Indenture...............................  53

                                  ARTICLE TEN

                                   COVENANTS

  Section 1001     Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.....................  53
  Section 1002     Maintenance of Office or Agency................................  54
  Section 1003     Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust..............  54
  Section 1004     Corporate Existence............................................  55
  Section 1005     Statement by Officers as to Default............................  55
  Section 1006     Maintenance of Properties......................................  56
  Section 1007     Payment of Taxes...............................................  56
  Section 1008     Limitation on Liens............................................  56
  Section 1009     Calculation of Original Issue Discount.........................  56
  Section 1010     Waiver of Certain Covenants....................................  56
</TABLE> 
                                      iv
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
                                 ARTICLE ELEVEN

                            REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES
<S>                                                                               <C> 
  Section 1101     Applicability of Article.......................................  57
  Section 1102     Optional Redemption............................................  57
  Section 1103     Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee..........................  57
  Section 1104     Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed..............  57
  Section 1105     Notice of Redemption...........................................  58
  Section 1106     Deposit of Redemption Price....................................  59
  Section 1107     Securities Payable on Redemption Date..........................  59
  Section 1108     Securities Redeemed in Part....................................  59

                                 ARTICLE TWELVE

                                 SINKING FUNDS

  Section 1201      Applicability of Article......................................  59
  Section 1202      Satisfaction of Mandatory Sinking Fund Payments with
                    Securities....................................................  60
  Section 1203      Redemption of Securities for Mandatory Sinking Fund...........  60

                                ARTICLE THIRTEEN

                  REPAYMENT OF SECURITIES AT OPTION OF HOLDERS

  Section 1301      Applicability of Article......................................  61
  Section 1302      Notice of Repayment Date......................................  61
  Section 1303      Deposit of Repayment Price....................................  61
  Section 1304      Securities Payable on Repayment Date..........................  62
  Section 1305      Securities Repaid in Part.....................................  62

                                ARTICLE FOURTEEN

                            CONVERSION OF SECURITIES

  Section 1401     General........................................................  62
  Section 1402     Right to Convert...............................................  63
  Section 1403     Manner of Exercise of Conversion Privilege; Delivery of
                   Common Stock; No Adjustment for Interest or Dividends..........  63
  Section 1404     Cash Payments in Lieu of Fractional Shares.....................  64
  Section 1405     Conversion Price Adjustments; Effect of Reclassification,
                   Mergers, Consolidations and Sales of Assets....................  64
  Section 1406     Taxes on Shares Issued.........................................  68
  Section 1407     Shares to be Fully Paid; Compliance with Governmental
</TABLE> 
                                       v
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
 <S>                                                                              <C> 
                   Requirements; Listing of Common Stock..........................  69
  Section 1408     Responsibility of Trustee......................................  69
  Section 1409     Covenant to Reserve Shares.....................................  69
  Section 1410     Other Conversions..............................................  70

                                ARTICLE FIFTEEN

                       DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

  Section 1501     Applicability of Article; Company's Option to Effect
                   Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance..............................  70
  Section 1502     Defeasance and Discharge.......................................  70
  Section 1503     Covenant Defeasance............................................  71
  Section 1504     Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance................  71
  Section 1505     Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to be Held
                   in Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.......................  73
  Section 1506     Reinstatement..................................................  73

                                ARTICLE SIXTEEN

        IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

  Section 1601     Immunity of Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers and
                   Directors......................................................  74
</TABLE>
                                      vi
<PAGE>
 
     INDENTURE, dated as of ___________, 1998, between AUTOZONE, INC., a
corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Nevada
(herein called the "Company"), having its principal office at 123 South Front
Street, Memphis, Tennessee 38103, and THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO, a
national banking association duly organized and existing under the laws of the
United States, as Trustee (herein called the "Trustee").

                            RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

     The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this
Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its unsubordinated
debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (herein called the
"Securities"), to be issued in one or more series as in this Indenture provided.

     All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the
Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

                   NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

     For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities
by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and
proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of any series thereof,
as follows:

                                  ARTICLE ONE

                             DEFINITIONS AND OTHER

                       PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

     Section 101  Definitions.
     -----------  ----------- 

     For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided
or unless the context otherwise requires:

          (1) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to
     them in this Article and include the plural as well as the singular;

          (2) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust
     Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings
     assigned to them therein;

          (3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the
     meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting
     principles; and

          (4) the words "herein," "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words of
     similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular
     Article, Section or other subdivision.

     Certain terms, used principally in Article Six, are defined in that
Article.
<PAGE>
 
     "Act," when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in
Section 104.

     "Adjusted Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any redemption date, the
rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity of the
Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue
(expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable
Treasury Price for such redemption date, plus ____%.

     "Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified Person.  For the purposes of this definition,
"control," when used with respect to any specified Person, means the power to
direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly,
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise;
and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the
foregoing.

     "Authenticating Agent" means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant
to Section 614 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one
or more series.

     "Authorized Newspaper" means a newspaper of general circulation in the
relevant area, printed in the English language and customarily published on each
Business Day therein.

     "Board of Directors" means either the board of directors of the Company or
any duly authorized committee of that board or any director or directors and/or
officer or officers of the Company to whom that board or committee shall have
duly delegated its authority.

     "Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary
or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board
of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such
certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

     "Business Day," when used with respect to any Place of Payment, means each
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which
banking institutions in that Place of Payment are authorized or obligated by law
or executive order to close.

     "Capital Stock," as applied to the stock of any corporation, means the
capital stock of every class whether now or hereafter authorized, regardless of
whether such capital stock shall be limited to a fixed sum or percentage with
respect to the rights of the holders thereof to participate in dividends and in
the distribution of assets upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of such corporation.

     "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to
time constituted, created under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
or, if at any time after the execution of this instrument such Commission is not
existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture
Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.

     "Common Stock" means any stock of any class of the Company which has no
preference in respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of any
voluntary or involuntary

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company and which is not subject
to redemption by the Company.

     "Company" means the Person named as the "Company" in the first paragraph of
this instrument until a successor corporation shall have become such pursuant to
the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Company" shall mean
such successor corporation.

     "Company Request" or "Company Order" means a written request or order
signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its President or
a Vice President, and by its Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, its Secretary or
an Assistant Secretary, and delivered to the Trustee.

     "Comparable Treasury Issue" means the United States Treasury security
selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to
the remaining term of the Securities to be redeemed that would be utilized, at
the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in
pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the
remaining term of such Securities.

     "Comparable Treasury Price" means, with respect to any redemption date, (i)
the average of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue
(expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) on the third
Business Day preceding such redemption date, as set forth in the daily
statistical release (or any successor release) published by the Federal Reserve
Bank of New York and designated "Composite 3:30 p.m. Quotations for U.S.
Government Securities" or (ii) if such release (or any successor release) is not
published or does not contain such prices on such Business Day, (A) the
Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date, after excluding
the highest and lowest such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (B) if the
Trustee obtains fewer than three such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the
average of all such Quotations.

     "Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" means the aggregate amount of assets
(less applicable reserves and other properly deductible items) of the Company
and its consolidated Subsidiaries after deducting therefrom (a) all current
liabilities (excluding any Debt for money borrowed having a maturity of less
than 12 months from the date of the most recent consolidated balance sheet of
the Company but which by its terms is renewable or extendible beyond 12 months
from such date at the option of the borrower) and (b) all goodwill, trade names,
patents, unamortized debt discount and expense and other like intangibles, all
as set forth on the most recent consolidated balance sheet of the Company and
its consolidated Subsidiaries and computed in accordance with GAAP.

     "Conversion Price" means with respect to any series of Securities which are
convertible into Common Stock or Preferred Stock, the price per share of Common
Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, at which the Securities of such
series are so convertible as set forth in the Board Resolution with respect to
such series (or in any supplemental indenture entered into pursuant to Section
901(9) with respect to such series), as the same may be adjusted from time to
time in accordance with Section 1405 (or such supplemental indenture pursuant to
Section 1401).

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
     "Corporate Trust Office" means the principal corporate trust office of the
Trustee at which, at any particular time, its corporate trust business shall be
administered, which office at the date hereof is located at One First National
Plaza, Suite 0126, Chicago, Illinois  606700126, Attention:  Corporate Trust
Services Division, except for purposes of Section 1002 such term shall mean the
office or agency of the Trustee in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New
York, which office at the date hereof is located at The First National Bank of
Chicago, 14 Wall Street, Eighth Floor, New York, New York  10005.

     "Corporation" includes corporations, associations, companies and business
trusts.

     "Debt" means (a) all indebtedness of the Company (including Securities
issued hereunder) whether heretofore or hereafter incurred (i) for borrowed
money or (ii) in connection with the acquisition by the Company or a Subsidiary
of assets other than in the ordinary course of business, for the payment of
which the Company is liable directly or indirectly by guarantee, letter of
credit, obligation to purchase or acquire or otherwise, or the payment of which
is secured by a lien, charge or encumbrance on assets acquired by the Company,
(b) amendments, modifications, renewals, extensions and deferrals of any such
indebtedness and (c) any indebtedness issued in exchange for any such
indebtedness.

     "Defaulted Interest" has the meaning specified in Section 307.

     "Depositary" means, with respect to the Securities of any series issuable
or issued in the form of a Global Security, a clearing agency registered under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor thereto, which
shall in either case be designated by the Company pursuant to Section 301 or 305
until a successor Depositary shall have become such pursuant to the applicable
provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Depositary" shall mean or include
each Person who is then a Depositary hereunder, and if at any time there is more
than one such Person, "Depositary" as used with respect to the Securities of any
such series shall mean the Depositary with respect to the Securities of that
series.

     "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended, including the regulations and published interpretations thereunder.

     "Event of Default" has the meaning specified in Section 501.

     "generally accepted accounting principles" or "GAAP" means, as of any date
of computation, generally accepted accounting principles in the United States,
consistently applied, that are in effect on the date of such computation.

     "Global Security or Securities" means one or more fully registered
Securities in global form evidencing all or a part of a series of Securities
issued to the Depositary for such series or its nominee or registered in the
name of the Depositary or its nominee.

     "Holder" means a Person in whose name a Security is registered in the
Security Register.

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
     "Indenture" means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from
time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental
hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall
include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated
by Section 301.

     "Independent Investment Banker" means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers
appointed by the Trustee after consultation with the Company.

     "interest," when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security
which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable
after Maturity.

     "Interest Payment Date," when used with respect to any Security, means the
Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.

     "Lien" means, with respect to any Property, any Mortgage or deed of trust,
pledge, hypothecation, security interest, lien, encumbrance or other security
arrangement of any kind or nature on or with respect to such Property.

     "Loan Document" has the meaning specified in Section 501.

     "Maturity," when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which
the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and
payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by
declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or by repayment or otherwise.

     "NNM" has the meaning specified in Section 1401(a)(v).

     "Notice of Default" has the meaning specified in Section 501.

     "Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by at least two officers
of the Company, one signature being that of the Chairman of the Board, the
President or a Vice President, and the other signature being that of the
Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of
the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

     "Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of counsel, who may be counsel
for the Company, and who shall be acceptable to the Trustee.

     "Original Issue Discount Security" means any Security which provides for an
amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a
declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502.

     "Outstanding," when used with respect to Securities, means, as of the date
of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under
this Indenture, except:

               (i) Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered
     to the Trustee for cancellation;

               (ii) Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the
     necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any
     Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated
     in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent)
     for the Holders of such Securities; provided that, if such Securities are
     to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has been

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
     duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor satisfactory to
     the Trustee has been made;

               (iii)  Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 306 or
     in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been
     authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such
     Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to the
     Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by a bona
     fide purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid obligations of the
     Company; and

               (iv) Securities with respect to which the Company has effected
     defeasance as provided in Article Fifteen;

provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite
principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand,
authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, (a) the principal
amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that shall be deemed to be
Outstanding shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and
payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration
of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502, and (b) Securities owned by the
Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company
or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding,
except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying
upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent or
waiver, only Securities which the Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so
disregarded.  Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may be
regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the
Trustee the pledgee's right so to act with respect to such Securities and that
the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any
Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.

     "Paying Agent" means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the
principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Securities on behalf of
the Company.

     "Permitted Liens" means:

               (i) Liens (other than Liens created or imposed under ERISA) for
     taxes, assessments or governmental changes or levies not yet due or Liens
     for taxes being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings for
     which adequate reserves determined in accordance with GAAP have been
     established (and as to which the Property subject to any such Lien is not
     yet subject to foreclosure, sale or loss on account thereof);

               (ii) statutory Liens of landlords and Liens of mechanics,
     materialmen and suppliers and other Liens imposed by law or pursuant to
     customary reservations or retentions of title arising in the ordinary
     course of business, provided that any such Liens which are material secure
     only amounts not yet due and payable or, if due and payable, are unfiled
     and no other action has been taken to enforce the same or are being
     contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings for which adequate
     reserves determined in

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
     accordance with GAAP have been established (and as to which the Property
     subject to any such Lien is not yet subject to foreclosure, sale or loss on
     account thereof);

               (iii) Liens (other than Liens created or imposed under ERISA)
     incurred or deposits made by the Company and its Subsidiaries in the
     ordinary course of business in connection with workers' compensation,
     unemployment insurance and other types of social security, or to secure the
     performance of tenders, statutory obligations, bids, leases, government
     contracts, performance and returnofmoney bonds and other similar
     obligations (exclusive of obligations for the payment of borrowed money);

               (iv) Liens in connection with attachments or judgments (including
     judgment or appeal bonds), provided that the judgments secured shall,
     within 30 days after the entry thereof, have been discharged or execution
     thereof stayed pending appeal, or shall have been discharged within 30 days
     after the expiration of any such stay;

               (v) easements, rightsofway, restrictions (including zoning
     restrictions), minor defects or irregularities in title and other similar
     charges or encumbrances not, in any material respect, impairing the use of
     the encumbered Property for its intended purposes;

               (vi) leases or subleases granted to others not interfering in any
     material respect with the business of the Company and its Subsidiaries
     taken as a whole;

               (vii) Liens on Property at the time such Property is acquired by
     the Company or any of its Subsidiaries;

               (viii) Liens on Property of any Person at the time such Person
     becomes a Subsidiary of the Company;

               (ix) Liens on receivables from customers sold to third parties
     pursuant to credit arrangements in the ordinary course of business;

               (x) Liens existing on the date hereof to secure Debt existing on
     the date hereof or any extensions, amendments, renewals, refinancings,
     replacements or other modifications thereto;

               (xi) Liens on any Property created, assumed or otherwise brought
     into existence in contemplation of the sale or other disposition of the
     underlying Property, whether directly or indirectly, by way of share
     disposition or otherwise;

               (xii) Liens securing Debt of a Subsidiary of the Company to the
     Company or to another Subsidiary of the Company;

               (xiii) Liens in favor of the United States of America or any
     State thereof, or any department, agency or instrumentality or political
     subdivision thereof, to secure partial, progress, advance or other
     payments;

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
               (xiv) Liens to secure Debt of joint ventures in which the
     Company or any of its Subsidiaries has an interest, to the extent such
     Liens are on Property of, or equity interests in, such joint ventures; and

               (xv) other Liens on Property of the Company and its Subsidiaries;
     provided that (a) with respect to Property existing as of the date hereof
     (including Property acquired to replace Property existing on the date
     hereof and Property acquired from the sale or refinancing of Property
     existing on the date hereof), the aggregate fair market value of such
     Property does not exceed 15% of the Company's Consolidated Net Tangible
     Assets or (b) with respect to Property acquired after the date hereof, such
     Property shall be acquired in the ordinary course of business.

     "Person" means any individual, corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust,
unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision
thereof.

     "Place of Payment," when used with respect to the Securities of any series,
means the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest on the Securities of that series are payable as specified as
contemplated by Section 301.

     "Predecessor Security" of any particular Security means every previous
Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such
particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security
authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in exchange for or in lieu of a
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the
same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security.

     "Preferred Stock" means any stock of any class of the Company which has a
preference over Common Stock in respect of dividends or of amounts payable in
the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up
of the Company and that is not mandatorily redeemable or repayable, or
redeemable or repayable at the option of the Holder, otherwise than in shares of
Common Stock or Preferred Stock of another class or series or with the proceeds
of the sale of Common Stock or Preferred Stock.

     "Property" means any building, structure or other facility, together with
the land upon which it is erected and fixtures comprising a part thereof, used
primarily for selling automotive parts and accessories or the warehousing or
distributing of such products, owned or leased by the Company or any Subsidiary
of the Company.

     "Redemption Date," when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed,
means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.

     "Redemption Price," when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed,
means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.

     "Reference Treasury Dealer" means each of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.,
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation and Lehman Brothers Inc. and
their respective

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
successors; provided, however, that if any of the foregoing shall cease to be a
primary U.S. Government securities dealer in New York City (a "Primary Treasury
Dealer"), the Company shall substitute therefor another Primary Treasury Dealer.

     "Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations" means, with respect to each
Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by
the Trustee, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue
(expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in
writing to the Trustee by such Reference Treasury Dealer by 5:00 p.m. on the
third Business Day preceding such redemption date.

     "Regular Record Date" for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date
on the Securities of any series means the date specified for that purpose as
contemplated by Section 301.

     "Repayment Date" means, when used with respect to any Security to be repaid
at the option of the Holder, the date fixed for such repayment by or pursuant to
this Indenture.

     "Repayment Price" means, when used with respect to any Security to be
repaid at the option of the Holder, the price at which it is to be repaid by or
pursuant to this Indenture.

     "Responsible Officer," when used with respect to the Trustee, means any
officer of the Trustee customarily performing corporate trust functions.

     "Securities" has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture
and more particularly means any Securities authenticated and delivered under
this Indenture.

     "Security Register" and "Security Registrar" have the respective meanings
specified in Section 305.

     "Special Record Date" for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a
date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 307.

     "Stated Maturity," when used with respect to any Security or any
installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified
in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal or such installment of
principal, premium, if any, or interest on such Security is due and payable.

     "Subsidiary" means a corporation more than 50% of the outstanding voting
stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or by one or
more other Subsidiaries,  or by the Company and one or more other Subsidiaries.
For the purposes of this definition, "voting stock" means stock which ordinarily
has voting power for the election of directors, whether at all times or only so
long as no senior class of stock has such voting power by reason of any
contingency.

     "Time of Determination" has the meaning specified in Section 1405(a)(v).

     "Trading Day" has the meaning specified in Section 1405(a)(v).

     "Trustee" means the Person named as the "Trustee" in the first paragraph of
this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the
applicable

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Trustee" shall mean or include
each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is more
than one such Person, "Trustee" as used with respect to the Securities of any
series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

     "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at
the date as of which this instrument was executed; provided, however, that in
the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, "Trust
Indenture Act" means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.

     "United States" means the United States of America.

     "U.S.  Government Obligations" has the meaning specified in Section 1504.

     "Vice President," when used with respect to the Company, means any vice
president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before
or after the title "vice president."

     Section 102  Compliance Certificates and Opinions.
     -----------  ------------------------------------ 

     Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any
action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the
Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any,
provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been
complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such
counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except
that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing
of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture
relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or
opinion need be furnished.

     Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or
covenant provided for in this Indenture (other than the certificate provided for
in Section 1005) shall include:

          (1) A statement that each individual signing such certificate or
     opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein
     relating thereto;

          (2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or
     investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such
     certificate or opinion are based;

          (3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he has
     made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to
     express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition
     has been complied with; and

          (4) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual,
     such condition or covenant has been complied with.

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
     Section 103  Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.
     -----------  -------------------------------------- 

     In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or
covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all
such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such
Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one
such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one
or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify
or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

     Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based,
insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or
representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of
reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations
with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion are based are
erroneous.  Any such certificate or Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as
it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or
representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the
information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the
Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should
know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such
matters are erroneous.

     Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more
applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other
instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and
form one instrument.

     Section 104  Acts of Holders; Record Dates.
     -----------  ----------------------------- 

     (a) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver
or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken by Holders may
be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar
tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly appointed in writing;
and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become
effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and,
where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company.  Such instrument or
instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein
sometimes referred to as the "Act" of the Holders signing such instrument or
instruments.  Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing
appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture
and (subject to Section 601) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company,
if made in the manner provided in this Section.

     (b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument
or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a
certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take
acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument
or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof.  Where such execution is
by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual capacity, such
certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his
authority.  The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or
writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved
in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
     (c) The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Security Register.

     (d) Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver
or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the
same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of
transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of
anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Company in
reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such
Security.

     (e) The Company may, in the circumstances permitted by the Trust Indenture
Act, fix any day as the record date for the purpose of determining the Holders
of Securities of any series entitled to give or take any request, demand,
authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, or to vote on
any action, authorized or permitted to be given or taken by Holders of
Securities of such series.  If not set by the Company prior to the first
solicitation of a Holder of Securities of such series made by any Person in
respect of any such action, or in the case of any such vote, prior to such vote,
the record date for any such action or vote shall be the 30th day (or, if later,
the date of the most recent list of Holders required to be provided pursuant to
Section 701) prior to such first solicitation or vote, as the case may be.  With
regard to any record date for action to be taken by the Holders of one or more
series of Securities, only the Holders of Securities of such series on such date
(or their duly designated proxies) shall be entitled to give or take, or vote
on, the relevant action.

     (f) Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled hereunder to take any
action hereunder with regard to any particular Security may do so with regard to
all or any part of the principal amount of such Security or by one or more duly
appointed agents each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with
regard to all or any part of such principal amount.  Any notice given or action
taken by a Holder or its agents with regard to different parts of such principal
amount pursuant to this paragraph shall have the same effect as if given or
taken by separate Holders of each such different part.

     (g) Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, unless otherwise
specified pursuant to Section 301 or pursuant to one or more indentures
supplemental hereto, a Holder, including a Depositary that is the Holder of a
Global Security, may make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in
writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver
or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by
Holders, and a Depositary that is the Holder of a Global Security may provide
its proxy or proxies to the beneficial owners of interests in any such Global
Security through such Depositary's standing instructions and customary
practices.

     (h) The Trustee shall fix a record date for the purpose of determining the
Persons who are beneficial owners of interests in any Global Security held by a
Depositary entitled under the procedures of such Depositary to make, give or
take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any request, demand,
authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action provided in
this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders.  If such a record date is
fixed, the Holders on such record date or their duly appointed proxy or proxies,
and only such Persons, shall be entitled to make, give or take such request,
demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action,
whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date.  No such
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice,

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
consent, waiver or other action shall be valid or effective if made, given or
taken more than 90 days after such record date.

     Section 105  Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company.
     -------------------------------------------------- 

     Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or
Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be
made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,

          (1) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient
     for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing
     to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust Office, Attention: Corporate
     Trust Administration, or

          (2) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient
     for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if
     in writing and mailed, first-class postage  prepaid, to the Company
     addressed to it at the address of its principal office specified in the
     first paragraph of this instrument, Attention: Secretary, or at any other
     address previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company.

     Section 106  Notice to Holders; Waiver.
     -------------------------------------- 

     Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such
notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided)
if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder affected
by such event, at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not later
than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the
giving of such notice.  In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail,
neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed,
to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with
respect to other Holders.  Any notice to a Holder which is mailed in the manner
herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether
or not such Holder receives such notice.  Where this Indenture provides for
notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person
entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such
waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice.  Waivers of notice by Holders
shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition
precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

     In case, by reason of the suspension of or irregularities in regular mail
service or by reason of any other cause, it shall be impracticable to give
notice of any event to Holders by mail when such notice is required to be given
pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, then such notification as shall be
made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification
for every purpose hereunder.

     Section 107  Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.
     ---------------------------------------------- 

     If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties
imposed by any of Sections 310 through 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture
Act through the operation of Section

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
318(c) thereof, such imposed duties shall control. If any provision of this
Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that may
be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to
this Indenture as so modified or shall be deemed to be so excluded, as the case
may be.

     Section 108  Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.
     ----------------------------------------------------- 

     The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for
convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

     Section 109  Successors and Assigns.
     ----------------------------------- 

     All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind
its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

     Section 110  Separability Clause.
     -------------------------------- 

     In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of
the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

     Section 111  Benefits of Indenture.
     ---------------------------------- 

     Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, express or implied, shall
give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors
hereunder, any Paying Agent and the Holders, any benefit or any legal or
equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture; provided that this
Section 111 shall not limit the rights of any Holder of a Global Security to
give any notice or take any action, or appoint any agents, with regard to any
part or different parts of the principal amount of such Global Security pursuant
to Section 104.

     Section 112  Governing Law.
     -------------------------- 

     This Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York and for all purposes shall be
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of said state without
regard to the conflicts of laws and rules of said state.

     Section 113  Legal Holidays.
     --------------------------- 

     In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment
Date, sinking fund payment date or Stated Maturity of any Security shall not be
a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other
provision of this Indenture or of the Securities) payment of interest or
principal (and premium, if any) need not be made on such date, but may be made
on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on
the Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date, sinking fund payment
date or at the Stated Maturity, provided that no interest shall accrue for the
period from and after such

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date, sinking fund payment
date or Stated Maturity, as the case may be.

                                  ARTICLE TWO

                                 SECURITY FORMS

     Section 201  Forms of Securities.
     -------------------------------- 

     The Securities of each series shall be in such form or forms (including
global form) as shall be established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in
one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate
insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or
permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks
of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be
required to comply with any law or with any rules made pursuant thereto or the
rules of any securities exchange or as may, consistently herewith, be determined
by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of
such Securities.  If the form of Securities of any series is established by
action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of
such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the
Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company
Order contemplated by Section 303 for the authentication and delivery of such
Securities.

     The Trustee's certificates of authentication shall be in substantially the
form set forth in this Article.

     The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or may
be produced in any other manner permitted by the rules of any securities
exchange upon which the Securities may be listed and (with respect to Global
Securities of any Series) the rules of the Depositary, all as determined by the
officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such
Securities.

     Section 202  Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication.
     ------------------------------------------------------------ 

     This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to
in the within-mentioned Indenture.

                              The First National Bank of Chicago,
                              as Trustee

                              By
                                ------------------------
                                 Authorized Officer

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
     Section 203  Securities in Global Form.
     -------------------------------------- 

     If any Security of a series is issuable in global form, such Security may
provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities
from time to time endorsed thereon and also may provide that the aggregate
amount of Outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be
reduced to reflect exchanges.  Any endorsement of a Security in global form to
reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, of Outstanding
Securities represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee and in such manner
as shall be specified in such Security.  Any instructions by the Company with
respect to a Security in global form, after its initial issuance, shall be in
writing but need not comply with Section 102.

                                 ARTICLE THREE

                                 THE SECURITIES

     Section 301  Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.
     ------------------------------------------------- 

     The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and
delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

     The Securities may be issued in one or more series.  All Securities of each
series issued under this Indenture shall in all respects be equally and ratably
entitled to the benefits hereof with respect to such series without preference,
priority or distinction on account of the actual time of the authentication and
delivery or Maturity of the Securities of such series.  There shall be
established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and, to the extent not set
forth therein, set forth in an Officers' Certificate, or established in one or
more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any
series:

          (1) the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish
     the Securities of the series from all other series of Securities);

          (2) the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the aggregate
     principal amount thereof) at which the Securities will be issued;

          (3) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of
     the series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture
     (except for Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of
     transfer of, or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of that
     series pursuant to Section 304, 305, 306, 906, 1107, 1305 or 1403);

          (4) the date or dates on which the principal and premium, if any, of
     the Securities of the series is payable;

          (5) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable), or the method
     of determination thereof, at which the Securities of the series shall bear
     interest, if any, the date or dates from which such interest shall accrue,
     the Interest Payment Dates on which

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
     such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record Date for the interest
     payable on any Interest Payment Date or, if the principal amount payable at
     the Stated Maturity of any of the Securities will not be determinable as of
     any one or more dates prior to the Stated Maturity, the amount which will
     be deemed to be such principal amount as of any such date for any purpose,
     including the principal amount thereof which will be due and payable upon
     any Maturity other than the Stated Maturity or which will be deemed to be
     Outstanding as of any such date (or, in any such case, the manner in which
     such deemed principal amount is to be determined);

          (6) if other than the Corporate Trust Office, the place or places
     where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on Securities of
     the series shall be payable;

          (7) the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which
     and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series may be
     redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;

          (8) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase
     Securities of the series pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund or
     analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the period or
     periods within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and
     conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be redeemed or
     purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such obligation;

          (9) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple
     thereof, the denominations in which Securities of the series shall be
     issuable;

          (10) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of the
     principal amount of Securities of the series which shall be payable upon
     declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section
     502;

          (11) if the Securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in
     part in the form of a Global Security or Securities, the terms and
     conditions upon which such Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in
     part for other individual securities and the Depositary for such Global
     Security or Securities;

          (12) any addition to or change in the Events of Default which applies
     to any Securities of the series;

          (13) any addition to or change in the covenants set forth in Article
     Ten which applies to Securities of the series;

          (14) if the Securities of the series are convertible into Common Stock
     or Preferred Stock, the Conversion Price therefor, the period during which
     such Securities are convertible and any terms and conditions for the
     conversion of such Securities which differ from Article Fourteen;

          (15) the nature and terms of the security for any secured Securities;

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
          (16) the form and terms of any guarantee of the Securities;

          (17) the application, if any, of Section 1502 or 1503 to the
     Securities of the series and any provisions in modification of, in addition
     to or in lieu of any of the provisions of Article Fifteen;

          (18) the listing of the Securities on any securities exchange or the
     inclusion in any other market or quotation or trading system;

          (19) any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be
     inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture);

          (20) if the principal amount payable at the stated maturity of any of
     such Securities will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior
     to the stated maturity, the amount which will be deemed to be such
     principal amount as of any such date for any purpose, including the
     principal amount thereof which will be due and payable upon any maturity
     other than the stated maturity or which will be deemed to be outstanding as
     of any such date (or, in any such case, the manner in which such deemed
     principal amount is so determined); and

          (21) any trustee or fiscal or authenticating or paying agent, issuing
     or paying agent, transfer agent or registrar or any other person or entity
     to act in connection with such Securities for or on behalf of the holders
     thereof or the Company or an affiliate.

     All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as
to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such
Board Resolution and set forth in such Officers' Certificate, to the extent
applicable, or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.  All Securities of any
one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a
series may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders, for issuance of
additional Securities of such series.

     If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken pursuant
to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be
certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and
delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Board Resolution or
the Officers' Certificate setting forth the terms of the series.

     Section 302  Denominations.
     -------------------------- 

     The Securities of each series shall be issuable in registered or bearer
form with or without coupons in such denominations as shall be specified as
contemplated by Section 301.  In the absence of any such provisions with respect
to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series shall be issuable
in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
     Section 303  Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.
     ----------------------------------------------------------- 

     The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman
of the Board, its President or one of its Vice Presidents and attested by its
Secretary or one of its Assistant Secretaries.  The signature of any of these
officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile.

     Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who
were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company,
notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such
offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not
hold such offices at the date of such Securities.

     At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this
Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the
Company to the Trustee for authentication, and the Trustee shall authenticate
and deliver such Securities upon Company Order.  If all the Securities of any
one series are not to be originally issued at one time and if a Board Resolution
relating to such Securities shall so permit, such Company Order may set forth
procedures (acceptable to the Trustee) for the issuance and authentication of
such Securities.

     If the form or terms of the Securities of the series have been established
in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions as permitted by Sections 201 and
301, in authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional
responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the
Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 601) shall be
fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating:

          (a) if the form of such Securities has been established by or pursuant
     to Board Resolution as permitted by Section 201, that such form has been
     established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

          (b) if the terms of such Securities have been established by or
     pursuant to Board Resolution as permitted by Section 301, that such terms
     have been established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;
     and

          (c) that such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the
     Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any
     conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and
     legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with
     their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer,
     reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of general applicability
     relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to general equity
     principles.

     If such form or terms have been so established, the Trustee shall not be
required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities
pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee's own rights, duties or
immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner
which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

     Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 301 and of the preceding
paragraph, if all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one
time, it shall not be necessary to

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
deliver the Board Resolution or Officers' Certificate otherwise required
pursuant to Section 301 or the Company Order and Opinion of Counsel otherwise
required pursuant to this Section 303 or prior to the time of authentication of
each Security of such series if such documents are delivered at or prior to the
authentication upon original issuance of the first Security of such series to be
issued and such documents reasonably contemplate the issuance of all Securities
of such series.

     Unless otherwise provided in the form of Security for any series, each
Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

     No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be
valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a
certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein
executed by the Trustee by manual signature of an authorized officer, and such
certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only
evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder
and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

     If the Company shall establish pursuant to Section 301 that the Securities
of a series are to be issued in the form of one or more Global Securities, then
the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with this Section
and the Company Order with respect to such series, authenticate and deliver one
or more Global Securities that (i) shall represent and shall be denominated in
an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of all of the Securities of
such series having the same terms issued and not yet canceled, (ii) shall be
registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities
or the nominee of such Depositary, (iii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to
such Depositary or pursuant to such Depositary's instructions and (iv) shall
bear a legend substantially to the following effect: "Unless and until it is
exchanged in whole or in part for Securities in definitive registered form, this
Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to the
nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or
another nominee of the Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a
successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary."

     Section 304  Temporary Securities.
     --------------------------------- 

     Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company
may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver,
temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed
or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the
tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued and with
such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as
the officers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by their
execution of such Securities.  Every such temporary Security shall be executed
by the Company and shall be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee upon the
same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with the same effect,
as the definitive Security in lieu of which it is issued.

     If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause
definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay.
After the preparation of

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
definitive Securities of such series, the temporary Securities of such series
shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of such series upon surrender of
the temporary Securities of such series at the office or agency of the Company
in a Place of Payment for that series, without charge to the Holder. Upon
surrender for cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series
the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in
exchange therefor a like principal amount of definitive Securities of the same
series of authorized denominations. Until so exchanged the temporary Securities
of any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this
Indenture as definitive Securities of such series.

     Section 305  Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange and Book-
     --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Entry Securities.
- ---------------- 

     The Company shall cause to be kept at one of its offices or agencies
maintained pursuant to Section 1002 a register (the register maintained in such
office being herein sometimes referred to as the "Security Register") in which,
subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall
provide for the registration of exchanges and transfers of Securities.  The
Person responsible for the maintenance of the Security Register is referred to
herein as the "Security Registrar." The Trustee is hereby initially appointed
Security Registrar for the purpose of registering Securities and transfers of
Securities as herein provided.  The exchange of and the transfer of Securities
also may be registered at the office of the Trustee.

     Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of any series
at the office or agency in a Place of Payment for that series, the Company shall
execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the
designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities of the same
series, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal
amount.

     At the option of the Holder, Securities of any series (except Global
Securities) may be exchanged for other Securities of the same series (except
Global Securities) of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate
principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at such
office or agency.  Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the
Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the
Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

     All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of
Securities shall be valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt,
and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities
surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

     Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for
exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Security Registrar) be duly
endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form
satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed, by the
Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

     No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or
exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient
to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection
with any registration of transfer or

                                       21
<PAGE>
 
exchange of Securities, other than exchanges pursuant to Section 304, 906, 1107,
1305 or 1403 not involving any transfer.

     The Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or
exchange Securities of any series during a period beginning at the opening of
business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of
Securities of that series selected for redemption under Section 1103 and ending
at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (ii) to register the
transfer of or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in
part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.

     Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 305, unless and until
it is exchanged in whole or in part for Securities in definitive registered
form, a Global Security representing all or a portion of the Securities of a
series may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary for such
series to a nominee of such Depositary or by a nominee of such Depositary to
such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by such Depositary or
any such nominee to a successor Depositary for such series or a nominee of such
successor Depositary.

     If at any time the Depositary for the Securities of a series notifies the
Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the
Securities of such series or if at any time the Depositary for the Securities of
a series shall no longer be registered or in good standing under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or other applicable statute or regulation, the
Company shall appoint a successor Depositary with respect to the Securities of
such series.  If a successor Depositary for the Securities of such series is not
appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice
or becomes aware of such condition, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee,
upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of
definitive Securities of such series, shall authenticate and deliver Securities
of such series in definitive form in an aggregate principal amount equal to the
principal amount of the Global Security or Securities representing such series
in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.

     The Company may at any time and in its sole discretion determine that the
Securities of any series issued in the form of one or more Global Securities
shall no longer be represented by a Global Security or Securities.  In such
event the Company shall execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company
Order for the authentication and delivery of definitive Securities of such
series, shall authenticate and deliver, Securities of such series in definitive
registered form without coupons, in any authorized denominations, in an
aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security
or Securities representing such series, in exchange for such Global Security or
Securities.

     If specified by the Company pursuant to Section 301 with respect to a
series of Securities, the Depositary for such series of Securities may surrender
a Global Security for such series of Securities in exchange in whole or in part
for Securities of such series in definitive registered form on such terms as are
acceptable to the Company and such Depositary.  Thereupon, the Company shall
execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, without service charge,

                                       22
<PAGE>
 
               (i) to the Person specified by such Depositary a new Security or
     Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination as requested
     by such Person, in an aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange
     for such Person's beneficial interest in the Global Security; and

               (ii) to such Depositary a new Global Security in a denomination
     equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the
     surrendered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of
     Securities authenticated and delivered pursuant to Clause (i) above.

     Upon the exchange of a Global Security for Securities in definitive
registered form, in authorized denominations, such Global Security shall be
canceled by the Trustee.  Securities in definitive registered form issued in
exchange for a Global Security pursuant to this Section 305 shall be registered
in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary for such
Global Security, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect
participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee.  The Trustee shall not be
liable for any delay in delivery of such instructions and may conclusively rely
on, and shall be protected in relying on, such instructions.  The Trustee shall,
at Company expense, deliver such Securities to or as directed by the Persons in
whose names such Securities are so registered.

     Section 306  Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.
     ------------------------------------------------------------- 

     If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, together with such
other security or indemnity as may be reasonably required by the Trustee to save
it harmless, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series and of like tenor
and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

     If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (i) evidence to
their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii)
such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and
any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the
Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide
purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon its request the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen
Security, a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal
amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

     In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become
or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may,
instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security, subject to satisfaction of
the foregoing conditions.  Upon the issuance of any new Security under this
Section, the Company may require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any
other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected
therewith.

     Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of
any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional
contractual obligation of the

                                       23
<PAGE>
 
Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be at any
time enforceable by anyone, and shall be entitled to all the benefits of this
Indenture equally and proportionately with any and all other Securities of that
series duly issued hereunder.

     The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the
extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or
payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.

     Section 307  Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.
     ----------------------------------------------------------- 

     Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to
any series of Securities, interest on any Security which is payable, and is
punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid
to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor
Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date
for such interest.  The Company and the Trustee understand that interest on any
Global Security will be disbursed or credited by the Depositary to the Persons
having ownership thereof pursuant to a book entry or other system maintained by
the Depositary.

     Any interest on any Security of any series which is payable, but is not
punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein
called "Defaulted Interest") shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder
on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and
such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each
case, as provided in Clause (1) or Clause (2) below:

          (1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to
     the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their
     respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business
     on a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which
     shall be fixed in the following manner.  The Company shall notify the
     Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid
     on each Security of such series and the date of the proposed payment, and
     at the same time the Company shall deposit with the Trustee an amount of
     money equal to the aggregate amount proposed to be paid in respect of such
     Defaulted Interest or shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee
     for such deposit prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when
     deposited to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to
     such Defaulted Interest as in this Clause provided.  Thereupon the Trustee
     shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest
     which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10 days prior to the
     date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days after the receipt by
     the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment.  The Trustee shall
     promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in the name
     and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed
     payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to
     be mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder of Securities of
     such series at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not less
     than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date.  Notice of the proposed
     payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor
     having been so mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the

                                       24
<PAGE>
 
     Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective
     Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such
     Special Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the
     following Clause (2).

          (2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the
     Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with
     the requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be
     listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after
     notice given by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant
     to this Clause, such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the
     Trustee.

     Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security
delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange
for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued
and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

     Section 308  Persons Deemed Owners.
     ---------------------------------- 

     The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may
treat the Person in whose name such Security is registered as the owner of such
Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if
any) and (subject to Section 307) interest on such Security and for all other
purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and neither the
Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be
affected by notice to the contrary.

     None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Security
Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the
records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership
interests of a Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any
records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

     Section 309  Cancellation.
     ------------------------- 

     Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301(7) for Securities of any
series all Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of
transfer or exchange or for credit against any mandatory sinking fund payment
shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the
Trustee and shall be promptly canceled by it.  The Company may at any time
deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated
and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner
whatsoever, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly canceled by the
Trustee, except that if a Global Security is so surrendered, the Company shall
execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Depositary for
such Global Security, without service charge, a new Global Security or
Securities in a denomination equal to and in exchange for the portion of the
Global Security so surrendered not to be paid, redeemed, repaid or registered
for transfer or exchange or for credit.  No Securities shall be authenticated in
lieu of or in exchange for any Securities canceled as provided in this Section,
except as expressly permitted by this Indenture.  All canceled Securities held
by the Trustee shall be disposed of in accordance with its customary procedures
and a certificate of

                                       25
<PAGE>
 
disposition shall be delivered to the Company, unless, by a Company Order, the
Company shall direct the canceled Securities be returned to it.

     Section 310  Computation of Interest.
     ------------------------------------ 

     Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities
of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on
the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

                                  ARTICLE FOUR

                           SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

     Section 401  Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.
     ---------------------------------------------------- 

     Upon Company Request, this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect
with respect to the Securities of a particular series (except as to any
surviving rights to convert Securities into Common Stock, or rights of
registration of transfer or exchange of Securities herein expressly provided
for), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper
instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to
such Securities, when:

          (1)  either:

               (A) all Securities of such series theretofore authenticated and
          delivered (other than (i) Securities which have been destroyed, lost
          or stolen and which have been replaced or paid as provided in Section
          306 and (ii) Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been
          deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the Company and
          thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust, as
          provided in Section 1003) have been delivered to the Trustee for
          cancellation; or

               (B) all Securities of such series not theretofore delivered to
          the Trustee for cancellation

                    (i)  have become due and payable, or

                    (ii) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity
               within one year, or

                    (iii) are to be called for redemption within one year,
               under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of
               notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the
               expense, of the Company,

          and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has
          irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with the
          Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose sums sufficient to pay
          and discharge the entire indebtedness on such

                                       26
<PAGE>
 
          Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for cancellation,
          for principal (and premium, if any) and interest to the date of such
          deposit (in the case of Securities which have become due and payable)
          or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be; and

          (2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable
     hereunder by the Company with respect to such Securities; and

          (3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate
     and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent
     herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this
     Indenture with respect to the Securities of such series have been complied
     with.

     Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with
respect to the Securities of a particular series, the obligations of the Company
to the Trustee under Section 607, the obligations, if any, of the Trustee to any
Authenticating Agent under Section 614 and, if money shall have been deposited
with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of clause (1) of this Section, the
obligations of the Trustee under Section 402 and the last paragraph of Section
1003, in each case with respect to such Securities, shall survive.

     Notwithstanding the cessation, termination and discharge of all
obligations, covenants and agreements of the Company under this Indenture with
respect to any series of Securities, the obligations of the Company to the
Trustee under Section 607, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 402 and
the last paragraph of Section 1003 shall survive with respect to such series of
Securities.

     Section 402  Application of Trust Money.
     --------------------------------------- 

     Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money
deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 shall be held in trust and
applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this
Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent
(including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent), as the Trustee may
determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if
any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the
Trustee.  All money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 (and held
by it or any Paying Agent) for the payment of Securities subsequently converted
into Common Stock shall be returned to the Company upon Company Request.

                                  ARTICLE FIVE

                                    REMEDIES

     Section 501  Events of Default.
     ------------------------------ 

     "Event of Default," wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any
series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such
Event of Default and whether it

                                       27
<PAGE>
 
shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or pursuant
to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or regulation
of any administrative or governmental body):

          (1) failure to pay principal of (or premium, if any, on) any Security
     of that series at its Maturity, upon redemption or otherwise; or

          (2) failure to pay any interest upon any Security of that series when
     due, and the default continues for 30 days; or

          (3) default in the deposit of any mandatory sinking fund payment, when
     and as due by the terms of the Securities of that series, and continuance
     of such default for a period of 30 days; or

          (4) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty
     of the Company in a Security of that series or in this Indenture (other
     than a covenant or warranty a default in whose performance or whose breach
     is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has expressly
     been included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of series of
     Securities other than that series), and continuance of such default or
     breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or
     certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the
     Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the
     Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such
     default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such
     notice is a "Notice of Default" hereunder; or

          (5) a default under any bond, debenture, note or other evidence of
     indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company (including a default with
     respect to Securities of any series other than that series) or under any
     mortgage, indenture (including this Indenture) or instrument under which
     there may be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any
     indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or any Subsidiary (each such
     bond, debenture, note, evidence of indebtedness, mortgage, indenture or
     instrument being referred to as a "Loan Document"), whether such
     indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter be created, which default shall
     constitute a failure to pay any portion of the principal of such
     indebtedness when due and payable after the expiration of any applicable
     grace period with respect thereto or shall have resulted in such
     indebtedness becoming or being declared due and payable prior to the date
     on which it would otherwise have become due and payable, without such
     indebtedness having been discharged or such acceleration having been
     rescinded or annulled within a period of 15 days after there shall have
     been given, by registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee
     or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in
     principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a written
     notice specifying such default and requiring the Company to cause such
     indebtedness to be discharged or such acceleration to be rescinded or
     annulled and stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default" hereunder,
     if the aggregate outstanding principal amount of indebtedness under the
     Loan Document with respect to which such default or

                                       28
<PAGE>
 
     acceleration has occurred exceeds $20 million; provided, however, that if
     such default under such Loan Document shall be cured by the Company or be
     waived by the holders of such indebtedness or if such acceleration shall be
     rescinded or annulled, in each case as may be permitted by such Loan
     Document, then the Event of Default hereunder by reason of such default
     shall be deemed likewise to have been thereupon cured or waived; and
     provided, further, that, subject to the provisions of Sections 601 and 602,
     the Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of such default or
     acceleration unless either (A) a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall
     have actual knowledge of such default or acceleration or (B) the Trustee
     shall have received written notice thereof from the Company, from any
     Holder, from the holder of any such indebtedness or from the trustee under
     any such mortgage, indenture or other instrument; or

          (6) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of (A) a
     decree or order for relief in respect of the Company or any Subsidiary in
     an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State
     bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or (B) a decree
     or order adjudging the Company or any Subsidiary a bankrupt or insolvent,
     or approving as properly filed a petition seeking reorganization,
     arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of the Company or
     any Subsidiary under any applicable Federal or State law, or appointing a
     custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other
     similar official of the Company or any Subsidiary or of any substantial
     part of its property, or ordering the winding up or liquidation of its
     affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order for relief or any
     such other decree or order unstayed and in effect for a period of 60
     consecutive days; or

          (7) the commencement by the Company or any Subsidiary of a voluntary
     case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy,
     insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or of any other case or
     proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it
     to the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company or
     any Subsidiary in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable
     Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar
     law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or
     proceeding against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or
     consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable Federal or
     State law, or the consent by it to the filing of such petition or to the
     appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator,
     assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or
     any Subsidiary or of any substantial part of its property, or the making by
     it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by it in
     writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or
     the taking of corporate action by the Company or any Subsidiary in
     furtherance of any such action.

     Upon receipt by the Trustee of any proposed Notice of Default from any
Holder with respect to Securities of a series all or part of which is
represented by a Global Security, a record date shall be established for
determining Holders of Outstanding Securities of such series entitled to join in
such proposed Notice of Default, which record date shall be at the close of
business on the day the Trustee receives such proposed Notice of Default.  The
Holders on such record date,

                                       29
<PAGE>
 
or their duly designated proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to
join in such proposed Notice of Default, whether or not such Holders remain
Holders after such record date; provided, that unless Holders of at least 25% in
principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, or their proxies,
shall have joined in such proposed Notice of Default prior to the day which is
90 days after such record date, such proposed Notice of Default shall
automatically and without further action by any Holder be canceled and of no
further effect. Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent a Holder, or a proxy of
a Holder, from giving (i) after expiration of such 90-day period, a new proposed
Notice of Default identical to a proposed Notice of Default which has been
canceled pursuant to the proviso to the preceding sentence, or (ii) during any
such 90-day period, an additional proposed Notice of Default with respect to any
new or different fact or circumstance permitting the giving of a proposed Notice
of Default with respect to Securities of such series, in either of which events
a new record date shall be established pursuant to the provisions of this
Section 501. Any such proposed Notice of Default shall be considered a Notice of
Default hereunder at such time, if any, that Holders of at least 25% in
principal amount of the Outstanding Securities shall have joined in such
proposed Notice of Default by giving timely notice to the Trustee hereunder.

     Section 502  Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.
     --------------------------------------------------------------- 

     If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series (other than
an Event of Default specified in Section 501(6) or (7) at the time Outstanding
occurs and is continuing, then in every such case, the Trustee or the Holders of
not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that
series may declare the principal amount (or, if any of the Securities of that
series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal
amount of such Securities as may be specified in the terms thereof) of all of
the Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in
writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any
such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) shall become
immediately due and payable.  Upon payment of said amounts, all obligations of
the Company in respect of payment of principal of the Securities of such series
shall terminate.

     At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to
Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for
payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this
Article provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the
Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

          (1) the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum
     sufficient to pay

               (A) all overdue interest on all Securities of that series,

               (B) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Securities of
          that series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration
          of acceleration and any interest thereon at the rate or rates
          prescribed therefor in such Securities,

                                       30
<PAGE>
 
               (C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful,
          interest upon overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed
          therefor in such Securities, and

               (D) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the
          reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the
          Trustee, its agents and counsel;

     and

          (2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series,
     other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities of that series
     which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been
     cured or waived as provided in Section 513.

     No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right
consequent thereon.

     Upon receipt by the Trustee of written notice declaring such an
acceleration, or rescission and annulment thereof, with respect to Securities of
a series all or part of which is represented by a Global Security, a record date
shall be established for determining Holders of Outstanding Securities of such
series entitled to join in such notice, which record date shall be at the close
of business on the day the Trustee receives such notice.  The Holders on such
record date, or their duly designated proxies, and only such Persons, shall be
entitled to join in such notice, whether or not such Holders remain Holders
after such record date; provided, that unless such declaration of acceleration,
or rescission and annulment, as the case may be, shall have become effective by
virtue of the requisite percentage having joined in such notice prior to the day
which is 90 days after such record date, such notice of declaration of
acceleration, or rescission and annulment, as the case may be, shall
automatically and without further action by any Holder be canceled and of no
further effect.  Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent a Holder, or a proxy of
a Holder, from giving, (i) after expiration of such 90-day period, a new written
notice of declaration of acceleration or rescission and annulment thereof, as
the case may be, that is identical to a written notice which has been canceled
pursuant to the proviso to the preceding sentence, or (ii) during any such 90-
day period, an additional written notice of declaration of acceleration with
respect to Securities of such series, or an additional written notice of
rescission and annulment of any declaration of acceleration with respect to any
other Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series, in either of
which events a new record date shall be established pursuant to the provisions
of this Section 502.

     Section 503  Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by
     --------------------------------------------------------------------
Trustee.
- ------- 

     The Company covenants that if:

          (1) default is made in the payment of any interest on any Security
     when such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a
     period of 30 days, or

          (2) default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if
     any, on) any Security at the Maturity thereof,

                                       31
<PAGE>
 
          (3) default is made in the making or satisfaction of any mandatory
     sinking fund payment when it becomes due pursuant to the terms of the
     securities of any series,

the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the
Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such
Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest and, to the extent
that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any
overdue principal (and premium, if any) and on any overdue interest, at the rate
or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities and, in addition thereto, such
further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of
collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and
advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

     If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the
Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may, but shall not
be obligated to, institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums
so due and unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree,
and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon such
Securities and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the
manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor
upon such Securities, wherever situated.

     If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and
is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce
its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by such
appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to
protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any
covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power
granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

     Section 504  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.
     --------------------------------------------- 

     In case of any judicial proceeding relative to the Company (or any other
obligor upon the Securities), its property or its creditors, the Trustee shall
be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise, to
take any and all actions authorized under the Trust Indenture Act in order to
have claims of the Holders and the Trustee allowed in any such proceeding.  In
particular, the Trustee shall be authorized to file and prove a claim for the
whole amount of principal, premium and interest owing and unpaid in respect of
the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or
advisable in order to have claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the
reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements, and advances of the Trustee,
its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding,
and to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable
on any such claims and to distribute the same; and any custodian, receiver,
assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any
such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such
payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the
making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any
amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and

                                       32
<PAGE>
 
advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the
Trustee under Section 607.

     No provision of this Indenture shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to
authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of
reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities
or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in
respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding.

     Section 505  Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.
     ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 

     All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may
be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the
Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any
such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as
trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision
for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and
advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of
the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been
recovered.

     Section 506  Application of Money Collected.
     ------------------------------------------- 

     Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article of any series
shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the
Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal
(or premium, if any) or interest, upon presentation of the Securities of any
series and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon
surrender thereof if fully paid:

          FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section
     607;

          SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for
     principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities of such
     series in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been
     collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according
     to the amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal (and
     premium, if any) and interest, respectively; and

          THIRD: The balance, if any, to the Company or to whomsoever may be
     lawfully entitled to receive the same as a court of competent jurisdiction
     may direct.

     Section 507  Limitation on Suits.
     -------------------------------- 

     No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute
any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for
the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder,
unless:

          (1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of
     a continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that
     series;

                                       33
<PAGE>
 
          (2) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the
     Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request to
     the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in
     its own name as Trustee hereunder;

          (3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable
     security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be
     incurred in compliance with such request;

          (4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request
     and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

          (5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given
     to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in
     principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series;

it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have
any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision
of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of
such Holders, or of the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any other series,
or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such
Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner
herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all of such Holders.

     Section 508  Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium
     -------------------------------------------------------------------------
and Interest.
- ------------ 

     Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any
Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive
payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Section 307)
interest on such Security on the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such
Security (or, in the case of redemption or repayment at the option of the
Holder, on the Redemption Date or the Repayment Date, as the case may be) and
(if the terms of such Security so provide) to have such Security converted into
Common Stock pursuant to Article Fourteen and to institute suit for the
enforcement of any such payment or conversion, and such rights shall not be
impaired without the consent of such Holder.

     Section 509  Restoration of Rights and Remedies.
     ----------------------------------------------- 

     If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any
right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued
or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or
to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in
such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored
severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter
all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though
no such proceeding had been instituted.

                                       34
<PAGE>
 
     Section 510  Rights and Remedies Cumulative.
     ------------------------------------------- 

     Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of Section
306, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to
the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every
right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in
addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter
existing at law or in equity or otherwise.  The assertion or employment of any
right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent
assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

     Section 511  Delay or Omission Not Waiver.
     ----------------------------------------- 

     No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities to
exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any
such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an
acquiescence therein.  Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to
the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often
as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may
be.

     Section 512  Control by Holders.
     ------------------------------- 

     The Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and
place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or
exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the
Securities of such series, provided that

          (1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or
     with this Indenture, expose the Trustee to personal liability or be unduly
     prejudicial to Holders not joining therein, and

          (2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee
     which is not inconsistent with such direction.

     Upon receipt by the Trustee of any such direction with respect to
Securities of a series all or part of which is represented by a Global Security,
a record date shall be established for determining Holders of Outstanding
Securities of such series entitled to join in such direction, which record date
shall be determined in accordance with Section 104(e).  The Holders on such
record date, or their duly designated proxies, and only such Persons, shall be
entitled to join in such direction, whether or not such Holders remain Holders
after such record date; provided, that unless Holders of at least a majority in
principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such series, or their proxies,
shall have been joined in such direction prior to the day which is 90 days after
such record date, such direction shall automatically and without further action
by any Holder be canceled and of no further effect.  Nothing in this paragraph
shall prevent a Holder, or a proxy of a Holder, from giving, (i) after
expiration of such 90-day period, a new direction identical to a direction which
has been canceled pursuant to the provisions to the preceding 

                                       35
<PAGE>
 
sentence or (ii) during any such 90-day period a new direction contrary to or
different from such direction, in either of which events a new record date shall
be established pursuant to the provisions of this Section 512.

     Section 513  Waiver of Defaults.
     ------------------------------- 

     By Act delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Holders of not less
than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any
affected series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such
series waive any existing Event of Default hereunder with respect to such series
and its consequences (including an acceleration and its consequences, including
any related payment default that resulted from such acceleration), except an
Event of Default

          (1) in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or
     interest on any Security of such series or in the payment of any mandatory
     sinking fund installment with respect to the Securities of such series, or

          (2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article
     Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of
     each Outstanding Security of such series affected.

     The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the
purpose of determining the Persons entitled to waive any past default hereunder.
If a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date, or their duly
designated proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to waive any
default hereunder, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record
date; provided, that unless such majority in principal amount shall have been
obtained prior to the date which is 90 days after such record date, any such
waiver previously given shall automatically and without further action by any
Holder be canceled and of no further effect.

     Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of
Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose
of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other
default or impair any right consequent thereon.

     Section 514  Undertaking for Costs.
     ---------------------------------- 

     In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this
Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or
omitted by it as Trustee, a court may require any party litigant in such suit to
file an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and may assess costs against
any such party litigant, in the manner and to the extent provided in the Trust
Indenture Act; provided that neither this Section nor the Trust Indenture Act
shall be deemed to authorize any court to require such an undertaking or to make
such an assessment in any suit instituted by the Trustee, by any Holder, or
group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of
the Outstanding Securities of any series, or by any Holder for the enforcement
of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any
Security on or after the Stated Maturity expressed in such Security (or, in the
case of redemption or repayment at the option of the Holder, on or after the
Redemption Date or Repayment Date, as 

                                       36
<PAGE>
 
the case may be, and (if the terms of such Security so provide) to have such
Security converted into Common Stock pursuant to Article Fourteen).

     Section 515  Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws.
     --------------------------------------------- 

     The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it
will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or
take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted,
now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the
performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may
lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law
and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any
power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of
every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

                                  ARTICLE SIX

                                  THE TRUSTEE

     Section 601  Certain Duties and Responsibilities.
     ------------------------------------------------ 

     (a)  Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

          (1) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only such duties
     as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and no implied covenants
     or obligations shall be read into this Indenture against the Trustee; and

          (2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may
     conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of
     the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to
     the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this Indenture; but in
     the case of any such certificates or opinions which by any provision of
     this Indenture are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee,
     the Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether
     or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.

     (b)  In case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this
Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise, as a
prudent man would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his
own affairs.

     (c)  No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve the
Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure
to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

          (1) this Subsection shall not be construed to limit the effect of
     Subsection (a) of this Section;

                                       37
<PAGE>
 
          (2) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in
     good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it shall be proved that the
     Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the pertinent facts;

          (3) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken
     or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the direction
     of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding
     Securities of any series relating to the time, method and place of
     conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or
     exercising any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this
     Indenture; and

          (4) no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend
     or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the
     performance of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of
     its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for believing
     that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such risk or
     liability is not reasonably assured to it.

     (d)  Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every provision of this
Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or affording
protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this Section.

     Section 602  Notice of Defaults.
     ------------------------------- 

     Within 90 days after the occurrence of any default hereunder with respect
to Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Holders
of Securities of such series, as their names and addresses appear in the
Security Register, notice of such default hereunder known to the Trustee, unless
such default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that, except in
the case of a default in the payment of the principal, premium or interest on
any Security of such series or in the payment of any mandatory sinking fund
installment with respect to the Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be
protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors,
the executive committee of the board of directors and/or Responsible Officers of
the Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in
the interests of the Holders of the Securities of such series; and provided,
further, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section
501(4) with respect to the Securities of such series no such notice to Holders
shall be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof.  For the
purpose of this Section, the term "default" means any event which is, or after
notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default.

     Section 603  Certain Rights of Trustee.
     -------------------------------------- 

     Subject to the provisions of Section 601:

     (a)  the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining
from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion,
report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other
evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine
and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

                                       38
<PAGE>  
 
     (b) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be
sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order and any resolution
of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;

     (c) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem
it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering
or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein
specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon
an Officers' Certificate;

     (d) the Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such
counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and
protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder
in good faith and in reliance thereon;

     (e) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights
or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of
the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered
to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and
liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or
direction;

     (f) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts
or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument,
opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture,
note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the
Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into
such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to
make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the
books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney;

     (g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or
perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or
attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or
negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it
hereunder; and

     (h) the Trustee shall not be required to take notice or be deemed to have
notice of any default hereunder (except failure by the Company to pay principal
of or interest on any series of Securities so long as the Trustee is also acting
as Paying Agent for such series of Securities) unless the Trustee shall be
specifically notified in writing of such default by the Company by the Holders
of at least a 10% in aggregate principal amount of all Outstanding Securities,
and all such notices or other instruments required by this Indenture to be
delivered to the Trustee must, in order to be effective, be delivered at the
principal Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and in the absence of such
notice the Trustee may conclusively assume there is no default except as
aforesaid.

     Section 604  Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.
     ------------------------------------------------------------------- 

     The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee's
certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company,
and the Trustee or any 

                                       39
<PAGE>
 
Authenticating Agent assumes no responsibility for their correctness. The
Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or sufficiency of this
Indenture or of the Securities. The Trustee or any Authenticating Agent shall
not be accountable for the use or application by the Company of Securities or
the proceeds thereof. The Trustee shall not be deemed to have knowledge of the
identity of any Subsidiary unless either (A) a Responsible Officer of the
Trustee shall have actual knowledge thereof or (B) the Trustee shall have
received written notice thereof from the Company or any Holder.

     Section 605  May Hold Securities.
     -------------------------------- 

     The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security
Registrar or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other
capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections
608 and 613, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would
have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security
Registrar or such other agent.

     Section 606  Money Held in Trust.
     -------------------------------- 

     Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from
other funds except to the extent required by law.  The Trustee shall be under no
liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise
agreed with the Company.

     Section 607  Compensation and Reimbursement.
     ------------------------------------------- 

     The Company agrees:

          (1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation
     for all services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be
     limited by any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee
     of an express trust);

          (2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the
     Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and
     advances incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision
     of this Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses
     and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense,
     disbursement or advance as may be attributable to its negligence or bad
     faith; and

          (3) to indemnify the Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any
     loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on its
     part, arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration
     of the trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses of
     defending itself against any claim or liability in connection with the
     exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties hereunder.

     As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under
this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities upon all
property and funds held or collected by 

                                       40
<PAGE>
 
the Trustee as such, except funds held in trust for the benefit of the Holders
of particular Securities.

     Section 608  Disqualification; Conflicting Interests.
     ---------------------------------------------------- 

     If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the
meaning of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either
eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by,
and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture.
To the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall not be
deemed to have a conflicting interest with respect to the Securities of any
series by virtue of being Trustee with respect to the Securities of any
particular series of Securities except as may be otherwise provided by the terms
of the Securities of that series.

     Section 609  Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.
     ---------------------------------------------------- 

     There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be a Person
that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such and has a
combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.  If such Person publishes
reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements
of Federal, State, Territorial or District of Columbia supervising or examining
authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and
surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as
set forth in its most recent report of condition so published.  If at any time
the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this
Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect
hereinafter specified in this Article.

     Section 610  Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.
     -------------------------------------------------------------- 

     (a) No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a
successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the
acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the
applicable requirements of Section 611.

     (b) The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of
one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company.  If the
instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 611 shall
not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such
notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the
Securities of such series.

     (c) The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities
of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and to the
Company.

     (d)  If at any time:

                                       41
<PAGE>
 
          (1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 608 after written
     request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide
     Holder of a Security for at least six months, or

          (2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 609 and shall
     fail to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such
     Holder, or

          (3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged
     a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property
     shall be appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of
     the Trustee or of its property or affairs for the purpose of
     rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation,

then, in any such case, (i) the Company by a Board Resolution may remove the
Trustee with respect to any or all Securities, or (ii) subject to Section 514,
any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months
may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court
of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to any or
all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees with
respect to such series.

     (e) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting,
or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect
to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by a Board Resolution,
shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the
Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor
Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of
such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to
the Securities of any particular series) and shall comply with the applicable
requirements of Section 611.  If, within one year after such resignation,
removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee
with respect to the Securities of that or those series shall be appointed by Act
of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities
of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor
Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in
accordance with the applicable requirements of Section 611, become the successor
Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent
supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company.  If no successor
Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have been so
appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted appointment in the manner
required by Section 611, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a
Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and
all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for
the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such
series.

     (f) The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of
the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of
a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series to all Holders
of Securities of such series in the manner provided in Section 106.  Each notice
of appointment shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to
the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

                                       42
<PAGE>   
 
     Section 611  Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.
     --------------------------------------------------- 

     (a) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with
respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall
execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an
instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal
of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee,
without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the
rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request
of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon
payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such
successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and
shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property
and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder, subject nevertheless to its
lien, if any, provided for in Section 607.

     (b) In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with
respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the
retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of
one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto
wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall
contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and
confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers,
trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that
or those series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2)
if the retiring Trustee is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall
contain such provisions as shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm
that all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with
respect to the Securities of that or those series as to which the retiring
Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and
(3) shall add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be
necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts
hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or
in such supplemental indenture shall constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the
same trust and that each such Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts
hereunder separate and apart from any trust or trusts hereunder administered by
any other such Trustee; and upon the execution and delivery of such supplemental
indenture the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become
effective to the extent provided therein and each such successor Trustee,
without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the
rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the
Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of such successor
Trustee relates; but, on request of the Company or any successor Trustee, such
retiring Trustee shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor
Trustee all property and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder with
respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the appointment of
such successor Trustee relates.

     (c) Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute
any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming
to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in
paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.

                                       43
<PAGE>
 
     (d) No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of
such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under
this Article.

     Section 612  Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.
     ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 

     Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with
which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger,
conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any
corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business
of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such
corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article,
without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of
any of the parties hereto.  In case any Securities shall have been
authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor
by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt
such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same
effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.
In case any Securities shall not have been authenticated by such predecessor
Trustee, any such successor Trustee may authenticate and deliver such Debt
Securities, in either its own name or that of its predecessor Trustee, with the
full force and effect which this Indenture provides for the certificate of
authentication of the Trustee.

     Section 613  Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.
     -------------------------------------------------------------- 

     If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Company (or
any other obligor upon the Securities), the Trustee shall be subject to the
provisions of Section 311 of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of
such claims against the Company (or any such other obligor).  A Trustee that has
resigned or been removed shall be subject to and comply with said Section 311 to
the extent required thereby.

     Section 614  Appointment of Authenticating Agent.
     ------------------------------------------------ 

     The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to
one or more series of Securities (which may be an Affiliate of the Company)
which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate
Securities issued upon registration of transfer or partial redemption or
repayment thereof or pursuant to Section 306, and Securities so authenticated
shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and
obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder.
Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery
of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee's certificate of authentication,
such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf
of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication
executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent.  Each
Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall at all times
be a corporation organized and doing business and in good standing under the
laws of the United States of America, any State or the District of Columbia,
authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined
capital and surplus of no less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or
examination by Federal or State authority.  If such Authenticating Agent
publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the
requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes
of 

                                       44
<PAGE>
 
this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent
shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most
recent report of condition so published. If at any time an Authenticating Agent
shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section,
such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the
effect specified in this Section.

     Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or
converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting
from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent
shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or
corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an
Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible
under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further
act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.  An Authenticating
Agent for any series of Securities may resign at any time by giving written
notice thereof to the Trustee for such series and to the Company.  The Trustee
for any series of Securities may at any time terminate the agency of an
Authenticating Agent for such series by giving written notice thereof to such
Authenticating Agent and to the Company.  Upon receiving such a notice of
resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such
Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the
provisions of this Section, the Trustee of such series may appoint a successor
Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall mail
written notice of such appointment by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to all
Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such Authenticating
Agent will serve, as their names and addresses appear in the Security Register.
Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment thereunder
shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor
hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent.
No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the
provisions of this Section.

     Except with respect to an Authenticating Agent appointed at the request of
the Company, the Trustee agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to
time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section, and the
Trustee shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such payments, pursuant to the
provisions of Section 607.

     If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to
this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in
addition to the Trustee's certificate of authentication, an alternative
certificate of authentication in the following form:

     This is one of the Securities of the series described therein referred to
in the within-mentioned Indenture.

                              The First National Bank of Chicago,
                              as Trustee

                              __________________________,
                              as Trustee

                                       45
<PAGE>
 
                              By: __________________________
                                  As Authenticating Agent

                              By: __________________________
                                  Authorized Officer

                                       46
<PAGE>  

                                 ARTICLE SEVEN
 
                           HOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS
                             BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

     Section 701  Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 

     With respect to each series of Securities, the Company will furnish or
cause to be furnished to the Trustee for the Securities of such Series

     (a) semiannually, not more than 15 days after each Regular Record Date
relating to that series (or, if there is no Regular Record Date relating to that
series, on June 30 and December 31), a list, in such form as such Trustee may
reasonably require, of the names and addresses of the Holders of that series as
of such date, and

     (b) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30
days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar
form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list
is furnished; provided, however, that if and so long as the Trustee is Security
Registrar with respect to Securities of a particular series no such list shall
be required with respect to the Securities of such series.

     Section 702  Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.
     ------------------------------------------------------------------- 

     (a) The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably
practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent
list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 701 and the names and
addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security
Registrar.  The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in
Section 701 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

     (b) The rights of Holders to communicate with other Holders with respect to
their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities, and the corresponding
rights and privileges of the Trustee, shall be as provided by the Trust
Indenture Act.

     (c) Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees
with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor
any agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of the
disclosure of information as to the names and addresses of the Holders made
pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act.

     Section 703  Reports by Trustee.
     ------------------------------- 

     (a) Within 60 days after May 15 of each year commencing with the year 1999,
the Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee and
its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust
Indenture Act if and to the extent and in the manner provided pursuant thereto.

                                       47
<PAGE>
 
     (b) A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to
Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which any
Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company.  The Company
will notify the Trustee when any Securities are listed on any stock exchange.

     Section 704  Reports by Company.
     ------------------------------- 

     (a) The Company shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, and
transmit to Holders, such information, documents and other reports, and such
summaries thereof, as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the
times and in the manner provided pursuant to such Act; provided that any such
information, documents or reports required to be filed with the Commission
pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, shall be filed with the Trustee within 15 days after the same is so
required to be filed with the Commission.  Delivery of such reports to the
Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee's receipt of such
reports shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained
therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the
Company's compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the
Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers' Certificates).

     (b) Commencing one year from the date hereof, the Company shall furnish to
the Trustee annually the notice required by Section 1009 hereof (if required)
and a statement as to the performance by the Company of its obligations
hereunder and as to any Event of Default.

     Section 705  Holders' Meetings.
     ------------------------------ 

     (a) A meeting of Holders of any or all series may be called at any time and
from time to time pursuant to the provisions of this Section 705 for any of the
following purposes:

         (1) to give any notice to the Company or to the Trustee for such
     series, or to give any directions to the Trustee for such series, or to
     consent to the waiving of any default hereunder and its consequences, or to
     take any other action authorized to be taken by Holders pursuant to any of
     the provisions of Article Five;

         (2) to remove the Trustee for such series and appoint a successor
     Trustee pursuant to the provisions of Article Six;

         (3) to consent to the execution of an indenture or supplemental
     indentures hereto pursuant to the provisions of Section 902;

         (4) to take any other action authorized to be taken by or on behalf of
     the Holders of any specified aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding
     Securities of any one or more or all series, as the case may be, under any
     other provision of this Indenture or under applicable law.

     (b) The Trustee for any series may at any time call a meeting of Holders of
such series to take any action specified in paragraph (a) of this Section 705,
to be held at such time or 

                                       48
<PAGE>  
 
times and at such place or places as the Trustee for such series shall
determine. Notice of every meeting of the Holders of any series, setting forth
the time and the place of such meeting and in general terms the action proposed
to be taken at such meeting, shall be given to Holders of such series in the
manner and to the extent provided in Section 105. Such notice shall be given not
less than 20 days nor more than 90 days prior to the date fixed for the meeting.

     (c) In case at any time the company, pursuant to a Board Resolution, or the
Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities of a series or of all series, as the case may be, shall have
requested the Trustee for such series to call a meeting of Holders of any or all
such series by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the action
proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have given the
notice of such meeting within 20 days after the receipt of such request, then
the Company or such Holders may determine the time or times and the place or
places for such meetings and may call such meetings to take any action
authorized by giving notice thereof as provided in the preceding paragraph.

     (d) to be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders a Person shall be (a)
a Holder of a Security of the series with respect to which such meeting is being
held or (b) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as agent or proxy by
such Holder.  The only Persons who shall be entitled to be present or to speak
at any meeting of Holders shall be the Persons entitled to vote at such meeting
and their counsel and any representatives of the Trustee for the series with
respect to which such meeting is being held and its counsel and any
representatives of the Company and its counsel.

     (e) Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee for
any series may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem advisable for any
meeting of Holders of such series, in regard to proof of the holding of
Securities of such series and of the appointment of proxies, and in regard to
the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and
examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote,
and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem
appropriate.

     The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary
chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the
Company or by Holders of such series as provided in paragraph (c) of this
Section 705, in which case the Company or the Holders calling the meeting, as
the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman.  A permanent
chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by a majority
vote of the meeting.

     Subject to the provisos in the definition of "Outstanding," at any meeting
each Holder of a Debt Security of the series with respect to which such meeting
is being held or proxy therefor shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000
principal amount (or such other amount as shall be specified as contemplated by
Section 301) of Securities of such series held or represented by him; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any
Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting
to be not Outstanding.  The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote
other than by virtue of Outstanding Securities of such series held by him or
instruments in writing duly designating him 

                                       49
<PAGE>
 
as the person to vote on behalf of Holders of Debt Securities of such series.
Any meeting of Holders with respect to which a meeting was duly called pursuant
to the provisions of paragraph (b) or (c) of this Section 705 may be adjourned
from time to time by a majority of such Holders present and the meeting may be
held as so adjourned without further notice.

     (f) Voting.  The vote upon any resolution submitted to any meeting of
Holders with respect to which such meeting is being held shall be by written
ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of such Holders or of their
representatives by proxy and the serial number or numbers of the Securities held
or represented by them.  The permanent chairman of the meeting shall appoint two
inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the meeting for or against
any resolution and who shall make and file with the secretary of the meeting
their verified written reports in duplicate of all votes cast at the meeting.  A
record in duplicate of the proceedings of each meeting of Holders shall be
prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there shall be attached to said
record the original reports of the inspectors of votes on any vote by ballot
taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having knowledge of the
facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and showing that said
notice was transmitted as provided in paragraph (b) of this Section 705.  The
record shall show the serial numbers of the Securities voting in favor of or
against any resolution.  The record shall be signed and verified by the
affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one of the
duplicates shall be delivered to the Company and the other to the Trustee to be
preserved by the Trustee.

     Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the
matters therein stated.

     (g) Nothing contained in this Section 705 shall be deemed or construed to
authorize or permit, by reason of any call of a meeting of Holders or any rights
expressly or impliedly conferred hereunder to make such call, any hindrance or
delay in the exercise of any right or rights conferred upon or reserved to the
Trustee or to any Holder under any of the provisions of this Indenture or of the
Securities of any series.

                                 ARTICLE EIGHT

                             CONSOLIDATION, MERGER,
                         CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE

     Section 801  Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.
     ----------------------------------------------------------------- 

     The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into any other
Person or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or
substantially all of its property or assets to any Person unless:

          (1) in case the Company shall consolidate with or merge into another
     Person or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all
     or substantially all of its property or assets to any Person, the Person
     formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the
     Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases, the
     properties and assets of the Company shall be either the Company or a

                                       50
<PAGE>  
 
     corporation, shall be organized and validly existing under the laws of the
     United States of America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and
     shall expressly assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto executed and
     delivered to the Trustee, all obligations hereunder, including the due and
     punctual payment of the principal of and any premium and interest on all
     the Securities and the performance or observance of every covenant of this
     Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or observed;

          (2) immediately prior to and after giving effect to such transaction,
     and treating any indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Company or
     a Subsidiary as a result of such transaction as having been incurred by the
     Company or such Subsidiary at the time of such transaction, no Event of
     Default, and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would
     become an Event of Default, shall have happened and be continuing;

          (3) if, as a result of any such consolidation or merger or such sale,
     assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or
     substantially all of its property or assets, the property or assets of the
     Company could become subject to a Lien which would not be permitted by this
     Indenture, the Company or such successor Person, as the case may be, shall
     prior to or contemporaneously with such consolidation, merger, conveyance
     transfer or lease, take such steps as shall be necessary effectively to
     secure the Securities equally and ratably with (or prior to) all
     indebtedness secured thereby; and

          (4) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate
     and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger,
     sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition and, if
     a supplemental indenture is required in connection with such transaction,
     such supplemental indenture comply with this Article and that all
     conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have
     been complied with.

     Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Subsidiary of the Company may
consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and
assets to the Company.

     Section 802  Successor Substituted.
     ---------------------------------- 

     Upon any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company into,
any other Person or any sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other
disposition of all or substantially all of the property or assets of the Company
in accordance with Section 801, the successor Person formed by such
consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such sale,
assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other disposition of all or
substantially all of its property or assets is made shall succeed to, and be
substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under
this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person had been named
as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the
predecessor Person shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants under this
Indenture and the Securities.  In the case of a lease, the predecessor Person
shall not be released from its obligations to pay the principal of, premium, if
any, and interest on the Securities.  All Securities issued by the successor
Person shall in all respects have the same legal priority as the 

                                       51
<PAGE>
 
Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated, issued and delivered in
accordance with the terms of this Indenture.

                                  ARTICLE NINE

                            SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

     Section 901  Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.
     --------------------------------------------------------------- 

     Without the consent of any Holders, the Company, when authorized by a Board
Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may amend the
Securities of a series or enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto,
in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:

          (1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company and
     the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the Company herein
     and in the Securities; or

          (2) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the
     Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be
     for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such
     covenants are expressly being included solely for the benefit of such
     series) or to surrender any right or power herein conferred upon the
     Company; or

          (3) to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of the
     Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such Events of Default
     are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating
     that such Events of Default are expressly being included solely for the
     benefit of such series); or

          (4) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to
     such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of
     Securities in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal
     and with or without interest coupons, or to permit or facilitate the
     issuance of Securities in uncertificated form; or

          (5) to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this
     Indenture in respect of one or more series of Securities, provided that any
     such addition, change or elimination (i) shall neither (A) apply to any
     Security of any series created prior to the execution of such supplemental
     indenture and entitled to the benefit of such provision nor (B) modify the
     rights of the Holder of any such Security with respect to such provision or
     (ii) shall become effective only when there is no such Security
     Outstanding; or

          (6) to secure the Securities pursuant to Sections 801 or 1008 or
     otherwise; or

          (7) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as
     permitted by Sections 201 and 301; or

                                       52
<PAGE>  
 
          (8) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment
     hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or
     more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture
     as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of
     the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements
     of Section 611(b); or

          (9) to add to or change any provisions of this Indenture to such
     extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of
     Securities convertible into other securities; or

          (10) to effectuate the provisions of Section 1405(b); or

          (11) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to such
     extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and
     discharge and covenant defeasance with respect to any series of Securities
     pursuant to Sections 1502 or 1503; provided, however, that any such action
     shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of
     such series or any other series of Securities in any material respect; or

          (12) to add or change or eliminate any provisions of this Indenture as
     shall be necessary or desirable in accordance with any amendments to the
     Trust Indenture Act or to comply with any requirements of the Commission in
     connection with the qualification of this Indenture under the Trust
     Indenture Act; or

          (13) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision
     herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision
     herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to matters or
     questions arising under this Indenture, provided that such action pursuant
     to this Clause (13) shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders
     of Securities of any series in any material respect;

          (14) to change any place or places where (1) the principal of and
     premium, if any, and interest, if any, on all or any series of Securities
     shall be payable, (2) all or any series of Securities may be surrendered
     for registration or transfer, (3) all or any series of Securities may be
     surrendered for exchange, and 4) notices and demands to or upon the Company
     in respect of all or any series of Securities and this Indenture may be
     served; or

          (15) to waive a default in the payment of the principal of, or
     interest on, any Security, except as otherwise provided herein.

     Section 902  Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders.
     ------------------------------------------------------------ 

     With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal
amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such
supplemental indenture, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the
Trustee, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may
enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of
adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the

                                       53
<PAGE>
 
provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the
Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, however,
that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of
each Outstanding Security affected thereby,

          (1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment
     of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Security, or reduce
     the principal amount thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium
     payable upon the redemption thereof, the payment of any mandatory sinking
     fund or analogous obligation, change the method of determination of
     interest thereon, or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original
     Issue Discount Security that would be due and payable upon a declaration of
     acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502, or adversely
     affect any right of repayment at the option of the Holder of any Security,
     or change any Place of Payment where, or the coin or currency in which, any
     Security or any premium or the interest thereon is payable or impair the
     right of any Holders of Securities of a Series entitled to the conversion
     rights set forth in Article Fourteen to receive securities upon the
     exercise of such conversion rights, or impair the right to institute suit
     for the enforcement of any such payment or delivery of Common Stock or
     Preferred Stock for Securities converted pursuant to Article Fourteen on or
     after the Stated Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption or
     repayment at the option of the Holder, on or after the Redemption Date or
     Repayment Date, as the case may be, or in the case of such conversion, on
     or after the date of conversion), or

          (2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding
     Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any
     such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required
     for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or
     certain defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this
     Indenture, or

          (3) make any change in the provisions concerning waivers of Events of
     Default by Holders or the rights of Holders to recover the principal of,
     premium, if any, or interest on, any Security or waive an Event of Default
     in the payment of the principal of, or interest on, any Security, except as
     otherwise provided for herein, or

          (4) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 513 or
     Section 1010, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that
     certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived
     without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected
     thereby; provided, however, that this clause shall not be deemed to require
     the consent of any Holder with respect to changes in the references to "the
     Trustee" and concomitant changes in this Section and Section 1010, or the
     deletion of this proviso, in accordance with the requirements of Sections
     611(b) and 901(8).

     A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other
provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the
benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the
rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with 

                                       54
<PAGE>
 
respect to such covenant or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the
rights under this Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.

     It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to
approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall
be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.

     Section 903  Execution of Supplemental Indentures.
     ------------------------------------------------- 

     In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any
supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of
the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive,
and (subject to Section 601) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an
Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is
authorized or permitted by this Indenture.  The Trustee may, but shall not be
obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the
Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

     Section 904  Effect of Supplemental Indentures.
     ---------------------------------------------- 

     Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this
Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental
indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder
of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder
shall be bound thereby.

     Section 905  Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.
     ------------------------------------------------ 

     Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall
conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

     Section 906  Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.
     --------------------------------------------------------------- 

     Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of
any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required
by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter
provided for in such supplemental indenture.  If the Company shall so determine,
new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the
Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and
executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in
exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.

     Section 907  Notice of Supplemental Indenture.
     --------------------------------------------- 

     Promptly after the execution by the Company and the appropriate Trustee of
any supplemental indenture, the Company shall transmit, as provided herein, to
all Holders of any series of the Debt Securities affected thereby, a notice
setting forth in general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture.

                                       55
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE TEN

                                   COVENANTS

     Section 1001  Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.
     -------------------------------------------------------- 

     The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of
Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of (and premium,
if any) and interest on the Securities of that series in accordance with the
terms of the Securities and this Indenture.

     Section 1002  Maintenance of Office or Agency.
     --------------------------------------------- 

     The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment an office or agency
where Securities may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities
may be surrendered for registration of transfer, conversion or exchange and
where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities
and this Indenture may be served.  The Company will give prompt written notice
to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office
or agency.  If at any time the Company terminates the appointment of a Paying
Agent or Security Registrar or conversion agent or otherwise shall fail to
maintain any such required office or agency, the Company shall use its
reasonable best efforts to appoint a successor Paying Agent or Security
Registrar or conversion agent reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.  If the
Company fails to maintain a Paying Agent or Security Registrar or conversion
agent, the Trustee will act as such, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee
as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

     The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices
or agencies where the Securities may be presented or surrendered for any or all
such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided,
however, that no such designation or rescission shall in any manner relieve the
Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency in each Place of
Payment for such purposes.  The Company will give prompt written notice to the
Trustee of any such designation or rescission and of any change in the location
of any such other office or agency.

     Section 1003  Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.
     --------------------------------------------------------------- 

     If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect
to any series of Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the
principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any of the Securities of that
series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled
thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest
so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise
disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee in writing
of its action or failure so to act.

     Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of
Securities, it will, prior to each due date of the principal of (and premium, if
any) or interest on any Securities of that series, deposit with a Paying Agent a
sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest so
becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of 

                                       56
<PAGE>
 
the Persons entitled to such principal, premium or interest, and (unless such
Paying Agent is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee in
writing of its action or failure so to act.

     The Company will cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities other
than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which
such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of
this Section, that such Paying Agent will:

          (1) hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of (and
     premium, if any) or interest on Securities of that series in trust for the
     benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to
     such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;

          (2) give the Trustee written notice of any default by the Company (or
     any other obligor upon the Securities of that series) in the making of any
     payment of principal (and premium, if any) or interest on the Securities of
     that series; and

          (3) at any time during the continuance of any such default, upon the
     written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so
     held in trust by such Paying Agent.

     The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction
and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company
Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by
the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the
same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such
Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such
Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such
money.

     Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by
the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any)
or interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years
after such principal (and premium, if any) or interest has become due and
payable shall be paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the
Company) shall be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security
shall thereafter, as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for
payment thereof, and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with
respect to such trust money, and all liability of the Company as trustee
thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such
Paying Agent, before being required to make any such repayment, may at the
expense of the Company cause to be published once, in an Authorized Newspaper in
the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New York, notice that such money remains
unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which shall not be less than
30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money
then remaining will be repaid to the Company.

                                       57
<PAGE>
 
     Section 1004  Corporate Existence.
     --------------------------------- 

     Subject to Article Eight, the Company will do or cause to be done all
things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate
existence and that of each Subsidiary and the rights (charter and statutory) and
franchises of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that the
Company shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise if in the
judgment of the Company it shall be necessary, advisable or in the interest of
the Company to discontinue the same.

     Section 1005  Statement by Officers as to Default.
     ------------------------------------------------- 

     Pursuant to Section 314(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Company will
deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the
Company ending after the date hereof, a certificate signed by the principal
executive, financial or accounting officer of the Company, stating whether or
not to the best knowledge of the signer thereof the Company is in default in the
performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions, covenants and
conditions of this Indenture (without regard to any period of grace or
requirement of notice provided, hereunder) and, if the Company shall be in
default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of which
they may have knowledge.

     Section 1006  Maintenance of Properties.
     --------------------------------------- 

     The Company will cause all properties used or useful in the conduct of its
business or the business of any Subsidiary to be maintained and kept in good
condition, repair and working order and supplied with all necessary equipment
and will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements,
betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of the Company may
be necessary so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be
properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided, however, that
nothing in this Section shall prevent the Company from discontinuing the
operation or maintenance of any of such properties if such discontinuance is, in
the judgment of the Company, desirable in the conduct of its business or the
business of any Subsidiary.

     Section 1007  Payment of Taxes.
     ------------------------------ 

     The Company will pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before
the same shall become delinquent, all taxes, assessments and governmental
charges levied or imposed upon the Company or any Subsidiary or upon the income,
profits or property of the Company or any Subsidiary.

     Section 1008  Limitation on Liens.
     --------------------------------- 

     With respect to any series of Securities, the Company will not, and will
not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, create, incur, issue, assume or guarantee
any Debt of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries secured by a Lien (other than
Permitted Liens) upon any Property, or upon shares of Capital Stock or evidence
of Debt issued by any of the Company's Subsidiaries and owned by the Company or
by any other Subsidiary of the Company, owned by the Company on the date of

                                       58
<PAGE>
 
issuance of such series of Securities, without making effective provision to
secure all of the Securities issued hereunder, equally and ratably with any and
all other Debt thereby secured, so long as such Debt shall be so secured.

     Section 1009  Calculation of Original Issue Discount.
     ---------------------------------------------------- 

     If any Original Issue Discount Securities are issued hereunder, the Company
shall file with the Trustee promptly following the end of each calendar year a
written notice specifying the amount of original issue discount (including daily
rates and accrual periods) accrued on each series of outstanding Original Issue
Discount Securities as of the end of such year.

     Section 1010  Waiver of Certain Covenants.
     ----------------------------------------- 

     The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term,
provision or condition set forth in Section 801(3) and in Section 1004 and
Sections 1006 to 1008, inclusive, with respect to the Securities of any series
if before the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in
principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall, by Act of
such Holders, either waive compliance in such instance or generally waive
compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall
extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so
expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations
of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term,
provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

                                 ARTICLE ELEVEN

                            REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

     Section 1101  Applicability of Article.
     -------------------------------------- 

     Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity
shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise
specified as contemplated in Section 301 for Securities of any series) in
accordance with this Article.

     Section 1102  Optional Redemption.
     --------------------------------- 

     Unless otherwise specified in connection with the issuance of any series of
Securities, the Securities will be redeemable, in whole or in part, at the
option of the Company at any time at a redemption price equal to the greater of
(i) 100% of the principal amount of such Securities or (ii) as determined by an
Independent Investment Banker, the sum of the present values of the remaining
scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the
redemption date on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of
twelve 30-day months) at the Adjusted Treasury Rate, plus, in each case, accrued
interest thereon to the date of redemption.

                                       59
<PAGE>
 
     Section 1103  Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.
     --------------------------------------------------- 

     The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by
a Board Resolution.  In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of
less than all the Securities of any series, the Company shall, at least 60 days
prior to the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall
be satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date, of
the principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed and, if
applicable, of the tenor of the Securities to be redeemed.  In the case of any
redemption of Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such
redemption provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this
Indenture, the Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers' Certificate
evidencing compliance with such restriction.

     Section 1104  Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed.
     --------------------------------------------------------------- 

     If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed (unless
all of the Securities of such series and of a specified tenor are to be
redeemed), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more
than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding
Securities of such series not previously called for redemption, in a manner
which the Trustee deems fair and appropriate, which may provide for the
selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized
denomination for Securities of that series or any integral multiple thereof) of
the principal amount of Securities of such series of a denomination larger than
the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series.  If the
Company shall so specify and identify the appropriate Securities, Securities
owned of record and beneficially by the Company or any Subsidiary shall not be
included in the Securities selected for redemption.

     The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities
selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial
redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

     For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires,
all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the
case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion
of the principal amount of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed.

     Section 1105  Notice of Redemption.
     ---------------------------------- 

     Notice of redemption shall, unless otherwise specified by the terms of the
Securities to be redeemed, be given not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior
to the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, in
accordance with Section 106.

     All notices of redemption shall state:

          (1)  the Redemption Date,

          (2)  the Redemption Price,

                                       60
<PAGE>
 
          (3) that Debt Securities of such series are being redeemed by the
     Company pursuant to provisions contained in this Indenture or the terms of
     the Securities of such series or a supplemental indenture establishing such
     series, if such be the case, together with a brief statement of facts
     permitting such redemption,

          (4) if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series are to
     be redeemed (unless all the Securities of such series of a specified tenor
     are to be redeemed), the identification (and, in the case of partial
     redemption of any Securities, the principal amounts) of the particular
     Securities to be redeemed,

          (5) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due
     and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed and, if applicable, that
     interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date,

          (6) the place or places where such Securities are to be surrendered
     for payment of the Redemption Price, which shall be the office or agency of
     the Company in each Place of Payment, and

          (7) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case.

     Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the
Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company's request, by the
Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.

     Section 1106  Deposit of Redemption Price.
     ----------------------------------------- 

     Prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or
with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent,
segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money
sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date
shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Securities which
are to be redeemed on that date.

     Section 1107  Securities Payable on Redemption Date.
     --------------------------------------------------- 

     Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to
be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the
Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the
Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued
interest) such Securities shall cease to bear interest.  Upon surrender of any
such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall
be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest
to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that, unless otherwise specified as
contemplated by Section 301, installments of interest whose Stated Maturity is
on or prior to the Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such
Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the
close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the
provisions of Section 307.

                                       61
<PAGE>
 
     If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender
thereof for redemption, the principal and any premium shall, until paid, bear
interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the
Security.

     Section 1108  Securities Redeemed in Part.
     ----------------------------------------- 

     Any Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at a
Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due
endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney
duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee
shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service
charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series and of like tenor, of
any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal
amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of
the Security so surrendered.  If a Global Security is so surrendered, such new
Security so issued shall be a new Global Security.

                                 ARTICLE TWELVE

                                 SINKING FUNDS

     Section 1201  Applicability of Article.
     -------------------------------------- 

     The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for
the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as
contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such series.

     The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of
Securities of any series is herein referred to as a "mandatory sinking fund
payment," and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the
terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as an "optional sinking
fund payment." If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, the
cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided
in Section 1202.  Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption
of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such
series.

     Section 1202  Satisfaction of Mandatory Sinking Fund Payments with
     ------------------------------------------------------------------
Securities.
- ---------- 

     The Company (1) may deliver Outstanding Securities of a series to the
Trustee for cancellation (other than any previously called for redemption) and
(2) may apply as a credit Securities of a series which have been redeemed either
at the election of the Company or the Holder, if applicable, pursuant to the
terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional
sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, in each case in
satisfaction of all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with
respect to the Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the
terms of such Securities as provided for by the terms of such series or may
apply Securities of such series which have been previously cancelled or
converted; provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited.
Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee
at the Redemption Price 

                                       62
<PAGE>
 
specified in such Securities for redemption through operation of such mandatory
sinking fund and the amount of such mandatory sinking fund payment shall be
reduced accordingly.

     Section 1203  Redemption of Securities for Mandatory Sinking Fund.
     ----------------------------------------------------------------- 

     Not less than 60 days prior to each mandatory sinking fund payment date for
any series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund
payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion
thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion
thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities
or applying previously cancelled Securities of that series pursuant to Section
1202 and the basis for such credit and will also deliver to the Trustee any
Securities to be so delivered which have not theretofore been delivered to the
Trustee.  Not less than 30 days before each such mandatory sinking fund payment
date, the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such mandatory
sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 1103 and cause
notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense
of the Company in the manner provided in Section 1104.  Such notice having been
duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and
in the manner stated in Sections 1105, 1106 and 1107.

                                ARTICLE THIRTEEN

                            REPAYMENT OF SECURITIES
                              AT OPTION OF HOLDERS

     Section 1301  Applicability of Article.
     -------------------------------------- 

     Securities of any series that are repayable before their Stated Maturity at
the option of the Holders shall be repaid in accordance with their terms and
(except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of
any series) in accordance with this Article.

     Section 1302  Notice of Repayment Date.
     -------------------------------------- 

     Notice of any Repayment Date with respect to Securities of any series
shall, unless otherwise specified by the terms of the Securities of such series,
be given by the Company not less than 45 nor more than 60 days prior to such
Repayment Date, to the Trustee and to each Holder of Securities of such series
in accordance with Sections 105 and 106, respectively.

     The notice as to Repayment Date shall state:

          (1)  the Repayment Date;

          (2)  the Repayment Price;

          (3) the place or places where such Securities are to be surrendered
     for payment of the Repayment Price, which shall be the office or agency of
     the Company in 

                                       63
<PAGE>
 
     each Place of Payment, and the date by which Securities must be so
     surrendered in order to be repaid;

          (4) a description of the procedure which a Holder must follow to
     exercise a repayment right; and

          (5) that exercise of the option to elect repayment is irrevocable.

     No failure of the Company to give the foregoing notice shall limit any
Holder's right to exercise a repayment right.

     Section 1303  Deposit of Repayment Price.
     ---------------------------------------- 

     On or prior to any Repayment Date, the Company shall deposit with the
Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying
Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of
money sufficient to pay the Repayment Price of and (except if the Repayment Date
shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Securities of
such series which are to be repaid on that date.

     Section 1304  Securities Payable on Repayment Date.
     -------------------------------------------------- 

     The form of option to elect repayment having been delivered as specified in
the form of Security for such series as provided in Section 201, the Securities
so to be repaid shall, on the Repayment Date, become due and payable at the
Repayment Price applicable thereto, and from and after such date (unless the
Company shall default in the payment of the Repayment Price and accrued
interest) such Securities shall cease to bear interest.  Upon surrender of any
such Security for repayment in accordance with said notice, such Security shall
be paid by the Company at the Repayment Price, together with accrued interest to
the Repayment Date; provided, however, that, unless otherwise specified as
contemplated by Section 301, installments of interest whose Stated Maturity is
on or prior to such Repayment Date will be payable to the Holders of such
Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the
close of business on the relevant Record Date according to their terms and the
provisions of Section 307.

     If any Security to be repaid shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof
for repayment, the principal shall, until paid, bear interest from the Repayment
Date at the rate prescribed in the Security.

     Section 1305  Securities Repaid in Part.
     --------------------------------------- 

     Any Security which by its terms may be repaid in part at the option of the
Holder and which is to be repaid only in part shall be surrendered at any office
or agency of the Company designated for that purpose pursuant to Section 1002
(with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a
written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the
Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in
writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver to the 

                                       64
<PAGE>
 
Holder of such Security, without service charge, a new Security or Securities of
the same series and of like tenor, of any authorized denomination as requested
by such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the
unrepaid portion of the principal of the Security so surrendered. If a Global
Security is so surrendered, such new Security so issued shall be a new Global
Security.

                                ARTICLE FOURTEEN

                            CONVERSION OF SECURITIES

     Section 1401  General.
     --------------------- 

     If so provided in the terms of the Securities of any series established in
accordance with Section 301, the principal amount of the Securities of such
series shall be convertible into shares of Common Stock in accordance with this
Article Fourteen and the terms of such series of Securities if such terms differ
from this Article Fourteen; provided, however, that if any of the terms by which
any such Security shall be convertible into Common Stock are set forth in a
supplemental indenture entered into with respect thereto pursuant to Section
901(9) hereof, the terms of such supplemental indenture shall govern.

     Section 1402  Right to Convert.
     ------------------------------ 

     Subject to and upon compliance with the provisions of this Article, the
Holder of any Security that is convertible into Common Stock shall have the
right, at such Holder's option, at any time on or after the date of original
issue of such Security or such other date specified in the applicable Board
Resolution delivered pursuant to Section 301 and prior to the close of business
on the date set forth in such Board Resolution (or if such Security is called
for redemption, then in respect of such Security to and including but not after
the close of business on the date of redemption unless the Company shall default
in the payment due on such date) to convert the principal amount of any such
Security of any authorized denomination, or, in the case of any Security to be
converted of a denomination greater than the minimum denomination for Securities
of the applicable series, any portion of such principal which is an authorized
denomination or an integral multiple thereof, into that number of fully paid and
nonassessable shares of Common Stock obtained by dividing the principal amount
of such Security or portion thereof surrendered for conversion by the Conversion
Price therefor by surrender of the Security so to be converted in whole or in
part in the manner provided in Section 1403.  Such conversion shall be effected
by the Company in accordance with the provisions of this Article and the terms
of the Securities, if such terms differ from this Article.

     Section 1403  Manner of Exercise of Conversion Privilege; Delivery of
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stock; No Adjustment for Interest or Dividends.
- ----------------------------------------------------- 

     In order to effect a conversion, the holder of any Security to be
converted, in whole or in part, shall surrender such Security at the office or
agency maintained by the Company for such purpose, as provided in Section 1002
and shall give written notice of conversion to the Company at such office or
agency that the Holder elects to convert such Security or the portion thereof

                                       65
<PAGE>
 
specified in said notice.  The notice shall state the name or names (with
address), and taxpayer identification number, in which the certificate or
certificates for shares of Common Stock which shall be deliverable on such
conversion shall be registered, and shall be accompanied by payments in respect
of transfer taxes, if required pursuant to Section 1406.  Each Security
surrendered for conversion shall, unless the shares of Common Stock deliverable
on conversion are to be issued in the same name as the registration of such
Security, be duly endorsed by or be accompanied by instruments of transfer, in
form satisfactory to the Company, duly executed by the Holder or such Holder's
duly authorized attorney, and by any payment required pursuant to this Section
1403.  As promptly as practicable after the surrender of such Security and
notice, as aforesaid, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered at such
office or agency to such Holder, or on such Holder's written order, a
certificate or certificates for the number of full shares of Common Stock
deliverable upon the conversion of such Security or portion thereof in
accordance with the provisions of this Article and a check or cash in respect of
any fractional interest in respect of a share of Common Stock arising upon such
conversion as provided in Section 1404.  In case any Security of a denomination
greater than the minimum denomination for Securities of the applicable series
shall be surrendered for partial conversion, the Company shall execute and
register and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to or upon the written
order of the Company and the Holder of the Security so surrendered, without
charge to such Holder, a new Security or Securities of the same series in
authorized denominations in an aggregate principal amount equal to the
unconverted portion of the surrendered Security.  Each conversion shall be
deemed to have been effected as of the date on which such Security shall have
been surrendered (accompanied by the funds, if any, required by the last
paragraph of this Section) and such notice received by the Company, as
aforesaid, and the person or persons in whose name or names any certificate or
certificates for shares of Common Stock shall be registrable upon such
conversion shall become on said date the Holder of record of the shares
represented thereby, provided, however, that any such surrender on any date when
the stock transfer books of the Company shall be closed shall constitute the
person in whose name the certificates are to be registered as the record holder
thereof for all purposes on the next succeeding day on which such stock transfer
books are open, but such conversion shall be at the Conversion Price in effect
on the date upon which such Security shall have been so surrendered.

     Any Security or portion thereof surrendered for conversion during the
period from the close of business on the Regular Record Date for any Interest
Payment Date to the opening of business on such Interest Payment Date shall
(unless such Security or portion thereof being converted shall have been called
for redemption or submitted for repayment on a date during such period) be
accompanied by payment, in legal tender or other funds acceptable to the
Company, of an amount equal to the interest otherwise payable on such Interest
Payment Date on the principal amount being converted; provided, however, that no
such payment need be made if there shall exist at the time of conversion a
default in the payment of interest on the applicable series of Securities.  An
amount equal to such payment shall be paid by the Company on such Interest
Payment Date to the Holder of such Security on such Regular Record Date;
provided, however, that if the Company shall default in the payment of interest
on such Interest Payment Date, such amount shall be paid to the person who made
such required payment.  Except as provided above in this Section, no adjustment
shall be made for interest accrued on any Security 

                                       66
<PAGE>
 
converted or for dividends on any shares issued upon the conversion of such
Security as provided in this Article.

     Section 1404  Cash Payments in Lieu of Fractional Shares.
     -------------------------------------------------------- 

     No fractional shares of Common Stock or scrip representing fractional
shares of Common Stock shall be delivered upon conversion of Securities.  If
more than one Security shall be surrendered for conversion at one time by the
same Holder, the number of full shares of Common Stock which shall be
deliverable upon conversion shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate
principal amount of the Securities (or specified portions thereof to the extent
permitted hereby) so surrendered.  Instead of any fraction of a share of Common
Stock which would otherwise be deliverable upon the conversion of any Security,
the Company shall pay to the Holder of such Security an amount in cash (computed
to the nearest cent, with one-half cent being rounded upward) equal to the same
fraction of the closing price (determined in the manner provided in Section
1405(a)(v)) of the Common Stock on the Trading Day (as defined in Section
1405(a)(v)) next preceding the date of conversion.

     Section 1405  Conversion Price Adjustments; Effect of Reclassification,
     -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Mergers, Consolidations and Sales of Assets.
- ------------------------------------------- 

     (a) The Conversion Price shall be adjusted from time to time as follows:

             (i) In case the Company shall (x) pay a dividend or make a
          distribution on the Common Stock in shares of Common Stock, (y)
          subdivide the outstanding Common Stock into a greater number of shares
          or (z) combine the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of
          shares, the Conversion Price shall be adjusted so that the Holder of
          any Security thereafter surrendered for conversion shall be entitled
          to receive the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company which
          such holder would have owned or have been entitled to receive after
          the happening of any of the events described above had such Security
          been converted immediately prior to the record date in the case of a
          dividend or the effective date in the case of subdivision or
          combination.  An adjustment made pursuant to this subparagraph (i)
          shall become effective immediately after the record date in the case
          of a dividend, except as provided in subparagraph (vii) below, and
          shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the
          case of a subdivision or combination.

             (ii) In case the Company shall issue rights or warrants to all
          holders of shares of Common Stock entitling them (for a period
          expiring within 45 days after the record date mentioned below) to
          subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock at a price per share
          less than the current market price per share of Common Stock (as
          defined for purposes of this subparagraph (ii) in subparagraph (v)
          below), the Conversion Price in effect after the record date for the
          determination of stockholders entitled to receive such rights or
          warrants shall be determined by multiplying the Conversion Price in
          effect immediately prior to such record date by a fraction, the
          numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Common 

                                       67
<PAGE>
 
          Stock outstanding on such record date plus the number of shares of
          Common Stock which the aggregate offering price of the total number of
          shares of Common Stock so offered would purchase at such current
          market price, and the denominator of which shall be the number of
          shares of Common Stock outstanding on the record date for issuance of
          such rights or warrants plus the number of additional shares of Common
          Stock receivable upon exercise of such rights or warrants. Such
          adjustment shall be made successively whenever any such rights or
          warrants are issued, and shall become effective immediately, except as
          provided in subparagraph (vii) below, after such record date.

             (iii)  In case the Company shall distribute to all holders of
          Common Stock any shares of capital stock of the Company (other than
          Common Stock) or evidences of its indebtedness or assets (excluding
          cash dividends or distributions paid from retained earnings of the
          Company or dividends payable in Common Stock) or rights or warrants to
          subscribe for or purchase any of its securities (excluding those
          rights or warrants referred to in subparagraph (ii) above) (any of the
          foregoing being hereinafter in this subparagraph (iii) called the
          "Assets"), then, in each such case, the Conversion Price shall be
          adjusted so that the same shall equal the price determined by
          multiplying the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the
          record date for determination of stockholders entitled to receive such
          distribution by a fraction the numerator of which shall be the current
          market price per share (as defined for purposes of this subparagraph
          (iii) in subparagraph (v) below) of the Common Stock at such record
          date for determination of stockholders entitled to receive such
          distribution less the then fair market value (as determined by the
          Board of Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive) of the
          portion of the Assets so distributed applicable to one share of Common
          Stock, and the denominator of which shall be the current market price
          per share (as defined in subparagraph (v) below) of the Common Stock
          at such record date.  Such adjustment shall become effective
          immediately, except as provided in subparagraph (vii) below, after the
          record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive
          such distribution.

             (iv) If, pursuant to subparagraph (ii) or (iii) above, the number
          of shares of Common Stock into which a Security is convertible shall
          have been adjusted because the Company has declared a dividend, or
          made a distribution, on the outstanding shares of Common Stock in the
          form of any right or warrant to purchase securities of the Company, or
          the Company has issued any such right or warrant, then, upon the
          expiration of any such unexercised right or unexercised warrant, the
          Conversion Price shall forthwith be adjusted to equal the Conversion
          Price that would have applied had such right or warrant never been
          declared, distributed or issued.

             (v) For the purpose of any computation under subparagraphs (ii) or
          (iii) above, the current market price per share of Common Stock on any
          date shall be deemed to be the average of the daily closing prices of
          the Common Stock for the 

                                       68
<PAGE>
 
          shorter of (i) 30 consecutive Trading Days ending on the last full
          Trading Day on the exchange or market specified in the second
          following sentence prior to the Time of Determination or (ii) the
          period commencing on the date next succeeding the first public
          announcement of the issuance of such rights or warrants or such
          distribution through such last full Trading Day prior to the Time of
          Determination. The term "Time of Determination" as used herein shall
          be the time and date of the earlier of (x) the determination of
          stockholders entitled to receive such rights, warrants, or
          distributions or (y) the commencement of "ex-dividend" trading in the
          Common Stock on the exchange or market specified in the following
          sentence. The closing price for each day shall be the reported last
          sales price, regular way, or, in case no sale takes place on such day,
          the average of the reported closing bid and asked prices, regular way,
          in either case as reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite
          Tape or, if the Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on
          the New York Stock Exchange at such time, on the principal national
          securities exchange on which the Common Stock is listed or admitted to
          trading or, if not listed or admitted to trading on any national
          securities exchange, on the Nasdaq National Market ("NNM") or, if the
          Common Stock is not quoted on the average of the closing bid and asked
          prices on such day in the over-the-counter market as reported by NNM
          or, if bid and asked prices for the Common Stock on each such day
          shall not have been reported through NNM, the average of the bid and
          asked prices for such date as furnished by any New York Stock Exchange
          member firm regularly making a market in the Common Stock selected for
          such purpose by the Company or, if no such quotations are available,
          the fair market value of the Common Stock as determined by a New York
          Stock Exchange member firm regularly making a market in the Common
          Stock selected for such purpose by the Company. As used herein, the
          term "Trading Day" with respect to Common Stock means (x) if the
          Common Stock is listed or admitted for trading on the New York Stock
          Exchange or another national securities exchange, a day on which the
          New York Stock Exchange or such other national securities exchange, as
          the case may be, is open for business or (y) if the Common Stock is
          quoted on NNM, a day on which trades may be made on NNM or (z)
          otherwise, any day other than a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which
          banking institutions in the State of New York are authorized or
          obligated by law or executive order to close.

             (vi) No adjustment in the Conversion Price shall be required unless
          such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least 1%
          in such price; provided, however, that any adjustments which by reason
          of this subparagraph (vi) are not required to be made shall be carried
          forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment.  All
          calculations under this Section 1405(a) shall be made to the nearest
          cent or to the nearest .01 of a share, as the case may be, with one-
          half cent and .005 of a share, respectively, being rounded upward.
          Anything in this Section 1405(a) to the contrary notwithstanding, the
          Company shall be entitled to make such reductions in the Conversion
          Price, in addition to those required by this Section 1405(a), as it in
          its discretion shall determine to be 

                                       69
<PAGE>
 
          advisable in order that any stock dividend, subdivision of shares,
          distribution of rights or warrants to purchase stock or securities, or
          distribution of other assets (other than cash dividends) hereafter
          made by the Company to its stockholders shall not be taxable.

             (vii)  In any case in which this Section 1405(a) provides that an
          adjustment shall become effective immediately after a record date for
          an event, the Company may defer until the occurrence of such event (x)
          issuing to the holder of any Security converted after such record date
          and before the occurrence of such event the additional shares of
          Common Stock issuable upon such conversion by reason of the adjustment
          required by such event over and above the Common Stock issuable upon
          such conversion before giving effect to such adjustment and (y) paying
          to such holder any amount of cash in lieu of any fractional share of
          Common Stock pursuant to Section 1404.

             (viii)  Whenever the Conversion Price is adjusted as herein
          provided, the Company shall file with the Trustee an Officers'
          Certificate, setting forth the Conversion Price after such adjustment
          and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such
          adjustment, which certificate shall be conclusive evidence of the
          correctness of such adjustment; provided, however, that the failure of
          the Company to file such Officers' Certificate shall not affect the
          legality or validity of any corporate action by the Company.

             (ix) Whenever the Conversion Price for any series of Securities is
          adjusted as provided in this Section 1405(a), the Company shall cause
          to be mailed to each holder of Securities of such series at its then
          registered address by first-class mail, postage prepaid, a notice of
          such adjustment of the Conversion Price setting forth such adjusted
          Conversion Price and the effective date of such adjusted Conversion
          Price; provided, however, that the failure of the Company to give such
          notice shall not affect the legality or validity of any corporate
          action by the Company.

     (b) (i)  Notwithstanding any other provision herein to the contrary, if any
of the following events occur, namely (x) any reclassification or change of
outstanding shares of Common Stock (other than a change in par value, or from
par value to no par value, or from no par value to par value, or as a result of
a subdivision or combination of the Common Stock), (y) any consolidation, merger
or combination of the Company with or into another corporation as a result of
which holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive stock, securities or
other property or assets (including cash) with respect to or in exchange for
such Common Stock, or (z) any sale or conveyance of all or substantially all of
the assets of the Company to any other entity as a result of which holders of
Common Stock shall be entitled to receive stock, securities or other property or
assets (including cash) with respect to or in exchange for such Common Stock,
then appropriate provision shall be made by supplemental indenture so that (A)
the holder of any outstanding Security that is convertible into Common Stock
shall have the right to convert such Security into the kind and amount of the
shares of stock and securities or other property or assets (including cash) that
would have been receivable upon such reclassification, change, 

                                       70
<PAGE>
 
consolidation, merger, combination, sale, or conveyance by a holder of the
number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of such Security
immediately prior to such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger,
combination, sale or conveyance and (B) the number of shares of any such other
stock or securities into which such Security shall thereafter be convertible
shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms as
nearly equivalent as practicable to the terms of adjustment provided for in this
Section, and Sections 1402, 1403, 1404, 1406, 1407, 1408 and 1409 shall apply on
like terms to any such other stock or securities.

             (ii) In case of any reclassification or change of the Common Stock
          (other than a subdivision or combination of its outstanding Common
          Stock, or a change in par value, or from par value to no par value, or
          from no par value to par value), or of any consolidation, merger or
          combination of the Company with or into another corporation or of the
          sale or conveyance of all or substantially all of the assets of the
          Company, the Company shall cause to be filed with the Trustee and to
          be mailed to each holder of Securities that are convertible into
          shares of Common Stock at such holder's registered address, the date
          on which such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger,
          combination, sale or conveyance is expected to become effective, and
          the date as of which it is expected that holders of Common Stock shall
          be entitled to exchange their Common Stock for stock, securities or
          other property deliverable upon such reclassification, change,
          consolidation, merger, combination, sale or conveyance.

     Section 1406  Taxes on Shares Issued.
     ------------------------------------ 

     The delivery of stock certificates upon conversions of Securities shall be
made without charge to the holder converting a Security for any tax in respect
of the issue thereof.  The Company shall not, however, be required to pay any
tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the delivery of
stock registered in any name other than of the holder of any Security converted,
and the Company shall not be required to deliver any such stock certificate
unless and until the person or persons requesting the delivery thereof shall
have paid to the Company the amount of such tax or shall have established to the
satisfaction of the Company that such tax has been paid.

     Section 1407  Shares to be Fully Paid; Compliance with Governmental
     -------------------------------------------------------------------
Requirements; Listing of Common Stock.
- ------------------------------------- 

     The Company covenants that all shares of Common Stock which may be
delivered upon conversion of Securities of any series which are convertible into
Common Stock will upon delivery be fully paid and nonassessable by the Company
and free from all taxes, liens and charges with respect to the issue thereof.

     The Company covenants that if any shares of Common Stock to be provided for
the purpose of conversion of Securities hereunder require registration with or
approval of any governmental authority under any Federal or state law before
such shares may be validly 

                                       71
<PAGE>
 
delivered upon conversion, the Company will in good faith and as expeditiously
as possible endeavor to secure such registration or approval, as the case may
be.

     The Company further covenants that it will, if permitted by the rules of
the New York Stock Exchange or such other national stock exchange on which the
Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading or if permitted by the rules of
NASDAQ if the Common Stock is approved by it for listing or quotation, list and
keep listed for so long as the Common Stock shall be so listed on such exchange,
upon official notice of issuance, all Common Stock deliverable upon conversion
of Securities of any series which are convertible into Common Stock.

     Section 1408  Responsibility of Trustee.
     --------------------------------------- 

     Neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall at any time be under any
duty or responsibility to any Holder of Securities to determine whether any
facts exist which may require any adjustment of the Conversion Price applicable
to such Securities, or with respect to the nature or extent of any such
adjustment when made, or with respect to the method employed, or herein or in
any supplemental indenture provided to be employed, in making the same.  Neither
the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall be accountable with respect to the
validity or value (or the kind or amount) of any shares of Common Stock, or of
any securities or property, which may at any time be delivered upon the
conversion of any Security; and neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent
makes any representation with respect thereto.  Neither the Trustee nor any
conversion agent shall be responsible for any failure of the Company to deliver
any shares of Common Stock or stock certificates or other securities or property
or cash upon the surrender of any Security for the purpose of conversion or for
any failure of the Company to comply with any of the covenants of the Company
contained in this Article Fourteen.

     Section 1409  Covenant to Reserve Shares.
     ---------------------------------------- 

     The Company covenants that it will at all times reserve and keep available,
free from pre-emptive rights, out of its authorized but unissued Common Stock,
such number of shares of Common Stock as shall then be deliverable upon the
conversion of all Outstanding Securities of any series of Securities which are
convertible into Common Stock.

     Section 1410  Other Conversions.
     ------------------------------- 

     If so provided in a Board Resolution with respect to the Securities of a
series, the principal amount of the Securities of such series shall be
convertible into or exchangeable for a principal amount of other securities of
the Company (which other securities may be issued under this Indenture or
otherwise), and the issuance of such securities upon any such conversion or
exchange shall be made in accordance with the terms of such Board Resolution.

                                       72
<PAGE>
 
                                ARTICLE FIFTEEN

                       DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

     Section 1501  Applicability of Article; Company's Option to Effect
     ------------------------------------------------------------------
Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
- --------------------------------- 

     If pursuant to Section 301 provision is made for either or both of (a)
defeasance of the Securities of a series under Section 1502 or (b) covenant
defeasance of the Securities of a series under Section 1503, then the provisions
of such Section or Sections, as the case may be, together with the other
provisions of this Article Fifteen, shall be applicable to the Securities of
such series, and the Company may at its option by Board Resolution, at any time,
with respect to the Securities of such series, elect to have either Section 1502
(if applicable) or Section 1503 (if applicable) be applied to the Outstanding
Securities of such series upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in
this Article Fifteen.

     Section 1502  Defeasance and Discharge.
     -------------------------------------- 

     Upon the Company's exercise of the above option applicable to this Section
with respect to the Outstanding Securities of a particular series, the Company
shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to the
Outstanding Securities of such series (except for certain obligations to
register the transfer or exchange of Securities of such series, to replace
stolen, lost or mutilated Securities of such series, and to maintain paying
agencies) on and after the date the conditions precedent set forth below are
satisfied (hereinafter, "defeasance").  For this purpose, such defeasance means
that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire
indebtedness represented by the Outstanding Securities of such series and to
have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities and this
Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned (and the Trustee, at the
expense of the Company and upon Company Request, shall execute proper
instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall
survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (A) the rights of
Holders of Outstanding Securities of such series to receive, solely from the
trust fund described in Section 1504 as more fully set forth in such Section,
payments of the principal of and any premium and interest on such Securities
when such payments are due, (B) the Company's obligations with respect to such
Securities under Section 304, 305, 306, 607, 1002 and 1003 and such obligations
as shall be ancillary thereto, (C) the rights, powers, trusts, duties,
immunities and other provisions in respect of the Trustee hereunder and (D) this
Article Fifteen.  Subject to compliance with this Article Fifteen, the Company
may exercise its option under this Section 1502 notwithstanding the prior
exercise of its option under Section 1503 with respect to the Securities of such
series.

     Section 1503  Covenant Defeasance.
     --------------------------------- 

     Upon the Company's exercise of the above option applicable to this Section
with respect to the Outstanding Securities of a particular series, the Company
shall be released from its obligations under Sections 801, 1004, 1006, 1007,
1008 and 1009 (and any other covenant applicable to such Securities that is
determined pursuant to Section 301 to be subject to covenant 

                                       73
<PAGE>
 
defeasance under this Section) and the occurrence of an event specified in
Clause (4) of Section 501 with respect to any of Sections 801, 1004, 1006, 1007,
1008 or 1009 (and any other Event of Default applicable to such Securities that
is determined pursuant to Section 301 to be subject to covenant defeasance under
this Section) shall not be deemed to be an Event of Default with respect to the
Outstanding Securities of such series on and after the date the conditions set
forth below are satisfied (hereinafter, "covenant defeasance"). For this
purpose, such covenant defeasance means that, with respect to the Outstanding
Securities of such series, the Company may omit to comply with and shall have no
liability in respect of any term, condition, limitation or restrictive covenant
set forth in any such Section or Clause whether directly or indirectly by reason
of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or Clause or by reason of
any reference in any such Section or Clause to any other provision herein or in
any other document, including any supplement hereto, any Board Resolution or
Officers' Certificate delivered hereto but the remainder of this Indenture and
such Securities shall be unaffected thereby.

     Section 1504  Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.
     ------------------------------------------------------------- 

     The following shall be the conditions precedent to application of either
Section 1502 or Section 1503 to the Outstanding Securities of a particular
series:

          (1) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be
     deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements
     of Section 609 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this
     Article Fifteen applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose
     of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and
     dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, (A)
     money in an amount, or (B) U.S.  Government Obligations which through the
     scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in
     accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the
     due date of any payment, money in an amount, or (C) a combination thereof,
     sufficient, without reinvestment, in the opinion of a nationally recognized
     firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification
     thereto delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be
     applied by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge,
     (i) the principal of and any premium, if any, and interest on the
     Outstanding Securities of such series on the maturity of such principal,
     premium or interest and (ii) any mandatory sinking fund payments or
     analogous payments applicable to the Outstanding Securities of such series
     on the day on which such payments are due in accordance with the terms of
     this Indenture and of such Securities.  Before such a deposit, the Company
     may make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of
     Securities at a future date or dates in accordance with Article Eleven,
     which shall be given effect in applying the foregoing.  For this purpose,
     "U.S.  Government Obligations" means securities that are (x) direct
     obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its
     full faith and credit is pledged or (y) obligations of a Person controlled
     or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United
     States of America the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed
     as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America,
     which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the
     issuer thereof, and shall also include a depositary receipt issued by a
     bank (as defined 

                                       74
<PAGE>
 
     in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended) as custodian
     with respect to any such U.S. Government Obligation or a specific payment
     of principal of or interest on any such U.S. Government Obligation held by
     such custodian for the account of the holder of such depositary receipt,
     provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not authorized
     to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such
     depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of
     the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of principal of or
     interest on the U.S. Government Obligation evidenced by such depositary
     receipt.

          (2) No Event of Default or event which with notice or lapse of time or
     both would become an Event of Default with respect to the Securities of
     such series shall have occurred and be continuing (A) on the date of such
     deposit or (B) insofar as subsections 501(6) and (7) are concerned, at any
     time during the period ending on the 91st day after the date of such
     deposit or, if longer, ending on the day following the expiration of the
     longest preference period applicable to the Company in respect of such
     deposit (it being understood that the condition in this condition shall not
     be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such period).  (3) Such
     defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not (A) cause the Trustee for the
     Securities of such series to have a conflicting interest as defined in
     Section 608 or for purposes of the Trust Indenture Act with respect to any
     securities of the Company or (B) result in the trust arising from such
     deposit to constitute, unless it is qualified as, a regulated investment
     company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

          (3) Such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not result in a
     breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or
     any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by
     which it is bound.

          (4) In the case of an election under Section 1502, the Company shall
     have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (x) the
     Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal
     Revenue Service a ruling, or (y) since the date of this Indenture there has
     been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to
     the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the
     Holders of the Outstanding Securities of such series will not recognize
     income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a
     result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to
     United States federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner
     and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit,
     defeasance and discharge had not occurred.

          (5) In the case of an election under Section 1503, the Company shall
     have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the
     Holders of the Outstanding Securities of such series will not recognize
     income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a
     result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to United States
     federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same
     times as would have been the case if such deposit and covenant defeasance
     had not occurred.

                                       75
<PAGE>
 
          (6) Such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall be effected in
     compliance with any additional terms, conditions or limitations which may
     be imposed on the Company in connection therewith pursuant to Section 301.

          (7) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
     Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions
     precedent provided for relating to either the defeasance under Section 1502
     or the covenant defeasance under Section 1503 (as the case may be) have
     been complied with.

     Section 1505  Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to be Held in
     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.
- -------------------------------------  

     Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money
and U.S.  Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with
the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee - collectively, for purposes for this
Section 1505, the "Trustee") pursuant to Section 1504 in respect of the
Outstanding Securities of such series shall be held in trust and applied by the
Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this
Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (but not
including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may
determine, to the Holders of such Securities, of all sums due and to become due
thereon in respect of principal, premium and interest, but such money need not
be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

     The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or
other charge imposed on or assessed against the money or U.S.  Government
Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 1504 or the principal and interest
received in respect thereof.

     Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver
or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money or U.S.
Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 1504 which, in the
opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants
expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in
excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to
effect an equivalent defeasance or covenant defeasance.

     Section 1506  Reinstatement.
     --------------------------- 

     If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money in
accordance with Section 1502 or 1503 with respect to the Securities of any
series by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority
enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the
Company's obligations under this Indenture and the Securities of such series
shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to
this Article Fifteen until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted
to apply all such money in accordance with Section 1502 or 1053; provided,
however, that if the Company makes any payment of the principal of or any
premium or interest on any such Security following the reinstatement of its
obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of
such Securities to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or
the Paying Agent.

                                       76
<PAGE>
 
                                ARTICLE SIXTEEN

                           IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS,
                      STOCKHOLDERS, OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

     Section 1601  Immunity of Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers and
     -------------------------------------------------------------------
Directors.
- --------- 

     No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of this
Indenture, or of any Security, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in
respect thereof, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, officer or
director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor
corporation, either directly or through the Company, whether by virtue of any
constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or
penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that this Indenture and the
obligations issued hereunder are solely corporate obligations, and that no
personal liability whatever shall attach to, or is or shall be incurred by, the
incorporators, stockholders, officers or directors, as such, of the Company or
any successor corporation, or any of them, because of the creation of the
indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by this Indenture or in any of the
Securities or implied therefrom; and that any and all such personal liability of
every name and nature, either at common law or in equity or by constitution or
statute, of, and any and all such rights and claims against, every such
incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, as such, because of the creation
of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations,
covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities
or implied therefrom are hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of,
and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of
such Securities.

                                     * * *

                                       77
<PAGE>
 
     This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts
shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be
duly executed, and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed and
attested, all as of the day and year first above written.

[SEAL]                                 AUTOZONE, INC.


                                       By: _________________________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title:

Attest: ________________________
        Name:
        Title:



[SEAL]                                 THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO


                                       By: _________________________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title:

Attest: ________________________
        Name:
        Title:

                                       78

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.2

                                AUTOZONE, INC.

                                      AND

                  THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO, Trustee

                                   Indenture

                        Dated as of __________ __, 1998

                         Subordinated Debt Securities
<PAGE>
 
                          SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES

                         RECONCILIATION AND TIE BETWEEN
                 THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 AND INDENTURE,
                           DATED AS OF JULY __, 1998*

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Trust Indenture
  Act Section                                                                            Indenture Section
- ---------------                                                                          -----------------
<S>                                                                                      <C>
Section 310(a) (1).....................................................................................609
      (a) (2)..........................................................................................609
      (a) (3)...............................................................................Not Applicable
      (a) (4)...............................................................................Not Applicable
      (a) (5).....................................................................................608, 610
      (b).........................................................................................608, 610
      (c)...................................................................................Not Applicable
Section 311(a).........................................................................................613
      (b)..............................................................................................613
Section 312(a).................................................................................701, 702(a)
      (b)...........................................................................................702(b)
      (c)..............................................................................................703
Section 313(a).........................................................................................703
      (b)..............................................................................................703
      (c)..............................................................................................703
      (d)..............................................................................................703
Section 314(a)...................................................................................704, 1005
      (b)...................................................................................Not Applicable
      (c) (1)..........................................................................................102
      (c) (2)..........................................................................................102
      (c) (3)...............................................................................Not Applicable
      (d)...................................................................................Not Applicable
      (e)..............................................................................................102
      (f)...................................................................................Not Applicable
Section 315(a).........................................................................................601
      (b)..............................................................................................602
      (c)..............................................................................................601
      (d)..............................................................................................601
      (e)..............................................................................................514
Section 316(a).........................................................................................101
      (a) (1) (A)......................................................................................512
      (a) (1) (B)......................................................................................513
      (a) (2)...............................................................................Not Applicable
      (b)..............................................................................................508
Section 317(a) (1).....................................................................................503
      (a) (2)..........................................................................................504
      (b)..............................................................................................003
Section 318(a).........................................................................................107
      (c)..............................................................................................107
</TABLE> 

- ------------------------
*This table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a part of the Indenture.

                                       i
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

                               Table of Contents
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                                                 Page
                                                                                                 ----
<S>               <C>                                                                            <C> 
                                                    ARTICLE ONE
                                DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

Section 101.      Definitions....................................................................   1
Section 102.      Compliance Certificates and Opinions...........................................   8
Section 103.      Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.........................................   9
Section 104.      Acts of Holders; Record Dates..................................................  10
Section 105.      Notices, Etc. to Trustee and Company...........................................  11
Section 106.      Notice to Holders; Waiver......................................................  11
Section 107.      Conflict with Trust Indenture Act..............................................  12
Section 108.      Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.......................................  12
Section 109.      Successors and Assigns.........................................................  12
Section 110.      Separability Clause............................................................  12
Section 111.      Benefits of Indenture..........................................................  12
Section 112.      Governing Law..................................................................  13
Section 113.      Legal Holidays.................................................................  13

                                                    ARTICLE TWO
                                                  SECURITY FORMS

Section 201.      Forms of Securities............................................................  13
Section 202.      Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication................................  14
Section 203.      Securities in Global Form......................................................  14

                                                   ARTICLE THREE
                                                  THE SECURITIES 

Section 301.      Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series...........................................  14
Section 302.      Denominations..................................................................  17
Section 303.      Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.................................  17
Section 304.      Temporary Securities...........................................................  19
Section 305.      Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange and Book-
                  Entry Securities...............................................................  19
Section 306.      Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities...............................  21
Section 307.      Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.................................  22
Section 308.      Persons Deemed Owners..........................................................  23
Section 309.      Cancellation...................................................................  23
Section 310.      Computation of Interest........................................................  24

                                                    ARTICLE FOUR
                                              SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 401.   Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture...........................................  24
Section 402.   Application of Trust Money........................................................  25
</TABLE> 
                                 ARTICLE FIVE
                                   REMEDIES

                                       ii
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>

<S>                                                                                                <C>
Section 501.      Events of Default..............................................................  26
Section 502.      Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.............................  28
Section 503.      Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee................  29
Section 504.      Trustee May File Proofs of Claim...............................................  30
Section 505.      Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities....................  31
Section 506.      Application of Money Collected.................................................  31
Section 507.      Limitation on Suits............................................................  31
Section 508.      Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and
                  Interest.......................................................................  32
Section 509.      Restoration of Rights and Remedies.............................................  32
Section 510.      Rights and Remedies Cumulative.................................................  33
Section 511.      Delay or Omission Not Waiver...................................................  33
Section 512.      Control by Holders.............................................................  33
Section 513.      Waiver of Defaults.............................................................  34
Section 514.      Undertaking for Costs..........................................................  34
Section 515.      Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws...............................................  35

                                      ARTICLE SIX
                                      THE TRUSTEE

Section 601.      Certain Duties and Responsibilities............................................  35
Section 602.      Notice of Defaults.............................................................  36
Section 603.      Certain Rights of Trustee......................................................  36
Section 604.      Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.........................  37
Section 605.      May Hold Securities............................................................  38
Section 606.      Money Held in Trust............................................................  38
Section 607.      Compensation and Reimbursement.................................................  38
Section 608.      Disqualification; Conflicting Interests........................................  39
Section 609.      Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility........................................  39
Section 610.      Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor..............................  39
Section 611.      Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.........................................  40
Section 612.      Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business....................  41
Section 613.      Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company..............................  42
Section 614.      Appointment of Authenticating Agent............................................  42

                                      ARTICLE SEVEN
                      HOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

Section 701.      Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders......................  44
Section 702.      Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.........................  44
Section 703.      Reports by Trustee.............................................................  45
Section 704.      Reports by Company.............................................................  45
Section 705.      Holders' Meetings..............................................................  45

                                         ARTICLE EIGHT
                      CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE

Section 801.   Company May Consolidate, Etc. Only on Certain Terms...............................  48
Section 802.   Successor Substituted.............................................................  49
</TABLE>

                                      iii
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                <C>
                                             ARTICLE NINE
                                       SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 901.   Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders................................  49
Section 902.   Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders...................................  51
Section 903.   Execution of Supplemental Indentures..............................................  52
Section 904.   Effect of Supplemental Indentures.................................................  52
Section 905.   Conformity with Trust Indenture Act...............................................  52
Section 906.   Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures................................  52
Section 907.   Notice of Supplemental Indentures.................................................  53
Section 908.   Subordination Unimpaired..........................................................  53

                                            ARTICLE TEN
                                             COVENANTS

Section 1001.  Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest........................................  53
Section 1002.  Maintenance of Office or Agency...................................................  53
Section 1003.  Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.................................  54
Section 1004.  Corporate Existence...............................................................  55
Section 1005.  Statement by Officers as to Default...............................................  55
Section 1006.  Maintenance of Properties.........................................................  55
Section 1007.  Payment of Taxes..................................................................  55
Section 1008.  Calculation of Original Issue Discount............................................  56
Section 1009.  Waiver of Certain Covenants.......................................................  56

                                           ARTICLE ELEVEN
                                      REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

Section 1101.  Applicability of Article..........................................................  56
Section 1102.  Optional Redemption...............................................................  56
Section 1103.  Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.............................................  56
Section 1104.  Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed.................................  57
Section 1105.  Notice of Redemption..............................................................  57
Section 1106.  Deposit of Redemption Price.......................................................  58
Section 1107.  Securities Payable on Redemption Date.............................................  58

                                            ARTICLE TWELVE
                                            SINKING FUNDS 

Section 1201.  Applicability of Article..........................................................  59
Section 1202.  Satisfaction of Mandatory Sinking Fund Payments with Securities...................  59
Section 1203.  Redemption of Securities for Mandatory Sinking Fund...............................  59

                                                ARTICLE THIRTEEN
                                REPAYMENT OF SECURITIES AT OPTION OF HOLDERS

Section 1301.  Applicability of Article..........................................................  60
Section 1302.  Notice of Repayment Date..........................................................  60
Section 1303.  Deposit of Repayment Price........................................................  60
Section 1304.  Securities Payable on Repayment Date..............................................  61
Section 1305.  Securities Repaid in Part.........................................................  61
</TABLE>

                                       iv
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                <C>
                                              ARTICLE FOURTEEN
                                        SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES

Section 1401.  Securities Subordinate to Senior Indebtedness.....................................  61
Section 1402.  Trustee and Holders of Securities May Rely on Certificate of
               Liquidating Agent; Trustee May Require Further Evidence as to
               Ownership of Senior Indebtedness; Trustee Not Fiduciary to
               Holders of Senior Indebtedness....................................................  64
Section 1403.  Payment Permitted If No Default...................................................  64
Section 1404.  Trustee Not Charged with Knowledge of Prohibition.................................  65
Section 1405.  Trustee to Effectuate Subordination...............................................  65
Section 1406.  Rights of Trustee as Holder of Senior Indebtedness................................  65
Section 1407.  Article Applicable to Paying Agents...............................................  65
Section 1408.  Subordination Rights Not Impaired by Acts or Omissions of the
               Company or Holders of Senior Indebtedness.........................................  66

                                              ARTICLE FIFTEEN
                                          CONVERSION OF SECURITIES

Section 1501.  General...........................................................................  66
Section 1502.  Right to Convert..................................................................  66
Section 1503.  Manner of Exercise of Conversion Privilege; Delivery of Common
               Stock; No Adjustment for Interest or Dividends....................................  67
Section 1504.  Cash Payments in Lieu of Fractional Shares........................................  68
Section 1505.  Conversion Price Adjustments; Effect of Reclassification, Mergers,
               Consolidations and Sales of Assets................................................  68
Section 1506.  Taxes on Shares Issued............................................................  72
Section 1507.  Shares to be Fully Paid; Compliance with Governmental
               Requirements; Listing of Common Stock.............................................  72
Section 1508.  Responsibility of Trustee.........................................................  73
Section 1509.  Covenant to Reserve Shares........................................................  73
Section 1510.  Other Conversions.................................................................  73

                                              ARTICLE SIXTEEN
                                     DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Section 1601.  Applicability of Article; Company's Option to Effect Defeasance
               or Covenant Defeasance............................................................  73
Section 1602.  Defeasance and Discharge..........................................................  74
Section 1603.  Covenant Defeasance...............................................................  74
Section 1604.  Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance...................................  75
Section 1605.  Deposited Money and U.............................................................  77
Section 1606.  Reinstatement.....................................................................  77

                                              ARTICLE SEVENTEEN
                       IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS, STOCKHOLDERS,OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

Section 1701.  Immunity of Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers and Directors...................  77
</TABLE>

                                       v
<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.2


     INDENTURE, dated as of ____________, 1998, between AUTOZONE, INC., a
corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Nevada
(herein called the "Company"), having its principal office at 123 South Front
Street, Memphis, Tennessee 38103, and THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO, a
national banking association duly organized and existing under the laws of the
United States of America, as Trustee (herein called the "Trustee").

                            RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

     The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this
Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its subordinated
debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (herein called the
"Securities"), to be issued in one or more series as in this Indenture provided.

     All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the
Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

                  NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

     For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities
by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and
proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of any series thereof,
as follows:

                                  ARTICLE ONE
            DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

Section 101.   Definitions.

     For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided
or unless the context otherwise requires:

                    (1)  the terms defined in this Article have the meanings
               assigned to them in this Article and include the plural as well
               as the singular;

                    (2)  all other terms used herein which are defined in the
               Trust Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein,
               have the meanings assigned to them therein;

                    (3)  all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have
               the meanings assigned to them in accordance with generally
               accepted accounting principles;

                    (4)  the words "herein," "hereof" and "hereunder" and other
               words of similar import refer to this Indenture as a whole and
               not to any particular Article, Section or other subdivision.

     Certain terms, used principally in Article Six, are defined in that
Article.

     "Act," when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in
Section 104.
<PAGE>
 
     "Adjusted Treasury Rate" means, with respect to any redemption date, the
rate per annum equal to the semiannual equivalent yield to maturity of the
Comparable Treasury Issue, assuming a price for the Comparable Treasury Issue
(expressed as a percentage of its principal amount) equal to the Comparable
Treasury Price for such redemption date, plus ____%.

     "Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified Person.  For the purposes of this definition,
"control," when used with respect to any specified Person, means the power to
direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly,
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise;
and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the
foregoing.

     "Authenticating Agent" means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant
to Section 614 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one
or more series.

     "Authorized Newspaper" means a newspaper of general circulation in the
relevant area, printed in the English language and customarily published on each
Business Day therein.

     "Board of Directors" means either the board of directors of the Company or
any duly authorized committee of that board or any director or directors and/or
officer or officers of the Company to whom that board or committee shall have
duly delegated its authority.

     "Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary
or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board
of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such
certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

     "Business Day," when used with respect to any Place of Payment, means each
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which
banking institutions in that Place of Payment are authorized or obligated by law
or executive order to close.

     "Capital Stock," as applied to the stock of any corporation, means the
capital stock of every class whether now or hereafter authorized, regardless of
whether such capital stock shall be limited to a fixed sum or percentage with
respect to the rights of the holders thereof to participate in dividends and in
the distribution of assets upon the voluntary or involuntary liquidation,
dissolution or winding up of such corporation.

     "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to
time constituted, created under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
or, if at any time after the execution of this instrument such Commission is not
existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture
Act, then the body performing such duties at such time.

     "Common Stock" means any stock of any class of the Company which has no
preference in respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of any
voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company
and which is not subject to redemption by the Company.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
     "Company" means the Person named as the "Company" in the first paragraph of
this instrument until a successor corporation shall have become such pursuant to
the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Company" shall mean
such successor corporation.

     "Company Request" or "Company Order" means a written request or order
signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its President or
a Vice President, and by its Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, its Secretary or
an Assistant Secretary, and delivered to the Trustee.

     "Comparable Treasury Issue" means the United States Treasury security
selected by an Independent Investment Banker as having a maturity comparable to
the remaining term of the Securities to be redeemed that would be utilized, at
the time of selection and in accordance with customary financial practice, in
pricing new issues of corporate debt securities of comparable maturity to the
remaining term of such Securities.

     "Comparable Treasury Price" means, with respect to any redemption date, (i)
the average of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue
(expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) on the third
Business Day preceding such redemption date, as set forth in the daily
statistical release (or any successor release) published by the Federal Reserve
Bank of New York and designated "Composite 3:30 p.m. Quotations for U.S.
Government Securities" or (ii) if such release (or any successor release) is not
published or does not contain such prices on such Business Day, (A) the
Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations for such redemption date, after excluding
the highest and lowest such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, or (B) if the
Trustee obtains fewer than three such Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations, the
average of all such Quotations.

     "Conversion Price" means with respect to any series of Securities which are
convertible into Common Stock or Preferred Stock, the price per share of Common
Stock or Preferred Stock, as the case may be, at which the Securities of such
series are so convertible as set forth in the Board Resolution with respect to
such series (or in any supplemental indenture entered into pursuant to Section
901(9) with respect to such series), as the same may be adjusted from time to
time in accordance with Section 1505 (or such supplemental indenture pursuant to
Section 1501).

     "Corporate Trust Office" means the principal corporate trust office of the
Trustee at which, at any particular time, its corporate trust business shall be
administered, which office at the date hereof is located at One First National
Plaza, Suite 0126, Chicago, Illinois  606700126, Attention:  Corporate Trust
Services Division, except for purposes of Section 1002 such term shall mean the
office or agency of the Trustee in the Borough of Manhattan, The City of New
York, which office at the date hereof is located at First Chicago Trust Company
of New York, 14 Wall Street, Eighth Floor, New York, New York  10005.

     "Corporation" includes corporations, associations, companies and business
trusts.

     "Debt" means (a) all indebtedness of the Company (including Senior Debt
Securities and Securities issued hereunder) whether heretofore or hereafter
incurred (i) for borrowed money or (ii) in connection with the acquisition by
the Company or a Subsidiary of assets other than in the ordinary course of
business, for the payment of which the Company is liable directly or 

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
indirectly by guarantee, letter of credit, obligation to purchase or acquire or
otherwise, or the payment of which is secured by a lien, charge or encumbrance
on assets acquired by the Company, (b) amendments, modifications, renewals,
extensions and deferrals of any such indebtedness and (c) any indebtedness
issued in exchange for any such indebtedness.

     "Defaulted Interest" has the meaning specified in Section 307.

     "Depositary" means, with respect to the Securities of any series issuable
or issued in the form of a Global Security, a clearing agency registered under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor thereto, which
shall in either case be designated by the Company pursuant to Section 301 or 305
until a successor Depositary shall have become such pursuant to the applicable
provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Depositary" shall mean or include
each Person who is then a Depositary hereunder, and if at any time there is more
than one such Person, "Depositary" as used with respect to the Securities of any
such series shall mean the Depositary with respect to the Securities of that
series.

     "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended, including the regulations and published interpretations thereunder.

     "Event of Default" has the meaning specified in Section 501.

     "generally accepted accounting principles" or "GAAP" means, as of any date
of computation, generally accepted accounting principles in the United States,
consistently applied, that are in effect on the date of such computation.

     "Global Security or Securities" means one or more fully registered
Securities in global form evidencing all or a part of a series of Securities
issued to the Depositary for such series or its nominee or registered in the
name of the Depositary or its nominee.

     "Holder" means a Person in whose name a Security is registered in the
Security Register.

     "Indenture" means this instrument as originally executed or as it may from
time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental
hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof and shall
include the terms of particular series of Securities established as contemplated
by Section 301.

     "Independent Investment Banker" means one of the Reference Treasury Dealers
appointed by the Trustee after consultation with the Company.

     "interest," when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security
which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable
after Maturity.

     "Interest Payment Date," when used with respect to any Security, means the
Stated Maturity of an installment of interest on such Security.

     "Loan Document" has the meaning specified in Section 501.

     "Maturity," when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which
the principal of such Security or an installment of principal becomes due and
payable as therein or 

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by declaration of
acceleration, call for redemption or by repayment or otherwise.

     "NNM" has the meaning specified in Section 1505 (a)(v).

     "Notice of Default" has the meaning specified in Section 501.

     "Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by at least two officers
of the Company, one signature being that of the Chairman of the Board, the
President or a Vice President, and the other signature being that of the
Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of
the Company, and delivered to the Trustee.

     "Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of counsel, who may be counsel
for the Company, and who shall be acceptable to the Trustee.

     "Original Issue Discount Security" means any Security which provides for an
amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a
declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502.

     "Outstanding," when used with respect to Securities, means, as of the date
of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under
this Indenture, except:

               (i)   Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered
          to the Trustee for cancellation;

               (ii)  Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the
          necessary amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or
          any Paying Agent (other than the Company) in trust or set aside and
          segregated in trust by the Company (if the Company shall act as its
          own Paying Agent) for the Holders of such Securities; provided that,
          if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of such redemption has
          been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision therefor
          satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;

               (iii) Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 306 or
          in exchange for or in lieu of which other Securities have been
          authenticated and delivered pursuant to this Indenture, other than any
          such Securities in respect of which there shall have been presented to
          the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that such Securities are held by
          a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Securities are valid
          obligations of the Company; and

               (iv)  Securities with respect to which the Company has effected
          defeasance as provided in Article 16;

provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite
principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given any request, demand,
authorization, direction, notice, consent or waiver hereunder, (a) the principal
amount of an Original Issue Discount Security that shall be deemed to be
Outstanding shall be the amount of the principal thereof that would be due and
payable as of the date of such determination upon a declaration of acceleration
of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502, and (b) Securities owned by the
Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company
or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding,
except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be protected in relying
upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, 

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
consent or waiver, only Securities which the Trustee knows to be so owned shall
be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been pledged in good faith may
be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the
Trustee the pledgee's right so to act with respect to such Securities and that
the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any
Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.

     "Paying Agent" means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the
principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any Securities on behalf of
the Company.

     "Person" means any individual, corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock company, trust,
unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political subdivision
thereof.

     "Place of Payment," when used with respect to the Securities of any series,
means the place or places where the principal of (and premium, if any) and
interest on the Securities of that series are payable as specified as
contemplated by Section 301.

     "Predecessor Security" of any particular Security means every previous
Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such
particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security
authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in exchange for or in lieu of a
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the
same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security.

     "Preferred Stock" means any stock of any class of the Company which has a
preference over Common Stock in respect of dividends or of amounts payable in
the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up
of the Company and which is not mandatorily redeemable or repayable, or
redeemable or repayable at the option of the Holder, otherwise than in shares of
Common Stock or Preferred Stock of another class or series or with the proceeds
of the sale of Common Stock or Preferred Stock.

     "Redemption Date," when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed,
means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.

     "Redemption Price," when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed,
means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.

     "Reference Treasury Dealer" means each of Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.,
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation and Lehman Brothers Inc. and
their respective successors; provided, however, that if any of the foregoing
shall cease to be a primary U.S. Government securities dealer in New York City
(a "Primary Treasury Dealer"), the Company shall substitute therefor another
Primary Treasury Dealer.

     "Reference Treasury Dealer Quotations" means, with respect to each
Reference Treasury Dealer and any redemption date, the average, as determined by
the Trustee, of the bid and asked prices for the Comparable Treasury Issue
(expressed in each case as a percentage of its principal amount) quoted in
writing to the Trustee by such Reference Treasury Dealer by 5:00 p.m. on the
third Business Day preceding such redemption date.

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
     "Regular Record Date" for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date
on the Securities of any series means the date specified for that purpose as
contemplated by Section 301.

     "Repayment Date" means, when used with respect to any Security to be repaid
at the option of the Holder, the date fixed for such repayment by or pursuant to
this Indenture.

     "Repayment Price" means, when used with respect to any Security to be
repaid at the option of the Holder, the price at which it is to be repaid by or
pursuant to this Indenture.

     "Responsible Officer," when used with respect to the Trustee, means any
officer of the Trustee customarily performing corporate trust functions.

     "Securities" has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture
and more particularly means any Securities authenticated and delivered under
this Indenture.

     "Security Register" and "Security Registrar" have the respective meanings
specified in Section 305.

     "Senior Debt Securities" means any debt securities issued by the Company
pursuant to the Senior Indenture, dated the date hereof, by and between the
Company and the Trustee ("Senior Indenture").

     "Senior Indebtedness" means the principal of, and premium, if any, and any
interest (including interest accruing subsequent to the commencement of any
proceeding for the bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company under any
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or similar law now or hereafter in effect) and
all other monetary obligations of every kind or nature due on or in connection
with (a) all indebtedness of the Company (including Senior Debt Securities)
whether heretofore or hereafter incurred (i) for borrowed money or (ii) in
connection with the acquisition by the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company of
assets other than in the ordinary course of business, for the payment of which
the Company is liable directly or indirectly  by guarantee, letter of credit,
obligation to purchase or acquire or otherwise, or the payment of which is
secured by a lien, charge or encumbrance on assets acquired by the Company, (b)
amendments, modifications, renewals, extensions and deferrals of any such
indebtedness, and (c) any indebtedness issued in exchange for any such
indebtedness; provided, however, that the following will not constitute Senior
Indebtedness with respect to Securities:  (1) any Debt as to which, in the
instrument evidencing such Debt or pursuant to which such Debt was issued, it is
expressly provided that such Debt is subordinate in right of payment to all Debt
of the Company not expressly subordinated to such Debt; and (2) any Debt of the
Company in respect of Securities and any Debt which by its terms refers
explicitly to the Securities and states that such Debt shall not be senior in
right of payment.

     "Special Record Date" for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a
date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 307.

     "Stated Maturity," when used with respect to any Security or any
installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified
in such Security as the fixed date on which 

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
the principal or such installment of principal, premium, if any, or interest on
such Security is due and payable.

     "Subsidiary" means a corporation more than 50% of the outstanding voting
stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company or by one or
more other Subsidiaries, or by the Company and one or more other Subsidiaries.
For the purposes of this definition, "voting stock" means stock which ordinarily
has voting power for the election of directors, whether at all times or only so
long as no senior class of stock has such voting power by reason of any
contingency.

     "Time of Determination" has the meaning specified in Section 1505(a)(v).

     "Trading Day" has the meaning specified in Section 1505(a)(v).

     "Trustee" means the Person named as the "Trustee" in the first paragraph of
this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the
applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Trustee" shall mean or
include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is
more than one such Person, "Trustee" as used with respect to the Securities of
any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

     "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at
the date as of which this instrument was executed; provided, however, that in
the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, "Trust
Indenture Act" means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.

     "United States" means the United States of America.

     "U.S. Government Obligations" has the meaning specified in Section 1604.

     "Vice President," when used with respect to the Company, means any vice
president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or words added before
or after the title "vice president."

Section 102.  Compliance Certificates and Opinions.

     Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any
action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the
Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating that all conditions precedent, if any,
provided for in this Indenture relating to the proposed action have been
complied with and an Opinion of Counsel stating that in the opinion of such
counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been complied with, except
that in the case of any such application or request as to which the furnishing
of such documents is specifically required by any provision of this Indenture
relating to such particular application or request, no additional certificate or
opinion need be furnished.

     Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or
covenant provided for in this Indenture (other that the certificate provided for
in Section 1005) shall include:

              (1)  A statement that each individual signing such certificate or
         opinion has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein
         relating thereto;

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
              (2)  a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the
         examination or investigation upon which the statements or opinions
         contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

              (3)  a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he
         has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable
         him to express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant
         or condition has been complied with; and

              (4)  a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such
         individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

Section 103.  Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.

     In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or
covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all
such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such
Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one
such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one
or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify
or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

     Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based,
insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or
representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of
reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations
with respect to the matters upon which his certificate or opinion are based are
erroneous.  Any such certificate or Opinion of Counsel may be based, insofar as
it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or
representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the
information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the
Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should
know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such
matters are erroneous.

     Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more
applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other
instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and
form one instrument.

Section 104.  Acts of Holders; Record Dates.

              (a)  Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice,
consent, waiver or other action provided by this Indenture to be given or taken
by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of
substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by an agent duly
appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such
action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered
to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. Such
instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and evidenced
thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the "Act" of the Holders signing
such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution of any such instrument or of
a writing appointing any such agent shall be sufficient for 

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 601) conclusive in favor
of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner provided in this Section.

              (b)  The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such
instrument or writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such
execution or by a certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by
law to take acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing
such instrument or writing acknowledged to him the execution thereof. Where such
execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his individual
capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof
of his authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such instrument or
writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may also be proved
in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

              (c)  The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Security
Register.

              (d)  Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice,
consent, waiver or other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every
future Holder of the same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon
the registration of transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof
in respect of anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or
the Company in reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made
upon such Security.

              (e)  The Company may, in the circumstances permitted by the Trust
Indenture Act, fix any day as the record date for the purpose of determining the
Holders of Securities of any series entitled to give or take any request,
demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action, or to
vote on any action, authorized or permitted to be given or taken by Holders of
Securities of such series. If not set by the Company prior to the first
solicitation of a Holder of Securities of such series made by any Person in
respect of any such action, or , in the case of any such vote, prior to such
vote, the record date for any such action or vote shall be the 30th day (or, if
later, the date of the most recent list of Holders required to be provided
pursuant to Section 701) prior to such first solicitation or vote, as the case
may be. With regard to any record date for action to be taken by the Holders of
one or more series of Securities, only the Holders of Securities of such series
on such date (or their duly designated proxies) shall be entitled to give or
take, or vote on, the relevant action. 

              (f)  Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled hereunder
to take any action hereunder with regard to any particular Security may do so
with regard to all or any part of the principal amount of such Security or by
one or more duly appointed agents each of which may do so pursuant to such
appointment with regard to all or any part of such principal amount. Any notice
given or action taken by a Holder or its agents with regard to different parts
of such principal amount pursuant to this paragraph shall have the same effect
as if given or taken by separate Holders of each such different part.

              (g)  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, unless
otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301 or pursuant to one or more
indentures supplemental hereto, a Holder, including a Depositary that is the
Holder of a Global Security, may make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly
appointed in writing, any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice,
consent, waiver or other action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or
taken by Holders, and a Depositary that is the Holder of a Global Security may
provide its proxy or proxies to the 

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
beneficial owners of interests in any such Global Security through such
Depositary's standing instructions and customary practices.

              (h)  The Trustee shall fix a record date for the purpose of
determining the Persons who are beneficial owners of interests in any Global
Security held by a Depositary entitled under the procedures of such Depositary
to make, give or take, by a proxy or proxies duly appointed in writing, any
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
action provided in this Indenture to be made, given or taken by Holders. If such
a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date or their duly appointed
proxy or proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to make, give or take
such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record date. No
such request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
action shall be valid or effective if made, given or taken more than 90 days
after such record date.

Section 105.  Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company.

     Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or
Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be
made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,

                  (1)  the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be
              sufficient for every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished
              or filed in writing to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust
              Office, Attention: Corporate Trust Administration, or

                  (2)  the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be
              sufficient for every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein
              expressly provided) if in writing and mailed, first-class postage
              prepaid, to the Company addressed to it at the address of its
              principal office specified in the first paragraph of this
              instrument, Attention: Secretary, or at any other address
              previously furnished in writing to the Trustee by the Company.

Section 106.  Notice to Holders; Waiver.

     Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such
notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided)
if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder affected
by such event, at his address as it appears in the Security Register, not later
than the latest date, and not earlier than the earliest date, prescribed for the
giving of such notice.  In any case where notice to Holders is given by mail,
neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any notice so mailed,
to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such notice with
respect to other Holders.  Any notice to a Holder which is mailed in the manner
herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether
or not such Holder receives such notice.  Where this Indenture provides for
notice in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person
entitled to receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such
waiver shall be the equivalent of such notice.  Waivers of notice by Holders
shall be filed with the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition
precedent to the validity of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
     In case, by reason of the suspension of or irregularities in regular mail
service or by reason of any other cause, it shall be impracticable to give
notice of any event to Holders by mail when such notice is required to be given
pursuant to any provision of this Indenture, then such notification as shall be
made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute a sufficient notification
for every purpose hereunder.

Section 107.  Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.

     If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with the duties
imposed by any of Sections 310 through 317, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture
Act through the operation of Section 318(c) thereof, such imposed duties shall
control.  If any provision of this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision
of the Trust Indenture Act that may be so modified or excluded, the latter
provision shall be deemed to apply to this Indenture as so modified or shall be
deemed to be so excluded, as the case may be.

Section 108.  Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.

     The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for
convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

Section 109.  Successors and Assigns.

     All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind
its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

Section 110.  Separability Clause.

     In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of
the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

Section 111.  Benefits of Indenture.

     Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, express or implied, shall
give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors
hereunder, any Paying Agent, the Holders and the holders of Senior Indebtedness,
any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this
Indenture; provided that this Section 111 shall not limit the rights of any
Holder of a Global Security to give any notice or take any action, or appoint
any agents, with regard to any part or different parts of the principal amount
of such Global Security pursuant to Section 104.

Section 112.  Governing Law.

     This Indenture and the Securities shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of New York and for all purposes shall be
governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of said state without
regard to the conflicts of laws and rules of said state.

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
Section 113.  Legal Holidays.

     In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment
Date, sinking fund payment date or Stated Maturity of any Security shall not be
a Business Day at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other
provision of this Indenture or of the Securities) payment of interest or
principal (and premium, if any) need not be made on such date, but may be made
on the next succeeding Business Day with the same force and effect as if made on
the Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment Date, sinking fund payment
date or at the Stated Maturity, provided that no interest shall accrue for the
period from and after such Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date, Repayment
Date, sinking fund payment date or Stated Maturity, as the case may be.

                                  ARTICLE TWO
                                SECURITY FORMS

Section 201.  Forms of Securities.

     The Securities of each series shall be in such form or forms (including
global form) as shall be established by or pursuant to a Board Resolution or in
one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each case with such appropriate
insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as are required or
permitted by this Indenture, and may have such letters, numbers or other marks
of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be
required to comply with any law or with any rules made pursuant thereto or the
rules of any securities exchange or as may, consistently herewith, be determined
by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of
such Securities.  If the form of Securities of any series is established by
action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of
such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the
Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company
Order contemplated by Section 303 for the authentication and delivery of such
Securities.

     The Trustee's certificates of authentication shall be in substantially the
form set forth in this Article.

     The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved or may
be produced in any other manner permitted by the rules of any securities
exchange upon which the Securities may be listed and (with respect to Global
Securities of any Series) the rules of the Depositary, all as determined by the
officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of such
Securities.

Section 202.  Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication.

     This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to
in the within-mentioned Indenture.

                                    The First National Bank of Chicago,
                                    as Trustee

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
                                    By:
                                       ----------------------------------
                                            Authorized Officer

Section 203.  Securities in Global Form.

     If any Security of a series is issuable in global form, such Security may
provide that it shall represent the aggregate amount of Outstanding Securities
from time to time endorsed thereon and also may provide that the aggregate
amount of Outstanding Securities represented thereby may from time to time be
reduced to reflect exchanges.  Any endorsement of a Security in global form to
reflect the amount, or any increase or decrease in the amount, of Outstanding
Securities represented thereby shall be made by the Trustee and in such manner
as shall be specified in such Security.  Any instructions by the Company with
respect to a Security in global form, after its initial issuance, shall be in
writing but need not comply with Section 102.

                                 ARTICLE THREE
                                THE SECURITIES

Section 301.  Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.

     The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and
delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

     The Securities may be issued in one or more series.  All Securities of each
series issued under this Indenture shall in all respects be equally and ratably
entitled to the benefits hereof with respect to such series without preference,
priority or distinction on account of the actual time of the authentication and
delivery or Maturity of the Securities of such series.  There shall be
established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution, and, to the extent not set
forth therein, set forth in an Officers' Certificate, or established in one or
more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance of Securities of any
series:

               (1)  the title of the Securities of the series (which shall
          distinguish the Securities of the series from all other series of
          Securities);

               (2) the price or prices (expressed as a percentage of the
          aggregate principal amount thereof) at which the Securities will be
          issued;

               (3) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the
          Securities of the series which may be authenticated and delivered
          under this Indenture (except for Securities authenticated and
          delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in exchange for, or in
          lieu of, other Securities of that series pursuant to Section 304, 305,
          306, 906, 1107, 1305 or 1503);

               (4) the date or dates on which the principal and premium, if any,
          of the Securities of the series is payable;

               (5) the rate or rates (which may be fixed or variable), or the
          method of determination thereof, at which the Securities of the series
          shall bear interest, if any, the date or dates from which such
          interest shall accrue, the Interest Payment 

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
          Dates on which such interest shall be payable and the Regular Record
          Date for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date or, if the
          principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of any of the
          Securities will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior
          to the Stated Maturity, the amount which will be deemed to be such
          principal amount as of any such date for any purpose, including the
          principal amount thereof which will be due and payable upon any
          Maturity other than the Stated Maturity or which will be deemed to be
          Outstanding as of any such date (or, in any such case, the manner in
          which such deemed principal amount is to be determined);

               (6) if other than the Corporate Trust Office, the place or places
          where the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on
          Securities of the series shall be payable;

               (7) the period or periods within which, the price or prices at
          which and the terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series
          may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company;

               (8) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase
          Securities of the series pursuant to any mandatory sinking fund or
          analogous provisions or at the option of a Holder thereof and the
          period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and the
          terms and conditions upon which Securities of the series shall be
          redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to such
          obligation;

               (9) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral
          multiple thereof, the denominations in which Securities of the series
          shall be issuable;

               (10) if other than the principal amount thereof, the portion of
          the principal amount of Securities of the series which shall be
          payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof
          pursuant to Section 502;

               (11) if the Securities of the series shall be issued in whole or
          in part in the form of a Global Security or Securities, the terms and
          conditions upon which such Global Security may be exchanged in whole
          or in part for other individual securities and the Depositary for such
          Global Security or Securities;

               (12) any addition to or change in the Events of Default which
          applies to any Securities of the series;

               (13) any addition to or change in the covenants set forth in
          Article Ten which applies to Securities of the series;

               (14) if the Securities of the series are convertible into Common
          Stock or Preferred Stock, the Conversion Price therefor, the period
          during which such Securities are convertible and any terms and
          conditions for the conversion of such Securities which differ from
          Article Fifteen;

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
               (15) the nature and terms of the security for any secured
          Securities;

               (16) the form and terms of any guarantee of the Securities;

               (17) the application, if any, of Section 1602 or 1603 of the
          Securities of the series and any provisions in modification of, in
          addition to or in lieu of any of the provisions of Article Sixteen;

               (18) the listing of the Securities on any securities exchange or
          the inclusion in any other market or quotation or trading system;

               (19) any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be
          inconsistent with the provisions of this Indenture);

               (20) if the principal amount payable at the stated maturity of
          any of such Securities will not be determinable as of any one or more
          dates prior to the stated maturity, the amount which will be deemed to
          be such principal amount as of any such date for any purpose,
          including the principal amount thereof which will be due and payable
          upon any maturity other than the stated maturity or which will be
          deemed to be outstanding as of any such date (or, in any such case,
          the manner in which such deemed principal amount is to be determined);
          and

               (21) any trustee or fiscal or authenticating or payment agent,
          issuing and paying agent, transfer agent or registrar or any other
          person or entity to act in connection with such Securities for or on
          behalf of the holders thereof or the Company or an affiliate.

     The Securities shall be subordinate and junior in right of payment to
Senior Indebtedness of the Company as provided in Article Fourteen.

     All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as
to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to such
Board Resolution and set forth in such Officers' Certificate, to the extent
applicable, or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.  All Securities of any
one series need not be issued at the same time and, unless otherwise provided, a
series may be reopened, without the consent of the Holders, for issuance of
additional Securities of such series.

     If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken pursuant
to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be
certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and
delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Board Resolution or
the Officers' Certificate setting forth the terms of the series.

Section 302.  Denominations.

     The Securities of each series shall be issuable in registered or bearer
form with or without coupons in such denominations as shall be specified as
contemplated by Section 301.  In the absence of any such provisions with respect
to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series shall be issuable
in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
Section 303.  Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

     The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman
of the Board, its President or one of its Vice Presidents and attested by its
Secretary or one of its Assistant Secretaries.  The signature of any of these
officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile.

     Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who
were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company,
notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such
offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not
hold such offices at the date of such Securities.

     At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this
Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the
Company to the Trustee for authentication, and the Trustee shall authenticate
and deliver such Securities upon Company Order.  If all the Securities of any
one series are not to be originally issued at one time and if a Board Resolution
relating to such Securities shall so permit, such Company Order may set forth
procedures (acceptable to the Trustee) for the issuance and authentication of
such Securities.

     If the form or terms of the Securities of the series have been established
in or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions as permitted by Sections 201 and
301, in authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional
responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the
Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 601) shall be
fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating:

                (a)  if the form of such Securities has been established by or
         pursuant to Board Resolution as permitted by Section 201, that such
         form has been established in conformity with the provisions of this
         Indenture;

                (b)  if the terms of such Securities have been established by or
         pursuant to Board Resolution as permitted by Section 301, that such
         terms have been established in conformity with the provisions of this
         Indenture; and

                (c)  that such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by
         the Trustee and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any
         conditions specified in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid
         and legally binding obligations of the Company enforceable in
         accordance with their terms, subject to bankruptcy, insolvency,
         fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and similar laws of
         general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to
         general equity principles.

     If such form or terms have been so established, the Trustee shall not be
required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities
pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee's own rights, duties or
immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner
which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

     Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 301 and of the preceding
paragraph, if all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one
time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Board Resolution or Officers'
Certificate otherwise required pursuant to Section 301 

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
or the Company Order and Opinion of Counsel otherwise required pursuant to this
Section 303 or prior to the time of authentication of each Security of such
series if such documents are delivered at or prior to the authentication upon
original issuance of the first Security of such series to be issued and such
documents reasonably contemplate the issuance of all Securities of such series.

     Unless otherwise provided in the form of Security for any series, each
Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

     No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be
valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a
certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein
executed by the Trustee by manual signature of an authorized officer, and such
certificate upon any Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only
evidence, that such Security has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder
and is entitled to the benefits of this Indenture.

     If the Company shall establish pursuant to Section 301 that the Securities
of a series are to be issued in the form of one or more Global Securities, then
the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with this Section
and the Company Order with respect to such series, authenticate and deliver one
or more Global Securities that (i) shall represent and shall be denominated in
an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of all of the Securities of
such series having the same terms issued and not yet canceled, (ii) shall be
registered in the name of the Depositary for such Global Security or Securities
or the nominee of such Depositary, (iii) shall be delivered by the Trustee to
such Depositary or pursuant to such Depositary's instructions and (iv) shall
bear a legend substantially to the following effect:  Unless and until it is
exchanged in whole or in part for Securities in definitive registered form, this
Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary to the
nominee of the Depositary or by a nominee of the Depositary to the Depositary or
another nominee of the Depositary or by the Depositary or any such nominee to a
successor Depositary or a nominee of such successor Depositary."

Section 304.  Temporary Securities.

     Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company
may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver,
temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed
or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the
tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued and with
such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as
the officers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by their
execution of such Securities.  Every such temporary Security shall be executed
by the Company and shall be authenticated and delivered by the Trustee upon the
same conditions and in substantially the same manner, and with the same effect,
as the definitive Security in lieu of which it is issued.

     If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause
definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay.
After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary
Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of
such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
at the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series,
without charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more
temporary Securities of any series the Company shall execute and the Trustee
shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like principal amount of
definitive Securities of the same series of authorized denominations. Until so
exchanged the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be
entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of
such series.

Section 305.  Registration, Registration of Transfer and Exchange and Book-Entry
              Securities.

     The Company shall cause to be kept at one of its offices or agencies
maintained pursuant to Section 1002 a register (the register maintained in such
office being herein sometimes referred to as the "Security Register") in which,
subject to such reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall
provide for the registration of exchanges and transfers of Securities.  The
Person responsible for the maintenance of the Security Register is referred to
herein as the "Security Registrar." The Trustee is hereby initially appointed
Security Registrar for the purpose of registering Securities and transfers of
Securities as herein provided.  The exchange of and the transfer of Securities
also may be registered at the office of Trustee.

     Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of any  series
at the office or agency in a Place of Payment for that series, the Company shall
execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the name of the
designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities of the same
series, of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate principal
amount.

     At the option of the Holder, Securities of any series (except Global
Securities) may be exchanged for other Securities of the same series (except
Global Securities) of any authorized denominations and of a like aggregate
principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be exchanged at such
office or agency.  Whenever any Securities are so surrendered for exchange, the
Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, the
Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to receive.

     All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of
Securities shall be valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same debt,
and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities
surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

     Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for
exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Security Registrar) be duly
endorsed, or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form
satisfactory to the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed, by the
Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in writing.

     No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or
exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient
to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection
with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than
exchanges pursuant to Section 304, 906, 1107, 1305 or 1503 not involving any
transfer.

     The Company shall not be required (i) to issue, register the transfer of or
exchange Securities of any series during a period beginning at the opening of
business 15 days before the 

                                       19
<PAGE>
 
day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of Securities of that series
selected for redemption under Section 1103 and ending at the close of business
on the day of such mailing, or (ii) to register the transfer of or exchange any
Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except the unredeemed
portion of any Security being redeemed in part.

     Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 305, unless and until
it is exchanged in whole or in part for Securities in definitive registered
form, a Global Security representing all or a portion of the Securities of a
series may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depositary for such
series to a nominee of such Depositary or by a nominee of such Depositary to
such Depositary or another nominee of such Depositary or by such Depositary or
any such nominee to a successor Depositary for such series or a nominee of such
successor Depositary.

     If at any time the Depositary for the Securities of a series notifies the
Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for the
Securities of such series or if at any time the Depositary for the Securities of
a series shall no longer be registered or in good standing under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or other applicable statute or regulation, the
Company shall appoint a successor Depositary with respect to the Securities of
such series.  If a successor Depositary for the Securities of such series is not
appointed by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives such notice
or becomes aware of such condition, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee,
upon receipt of a Company Order for the authentication and delivery of
definitive Securities of such series, shall authenticate and deliver Securities
of such series in definitive form in an aggregate principal amount equal to the
principal amount of the Global Security or Securities representing such series
in exchange for such Global Security or Securities.

     The Company may at any time and in its sole discretion determine that the
Securities of any series issued in the form of one or more Global Securities
shall no longer be represented by a Global Security or Securities.  In such
event the Company shall execute, and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company
Order for the authentication and delivery of definitive Securities of such
series, shall authenticate and deliver, Securities of such series in definitive
registered form without coupons, in any authorized denominations, in an
aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of the Global Security
or Securities representing such series, in exchange for such Global Security or
Securities.

     If specified by the Company pursuant to Section 301 with respect to a
series of Securities, the Depositary for such series of Securities may surrender
a Global Security for such series of Securities in exchange in whole or in part
for Securities of such series in definitive registered form on such terms as are
acceptable to the Company and such Depositary.

Thereupon, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver, without service charge,

               (i) to the Person specified by such Depositary a new Security or
          Securities of the same series, of any authorized denomination as
          requested by such Person, in an aggregate principal amount equal to
          and in exchange for such Person's beneficial interest in the Global
          Security; and

                                       20
<PAGE>
 
               (ii) to such Depositary a new Global Security in a denomination
          equal to the difference, if any, between the principal amount of the
          surrendered Global Security and the aggregate principal amount of
          Securities authenticated and delivered pursuant to Clause (i) above.

     Upon the exchange of a Global Security for Securities in definitive
registered form, in authorized denominations, such Global Security shall be
canceled by the Trustee.  Securities in definitive registered form issued in
exchange for a Global Security pursuant to this Section 305 shall be registered
in such names and in such authorized denominations as the Depositary for such
Global Security, pursuant to instructions from its direct or indirect
participants or otherwise, shall instruct the Trustee.  The Trustee shall not be
liable for any delay in delivery of such instructions and may conclusively rely
on, and shall be protected in relying on, such instructions.  The Trustee shall,
at Company expense, deliver such Securities to or as directed by the Persons in
whose names such Securities are so registered.

Section 306.  Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.

     If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, together with such
other security or indemnity as may be reasonably required by the Trustee to save
it harmless, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver in exchange therefor a new Security of the same series and of like tenor
and principal amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

     If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (i) evidence to
their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii)
such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and
any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the
Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide
purchaser, the Company shall execute and upon its request the Trustee shall
authenticate and deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen
Security, a new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal
amount and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

     In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become
or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may,
instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security, subject to satisfaction of
the foregoing conditions.

     Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may
require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental
charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including
the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

     Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of
any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional
contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or
stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be
entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with
any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder.  The
provisions of this 

                                       21
<PAGE>
 
Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights
and remedies with respect to the replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed,
lost or stolen Securities.

Section 307.  Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.

     Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to
any series of Securities, interest on any Security which is payable, and is
punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid
to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor
Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date
for such interest.  The Company and the Trustee understand that interest on any
Global Security will be disbursed or credited by the Depositary to the Persons
having ownership thereof pursuant to a book entry or other system maintained by
the Depositary.

     Any interest on any Security of any series which is payable, but is not
punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein
called "Defaulted Interest") shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder
on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and
such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each
case, as provided in Clause (1) or Clause (2) below:

                (1)  The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted
          Interest to the Persons in whose names the Securities of such series
          (or their respective Predecessor Securities) are registered at the
          close of business on a Special Record Date for the payment of such
          Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in the following manner. The
          Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the amount of Defaulted
          Interest proposed to be paid on each Security of such series and the
          date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall
          deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate
          amount proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or
          shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit
          prior to the date of the proposed payment, such money when deposited
          to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled to such
          Defaulted Interest as in this Clause provided. Thereupon the Trustee
          shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted
          Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less than 10
          days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10
          days after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed
          payment. The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special
          Record Date and, in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall
          cause notice of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and
          the Special Record Date therefor to be mailed, first-class postage
          prepaid, to each Holder of Securities of such series at his address as
          it appears in the Security Register, not less than 10 days prior to
          such Special Record Date. Notice of the proposed payment of such
          Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor having been so
          mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the Persons in whose
          names the Securities of such series (or their respective Predecessor
          Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special
          Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following
          Clause (2).

                                       22
<PAGE>
 
                (2)  The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on
          the Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not
          inconsistent with the requirements of any securities exchange on which
          such Securities may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required
          by such exchange, if, after notice given by the Company to the Trustee
          of the proposed payment pursuant to this Clause, such manner of
          payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

     Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security
delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange
for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued
and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

Section 308.  Persons Deemed Owners.

     The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may
treat the Person in whose name such Security is registered as the owner of such
Security for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of (and premium, if
any) and (subject to Section 307) interest on such Security and for all other
purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and neither the
Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be
affected by notice to the contrary.

     None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Security
Registrar will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the
records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership
interests of a Global Security or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any
records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

Section 309.  Cancellation.

     Unless otherwise specified pursuant to Section 301(7) for Securities of any
series all Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of
transfer or exchange or for credit against any mandatory sinking fund payment
shall, if surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the
Trustee and shall be promptly canceled by it.  The Company may at any time
deliver to the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated
and delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner
whatsoever, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly canceled by the
Trustee, except that if a Global Security is so surrendered, the Company shall
execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Depositary for
such Global Security, without service charge, a new Global Security or
Securities in a denomination equal to and in exchange for the portion of the
Global Security so surrendered not to be paid, redeemed, repaid or registered
for transfer or exchange or for credit.  No Securities shall be authenticated in
lieu of or in exchange for any Securities canceled as provided in this Section,
except as expressly permitted by this Indenture.  All canceled Securities held
by the Trustee shall be disposed of in accordance with its customary procedures
and a certificate of disposition shall be delivered to the Company, unless, by a
Company Order, the Company shall direct the canceled Securities be returned to
it.

                                       23
<PAGE>
 
Section 310.  Computation of Interest.

     Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities
of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on
the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

                                 ARTICLE FOUR
                          SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

Section 401.  Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.

     Upon Company Request, this Indenture shall cease to be of further effect
with respect to the Securities of a particular series (except as to any
surviving rights to convert Securities into Common Stock, or rights of
registration of transfer or exchange of Securities herein expressly provided
for), and the Trustee, at the expense of the Company, shall execute proper
instruments acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture as to
such Securities, when:

              (1)  either:

                       (A)  all Securities of such series theretofore
              authenticated and delivered (other than (i) Securities which have
              been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have been replaced or
              paid as provided in Section 306 and (ii) Securities for whose
              payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or
              segregated and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid
              to the Company or discharged from such trust, as provided in
              Section 1003) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation;
              or

                       (B)  all Securities of such series not theretofore
              delivered to the Trustee for cancellation (i) have become due and
              payable, or

                       (i)  will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity
              within one year, or

                       (ii) are to be called for redemption within one year,
              under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of
              notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the
              expense, of the Company,

              and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has
              irrevocably deposited or caused to be irrevocably deposited with
              the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose sums
              sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such
              Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for
              cancellation, for principal (and premium, if any) and interest to
              the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have
              become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption
              Date, as the case may be; and

                                       24
<PAGE>
 
              (2)  the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums
          payable hereunder by the Company with respect to such Securities; and

              (3)  the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
          Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all
          conditions precedent herein provided for relating to the satisfaction
          and discharge of this Indenture with respect to the Securities of such
          series have been complied with.

     Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture with
respect to the Securities of a particular series, the obligations of the Company
to the Trustee under Section 607, the obligations, if any, of the Trustee to any
Authenticating Agent under Section 614 and, if money shall have been deposited
with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of clause (1) of this Section, the
obligations of the Trustee under Section 402 and the last paragraph of Section
1003, in each case with respect to such Securities, shall survive.

     Notwithstanding the cessation, termination and discharge of all
obligations, covenants and agreements of the Company under this Indenture with
respect to any series of Securities, the obligations of the Company to the
Trustee under Section 607, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 402 and
the last paragraph of Section 1003 shall survive with respect to such series of
Securities.

Section 402.  Application of Trust Money.

     Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money
deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 shall be held in trust and
applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this
Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent
(including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent), as the Trustee may
determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal (and premium, if
any) and interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the
Trustee.  All money deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 (and held
by it or any Paying Agent) for the payment of Securities subsequently converted
into Common Stock shall be returned to the Company upon Company Request.

                                 ARTICLE FIVE
                                   REMEDIES

Section 501.  Events of Default.

     "Event of Default," wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any
series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such
Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected
by operation of law or Article Fourteen or pursuant to any judgment, decree or
order of any court or any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or
governmental body):

                   (1)  failure to pay principal of (or premium, if any, on) any
             Security of that series at its Maturity, upon redemption or
             otherwise; or

                                       25
<PAGE>
 
          (2)  failure to pay any interest upon any Security of that series when
     due, and the default continues for 30 days; or

          (3)  default in the deposit of any mandatory sinking fund payment,
     when and as due by the terms of the Securities of that series, and
     continuance of such default for a period of 30 days; or

          (4)  default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or
     warranty of the Company in a Security of that series or in this Indenture
     (other than a covenant or warranty a default in whose performance or whose
     breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically dealt with or which has
     been expressly included in this Indenture solely for the benefit of series
     of Securities other that that series), and continuance of such default or
     breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by registered or
     certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the
     Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the
     Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such
     default or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such
     notice is a "Notice of Default" hereunder; or

          (5)  a default under any bond, debenture, note or other evidence of
     indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company (including a default with
     respect to Senior Debt Securities or Securities of any series other than
     that series) or under any mortgage, indenture (including this Indenture and
     the Senior Indenture) or instrument under which there may be issued or by
     which there may be secured or evidenced any indebtedness for money borrowed
     by the Company or any Subsidiary (each such bond, debenture, note, evidence
     of indebtedness, mortgage, indenture or instrument being referred to as a
     "Loan Document"), whether such indebtedness now exists or shall hereafter
     be created, which default shall constitute a failure to pay any portion of
     the principal of such indebtedness when due and payable after the
     expiration of any applicable grace period with respect thereto or shall
     have resulted in such indebtedness becoming or being declared due and
     payable prior to the date on which it would otherwise have become due and
     payable, without such indebtedness having been discharged or such
     acceleration having been rescinded or annulled within a period of 15 days
     after there shall have been given, by registered or certified mail, to the
     Company by the Trustee or to the Company and the Trustee by the Holders of
     at least 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that
     series a written notice specifying such default and requiring the Company
     to cause such indebtedness to be discharged or such acceleration to be
     rescinded or annulled and stating that such notice is a "Notice of Default"
     hereunder, if the aggregate outstanding principal amount of indebtedness
     under the Loan Document with respect to which such default or acceleration
     has occurred exceeds $20 million; provided, however, that if such default
     under such Loan Document shall be cured by the Company or be waived by the
     holders of such indebtedness or if such acceleration shall be rescinded or
     annulled, in each case as may be permitted by such Loan Document, then the
     Event of Default hereunder by reason of such default shall be deemed
     likewise to have been thereupon cured or waived; and provided, further,
     that,

                                       26
<PAGE>
 
     subject to the provisions of Sections 601 and 602, the Trustee shall not be
     deemed to have knowledge of such default or acceleration unless either (A)
     a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have actual knowledge of such
     default or acceleration or (B) the Trustee shall have received written
     notice thereof from the Company, from any Holder, from the holder of any
     such indebtedness or from the trustee under any such mortgage, indenture or
     other instrument; or

          (6)  the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of (A) a
     decree or order for relief in respect of the Company or any Subsidiary in
     an involuntary case or proceeding under the entry by any applicable Federal
     or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or (B)
     a decree or order adjudging the Company or any Subsidiary a bankrupt or
     insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition seeking
     reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect of
     the Company or any Subsidiary under any applicable Federal or State law, or
     appointing a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee,
     sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or any Subsidiary or
     of any substantial part of its property, or ordering the winding up or
     liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of any such decree or order
     for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed and in effect for a
     period of 60 consecutive days; or

          (7)  the commencement by the Company or any Subsidiary of a voluntary
     case or proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy,
     insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or of any other case or
     proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or insolvent, or the consent by it
     to the entry of a decree or order for relief in respect of the Company or
     any Subsidiary in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable
     Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar
     law or to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or
     proceeding against it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or
     consent seeking reorganization or relief under any applicable Federal or
     State law, or the consent by it to the filing of such petition or to the
     appointment of or taking possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator,
     assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other similar official of the Company or
     any Subsidiary or of any substantial part of its property, or the making by
     it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or the admission by it in
     writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or
     the taking of corporate action by the Company or any Subsidiary in
     furtherance of any such action.

  Upon receipt by the Trustee of any proposed Notice of Default from any Holder
with respect to Securities of a series all or part of which is represented by a
Global Security, a record date shall be established for determining Holders of
Outstanding Securities of such series entitled to join in such proposed Notice
of Default, which record date shall be at the close of business on the day the
Trustee receives such proposed Notice of Default. The Holders on such record
date, or their duly designated proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled
to join in such proposed Notice of Default, whether or not such Holders remain
Holders after such record date; provided, that unless Holders of at least 25% in
principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series, or their proxies,
shall have joined in such proposed Notice of Default prior to the day

                                       27
<PAGE>
 
which is 90 days after such record date, such proposed Notice of Default shall
automatically and without further action by any Holder be canceled and of no
further effect. Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent a Holder, or a proxy of
a Holder, from giving (i) after expiration of such 90-day period, a new proposed
Notice of Default identical to a proposed Notice of Default which has been
canceled pursuant to the proviso to the preceding sentence, or (ii) during any
such 90-day period, an additional proposed Notice of Default with respect to any
new or different fact or circumstance permitting the giving of a proposed Notice
of Default with respect to Securities of such series, in either of which events
a new record date shall be established pursuant to the provisions of this
Section 501. Any such proposed Notice of Default shall be considered a Notice of
Default hereunder at such time, if any, that Holders of at least 25% in
principal amount of the Outstanding Securities shall have joined in such
proposed Notice of Default by giving timely notice to the Trustee hereunder.

Section 502.  Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

     If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series (other than
an Event of Default specified in Section 501(6) or (7) at the time Outstanding
occurs and is continuing, then in every such case, the Trustee or the Holders of
not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that
series may declare the principal amount (or, if any of the Securities of that
series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal
amount of such Securities as may be specified in the terms thereof) of all of
the Securities of that series to be due and payable immediately, by a notice in
writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any
such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) shall become
immediately due and payable.  Upon payment of said amounts, all obligations of
the Company in respect of payment of principal of the Securities of such series
shall terminate.

     At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to
Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for
payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this
Article provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the
Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if:

               (1)  the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum
          sufficient to pay:

                    (A)  all overdue interest on all Securities of that series,

                    (B)  the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any
               Securities of that series which have become due otherwise than by
               such declaration of acceleration and any interest thereon at the
               rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities,

                    (C)  to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful,
               interest upon overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed
               therefor in such Securities, and

                                       28
<PAGE>
 
                    (D)  all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and
               the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances
               of the Trustee, its agents and counsel; and

               (2)  all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that
          series, other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities of
          that series which have become due solely by such declaration of
          acceleration, have been cured or waived as provided in Section 513.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right
consequent thereon.

     Upon receipt by the Trustee of written notice declaring such an
acceleration, or rescission and annulment thereof, with respect to Securities of
a series all or part of which is represented by a Global Security, a record date
shall be established for determining Holders of Outstanding Securities of such
series entitled to join in such notice, which record date shall be at the close
of business on the day the Trustee receives such notice.  The Holders on such
record date, or their duly designated proxies, and only such Persons, shall be
entitled to join in such notice, whether or not such Holders remain Holders
after such record date; provided, that unless such declaration of acceleration,
or rescission and annulment, as the case may be, shall have become effective by
virtue of the requisite percentage having joined in such notice prior to the day
which is 90 days after such record date, such notice of declaration of
acceleration, or rescission and annulment, as the case may be, shall
automatically and without further action by any Holder be canceled and of no
further effect.  Nothing in this paragraph shall prevent a Holder, or a proxy of
a Holder, from giving, (i) after expiration of such 90-day period, a new written
notice of declaration of acceleration or rescission and annulment thereof, as
the case may be, that is identical to a written notice which has been canceled
pursuant to the proviso to the preceding sentence, or (ii) during any such 90-
day period, an additional written notice of declaration of acceleration with
respect to Securities of such series, or an additional written notice of
rescission and annulment of any declaration of acceleration with respect to any
other Event of Default with respect to Securities of such series, in either of
which events a new record date shall be established pursuant to the provisions
of this Section 502.

Section 503.  Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.

     The Company covenants that if:

               (1)  default is made in the payment of any interest on any
          Security when such interest becomes due and payable and such default
          continues for a period of 30 days,

               (2) default is made in the payment of the principal of (or
          premium, if any, on) any Security at the Maturity thereof, or

               (3) default is made in the making or satisfaction of any
          mandatory sinking fund payment when it becomes due pursuant to the
          terms of the securities of any series,

                                       29
<PAGE>
 
the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the
Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such
Securities for principal (and premium, if any) and interest and, to the extent
that payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any
overdue principal (and premium, if any) and on any overdue interest, at the rate
or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities and, in addition thereto, such
further amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of
collection, including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and
advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

     If the Company fails to pay such amounts forthwith upon such demand, the
Trustee, in its own name and as trustee of an express trust, may, but shall not
be obligated to, institute a judicial proceeding for the collection of the sums
so due and unpaid, may prosecute such proceeding to judgment or final decree,
and may enforce the same against the Company or any other obligor upon such
Securities and collect the moneys adjudged or decreed to be payable in the
manner provided by law out of the property of the Company or any other obligor
upon such Securities, wherever situated.

     If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and
is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce
its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by such
appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to
protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any
covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power
granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

Section 504.  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

     In case of any judicial proceeding relative to the Company (or any other
obligor upon the Securities), its property or its creditors, the Trustee shall
be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise, to
take any and all actions authorized under the Trust Indenture Act in order to
have claims of the Holders and the Trustee allowed in any such proceeding.  In
particular, the Trustee shall be authorized to file and prove a claim for the
whole amount of principal, premium and interest owing and unpaid in respect of
the Securities and to file such other papers or documents as may be necessary or
advisable in order to have claims of the Trustee (including any claim for the
reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements, and advances of the Trustee,
its agents and counsel) and of the Holders allowed in such judicial proceeding,
and to collect and receive any moneys or other property payable or deliverable
on any such claims and to distribute the same; and any custodian, receiver,
assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator or other similar official in any
such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Holder to make such
payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall consent to the
making of such payments directly to the Holders, to pay to the Trustee any
amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and
advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other amounts due the
Trustee under Section 607.

     No provision of this Indenture shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to
authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of
reorganization, arrangement, 

                                       30
<PAGE>
 
adjustment or composition affecting the Securities or the rights of any Holder
thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in respect of the claim of any
Holder in any such proceeding.

Section 505.  Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.

     All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may
be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the
Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any
such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as
trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision
for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and
advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the ratable benefit of
the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such judgment has been
recovered.

Section 506.  Application of Money Collected.

     Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article of any series
shall be applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the
Trustee and, in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal
(or premium, if any) or interest, upon presentation of the Securities of any
series and the notation thereon of the payment if only partially paid and upon
surrender thereof if  fully paid:

               FIRST:  To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under
          Section 607;

               SECOND:  To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for
          principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities of
          such series  in respect of which or for the benefit of which such
          money has been collected, ratably, without preference or priority of
          any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on such Securities
          for principal (and premium, if any) and interest, respectively; and

               THIRD:  The balance, if any, to the Company or to whomsoever may
          be lawfully entitled to receive the same as a court of competent
          jurisdiction may direct.

Section 507.  Limitation on Suits.

     No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute
any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for
the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder,
unless:

               (1)  such Holder has previously given written notice to the
          Trustee of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the
          Securities of that series;

               (2)  the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the
          Outstanding Securities of that series shall have made written request
          to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of
          Default in its own name as Trustee hereunder;

                                       31
<PAGE>
 
               (3)  such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee
          reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and
          liabilities to be incurred in compliance with such request;

               (4)  the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice,
          request and offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such
          proceeding; and

               (5)  no direction inconsistent with such written request has been
          given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a
          majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that
          series;

it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have
any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision
of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of
such Holders, or of the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any other series,
or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any other of such
Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in the manner
herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all of such Holders.

Section 508.  Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and
Interest.

     Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any
Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive
payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and (subject to Section 307)
interest on such Security on the Stated Maturity or Maturities expressed in such
Security (or, in the case of redemption or repayment at the option of the
Holder, on the Redemption Date or the Repayment Date, as the case may be) and
(if the terms of such Security so provide) to have such Security converted into
Common Stock pursuant to Article Fifteen and to institute suit for the
enforcement of any such payment or conversion, and such rights shall not be
impaired without the consent of such Holder.

Section 509.  Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

     If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any
right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued
or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or
to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in
such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored
severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter
all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though
no such proceeding had been instituted.

Section 510.  Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

     Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of Section
306, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to
the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every
right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in
addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter
existing at law or in equity or otherwise.  The assertion or employment of any
right or remedy 

                                       32
<PAGE>
 
hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or
employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

Section 511.  Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

     No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities to
exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any
such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an
acquiescence therein.  Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to
the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often
as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee or by the Holders, as the case may
be.

Section 512.  Control by Holders.

     The Holders of at least a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and
place of conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or
exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the
Securities of such series, provided that:

               (1)  such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law
          or with this Indenture, expose the Trustee to personal liability or be
          unduly prejudicial to Holders not joining therein, and

               (2)  the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the
          Trustee which is not inconsistent with such direction.

     Upon receipt by the Trustee of any such direction with respect to
Securities of a series all or part of which is represented by a Global Security,
a record date shall be established for determining Holders of Outstanding
Securities of such series entitled to join in such direction, which record date
shall be determined in accordance with Section 104(e).  The Holders on such
record date, or their duly designated proxies, and only such Persons, shall be
entitled to join in such direction, whether or not such Holders remain Holders
after such record date; provided, that unless Holders of at least a majority in
principal amount of the outstanding Securities of such series, or their proxies,
shall have been joined in such direction prior to the day which is 90 days after
such record date, such direction shall automatically and without further action
by any Holder be canceled and of no further effect.  Nothing in this paragraph
shall prevent a Holder, or a proxy of a Holder, from giving, (i) after
expiration of such 90-day period, a new direction identical to a direction which
has been canceled pursuant to the provisions to the preceding sentence or (ii)
during any such 90-day period a new direction contrary to or different from such
direction, in either of which events a new record date shall be established
pursuant to the provisions of this Section 512.

Section 513.  Waiver of Defaults.

     By Act delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Holders of not less
than a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any
affected series may on behalf of the Holders of all the Securities of such
series waive any existing Event of Default hereunder with respect to such series
and its consequences 

                                       33
<PAGE>
 
(including an acceleration and its consequences, including any related payment
default that resulted from such acceleration), except an Event of Default:

               (1)  in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or
          interest on any Security of such series or in the payment of any
          mandatory sinking fund installment with respect to the Securities of
          such series, or

               (2)  in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under
          Article Nine cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the
          Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected.

     The Company may, but shall not be obligated to, fix a record date for the
purpose of determining the Persons entitled to waive any past default hereunder.
If a record date is fixed, the Holders on such record date, or their duly
designated proxies, and only such Persons, shall be entitled to waive any
default hereunder, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record
date; provided, that unless such majority in principal amount shall have been
obtained prior to the date which is 90 days after such record date, any such
waiver previously given shall automatically and without further action by any
Holder be canceled and of no further effect.

     Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of
Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose
of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other
default or impair any right consequent thereon.

Section 514.  Undertaking for Costs.

     In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this
Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or
omitted by it as Trustee, a court may require any party litigant in such suit to
file an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and may assess costs against
any such party litigant, in the manner and to the extent provided in the Trust
Indenture Act; provided that neither this Section nor the Trust Indenture Act
shall be deemed to authorize any court to require such an undertaking or to make
such an assessment in any suit instituted by the Trustee, by any Holder, or
group of Holders, holding in the aggregate more than 10% in principal amount of
the Outstanding Securities of any series, or by any Holder for the enforcement
of the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any
Security on or after the Stated Maturity expressed in such Security (or, in the
case of redemption or repayment at the option of the Holder, on or after the
Redemption Date or Repayment Date, as the case may be, and (if the terms of such
Security so provide) to have such Security converted into Common Stock pursuant
to Article Fifteen).

Section 515.  Waiver of Stay or Extension Laws.

     The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it
will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or
take the benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law wherever enacted,
now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants or the
performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may
lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law
and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any
power herein granted to 

                                       34
<PAGE>
 
the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as
though no such law had been enacted.

                                  ARTICLE SIX
                                  THE TRUSTEE

Section 601.  Certain Duties and Responsibilities.

              (a)  Except during the continuance of an Event of Default

                    (1) the Trustee undertakes to perform such duties and only
              such duties as are specifically set forth in this Indenture, and
              no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into this
              Indenture against the Trustee; and

                   (2) in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may
              conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and the
              correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates
              or opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the
              requirements of this Indenture; but in the case of any such
              certificates or opinions which by any provision of this Indenture
              are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the
              Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine
              whether or not they conform to the requirements of this Indenture.

              (b)  In case an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing,
         the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it
         by this Indenture, and use the same degree of care and skill in their
         exercise, as a prudent man would exercise or use under the
         circumstances in the conduct of his own affairs.

              (c)  No provision of this Indenture shall be construed to relieve
          the Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own
          negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

                   (1) this Subsection shall not be construed to limit the
              effect of Subsection (a) of this Section;

                   (2) the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment
              made in good faith by a Responsible Officer, unless it shall be
              proved that the Trustee was negligent in ascertaining the
              pertinent facts;

                   (3) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any
              action taken or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in
              accordance with the direction of the Holders of a majority in
              principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series
              relating to the time, method and place of conducting any
              proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising
              any trust or power conferred upon the Trustee, under this
              Indenture; and

                   (4) no provision of this Indenture shall require the Trustee
               to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial
               liability in the performance

                                       35
<PAGE>
 
               of any of its duties hereunder, or in the exercise of any of its
               rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds for
               believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity
               against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

               (d)  Whether or not therein expressly so provided, every
provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct or affecting the liability
of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of
this Section.

Section 602.  Notice of Defaults.

     Within 90 days after the occurrence of any default hereunder with respect
to Securities of any series, the Trustee shall transmit by mail to all Holders
of Securities of such series, as their names and addresses appear in the
Security Register, notice of such default hereunder known to the Trustee, unless
such default shall have been cured or waived; provided, however, that, except in
the case of a default in the payment of the principal, premium or interest on
any Security of such series or in the payment of any mandatory sinking fund
installment with respect to the Securities of such series, the Trustee shall be
protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of directors,
the executive committee of the board of directors and/or Responsible Officers of
the Trustee in good faith determine that the withholding of such notice is in
the interests of the Holders of the Securities of such series; and provided,
further, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section
501(4) with respect to the Securities of such series no such notice to Holders
shall be given until at least 60 days after the occurrence thereof.  For the
purpose of this Section, the term "default" means any event which is, or after
notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default.

Section 603.  Certain Rights of Trustee.

Subject to the provisions of Section 601:

               (a)  the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or
refraining from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument,
opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture,
note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it
to be genuine and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or
parties;

               (b)  any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein
shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order and any
resolution of the Board of Directors may be sufficiently evidenced by a Board
Resolution;

               (c)  whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee
shall deem it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking,
suffering or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence
be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part,
rely upon an Officers' Certificate;

               (d)  the Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice
of such counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete
authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted
by it hereunder in good faith and in reliance thereon;

                                       36
<PAGE>
 
               (e)  the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of
the rights or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction
of any of the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have
offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs,
expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such
request or direction;

               (f)  the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation
into the facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement,
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond,
debenture, note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but
the Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation
into such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall
determine to make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to
examine the books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent
or attorney;

               (g)  the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers
hereunder or perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through
agents or attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct
or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it
hereunder; and

               (h)  the Trustee shall not be required to take notice or be
deemed to have notice of any default hereunder (except failure by the Company to
pay principal of or interest on any series of Securities so long as the Trustee
is also acting as Paying Agent for such series of Securities) unless the Trustee
shall be specifically notified in writing of such default by the Company by the
Holders of at least 10%in aggregate principal amount of all Outstanding
Securities, and all such notices or other instruments required by this Indenture
to be delivered to the Trustee must, in order to be effective, be delivered at
the principal Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee, and in the absence of such
notice the Trustee may conclusively assume there is no default except as
aforesaid.

Section 604.  Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.

     The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee's
certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company,
and the Trustee or any Authenticating Agent assumes no responsibility for their
correctness.  The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity or
sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities.  The Trustee or any
Authenticating Agent shall not be accountable for the use or application by the
Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.  The Trustee shall not be deemed
to have knowledge of the identity of any Subsidiary unless either (A) a
Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall have actual knowledge thereof or (B)
the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof from the Company or any
Holder.

Section 605.  May Hold Securities.

     The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security
Registrar or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other
capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections
608 and 613, may otherwise deal with the 

                                       37
<PAGE>
 
Company with the same rights it would have if it were not Trustee,
Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security Registrar or such other agent.

Section 606.  Money Held in Trust.

     Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from
other funds except to the extent required by law.  The Trustee shall be under no
liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise
agreed with the Company.

Section 607.  Compensation and Reimbursement.

     The Company agrees:

               (1)  to pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable
          compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder (which
          compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in regard to
          the compensation of a trustee of an express trust);

               (2)  except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse
          the Trustee upon its request for all reasonable expenses,
          disbursements and advances incurred or made by the Trustee in
          accordance with any provision of this Indenture (including the
          reasonable compensation and the expenses and disbursements of its
          agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement or advance
          as may be attributable to its negligence or bad faith; and

               (3)  to indemnify the Trustee for, and to hold it harmless
          against, any loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or
          bad faith on its part, arising out of or in connection with the
          acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder,
          including the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim
          or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of any of
          its powers or duties hereunder.

     As security for the performance of the obligations of the Company under
this Section, the Trustee shall have a lien prior to the Securities upon all
property and funds held or collected by the Trustee as such, except funds held
in trust for the benefit of the Holders of particular Securities.

Section 608.  Disqualification; Conflicting Interests.

     If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the
meaning of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either
eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by,
and subject to the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture.
To the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall not be
deemed to have a conflicting interest with respect to the Securities of any
series by virtue of being Trustee with respect to the Securities of any
particular series of Securities except as may be otherwise provided by the terms
of the Securities of that series.

Section 609.  Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.

                                       38
<PAGE>
 
     There shall at all times be a Trustee hereunder which shall be a Person
that is eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such and has a
combined capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000.  If such Person publishes
reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements
of Federal, State, Territorial or District of Columbia supervising or examining
authority, then for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and
surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as
set forth in its most recent report of condition so published.  If at any time
the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this
Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect
hereinafter specified in this Article.

Section 610.  Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.

               (a)  No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment
of a successor Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the
acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the
applicable requirements of Section 611.

               (b)  The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the
Securities of one or more series by giving written notice thereof to the
Company. If the instrument of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by
Section 611 shall not have been delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after
the giving of such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any
court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with
respect to the Securities of such series.

               (c)  The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the
Securities of any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount
of the Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and to
the Company.

               (d)  If at any time:

                    (1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 608 after
               written request therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has
               been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months, or

                    (2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 609
               and shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the
               Company or by any such Holder, or

                    (3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be
               adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or
               of its property shall be appointed or any public officer shall
               take charge or control of the Trustee or of its property or
               affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or
               liquidation,

then, in any such case, (i) the Company by a Board Resolution may remove the
Trustee with respect to any or all Securities, or (ii) subject to Section 514,
any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months
may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court
of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to any or
all Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees with
respect to such series.

                                       39
<PAGE>
 
               (e)  If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable
of acting, or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause,
with respect to the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by a Board
Resolution, shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect
to the Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such
successor Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more
or all of such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with
respect to the Securities of any particular series) and shall comply with the
applicable requirements of Section 611. If, within one year after such
resignation, removal or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a
successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series shall
be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring
Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance
of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section
611, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series
and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If
no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have
been so appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted appointment in the
manner required by Section 611, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a
Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and
all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for
the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such
series.

               (f)  The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each
removal of the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each
appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series
to all Holders of Securities of such series in the manner provided in Section
106. Each notice of appointment shall include the name of the successor Trustee
with respect to the Securities of such series and the address of its Corporate
Trust Office.

Section 611.  Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.

               (a)  In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee
with respect to all Securities, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall
execute, acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an
instrument accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal
of the retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee,
without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the
rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request
of the Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon
payment of its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such
successor Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and
shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property
and money held by such retiring Trustee hereunder, subject nevertheless to its
lien, if any, provided for in Section 607.

               (b)  In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee
with respect to the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company,
the retiring Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities
of one or more series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto
wherein each successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall
contain such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and
confirm to, and to vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers,
trusts and duties of the retiring

                                       40
<PAGE>
 
Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which the
appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee is
not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as
shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers,
trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that
or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue
to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the
provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate
the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being
understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall
constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such
Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from
any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon
the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or
removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided
therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or
conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties
of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series
to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of
the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign,
transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by
such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those
series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates.

               (c)  Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company
shall execute any and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in
and confirming to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts
referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) of this Section, as the case may be.

               (d)  No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at
the time of such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and
eligible under this Article.

Section 612.  Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.

     Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with
which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger,
conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any
corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business
of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such
corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article,
without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of
any of the parties hereto.  In case any Securities shall have been
authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor
by merger, conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt
such authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same
effect as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.
In case any Securities shall not have been authenticated by such predecessor
Trustee, any such successor Trustee may authenticate and deliver such Debt
Securities, in either its own name or that of its predecessor Trustee, with the
full force and effect which this Indenture provides for the certificate of
authentication of the Trustee.

Section 613.  Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.

                                       41
<PAGE>
 
     If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Company (or
any other obligor upon the Securities), the Trustee shall be subject to the
provisions of Section 311 of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of
such claims against the Company (or any such other obligor).  A Trustee that has
resigned or been removed shall be subject to and comply with said Section 311 to
the extent required thereby.

Section 614.  Appointment of Authenticating Agent.

     The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to
one or more series of Securities (which may be an Affiliate of the Company)
which shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate
Securities issued upon registration of transfer or partial redemption or
repayment thereof or pursuant to Section 306, and Securities so authenticated
shall be entitled to the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and
obligatory for all purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder.
Wherever reference is made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery
of Securities by the Trustee or the Trustee's certificate of authentication,
such reference shall be deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf
of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication
executed on behalf of the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent.  Each
Authenticating Agent shall be acceptable to the Company and shall at all times
be a corporation organized and doing business and in good standing under the
laws of the United States of America, any State or the District of Columbia,
authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating Agent, having a combined
capital and surplus of no less than $50,000,000 and subject to supervision or
examination by Federal or State authority.  If such Authenticating Agent
publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the
requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes
of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such Authenticating Agent
shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most
recent report of condition so published.  If at any time an Authenticating Agent
shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section,
such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately in the manner and with the
effect specified in this Section.

     Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or
converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting
from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent
shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or
corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an
Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible
under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further
act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

     An Authenticating Agent for any series of Securities may resign at any time
by giving written notice thereof to the Trustee for such series and to the
Company.  The Trustee for any series of Securities may at any time terminate the
agency of an Authenticating Agent for such series by giving written notice
thereof to such Authenticating Agent and to the Company.  Upon receiving such a
notice of resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such
Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the
provisions of this Section, the Trustee of such series may appoint a successor
Authenticating Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall mail
written notice of such appointment by first-class mail, postage prepaid, to all
Holders of Securities of the series with respect to which such 

                                       42
<PAGE>
 
Authenticating Agent will serve, as their names and addresses appear in the
Security Register. Any successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its
appointment thereunder shall become vested with all the rights, powers and
duties of its predecessor hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as
an Authenticating Agent. No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed
unless eligible under the provisions of this Section.

     Except with respect to an Authenticating Agent appointed at the request of
the Company, the Trustee agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to
time reasonable compensation for its services under this Section, and the
Trustee shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such payments, pursuant to the
provisions of Section 607.

     If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to
this Section, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in
addition to the Trustee's certificate of authentication, an alternative
certificate of authentication in the following form:

                                       43
<PAGE>
 
     This is one of the Securities of the series described therein referred to
in the within-mentioned Indenture.

                    The First National Bank of Chicago,
                    as Trustee

                    ___________________________,
                    as Trustee

                    By: ________________________
                       As Authenticating Agent

                    By: ________________________
                       Authorized Officer


                                 ARTICLE SEVEN
               HOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

Section 701.  Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.

     With respect to each series of Securities, the Company will furnish or
cause to be furnished to the Trustee for the Securities of such Series

                    (a)  semiannually, not more than 15 days after each Regular
               Record Date relating to that series (or, if there is no Regular
               Record Date relating to that series, on June 30 and December 31),
               a list, in such form as such Trustee may reasonably require, of
               the names and addresses of the Holders of that series as of such
               date, and

                    (b)  at such other times as the Trustee may request in
               writing, within 30 days after the receipt by the Company of any
               such request, a list of similar form and content as of a date not
               more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished;
               provided, however, that if and so long as the Trustee is Security
               Registrar with respect to Securities of a particular series no
               such list shall be required with respect to the Securities of
               such series.

Section 702.  Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.

               (a)  The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is
reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most
recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 701 and the names
and addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security
Registrar. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in
Section 701 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

                                       44
<PAGE>
 
               (b)  The rights of Holders to communicate with other Holders with
respect to their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities, and the
corresponding rights and privileges of the Trustee, shall be as provided by the
Trust Indenture Act.

               (c)  Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the
same, agrees with the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the
Trustee nor any agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of
the disclosure of information as to the names and addresses of the Holders made
pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act.

Section 703.  Reports by Trustee.

               (a)  Within 60 days after May 15 of each year commencing with the
year 1999, the Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the
Trustee and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the
Trust Indenture Act if and to the extent and in the manner provided pursuant
thereto.

               (b)  A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such
transmission to Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon
which any Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The
Company will notify the Trustee when any Securities are listed on any stock
exchange.

Section 704.  Reports by Company.

               (a)  The Company shall file with the Trustee and the Commission,
and transmit to Holders, such information, documents and other reports, and such
summaries thereof, as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the
times and in the manner provided pursuant to such Act; provided that any such
information, documents or reports required to be filed with the Commission
pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, shall be filed with the Trustee within 15 days after the same is so
required to be filed with the Commission. Delivery of such reports to the
Trustee is for informational purposes only and the Trustee's receipt of such
reports shall not constitute constructive notice of any information contained
therein or determinable from information contained therein, including the
Company's compliance with any of its covenants hereunder (as to which the
Trustee is entitled to rely exclusively on Officers' Certificates).

               (b)  Commencing one year from the date hereof, the Company shall
furnish to the Trustee annually the notice required by Section 1009 hereof (if
required) and a statement as to the performance by the Company of its
obligations hereunder and as to any Event of Default.

Section 705.  Holders' Meetings.

               (a)  A meeting of Holders of any or all series may be called at
any time and from time to time pursuant to the provisions of this Section 705
for any of the following purposes:

                    (1) to give any notice to the Company or to the Trustee for
               such series, or to give any directions to the Trustee for such
               series, or to consent to the waiving of any default hereunder and
               its consequences, or to take any other action

                                       45
<PAGE>
 
               authorized to be taken by Holders pursuant to any of the
               provisions of Article Five;

                    (2) to remove the Trustee for such series and appoint a
               successor Trustee pursuant to the provisions of Article Six;

                    (3) to consent to the execution of an indenture or
               supplemental indentures hereto pursuant to the provisions of
               Section 902;

                    (4) to take any other action authorized to be taken by or on
               behalf of the Holders of any specified aggregate principal amount
               of the Outstanding Securities of any one or more or all series,
               as the case may be, under any other provision of this Indenture
               or under applicable law.

               (b)  The Trustee for any series may at any time call a meeting of
Holders of such series to take any action specified in paragraph (a) of this
Section 705, to be held at such time or times and at such place or places as the
Trustee for such series shall determine. Notice of every meeting of the Holders
of any series, setting forth the time and the place of such meeting and in
general terms the action proposed to be taken at such meeting, shall be given to
Holders of such series in the manner and to the extent provided in Section 105.
Such notice shall be given not less than 20 days nor more than 90 days prior to
the date fixed for the meeting.

               (c)  In case at any time the company, pursuant to a Board
Resolution, or the Holders of at least 10% in aggregate principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of a series or of all series, as the case may be, shall
have requested the Trustee for such series to call a meeting of Holders of any
or all such series by written request setting forth in reasonable detail the
action proposed to be taken at the meeting, and the Trustee shall not have given
the notice of such meeting within 20 days after the receipt of such request,
then the Company or such Holders may determine the time or times and the place
or places for such meetings and may call such meetings to take any action
authorized by giving notice thereof as provided in the preceding paragraph.

               (d)  to be entitled to vote at any meeting of Holders a Person
shall be (a) a Holder of a Security of the series with respect to which such
meeting is being held or (b) a Person appointed by an instrument in writing as
agent or proxy by such Holder. The only Persons who shall be entitled to be
present or to speak at any meeting of Holders shall be the Persons entitled to
vote at such meeting and their counsel and any representatives of the Trustee
for the series with respect to which such meeting is being held and its counsel
and any representatives of the Company and its counsel.

               (e)  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, the
Trustee for any series may make such reasonable regulations as it may deem
advisable for any meeting of Holders of such series, in regard to proof of the
holding of Securities of such series and of the appointment of proxies, and in
regard to the appointment and duties of inspectors of votes, the submission and
examination of proxies, certificates and other evidence of the right to vote,
and such other matters concerning the conduct of the meeting as it shall deem
appropriate.

                                       46
<PAGE>
 
     The Trustee shall, by an instrument in writing, appoint a temporary
chairman of the meeting, unless the meeting shall have been called by the
Company or by Holders of such series as provided in paragraph (c) of this
Section 705, in which case the Company or the Holders calling the meeting, as
the case may be, shall in like manner appoint a temporary chairman.  A permanent
chairman and a permanent secretary of the meeting shall be elected by a majority
vote of the meeting.

     Subject to the provisos in the definition of "Outstanding," at any meeting
each Holder of a Debt Security of the series with respect to which such meeting
is being held or proxy therefor shall be entitled to one vote for each $1,000
principal amount (or such other amount as shall be specified as contemplated by
Section 301) of Securities of such series held or represented by him; PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that no vote shall be cast or counted at any meeting in respect of any
Security challenged as not Outstanding and ruled by the chairman of the meeting
to be not Outstanding.  The chairman of the meeting shall have no right to vote
other than by virtue of Outstanding Securities of such series held by him or
instruments in writing duly designating him as the person to vote on behalf of
Holders of Debt Securities of such series.  Any meeting of Holders with respect
to which a meeting was duly called pursuant to the provisions of paragraph (b)
or (c) of this Section 705 may be adjourned from time to time by a majority of
such Holders present and the meeting may be held as so adjourned without further
notice.

               (f)  Voting.  The vote upon any resolution submitted to any
meeting of Holders with respect to which such meeting is being held shall be by
written ballots on which shall be subscribed the signatures of such Holders or
of their representatives by proxy and the serial number or numbers of the
Securities held or represented by them. The permanent chairman of the meeting
shall appoint two inspectors of votes who shall count all votes cast at the
meeting for or against any resolution and who shall make and file with the
secretary of the meeting their verified written reports in duplicate of all
votes cast at the meeting. A record in duplicate of the proceedings of each
meeting of Holders shall be prepared by the secretary of the meeting and there
shall be attached to said record the original reports of the inspectors of votes
on any vote by ballot taken thereat and affidavits by one or more persons having
knowledge of the facts setting forth a copy of the notice of the meeting and
showing that said notice was transmitted as provided in paragraph (b) of this
Section 705. The record shall show the serial numbers of the Securities voting
in favor of or against any resolution. The record shall be signed and verified
by the affidavits of the permanent chairman and secretary of the meeting and one
of the duplicates shall be delivered to the Company and the other to the Trustee
to be preserved by the Trustee.

     Any record so signed and verified shall be conclusive evidence of the
matters therein stated.

               (g)  Nothing contained in this Section 705 shall be deemed or
construed to authorize or permit, by reason of any call of a meeting of Holders
or any rights expressly or impliedly conferred hereunder to make such call, any
hindrance or delay in the exercise of any right or rights conferred upon or
reserved to the Trustee or to any Holder under any of the provisions of this
Indenture or of the Securities of any series.

                                       47
<PAGE>
 
                                 ARTICLE EIGHT
              CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE

Section 801.  Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.

               (a)  The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into
any other Person or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose
of all or substantially all of its property or assets to any Person unless:

                    (1) in case the Company shall consolidate with or merge into
               another Person or sell, assign, transfer, lease, convey or
               otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its property or
               assets to any Person in one or more related , the Person formed
               by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the
               Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which leases,
               the properties and assets of the Company be either the Company or
               a corporation, shall be organized and validly existing under the
               laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or the
               District of Columbia and shall expressly assume, by an indenture
               supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, all
               obligations hereunder, including the due and punctual payment of
               the principal of and any premium and interest on all the
               Securities and the performance or observance of every covenant of
               this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or
               observed;

                    (2)  immediately prior to and after giving effect to such
               transaction, and treating any indebtedness which becomes an
               obligation of the Company or a Subsidiary as a result of such
               transaction as having been incurred by the Company or such
               Subsidiary at the time of such transaction, no Event of Default,
               and no event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would
               become an Event of Default, shall have happened and be
               continuing;

                    (3)  if, as a result of any such consolidation or merger or
               such sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other
               disposition of all or substantially all of its property or
               assets, the properties or assets of the Company could become
               subject to a Lien which would not be permitted by this Indenture,
               the Company or such successor Person, as the case may be, shall
               prior to or contemporaneously with such consolidation, merger,
               conveyance transfer or lease, take such steps as shall be
               necessary effectively to secure the Securities equally and
               ratably with (or prior to) all indebtedness secured thereby; and

                    (4)  the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
               Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such
               consolidation, merger, sale, assignment, transfer, lease,
               conveyance or other disposition and, if a supplemental indenture
               is required in connection with such transaction, such
               supplemental indenture comply with this Article and that all
               conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such
               transaction have been complied with.

                                       48
<PAGE>
 
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, any Subsidiary of the Company may
consolidate with, merge into or transfer all or part of its properties and
assets to the Company.

Section 802.  Successor Substituted.

     Upon any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company into,
any other Person or any sale, assignment, transfer, lease, conveyance or other
disposition of all or substantially all of the property or assets of the Company
in accordance with Section 801, the successor Person formed by such
consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such sell, assign,
transfer, lease, convey or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its
property or assets is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may
exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture with the
same effect as if such successor Person had been named as the Company herein,
and thereafter, except in the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall be
relieved of all obligations and covenants under this Indenture and the
Securities.  In the case of a lease, the predecessor Person shall not be
released from its obligations to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and
interest on the Securities.  All Securities issued by the successor Person shall
in all respects have the same legal priority as the Securities theretofore or
thereafter authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of
this Indenture.

                                 ARTICLE NINE
                            SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

Section 901.  Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.

     Without the consent of any Holders, the Company, when authorized by a Board
Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may amend the
Securities of a series or enter into one or more indentures supplemental hereto,
in form satisfactory to the Trustee, for any of the following purposes:

               (1)  to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company
          and the assumption by any such successor of the covenants of the
          Company herein and in the Securities; or

               (2)  to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of
          the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants
          are to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities,
          stating that such covenants are expressly being included solely for
          the benefit of such series) or to surrender any right or power herein
          conferred upon the Company; or

               (3)  to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of
          the Holders of all or any series of Securities (and if such Events of
          Default are to be for the benefit of less than all series of
          Securities, stating that such Events of Default are expressly being
          included solely for the benefit of such series); or

               (4)  to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture
          to such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the
          issuance of Securities in bearer form, registrable or not registrable
          as to principal and with or without

                                       49
<PAGE>
 
          interest coupons, or to permit or facilitate the issuance of
          Securities in uncertificated form; or

               (5)  to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this
          Indenture in respect of one or more series of Securities, provided
          that any such addition, change or elimination (i) shall neither
          (A)apply to any Security of any series created prior to the execution
          of such supplemental indenture and entitled to the benefit of such
          provision nor (B) modify the rights of the Holder of any such Security
          with respect to such provision or (ii) shall become effective only
          when there is no such Security Outstanding; or

               (6)  to secure the Securities pursuant to Sections 801 or 1008 or
          otherwise; or

               (7)  to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series
          as permitted by Sections 201 and 301; or

               (8)  to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment
          hereunder by a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one
          or more series and to add to or change any of the provisions of this
          Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate the
          administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee,
          pursuant to the requirements of Section 611(b); or

               (9)  to add to or change any provisions of this Indenture to such
          extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of
          Securities convertible into other securities; or

               (10) to effectuate the provisions of Section 1505(b); or
          
               (11) to supplement any of the provisions of this Indenture to
          such extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the
          defeasance and discharge and covenant defeasance with respect to any
          series of Securities pursuant to Sections 1602 or 1603; provided,
          however, that any such action shall not adversely affect the interests
          of the Holders of Securities of such series or any other series of
          Securities in any material respect; or

               (12) to add or change or eliminate any provisions of this
          Indenture as shall be necessary or desirable in accordance with any
          amendments to the Trust Indenture Act or to comply with any
          requirements of the Commission in connection with the qualification of
          this indenture under the Trust Indenture Act; or

               (13) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any
          provision herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other
          provision herein, or to make any other provisions with respect to
          matters or questions arising under this Indenture, provided that such
          action pursuant to this clause (13) shall not adversely affect the
          interests of the Holders of Securities of any series in any material
          respect; or

                                       50
<PAGE>
 
               (14) to change any place or places where (1) the principal of and
          premium, if any, and interest, if any, on all or any series of
          Securities shall be payable, (2) all or any series of Securities may
          be surrendered for registration or transfer, (3) all or any series of
          Securities may be surrendered for exchange, and 4) notices and demands
          to or upon the Company in respect of all or any series of Securities
          and this Indenture may be served; or

               (15) to waive a default in the payment of the principal of, or
          interest on, any Security, except as otherwise provided herein.

Section 902.  Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders.

     With the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in  principal
amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such
supplemental indenture, by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the
Trustee, the Company, when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may
enter into an indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of
adding any provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the
provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the
Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, however,
that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of
each Outstanding Security affected thereby,

               (1)  change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any
          installment of principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any
          Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the rate of
          interest thereon or any premium payable upon the redemption thereof,
          the payment of any mandatory sinking fund or analogous obligation,
          change the method of determination of interest thereon, or reduce the
          amount of the principal of an Original Issue Discount Security that
          would be due and payable upon a declaration of acceleration of the
          Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502, or adversely affect any
          right of repayment at the option of the Holder of any Security, or
          change any Place of Payment where, or the coin or currency in which,
          any Security or any premium or the interest thereon is payable or
          impair the right of any Holders of Securities of a Series entitled to
          the conversion rights set forth in Article Fifteen to receive
          securities upon the exercise of such conversion rights, or impair the
          right to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment or
          delivery of Common Stock or Preferred Stock for Securities converted
          pursuant to Article Fifteen on or after the Stated Maturity thereof
          (or, in the case of redemption or repayment at the option of the
          Holder, on or after the Redemption Date or Repayment Date, as the case
          may be, or in the case of such conversion, on or after the date of
          conversion), or

               (2)  reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding
          Securities of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for
          any such supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is
          required for any waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this
          Indenture or certain defaults hereunder and their consequences)
          provided for in this Indenture, or

                                       51
<PAGE>
 
               (3)  make any change in the provisions concerning waivers of
          Events of Default by Holders or the rights of Holders to recover the
          principal of, premium, if any, or interest on, any Security or waive
          an Event of Default in the payment of the principal of, or interest
          on, any Security, except as otherwise provided for herein, or

               (4)  modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 513 or
          Section 1010, except to increase any such percentage or to provide
          that certain other provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or
          waived without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security
          affected thereby; provided, however, that this clause shall not be
          deemed to require the consent of any Holder with respect to changes in
          the references to "the Trustee" and concomitant changes in this
          Section and Section 1010, or the deletion of this proviso, in
          accordance with the requirements of Sections 611(b) and 901(8).

A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other
provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the
benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the
rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant
or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this
Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.

     It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to
approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall
be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.

Section 903.  Execution of Supplemental Indentures.

     In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any
supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of
the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive,
and (subject to Section 601) shall be fully protected in relying upon, an
Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture is
authorized or permitted by this Indenture.  The Trustee may, but shall not be
obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the
Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

Section 904.  Effect of Supplemental Indentures.

     Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this
Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental
indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder
of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder
shall be bound thereby.

Section 905.  Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.

     Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall
conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

Section 906.  Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.

                                       52
<PAGE>
 
     Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of
any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required
by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter
provided for in such supplemental indenture.  If the Company shall so determine,
new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the
Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and
executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in
exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.

Section 907.  Notice of Supplemental Indentures.

     Promptly after the execution by the Company and the appropriate Trustee of
any supplemental indenture, the Company shall transmit, as provided herein, to
all Holders of any series of the Debt Securities affected thereby, a notice
setting forth in general terms the substance of such supplemental indenture.

Section 908.  Subordination Unimpaired.

     No supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall directly
or indirectly modify the provisions of Article Fourteen in any manner which
might alter the subordination of the Securities.

                                  ARTICLE TEN
                                   COVENANTS

Section 1001.  Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.

     The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of
Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of (and premium,
if any) and interest on the Securities of that series in accordance with the
terms of the Securities and this Indenture.

Section 1002.  Maintenance of Office or Agency.

     The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment an office or agency
where Securities may be presented or surrendered for payment, where Securities
may be surrendered for registration of transfer, conversion or exchange and
where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the Securities
and this Indenture may be served.  The Company will give prompt written notice
to the Trustee of the location, and any change in the location, of such office
or agency.  If at any time the Company terminates the appointment of a Paying
Agent or Security Registrar or conversion agent or otherwise shall fail to
maintain any such required office or agency, the Company shall use its
reasonable best efforts to appoint a successor Paying Agent or Security
Registrar or conversion agent reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.  If the
Company fails to maintain a Paying Agent or Security Registrar or conversion
agent, the Trustee will act as such, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee
as its agent to receive all such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

     The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices
or agencies where the Securities may be presented or surrendered for any or all
such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations; provided,
however, that no such designation or rescission 

                                       53
<PAGE>
 
shall in any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office
or agency in each Place of Payment for such purposes. The Company will give
prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or rescission and
of any change in the location of any such other office or agency.

Section 1003.  Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.

     If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect
to any series of Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the
principal of (and premium, if any) or interest on any of the Securities of that
series, segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled
thereto a sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest
so becoming due until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise
disposed of as herein provided and will promptly notify the Trustee in writing
of its action or failure so to act.

     Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of
Securities, it will, prior to each due date of the principal of (and premium, if
any) or interest on any Securities of that series, deposit with a Paying Agent a
sum sufficient to pay the principal (and premium, if any) or interest so
becoming due, such sum to be held in trust for the benefit of the Persons
entitled to such principal, premium or interest, and (unless such Paying Agent
is the Trustee) the Company will promptly notify the Trustee in writing of its
action or failure so to act.

     The Company will cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities other
than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which
such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of
this Section, that such Paying Agent will:

          (1)  hold all sums held by it for the payment of the principal of (and
     premium, if any) or interest on Securities of that series in trust for the
     benefit of the Persons entitled thereto until such sums shall be paid to
     such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein provided;

          (2)  give the Trustee written notice of any default by the Company (or
     any other obligor upon the Securities of that series) in the making of any
     payment of principal (and premium, if any) or interest on the Securities of
     that series; and

          (3)  at any time during the continuance of any such default, upon the
     written request of the Trustee, forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so
     held in trust by such Paying Agent.

     The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction
and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company
Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by
the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the
same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such
Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such
Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such
money.

     Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by
the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any)
or interest on any 

                                       54
<PAGE>
 
Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for two years after such
principal (and premium, if any) or interest has become due and payable shall be
paid to the Company on Company Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall
be discharged from such trust; and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter,
as an unsecured general creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof,
and all liability of the Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust
money, and all liability of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon
cease; provided, however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being
required to make any such repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to
be published once, in an Authorized Newspaper in the Borough of Manhattan, The
City of New York, notice that such money remains unclaimed and that, after a
date specified therein, which shall not be less than 30 days from the date of
such publication, any unclaimed balance of such money then remaining will be
repaid to the Company.

Section 1004.  Corporate Existence.

     Subject to Article Eight, the Company will do or cause to be done all
things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate
existence and that of each Subsidiary and the rights (charter and statutory) and
franchises of the Company and its Subsidiaries; provided, however, that the
Company shall not be required to preserve any such right or franchise if in the
judgment of the Company it shall be necessary, advisable or in the interest of
the Company to discontinue the same.

Section 1005.  Statement by Officers as to Default.

     Pursuant to Section 314(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, the Company will
deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of each fiscal year of the
Company ending after the date hereof, a certificate signed by the principal
executive, financial or accounting officer of the Company, stating whether or
not to the best knowledge of the signer thereof the Company is in default in the
performance and observance of any of the terms, provisions, covenants and
conditions of this Indenture (without regard to any period of grace or
requirement of notice provided, hereunder) and, if the Company shall be in
default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of which
they may have knowledge.

Section 1006.  Maintenance of Properties.

     The Company will cause all properties used or useful in the conduct of its
business or the business of any Subsidiary to be maintained and kept in good
condition, repair and working order and supplied with all necessary equipment
and will cause to be made all necessary repairs, renewals, replacements,
betterments and improvements thereof, all as in the judgment of the Company may
be necessary so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be
properly and advantageously conducted at all times; provided, however, that
nothing in this Section shall prevent the Company from discontinuing the
operation or maintenance of any of such properties if such discontinuance is, in
the judgment of the Company, desirable in the conduct of its business or the
business of any Subsidiary.

Section 1007.  Payment of Taxes.

                                       55
<PAGE>
 
     The Company will pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before
the same shall become delinquent, all taxes, assessments and governmental
charges levied or imposed upon the Company or any Subsidiary or upon the income,
profits or property of the Company or any Subsidiary.

Section 1008.  Calculation of Original Issue Discount.

     If any Original Issue Discount Securities are issued hereunder, the Company
shall file with the Trustee promptly following the end of each calendar year a
written notice specifying the amount of original issue discount (including daily
rates and accrual periods) accrued on each series of outstanding Original Issue
Discount Securities as of the end of such year.

Section 1009.  Waiver of Certain Covenants.

     The Company may omit in any particular instance to comply with any term,
provision or condition set forth in Section 801(3) and in Section 1004 and
Sections 1006 to 1008, inclusive, with respect to the Securities of any series
if before the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in
principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall, by Act of
such Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive
compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall
extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so
expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations
of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term,
provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

                                ARTICLE ELEVEN
                            REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

Section 1101.  Applicability of Article.

     Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity
shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise
specified as contemplated in Section 301 for Securities of any series) in
accordance with this Article.

Section 1102.  Optional Redemption.

     Unless otherwise specified in connection with the issuance of any series of
Securities, the Securities will be redeemable, in whole or in part, at the
option of the Company at any time at a redemption price equal to the greater of
(i) 100% of the principal amount of such Securities or (ii) as determined by an
Independent Investment Banker, the sum of the present values of the remaining
scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon discounted to the
redemption date on a semiannual basis (assuming a 360-day year consisting of
twelve 30-day months) at the Adjusted Treasury Rate, plus, in each case, accrued
interest thereon to the date of redemption.

Section 1103.  Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.

     The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by
a Board Resolution.  In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of
less than all the Securities of any series, the Company shall, at least 60 days
prior to the Redemption Date fixed 

                                       56
<PAGE>
 
by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be satisfactory to the Trustee),
notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date, of the principal amount of
Securities of such series to be redeemed and, if applicable, of the tenor of the
Securities to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of Securities prior to
the expiration of any restriction on such redemption provided in the terms of
such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the Company shall furnish the
Trustee with an Officers' Certificate evidencing compliance with such
restriction.

Section 1104.  Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed.

     If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed (unless
all of the Securities of such series and of a specified tenor are to be
redeemed), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more
than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding
Securities of such series not previously called for redemption, in a manner
which the Trustee deems fair and appropriate, which may provide for the
selection for redemption of portions (equal to the minimum authorized
denomination for Securities of that series or any integral multiple thereof) of
the principal amount of Securities of such series of a denomination larger than
the minimum authorized denomination for Securities of that series.  If the
Company shall so specify and identify the appropriate Securities, Securities
owned of record and beneficially by the Company or any Subsidiary shall not be
included in the Securities selected for redemption.

     The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities
selected for redemption and, in the case of any Securities selected for partial
redemption, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

     For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires,
all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the
case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion
of the principal amount of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed.

Section 1105.  Notice of Redemption.

     Notice of redemption shall, unless otherwise specified by the terms of the
Securities to be redeemed, be given not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior
to the Redemption Date, to each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, in
accordance with Section 106.

     All notices of redemption shall state:

            (1)  the Redemption Date,

            (2)  the Redemption Price,

            (3)  that Debt Securities of such series are being redeemed by the
     Company pursuant to provisions contained in this Indenture or the terms of
     the Securities of such series or a supplemental indenture establishing such
     series, if such be the case, together with a brief statement of facts
     permitting such redemption,

                                       57
<PAGE>
 
            (4)  if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series are
     to be redeemed (unless all the Securities of such series of a specified
     tenor are to be redeemed), the identification (and, in the case of partial
     redemption of any Securities, the principal amounts) of the particular
     Securities to be redeemed,

            (5)  that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become
     due and payable upon each such Security to be redeemed and, if applicable,
     that interest thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date,

            (6)  the place or places where such Securities are to be surrendered
     for payment of the Redemption Price, which shall be the office or agency of
     the Company in each Place of Payment, and

            (7)  that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case.

     Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the
Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company's request, by the
Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company.

Section 1106.  Deposit of Redemption Price.

     Prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or
with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying Agent,
segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of money
sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption Date
shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Securities which
are to be redeemed on that date.

Section 1107.  Securities Payable on Redemption Date.

     Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to
be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the
Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the
Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued
interest) such Securities shall cease to bear interest.  Upon surrender of any
such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall
be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest
to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that, unless otherwise specified as
contemplated by Section 301, installments of interest whose Stated Maturity is
on or prior to the Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such
Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the
close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the
provisions of Section 307.

     If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender
thereof for redemption, the principal and any premium shall, until paid, bear
interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the
Security.  Section 1107.  Securities Redeemed in Part.  Any Security which is to
be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at a Place of Payment therefor
(with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a
written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the
Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in
writing), and the Company shall execute, and 

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<PAGE>
 
the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security
without service charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series and of
like tenor, of any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in
aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion
of the principal of the Security so surrendered. If a Global Security is so
surrendered, such new Security so issued shall be a new Global Security.

                                ARTICLE TWELVE
                                 SINKING FUNDS

Section 1201.  Applicability of Article.

     The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for
the retirement of Securities of a series except as otherwise specified as
contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of such series.

     The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of
Securities of any series is herein referred to as a "mandatory sinking fund
payment," and any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the
terms of Securities of any series is herein referred to as an "optional sinking
fund payment." If provided for by the terms of Securities of any series, the
cash amount of any sinking fund payment may be subject to reduction as provided
in Section 1202.  Each sinking fund payment shall be applied to the redemption
of Securities of any series as provided for by the terms of Securities of such
series.

Section 1202.  Satisfaction of Mandatory Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.

     The Company (1) may deliver Outstanding Securities of a series to the
Trustee for cancellation (other than any previously called for redemption) and
(2) may apply as a credit Securities of a series which have been redeemed either
at the election of the Company or the Holder, if applicable, pursuant to the
terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted optional
sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, in each case in
satisfaction of all or any part of any mandatory sinking fund payment with
respect to the Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the
terms of such Securities as provided for by the terms of such series or may
apply Securities of such series which have been previously cancelled or
converted; provided that such Securities have not been previously so credited.
Such Securities shall be received and credited for such purpose by the Trustee
at the Redemption Price specified in such Securities for redemption through
operation of such mandatory sinking fund and the amount of such mandatory
sinking fund payment shall be reduced accordingly.

Section 1203.  Redemption of Securities for Mandatory Sinking Fund.

     Not less than 60 days prior to each mandatory sinking fund payment date for
any series of Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate specifying the amount of the next ensuing mandatory sinking fund
payment for that series pursuant to the terms of that series, the portion
thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion
thereof, if any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities
or applying previously cancelled Securities of that series pursuant to Section
1202 and the basis for such credit and will also deliver to the Trustee any
Securities to be so delivered which have not theretofore been delivered to the
Trustee.  Not less than 30 days before each such mandatory sinking fund payment
date, the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such mandatory

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<PAGE>
 
sinking fund payment date in the manner specified in Section 1103 and cause
notice of the redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense
of the Company in the manner provided in Section 1104.  Such notice having been
duly given, the redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and
in the manner stated in Sections 1105, 1106 and 1107.

                               ARTICLE THIRTEEN
                  REPAYMENT OF SECURITIES AT OPTION OF HOLDERS

Section 1301.  Applicability of Article.

     Securities of any series that are repayable before their Stated Maturity at
the option of the Holders shall be repaid in accordance with their terms and
(except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities of
any series) in accordance with this Article.

Section 1302.   Notice of Repayment Date.

     Notice of any Repayment Date with respect to Securities of any series
shall, unless otherwise specified by the terms of the Securities of such series,
be given by the Company not less than 45 nor more than 60 days prior to such
Repayment Date, to the Trustee and to each Holder of Securities of such series
in accordance with Sections 105 and 106, respectively.

     The notice as to Repayment Date shall state:

           (1)  the Repayment Date;

           (2)  the Repayment Price;

           (3)  the place or places where such Securities are to be surrendered
     for payment of the Repayment Price, which shall be the office or agency of
     the Company in each Place of Payment, and the date by which Securities must
     be so surrendered in order to be repaid;

           (4)  a description of the procedure which a Holder must follow to
     exercise a repayment right; and

           (5)  that exercise of the option to elect repayment is irrevocable.

     No failure of the Company to give the foregoing notice shall limit any
Holder's right to exercise a repayment right.

Section 1303.  Deposit of Repayment Price.

     On or prior to any Repayment Date, the Company shall deposit with the
Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying
Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of
money sufficient to pay the Repayment Price of and 

                                       60
<PAGE>
 
(except if the Repayment Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued
interest on, all the Securities of such series which are to be repaid on that
date.

Section 1304.  Securities Payable on Repayment Date.

     The form of option to elect repayment having been delivered as specified in
the form of Security for such series as provided in Section 201, the Securities
so to be repaid shall, on the Repayment Date, become due and payable at the
Repayment Price applicable thereto, and from and after such date (unless the
Company shall default in the payment of the Repayment Price and accrued
interest) such Securities shall cease to bear interest.  Upon surrender of any
such Security for repayment in accordance with said notice, such Security shall
be paid by the Company at the Repayment Price, together with accrued interest to
the Repayment Date; provided, however, that, unless otherwise specified as
contemplated by Section 301, installments of interest whose Stated Maturity is
on or prior to such Repayment Date will be payable to the Holders of such
Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the
close of business on the relevant Record Date according to their terms and the
provisions of Section 307.

     If any Security to be repaid shall not be so paid upon surrender thereof
for repayment, the principal shall, until paid, bear interest from the Repayment
Date at the rate prescribed in the Security.

Section 1305.  Securities Repaid in Part.

     Any Security which by its terms may be repaid in part at the option of the
Holder and which is to be repaid only in part shall be surrendered at any office
or agency of the Company designated for that purpose pursuant to Section 1002
(with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due endorsement by, or a
written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the
Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or his attorney duly authorized in
writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver to the Holder of such Security, without service charge, a new Security
or Securities of the same series and of like tenor, of any authorized
denomination as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to
and in exchange for the unrepaid portion of the principal of the Security so
surrendered.  If a Global Security is so surrendered, such new Security so
issued shall be a new Global Security.

                               ARTICLE FOURTEEN
                          SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES

Section 1401.  Securities Subordinate to Senior Indebtedness.

     The Company covenants and agrees that anything in this Indenture or the
Securities of any series to the contrary notwithstanding, the indebtedness
evidenced by the Securities of each series is subordinate and junior in right of
payment to all Senior Indebtedness to the extent provided herein, and each
Holder of Securities of each series, by his acceptance thereof, likewise
covenants and agrees to the subordination herein provided and shall be bound by
the provisions hereof.  Senior Indebtedness shall continue to be Senior
Indebtedness and entitled to the benefits 

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<PAGE>
 
of these subordination provisions irrespective of any amendment, modification or
waiver of any term of the Senior Indebtedness or extension or renewal of the
Senior Indebtedness.

     In the event that the Company shall default in the payment of any principal
of (or premium, if any) or interest on any Senior Indebtedness when the same
becomes due and payable, whether at maturity or at a date fixed for repayment or
by declaration of acceleration or otherwise, then, upon written notice of such
default to the Company by the holders of Senior Indebtedness or any trustee
therefor or representative thereof, unless and until such default shall have
been cured or waived or shall have ceased to exist, no direct or indirect
payment (in cash, property, securities, by set-off or otherwise) shall be made
or agreed to be made on account of the principal of (or premium, if any) or
interest on any of the Securities, or in respect of any redemption, retirement,
purchase or other acquisition of any of the Securities.

     In the event of

            (a)  any insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation,
     reorganization, readjustment, composition or other similar proceeding
     relating to the Company, its creditors or its property,

            (b)  any proceeding for the liquidation, dissolution or other
     winding up of the Company, voluntary or involuntary, whether or not
     involving insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings,

            (c)  any assignment by the Company for the benefit of creditors, or

            (d)  any other marshalling of the assets of the Company,

all Senior Indebtedness (including any interest thereon accruing after the
commencement of any such proceedings) shall first be paid in full before any
payment or distribution, whether in cash, securities or other property, shall be
made to any Holder of any of the Securities on account thereof.  Any payment or
distribution, whether in cash, securities or other property (other than
securities of the Company or any other corporation provided for by a plan of
reorganization or readjustment the payment of which is subordinate, at least to
the extent provided in these subordination provisions with respect to the
indebtedness evidenced by the Securities, to the payment of all Senior
Indebtedness at the time outstanding and to any securities issued in respect
thereof under any such plan of reorganization or readjustment), which would
otherwise (but for these subordination provisions) be payable or deliverable in
respect of the Securities of any series shall be paid or delivered directly to
the holders of Senior Indebtedness in accordance with the priorities then
existing among such holders until all Senior Indebtedness (including any
interest thereof accruing after the commencement of any such proceedings) shall
have been paid in full.  In the event of any such proceeding, after payment in
full of all sums owing with respect to Senior Indebtedness, the Holders of the
Securities, together with the holders of any obligations of the Company ranking
on a parity with the Securities, shall be entitled to be paid from the remaining
assets of the Company the amounts at the time due and owing on account of unpaid
principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on the Securities and such other
obligations before any payment or other distribution, whether in cash, property
or otherwise, shall be made 

                                       62
<PAGE>
 
on account of any capital stock or any obligations of the Company ranking junior
to the Securities and such other obligations.

     In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or
distribution of any character, whether in cash, securities or other property
(other than securities of the Company or any other corporation provided for by a
plan of reorganization or readjustment the payment of which is subordinate, at
least to the extent provided in these subordination provisions with respect to
the indebtedness evidenced by the Securities, to the payment of all Senior
Indebtedness at the time outstanding and to any securities issued in respect
thereof under any such plan of reorganization or readjustment), or any security
shall be received by the Trustee or any Holder in contravention of any of the
terms hereof, such payment or distribution or security shall be received in
trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over or delivered and transferred
to, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness at the time outstanding in accordance
with the priorities then existing among such holders for application to the
payment of all Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid, to the extent necessary to
pay all such Senior Indebtedness in full.  In the event of the failure of the
Trustee or any Holder to endorse or assign any such payment, distribution or
security, each holder of Senior Indebtedness is hereby irrevocably authorized to
endorse or assign the same.

     No present or future holder of any Senior Indebtedness shall be prejudiced
in the right to enforce subordination of the indebtedness evidenced by the
Securities by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company.  Nothing
contained herein shall impair, as between the Company and the Holders of
Securities of each series, the obligation of the Company to pay to such Holders
the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest on such Securities or
prevent the Trustee or the Holder from exercising all rights, powers and
remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law or hereunder upon a Default or
Event of Default hereunder, all subject to the rights of the holders of the
Senior Indebtedness to receive cash, securities or other property otherwise
payable or deliverable to the Holders.

     Senior Indebtedness shall not be deemed to have been paid in full unless
the holders thereof shall have received cash, securities or other property equal
to the amount of such Senior Indebtedness then outstanding.  Upon the payment in
full of all Senior Indebtedness, the Holders of Securities of each series shall
be subrogated to all rights of any holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive any
further payments or distributions applicable to the Senior Indebtedness until
the indebtedness evidenced by the Securities of such series shall have been paid
in full, and such payments or distributions received by such Holders, by reason
of such subrogation, of cash, securities or other property which otherwise would
be paid or distributed to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, shall, as between
the Company and its creditors other than the holders of Senior Indebtedness, on
the one hand, and such Holders, on the other hand, be deemed to be a payment by
the Company on account of Senior Indebtedness, and not on account of the
Securities of such series.

     The provisions of this Section 1401 shall not impair any right, interests,
remedies or powers of any secured creditor of the Company in respect of any
security interest the creation of which is not prohibited by the provisions of
this Indenture.

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<PAGE>
 
     The securing of any obligations of the Company, otherwise ranking on a
parity with the Securities or ranking junior to the Securities, shall not be
deemed to prevent such obligations from constituting, respectively, obligations
ranking on a parity with the Securities or ranking junior to the Securities.

Section 1402.  Trustee and Holders of Securities May Rely on Certificate of
Liquidating Agent; Trustee May Require Further Evidence as to Ownership of
Senior Indebtedness; Trustee Not Fiduciary to Holders of Senior Indebtedness.

     Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in
this Article Fourteen, the Trustee and the Holders shall be entitled to rely
upon an order or decree made by any court of competent jurisdiction in which
such dissolution or winding up or liquidation or reorganization or arrangement
proceedings are pending or upon a certificate of the trustee in bankruptcy,
receiver, assignee for the benefit of creditors or other Person making such
payment or distribution, delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders, for the
purpose of ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such
distribution, the holders of the Senior Indebtedness and other indebtedness of
the Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid
or distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article
Fourteen.  In the absence of any such bankruptcy trustee, receiver, assignee or
other Person, the Trustee shall be entitled to rely upon a written notice by a
Person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Indebtedness (or a trustee
or representative on behalf of such holder) as evidence that such Person is a
holder of such Senior Indebtedness (or is such a trustee or representative).  In
the event that the Trustee determines, in good faith, that further evidence is
required with respect to the right of any Person as a holder of Senior
Indebtedness to participate in any payments or distributions pursuant to this
Article Fourteen, the Trustee may request such Person to furnish evidence to the
reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Indebtedness
held by such Person, as to the extent to which such Person is entitled to
participate in such payment or distribution, and as to other facts pertinent to
the rights of such Person under this Article Fourteen, and if such evidence is
not furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial
determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment.  With
respect to the holders of Senior Indebtedness, the Trustee undertakes to perform
or to observe only such of its covenants and obligations as are specifically set
forth in this Article, and no implied covenants or obligations with respect to
the holders of Senior Indebtedness shall be read into this Indenture against the
Trustee.  The Trustee shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the
holders of Senior Indebtedness and, subject to the provisions of Section 601,
the Trustee shall not be liable to any holder of Senior Indebtedness if it shall
in good faith pay over or deliver to Holders of Securities, the Company or any
other Person moneys or assets to which any holder of Senior Indebtedness shall
be entitled by virtue of this Article or otherwise.

Section 1403.  Payment Permitted If No Default.

     Nothing contained in this Article Fourteen or elsewhere in this Indenture,
or in any of the Securities, shall prevent (a) the Company at any time, except
during the pendency of any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or
reorganization proceedings referred to in, or under the conditions described in,
Section 1401, from making payments of the principal of (or premium, if any) or
interest on the Securities, or (b) the application by the Trustee or any Paying
Agent of 

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<PAGE>
 
any moneys deposited with it hereunder to payments of the principal of (or
premium, if any) or interest on the Securities if the Trustee or such Paying
Agent, as the case may be, did not have the written notice provided for in
Section 1404 by the times referred to therein of any event prohibiting the
making of such deposit or exchange, and the Trustee or any Paying Agent shall
not be affected by any notice to the contrary received by it on or after such
times.

Section 1404.  Trustee Not Charged with Knowledge of Prohibition.

     Anything in this Article Fourteen or elsewhere in this Indenture contained
to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall not at any time be charged
with knowledge of the existence of any facts which would prohibit the making of
any payment of money to or by the Trustee and shall be entitled conclusively to
assume that no such facts exist and that no event specified in Section 1401 has
happened, until the Trustee shall have received an Officers' Certificate to that
effect or notice in writing to that effect signed by or on behalf of the holder
or holders, or their representatives, of Senior Indebtedness who shall have been
certified by the Company or otherwise established to the reasonable satisfaction
of the Trustee to be such holder or holders or representatives or from any
trustee under any indenture pursuant to which such Senior Indebtedness shall be
outstanding; provided, however, that, if prior to the third Business Day
preceding the date upon which by the terms hereof any money becomes payable
(including, without limitation, the payment of either the principal of or
interest on any Security), or in the event of the execution of an instrument
pursuant to Section 401 acknowledging satisfaction and discharge of this
Indenture, then if prior to the second Business Day preceding the date of such
execution, the Trustee or any Paying Agent shall not have received with respect
to such money the Officers' Certificate or notice provided for in this Section
1404, then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Trustee or such Paying Agent shall have full power and authority to receive such
money and apply the same to the purpose for which they were received and shall
not be affected by the notice to the contrary which may be received by it on or
after such date.  The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee
and to the Paying Agent of any facts which would prohibit the payment of money
to or by the Trustee or any Paying Agent.

Section 1405.  Trustee to Effectuate Subordination.

     Each Holder of Securities by his acceptance thereof authorizes and directs
the Trustee on his behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate
to effectuate the subordination as between such Holder and holders of Senior
Indebtedness as provided in this Article and appoints the Trustee its attorney-
in-fact for any and all such purposes.

Section 1406.  Rights of Trustee as Holder of Senior Indebtedness.

     The Trustee shall be entitled to all the rights set forth in this Article
with respect to any Senior Indebtedness which may at the time be held by it, to
the same extent as any other holder of Senior Indebtedness; provided, however,
that nothing in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as
such holder; and provided, further, that nothing in this Article shall apply to
claims of, or payments to, the Trustee under or pursuant to Section 607.

Section 1407.  Article Applicable to Paying Agents.

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<PAGE>
 
     In case at any time any Paying Agent other than the Trustee shall have been
appointed by the Company and be then acting hereunder, the term "Trustee" as
used in this Article shall in such case (unless the context shall otherwise
require) be construed as extending to and including such Paying Agent within its
meaning as fully for all intents and purposes as if the Paying Agent were named
in this Article in addition to or in place of the Trustee; provided, however,
that Sections 1404 and 1406 shall not apply to the Company or any Affiliate of
the Company if the Company or such Affiliate acts as Paying Agent.

Section 1408.  Subordination Rights Not Impaired by Acts or Omissions of the
Company or Holders of Senior Indebtedness.

     No right of any present or future holders of any Senior Indebtedness to
enforce subordination as herein provided shall at any time in any way be
prejudiced or impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company
or by any act or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any
noncompliance by the Company with the terms, provisions and covenants of this
Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof which any such holder may have or
be otherwise charged with.  The holders of Senior Indebtedness may, at any time
or from time to time and in their absolute discretion, change the manner, place
or terms of payment, change or extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter,
any such Senior Indebtedness, or amend or supplement any instrument pursuant to
which any such Senior Indebtedness is issued or by which it may be secured, or
release any security therefor, or exercise or refrain from exercising any other
of their rights under the Senior Indebtedness, including, without limitation,
the waiver of default thereunder, all without notice to or assent from the
Holders of the Securities or the Trustee and without affecting the obligations
of the Company, the Trustee or the Holders of the Securities under this Article.

                                ARTICLE FIFTEEN
                            CONVERSION OF SECURITIES

Section 1501.  General.

     If so provided in the terms of the Securities of any series established in
accordance with Section 301, the principal amount of the Securities of such
series shall be convertible into shares of Common Stock in accordance with this
Article Fifteen and the terms of such series of Securities if such terms differ
from this Article Fifteen; provided, however, that if any of the terms by which
any such Security shall be convertible into Common Stock are set forth in a
supplemental indenture entered into with respect thereto pursuant to Section
901(9) hereof, the terms of such supplemental indenture shall govern.

Section 1502.  Right to Convert.

     Subject to and upon compliance with the provisions of this Article, the
Holder of any Security that is convertible into Common Stock shall have the
right, at such Holder's option, at any time on or after the date of original
issue of such Security or such other date specified in the applicable Board
Resolution delivered pursuant to Section 301 and prior to the close of business
on the date set forth in such Board Resolution (or if such Security is called
for redemption, then in respect of such Security to and including but not after
the close of business on the date of 

                                       66
<PAGE>
 
redemption unless the Company shall default in the payment due on such date) to
convert the principal amount of any such Security of any authorized
denomination, or, in the case of any Security to be converted of a denomination
greater than the minimum denomination for Securities of the applicable series,
any portion of such principal which is an authorized denomination or an integral
multiple thereof, into that number of fully paid and nonassessable shares of
Common Stock obtained by dividing the principal amount of such Security or
portion thereof surrendered for conversion by the Conversion Price therefor by
surrender of the Security so to be converted in whole or in part in the manner
provided in Section 1503. Such conversion shall be effected by the Company in
accordance with the provisions of this Article and the terms of the Securities,
if such terms differ from this Article.

Section 1503.  Manner of Exercise of Conversion Privilege; Delivery of Common
Stock; No Adjustment for Interest or Dividends.

     In order to effect a conversion, the holder of any Security to be
converted, in whole or in part, shall surrender such Security at the office or
agency maintained by the Company for such purpose, as provided in Section 1002
and shall give written notice of conversion to the Company at such office or
agency that the Holder elects to convert such Security or the portion thereof
specified in said notice.  The notice shall state the name or names (with
address), and taxpayer identification number, in which the certificate or
certificates for shares of Common Stock which shall be deliverable on such
conversion shall be registered, and shall be accompanied by payments in respect
of transfer taxes, if required pursuant to Section 1506.  Each Security
surrendered for conversion shall, unless the shares of Common Stock deliverable
on conversion are to be issued in the same name as the registration of such
Security, be duly endorsed by or be accompanied by instruments of transfer, in
form satisfactory to the Company, duly executed by the Holder or such Holder's
duly authorized attorney, and by any payment required pursuant to this Section
1503.  As promptly as practicable after the surrender of such Security and
notice, as aforesaid, the Company shall deliver or cause to be delivered at such
office or agency to such Holder, or on such Holder's written order, a
certificate or certificates for the number of full shares of Common Stock
deliverable upon the conversion of such Security or portion thereof in
accordance with the provisions of this Article and a check or cash in respect of
any fractional interest in respect of a share of Common Stock arising upon such
conversion as provided in Section 1504.  In case any Security of a denomination
greater than the minimum denomination for Securities of the applicable series
shall be surrendered for partial conversion, the Company shall execute and
register and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to or upon the written
order of the Company and the Holder of the Security so surrendered, without
charge to such Holder, a new Security or Securities of the same series in
authorized denominations in an aggregate principal amount equal to the
unconverted portion of the surrendered Security.  Each conversion shall be
deemed to have been effected as of the date on which such Security shall have
been surrendered (accompanied by the funds, if  any, required by the last
paragraph of this Section) and such notice received by the Company, as
aforesaid, and the person or persons in whose name or names any certificate or
certificates for shares of Common Stock shall be registrable upon such
conversion shall become on said date the Holder of record of the shares
represented thereby, provided, however, that any such surrender on any date when
the stock transfer books of the Company shall be closed shall constitute the
person in whose name the certificates are to be registered as the record holder
thereof for all purposes on the next 

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<PAGE>
 
succeeding day on which such stock transfer books are open, but such conversion
shall be at the Conversion Price in effect on the date upon which such Security
shall have been so surrendered.

     Any Security or portion thereof surrendered for conversion during the
period from the close of business on the Regular Record Date for any Interest
Payment Date to the opening of business on such Interest Payment Date shall
(unless such Security or portion thereof being converted shall have been called
for redemption or submitted for repayment on a date during such period) be
accompanied by payment, in legal tender or other funds acceptable to the
Company, of an amount equal to the interest otherwise payable on such Interest
Payment Date on the principal amount being converted; provided, however, that no
such payment need be made if there shall exist at the time of conversion a
default in the payment of interest on the applicable series of Securities.  An
amount equal to such payment shall be paid by the Company on such Interest
Payment Date to the Holder of such Security on such Regular Record Date;
provided, however, that if the Company shall default in the payment of interest
on such Interest Payment Date, such amount shall be paid to the person who made
such required payment.  Except as provided above in this Section, no adjustment
shall be made for interest accrued on any Security converted or for dividends on
any shares issued upon the conversion of such Security as provided in this
Article.

Section 1504.  Cash Payments in Lieu of Fractional Shares.

     No fractional shares of Common Stock or scrip representing fractional
shares of Common Stock shall be delivered upon conversion of Securities.  If
more than one Security shall be surrendered for conversion at one time by the
same Holder, the number of full shares of Common Stock which shall be
deliverable upon conversion shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate
principal amount of the Securities (or specified portions thereof to the extent
permitted hereby) so surrendered.  Instead of any fraction of a share of Common
Stock which would otherwise be deliverable upon the conversion of any Security,
the Company shall pay to the Holder of such Security an amount in cash (computed
to the nearest cent, with one-half cent being rounded upward) equal to the same
fraction of the closing price (determined in the manner provided in Section
1505(a)(v)) of the Common Stock on the Trading Day (as defined in Section
1505(a)(v)) next preceding the date of conversion.

Section 1505.  Conversion Price Adjustments; Effect of Reclassification,
Mergers, Consolidations and Sales of Assets.

          (a)  The Conversion Price shall be adjusted from time to time as
               follows:

               (i) In case the Company shall (x) pay a dividend or make a
          distribution on the Common Stock in shares of Common Stock,
          (y)subdivide the outstanding Common Stock into a greater number of
          shares or (z) combine the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller
          number of shares, the Conversion Price shall be adjusted so that the
          Holder of any Security thereafter surrendered for conversion shall be
          entitled to receive the number of shares of Common Stock of the
          Company which such holder would have owned or have been entitled to
          receive after the happening of any of the events described above had
          such Security been converted immediately prior to the record date in
          the case of a 

                                       68
<PAGE>
 
          dividend or the effective date in the case of subdivision or
          combination. An adjustment made pursuant to this subparagraph (i)
          shall become effective immediately after the record date in the case
          of a dividend, except as provided in subparagraph (vii) below, and
          shall become effective immediately after the effective date in the
          case of a subdivision or combination.

               (ii) In case the Company shall issue rights or warrants to all
          holders of shares of Common Stock entitling them (for a period
          expiring within 45 days after the record date mentioned below) to
          subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock at a price per share
          less than the current market price per share of Common Stock (as
          defined for purposes of this subparagraph (ii) in subparagraph (v)
          below), the Conversion Price in effect after the record date for the
          determination of stockholders entitled to receive such rights or
          warrants shall be determined by multiplying the Conversion Price in
          effect immediately prior to such record date by a fraction, the
          numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock
          outstanding on such record date plus the number of shares of Common
          Stock which the aggregate offering price of the total number of shares
          of Common Stock so offered would purchase at such current market
          price, and the denominator of which shall be the number of shares of
          Common Stock outstanding on the record date for issuance of such
          rights or warrants plus the number of additional shares of Common
          Stock receivable upon exercise of such rights or warrants.  Such
          adjustment shall be made successively whenever any such rights or
          warrants are issued, and shall become effective immediately, except as
          provided in subparagraph (vii) below, after such record date.

               (iii)  In case the Company shall distribute to all holders of
          Common Stock any shares of capital stock of the Company (other than
          Common Stock) or evidences of its indebtedness or assets (excluding
          cash dividends or distributions paid from retained earnings of the
          Company or dividends payable in Common Stock) or rights or warrants to
          subscribe for or purchase any of its securities (excluding those
          rights or warrants referred to in subparagraph (ii) above) (any of the
          foregoing being hereinafter in this subparagraph (iii) called the
          "Assets"), then, in each such case, the Conversion Price shall be
          adjusted so that the same shall equal the price determined by
          multiplying the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the
          record date for determination of stockholders entitled to receive such
          distribution by a fraction the numerator of which shall be the current
          market price per share (as defined for purposes of this
          subparagraph(iii) in subparagraph (v) below) of the Common Stock at
          such record date for determination of stockholders entitled to receive
          such distribution less the then fair market value (as determined by
          the Board of Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive) of
          the portion of the Assets so distributed applicable to one share of
          Common Stock, and the denominator of which shall be the current market
          price per share (as defined in subparagraph (v) below) of the Common
          Stock at such record date.  Such adjustment shall become effective
          immediately, except as provided in subparagraph (vii) below, after the
          record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive
          such distribution.

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<PAGE>
 
               (iv) If, pursuant to subparagraph (ii) or (iii) above, the number
          of shares of Common Stock into which a Security is convertible shall
          have been adjusted because the Company has declared a dividend, or
          made a distribution, on the outstanding shares of Common Stock in the
          form of any right or warrant to purchase securities of the Company, or
          the Company has issued any such right or warrant, then, upon the
          expiration of any such unexercised right or unexercised warrant, the
          Conversion Price shall forthwith be adjusted to equal the Conversion
          Price that would have applied had such right or warrant never been
          declared, distributed or issued.

               (v) For the purpose of any computation under subparagraphs(ii) or
          (iii) above, the current market price per share of Common Stock on any
          date shall be deemed to be the average of the daily closing prices of
          the Common Stock for the shorter of (i) 30 consecutive Trading Days
          ending on the last full Trading Day on the exchange or market
          specified in the second following sentence prior to the Time of
          Determination or (ii) the period commencing on the date next
          succeeding the first public announcement of the issuance of such
          rights or warrants or such distribution through such last full Trading
          Day prior to the Time of Determination.  The term "Time of
          Determination" as used herein shall be the time and date of the
          earlier of (x) the determination of stockholders entitled to receive
          such rights, warrants, or distributions or (y) the commencement of
          "ex-dividend" trading in the Common Stock on the exchange or market
          specified in the following sentence.  The closing price for each day
          shall be the reported last sales price, regular way, or, in case no
          sale takes place on such day, the average of the reported closing bid
          and asked prices, regular way, in either case as reported on the New
          York Stock Exchange Composite Tape or, if the Common Stock is not
          listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange at such
          time, on the principal national securities exchange on which the
          Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading or, if not listed or
          admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, on the Nasdaq
          National Market ("NNM") or, if the Common Stock is not quoted on NNM,
          the average of the closing bid and asked prices on such day in the
          over-the-counter market as reported by NNM or, if bid and asked prices
          for the Common Stock on each such day shall not have been reported
          through NNM, the average of the bid and asked prices for such date as
          furnished by any New York Stock Exchange member firm regularly making
          a market in the Common Stock selected for such purpose by the Company
          or, if no such quotations are available, the fair market value of the
          Common Stock as determined by a New York Stock Exchange member firm
          regularly making a market in the Common Stock selected for such
          purpose by the Company.  As used herein, the term "Trading Day" with
          respect to Common Stock means(x) if the Common Stock is listed or
          admitted for trading on the New York Stock Exchange or another
          national securities exchange, a day on which the New York Stock
          Exchange or such other national securities exchange, as the case may
          be, is open for business or (y) if the Common Stock is quoted on NNM,
          a day on which trades may be made on NNM or (z) otherwise, any day
          other than a Saturday or Sunday or a day on which banking institutions
          in the State of New York are authorized or obligated by law or
          executive order to close.

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<PAGE>
 
               (vi) No adjustment in the Conversion Price shall be required
          unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at
          least 1% in such price; provided, however, that any adjustments which
          by reason of this subparagraph (vi) are not required to be made shall
          be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent
          adjustment.  All calculations under this Section 1505(a) shall be made
          to the nearest cent or to the nearest .01 of a share, as the case may
          be, with one-half cent and .005 of a share, respectively, being
          rounded upward.  Anything in this Section 1505(a) to the contrary
          notwithstanding, the Company shall be entitled to make such reductions
          in the Conversion Price, in addition to those required by this Section
          1505(a), as it in its discretion shall determine to be advisable in
          order that any stock dividend, subdivision of shares, distribution of
          rights or warrants to purchase stock or securities, or distribution of
          other assets (other than cash dividends) hereafter made by the Company
          to its stockholders shall not be taxable.

               (vii)  In any case in which this Section 1505(a) provides that an
          adjustment shall become effective immediately after a record date for
          an event, the Company may defer until the occurrence of such event(x)
          issuing to the holder of any Security converted after such record date
          and before the occurrence of such event the additional shares of
          Common Stock issuable upon such conversion by reason of the adjustment
          required by such event over and above the Common Stock issuable upon
          such conversion before giving effect to such adjustment and (y) paying
          to such holder any amount of cash in lieu of any fractional share of
          Common Stock pursuant to Section 1504.

               (viii)  Whenever the Conversion Price is adjusted as herein
          provided, the Company shall file with the Trustee an Officers'
          Certificate, setting forth the Conversion Price after such adjustment
          and setting forth a brief statement of the facts requiring such
          adjustment, which certificate shall be conclusive evidence of the
          correctness of such adjustment; provided, however, that the failure of
          the Company to file such Officers' Certificate shall not affect the
          legality or validity of any corporate action by the Company.

               (ix) Whenever the Conversion Price for any series of Securities
          is adjusted as provided in this Section 1505(a), the Company shall
          cause to be mailed to each holder of Securities of such series at its
          then registered address by first-class mail, postage prepaid, a notice
          of such adjustment of the Conversion Price setting forth such adjusted
          Conversion Price and the effective date of such adjusted Conversion
          Price; provided, however, that the failure of the Company to give such
          notice shall not affect the legality or validity of any corporate
          action by the Company.

     (b)(i) Notwithstanding any other provision herein to the contrary, if any
of the following events occur, namely (x) any reclassification or change of
outstanding shares of Common Stock (other than a change in par value, or from
par value to no par value, or from no par value to par value, or as a result of
a subdivision or combination of the Common Stock), (y) any consolidation, merger
or combination of the Company with or into another corporation as a 

                                       71
<PAGE>
 
result of which holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive stock,
securities or other property or assets (including cash) with respect to or in
exchange for such Common Stock, or (z) any sale or conveyance of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company to any other entity as a result
of which holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive stock, securities
or other property or assets (including cash) with respect to or in exchange for
such Common Stock, then appropriate provision shall be made by supplemental
indenture so that (A) the holder of any outstanding Security that is convertible
into Common Stock shall have the right to convert such Security into the kind
and amount of the shares of stock and securities or other property or assets
(including cash) that would have been receivable upon such reclassification,
change, consolidation, merger, combination, sale, or conveyance by a holder of
the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of such Security
immediately prior to such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger,
combination, sale or conveyance and (B) the number of shares of any such other
stock or securities into which such Security shall thereafter be convertible
shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms as
nearly equivalent as practicable to the terms of adjustment provided for in this
Section, and Sections 1502, 1503, 1504, 1506, 1507, 1508 and 1509 shall apply on
like terms to any such other stock or securities.

     (ii) In case of any reclassification or change of the Common Stock (other
than a subdivision or combination of its outstanding Common Stock, or a change
in par value, or from par value to no par value, or from no par value to par
value), or of any consolidation, merger or combination of the Company with or
into another corporation or of the sale or conveyance of all or substantially
all of the assets of the Company, the Company shall cause to be filed with the
Trustee and to be mailed to each holder of Securities that are convertible into
shares of Common Stock at such holder's registered address, the date on which
such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, combination, sale or
conveyance is expected to become effective, and the date as of which it is
expected that holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to exchange their Common
Stock for stock, securities or other property deliverable upon such
reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, combination, sale or
conveyance.

Section 1506.  Taxes on Shares Issued.

     The delivery of stock certificates upon conversions of Securities shall be
made without charge to the holder converting a Security for any tax in respect
of the issue thereof.  The Company shall not, however, be required to pay any
tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the delivery of
stock registered in any name other than of the holder of any Security converted,
and the Company shall not be required to deliver any such stock certificate
unless and until the person or persons requesting the delivery thereof shall
have paid to the Company the amount of such tax or shall have established to the
satisfaction of the Company that such tax has been paid.

Section 1507.  Shares to be Fully Paid; Compliance with Governmental
Requirements; Listing of Common Stock.

     The Company covenants that all shares of Common Stock which may be
delivered upon conversion of Securities of any series which are convertible into
Common Stock will upon 

                                       72
<PAGE>
 
delivery be fully paid and nonassessable by the Company and free from all taxes,
liens and charges with respect to the issue thereof.

     The Company covenants that if any shares of Common Stock to be provided for
the purpose of conversion of Securities hereunder require registration with or
approval of any governmental authority under any Federal or state law before
such shares may be validly delivered upon conversion, the Company will in good
faith and as expeditiously as possible endeavor to secure such registration or
approval, as the case may be.

     The Company further covenants that it will, if permitted by the rules of
the New York Stock Exchange or such other national stock exchange on which the
Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading or if permitted by the rules of
NASDAQ if the Common Stock is approved by it for listing or quotation, list and
keep listed for so long as the Common Stock shall be so listed on such exchange,
upon official notice of issuance, all Common Stock deliverable upon conversion
of Securities of any series which are convertible into Common Stock.

Section 1508.  Responsibility of Trustee.

     Neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall at any time be under any
duty or responsibility to any Holder of Securities to determine whether any
facts exist which may require any adjustment of the Conversion Price applicable
to such Securities, or with respect to the nature or extent of any such
adjustment when made, or with respect to the method employed, or herein or in
any supplemental indenture provided to be employed, in making the same.  Neither
the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall be accountable with respect to the
validity or value (or the kind or amount) of any shares of Common Stock, or of
any securities or property, which may at any time be delivered upon the
conversion of any Security; and neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent
makes any representation with respect thereto.  Neither the Trustee nor any
conversion agent shall be responsible for any failure of the Company to deliver
any shares of Common Stock or stock certificates or other securities or property
or cash upon the surrender of any Security for the purpose of conversion or for
any failure of the Company to comply with any of the covenants of the Company
contained in this Article Fifteen.

Section 1509.  Covenant to Reserve Shares.

     The Company covenants that it will at all times reserve and keep available,
free from preemptive rights, out of its authorized but unissued Common Stock,
such number of shares of Common Stock as shall then be deliverable upon the
conversion of all Outstanding Securities of any series of Securities which are
convertible into Common Stock.

Section 1510.  Other Conversions.

     If so provided in a Board Resolution with respect to the Securities of a
series, the principal amount of the Securities of such series shall be
convertible into or exchangeable for a principal amount of other securities of
the Company (which other securities may be issued under this Indenture or
otherwise), and the issuance of such securities upon any such conversion or
exchange shall be made in accordance with the terms of such Board Resolution.

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<PAGE>
 
                                ARTICLE SIXTEEN
                       DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

Section 1601.  Applicability of Article; Company's Option to Effect Defeasance
or Covenant Defeasance.

     If pursuant to Section 301 provision is made for either or both of (a)
defeasance of the Securities of a series under Section 1602 or (b) covenant
defeasance of the Securities of a series under Section 1603, then the provisions
of such Section or Sections, as the case may be, together with the other
provisions of this Article Sixteen, shall be applicable to the Securities of
such series, and the Company may at its option by Board Resolution, at any time,
with respect to the Securities of such series, elect to have either Section 1602
(if applicable) or Section 1603 (if applicable) be applied to the Outstanding
Securities of such series upon compliance with the conditions set forth below in
this Article Sixteen.

Section 1602.  Defeasance and Discharge.

     Upon the Company's exercise of the above option applicable to this Section
with respect to the Outstanding Securities of a particular series, the Company
shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with respect to the
Outstanding Securities of such series (except for certain obligations to
register the transfer or exchange of Securities of such series, to replace
stolen, lost or mutilated Securities of such series, and to maintain paying
agencies) on and after the date the conditions precedent set forth below are
satisfied (hereinafter, "defeasance").  For this purpose, such defeasance means
that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and discharged the entire
indebtedness represented by the Outstanding Securities of such series and to
have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities and this
Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned (and the Trustee, at the
expense of the Company and upon Company Request, shall execute proper
instruments acknowledging the same), except for the following which shall
survive until otherwise terminated or discharged hereunder: (A) the rights of
Holders of Outstanding Securities of such series to receive, solely from the
trust fund described in Section 1604 as more fully set forth in such Section,
payments of the principal of and any premium and interest on such Securities
when such payments are due, (B) the Company's obligations with respect to such
Securities under Section 304, 305, 306, 607, 1002 and 1003 and such obligations
as shall be ancillary thereto, (C) the rights, powers, trusts, duties,
immunities and other provisions in respect of the Trustee hereunder and (D) this
Article Sixteen.  Subject to compliance with this Article Sixteen, the Company
may exercise its option under this Section 1602 notwithstanding the prior
exercise of its option under Section 1603 with respect to the Securities of such
series.

Section 1603.  Covenant Defeasance.

     Upon the Company's exercise of the above option applicable to this Section
with respect to the Outstanding Securities of a particular series, the Company
shall be released from its obligations under Sections 801, 1008 and 1009 (and
any other covenant applicable to such Securities that is determined pursuant to
Section 301 to be subject to covenant defeasance under this Section) and the
occurrence of an event specified in Clause (4) of Section 501 with respect to
any of Sections 801, 1004, 1006, 1007, 1008 or 1009 (and any other Event of
Default 

                                       74
<PAGE>
 
applicable to such Securities that is determined pursuant to Section 301 to be
subject to covenant defeasance under this Section) shall not be deemed to be an
Event of Default with respect to the Outstanding Securities of such series on
and after the date the conditions set forth below are satisfied (hereinafter,
"covenant defeasance"). For this purpose, such covenant defeasance means that,
with respect to the Outstanding Securities of such series, the Company may omit
to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition,
limitation or restrictive covenant set forth in any such Section or Clause
whether directly or indirectly by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to
any such Section or Clause or by reason of any reference in any such Section or
Clause to any other provision herein or in any other document, including any
supplement hereto, any Board Resolution or Officers' Certificate delivered
hereto but the remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be
unaffected thereby.

Section 1604.  Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

     The following shall be the conditions precedent to application of either
Section 1602 or Section 1603 to the Outstanding Securities of a particular
series:

           (a)  The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be
     deposited with the Trustee (or another trustee satisfying the requirements
     of Section 609 who shall agree to comply with the provisions of this
     Article Sixteen applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose
     of making the following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and
     dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of such Securities, (A)
     money in an amount, or (B) U.S. Government Obligations which through the
     scheduled payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in
     accordance with their terms will provide, not later than one day before the
     due date of any payment, money in an amount, or (C) a combination thereof,
     sufficient, without reinvestment, in the opinion of a nationally recognized
     firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification
     thereto delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge, and which shall be
     applied by the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee) to pay and discharge,
     (i) the principal of and any premium, if any, and interest on the
     Outstanding Securities of such series on the maturity of such principal,
     premium or interest and (ii) any mandatory sinking fund payments or
     analogous payments applicable to the Outstanding Securities of such series
     on the day on which such payments are due in accordance with the terms of
     this Indenture and of such Securities. Before such a deposit, the Company
     may make arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the redemption of
     Securities at a future date or dates in accordance with Article Eleven,
     which shall be given effect in applying the foregoing. For this purpose,
     "U.S. Government Obligations" means securities that are (x) direct
     obligations of the United States of America for the payment of which its
     full faith and credit is pledged or (y) obligations of a Person controlled
     or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United
     States of America the timely payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed
     as a full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America,
     which, in either case, are not callable or redeemable at the option of the
     issuer thereof, and shall also include a depositary receipt issued by a
     bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as
     amended) as custodian with respect to any such U.S. 

                                       75
<PAGE>
 
     Government Obligation or a specific payment of principal of or interest on
     any such U.S. Government Obligation held by such custodian for the account
     of the holder of such depositary receipt, provided that (except as required
     by law) such custodian is not authorized to make any deduction from the
     amount payable to the holder of such depositary receipt from any amount
     received by the custodian in respect of the U.S. Government Obligation or
     the specific payment of principal of or interest on the U.S. Government
     Obligation evidenced by such depositary receipt.

               (b)  No Event of Default or event which with notice or lapse of
     time or both would become an Event of Default with respect to the
     Securities of such series shall have occurred and be continuing (A) on the
     date of such deposit or (B) insofar as subsections 501(6) and (7) are
     concerned, at any time during the period ending on the 91st day after the
     date of such deposit or, if longer, ending on the day following the
     expiration of the longest preference period applicable to the Company in
     respect of such deposit (it being understood that the condition in this
     condition shall not be deemed satisfied until the expiration of such
     period). (3) Such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not (A) cause the
     Trustee for the Securities of such series to have a conflicting interest as
     defined in Section 608 or for purposes of the Trust Indenture Act with
     respect to any securities of the Company or (B) result in the trust arising
     from such deposit to constitute, unless it is qualified as, a regulated
     investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

               (c)  Such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall not result in a
     breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, this Indenture or
     any other agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by
     which it is bound.

               (d)  In the case of an election under Section 1602, the Company
     shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (x)
     the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal
     Revenue Service a ruling, or (y) since the date of this Indenture there has
     been a change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case to
     the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the
     Holders of the Outstanding Securities of such series will not recognize
     income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax purposes as a
     result of such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to
     United States federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner
     and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit,
     defeasance and discharge had not occurred.

               (e)  In the case of an election under Section 1603, the Company
     shall have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect
     that the Holders of the Outstanding Securities of such series will not
     recognize income, gain or loss for United States federal income tax
     purposes as a result of such covenant defeasance and will be subject to
     United States federal income tax on the same amounts, in the same manner
     and at the same times as would have been the case if such deposit and
     covenant defeasance had not occurred.

                                       76
<PAGE>
 
               (f)  Such defeasance or covenant defeasance shall be effected in
     compliance with any additional terms, conditions or limitations which may
     be imposed on the Company in connection therewith pursuant to Section 301.

               (g)  The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
     Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions
     precedent provided for relating to either the defeasance under Section 1602
     or the covenant defeasance under Section 1603 (as the case may be) have
     been complied with.

Section 1605.  Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to be Held in
Trust; Other Miscellaneous Provisions.

     Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money
and U.S.  Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with
the Trustee (or other qualifying trustee - collectively, for purposes for this
Section 1605, the "Trustee") pursuant to Section 1604 in respect of the
Outstanding Securities of such series shall be held in trust and applied by the
Trustee, in accordance with the provisions of such Securities and this
Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent (but not
including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may
determine, to the Holders of such Securities, of all sums due and to become due
thereon in respect of principal, premium and interest, but such money need not
be segregated from other funds except to the extent required by law.

     The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or
other charge imposed on or assessed against the money or U.S.  Government
Obligations deposited pursuant to Section 1604 or the principal and interest
received in respect thereof.

     Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall deliver
or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money or U.S.
Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 1604 which, in the
opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants
expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, are in
excess of the amount thereof which would then be required to be deposited to
effect an equivalent defeasance or covenant defeasance.

Section 1606.  Reinstatement.

     If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money in
accordance with Section 1602 or 1603 with respect to the Securities of any
series by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental authority
enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the
Company's obligations under this Indenture and the Securities of such series
shall be revived and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to
this Article Sixteen until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted
to apply all such money in accordance with Section 1602 or 1603; provided,
however, that if the Company makes any payment of the principal of or any
premium or interest on any such Security following the reinstatement of its
obligations, the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of
such Securities to receive such payment from the money held by the Trustee or
the Paying Agent.

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<PAGE>
 
                               ARTICLE SEVENTEEN
                           IMMUNITY OF INCORPORATORS,

                      STOCKHOLDERS,OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

Section 1701.  Immunity of Incorporators, Stockholders, Officers and Directors.

     No recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of this
Indenture, or of any Security, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in
respect thereof, shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, officer or
director, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor
corporation, either directly or through the Company, whether by virtue of any
constitution, statute or rule of law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or
penalty or otherwise; it being expressly understood that this Indenture and the
obligations issued hereunder are solely corporate obligations, and that no
personal liability whatever shall attach to, or is or shall be incurred by, the
incorporators, stockholders, officers or directors, as such, of the Company or
any successor corporation, or any of them, because of the creation of the
indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by this Indenture or in any of the
Securities or implied therefrom; and that any and all such personal liability of
every name and nature, either at common law or in equity or by constitution or
statute, of, and any and all such rights and claims against, every such
incorporator, stockholder, officer or director, as such, because of the creation
of the indebtedness hereby authorized, or under or by reason of the obligations,
covenants or agreements contained in this Indenture or in any of the Securities
or implied therefrom are hereby expressly waived and released as a condition of,
and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and the issue of
such Securities.

                                     * * *

     This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts
shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

                                       78
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be
duly executed, and their respective corporate seals to be hereunto affixed and
attested, all as of the day and year first above written.

[SEAL]                              AUTOZONE, INC.

                                    By:_________________________________
                                    Name:
                                    Title:

Attest:

________________________
Name:
Title:


[SEAL]                              THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
                                    By:_________________________________
                                    Name:
                                    Title:

Attest:

________________________
Name:
Title:

                                       79

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.5


                                 AUTOZONE, INC.

                                      and

                             _____________________,

                                as Warrant Agent


                               WARRANT AGREEMENT

                         Dated as of ____________, 199_
<PAGE>
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           PAGE
                                                                                           ----
                                   ARTICLE I.
                       ISSUANCE OF WARRANTS AND EXECUTION
<S>                                                                                        <C>
Section 1.01.      Issuance of Warrants.................................................... 2
Section 1.02.      Execution and Delivery of Warrant Certificates.......................... 2
Section 1.03.      Issuance of Warrant Certificates........................................ 3

                                  ARTICLE II.
               WARRANT PRICE, DURATION AND EXERCISE OF WARRANTS.

Section 2.01.      Warrant Price........................................................... 4
Section 2.02.      Duration of Warrants.................................................... 4
Section 2.03.      Exercise of Warrants.................................................... 4

                                  ARTICLE III.
                     OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO RIGHTS OF.

Section 3.01.      No Rights as Warrant Securityholders Conferred by
                   Warrants or Warrant Certificates........................................ 5
Section 3.02.      Lost, Stolen, Mutilated or Destroyed Warrant Certificates............... 5
Section 3.03.      Holder of Warrant Certificate May Enforce Rights........................ 6

                                  ARTICLE IV.
                 EXCHANGE AND TRANSFER OF WARRANT CERTIFICATES.

Section 4.01.      Exchange and Transfer of Warrant Certificates........................... 6
Section 4.02.      Treatment of Holders of Warrant Certificates............................ 7
Section 4.03.      Cancellation of Warrant Certificates.................................... 7

                                   ARTICLE V.
                         CONCERNING THE WARRANT AGENT.

Section 5.01.      Warrant Agent...........................................................7
Section 5.02.      Conditions of Warrant Agent's Obligations...............................7
Section 5.03.      Resignation and Appointment of Successor................................9
Section 5.04.      Payment of Taxes........................................................10

                                  ARTICLE VI.
                                 MISCELLANEOUS.

Section 6.01.      Amendment...............................................................10
Section 6.02.      Notices and Demands to the Company and Warrant Agent....................10
Section 6.03.      Addresses...............................................................10
Section 6.04.      Applicable Law..........................................................10
Section 6.05.      Delivery of Prospectus..................................................11
Section 6.06.      Obtaining of Governmental Approvals.....................................11
Section 6.07.      Persons Having Rights under Warrant Agreement...........................11
Section 6.08.      Headings................................................................11
</TABLE>

                                       i
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<S>                                                                                       <C>
Section 6.09.      Counterparts........................................................... 11     
Section 6.10.      Inspection of Agreement................................................ 11     
Section 6.11.      Adjustment of Number of [Preferred Stock] [Shares of Common Stock]; 
                   Notices................................................................ 11     
Section 6.12.      Fractional Shares...................................................... 16      
</TABLE>

                                       ii
<PAGE>
 
   THIS WARRANT AGREEMENT dated as of _____________, 199_ between AutoZone,
Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of
Nevada (herein called the "Company") and _____________, a ______________
organized and existing under the laws of _________________, as Warrant Agent
(hereinafter called the "Warrant Agent").

     WHEREAS, the Company proposes to issue and sell from time to time, either
jointly or separately, certain of its (i) senior debt securities (the "Senior
Debt Securities"), and/or (ii) subordinated debt securities (the "Subordinated
Debt Securities", and, together with the Senior Debt Securities, the "Debt
Securities"), and/or (iii) preferred stock, par value $.01 (the "Preferred
Stock"), and/or (iv) common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common
Stock"), and/or, (v) warrants (the "Warrants") to purchase Debt Securities,
Preferred Stock or Common Stock, and/or (vi) units consisting of two or more of
the foregoing securities (the "Units) in one or more offerings on terms
determined at the time of sale; and

     WHEREAS, the Company has prepared and filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission a registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-  ),
including a prospectus, relating to the securities described above and the
offering thereof from time to time in accordance with Rule 415 under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"); and

     [If Debt Securities - WHEREAS, the Company has entered into an senior
      ------------------                                                  
indenture dated as of ________, 1998 (the "Senior Indenture"), with The First
National Bank of Chicago, as trustee (such trustee, and any successor to such
trustee, to be herein called the "Trustee"), and a subordinated indenture dated
as of _______, 1998 (the "Subordinated Indenture and together with the Senior
Indenture, the "Indenture"), with the First National Bank of Chicago, as
Trustee, providing for the issuance from time to time of its [Senior]
[Subordinated] Debt Securities to be issued in one or more series as provided in
the Indenture; and]

     [If Preferred Stock - WHEREAS, the Company has established a series of
      ------------------                                                   
Preferred Stock in accordance with the terms of the Certificate of Vote of
Directors Establishing a Series of a Class of Stock relating to such Preferred
Stock (the "Certificate of Vote"); and]

     [If Warrants attached - WHEREAS, the Company proposes to sell the [Debt
      --------------------                                                  
Securities] [Preferred Stock] [Common Stock] now being offered (the "Offered
Securities") with warrant certificates evidencing one or more warrants (the
"Warrants" or, individually, a "Warrant") representing the right to purchase the
[Debt Securities] [Preferred Stock] [Common Stock] purchasable through exercise
of the Warrants (the "Warrant Securities"), such warrant certificates and other
warrant certificates issued pursuant to this Agreement being herein called the
"Warrant Certificates"; and]

     [If Warrants alone - WHEREAS, the Company proposes to sell warrant
      -----------------                                                
certificates evidencing one or more warrants (the "Warrants" or, individually, a
"Warrant") representing the right to purchase the [Debt Securities][Preferred
Stock][Common Stock] purchasable through exercise of Warrants] (the "Warrant
Securities"), such warrant certificates and other warrant certificates issued
pursuant to this Agreement being herein called the "Warrant Certificates"; and]

     WHEREAS, the Company desires the Warrant Agent to act on behalf of the
Company, and the Warrant Agent is willing to so act, in connection with the
issuance, exchange, exercise and replacement of the Warrant Certificates, and in
this Warrant Agreement wishes to set forth,
<PAGE>
 
among other things, the form and provisions of the Warrant Certificates and the
terms and conditions on which they may be issued, exchanged, exercised and
replaced;

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

                                   ARTICLE I.

                       ISSUANCE OF WARRANTS AND EXECUTION
                     AND DELIVERY OF WARRANT CERTIFICATES.

     Section 1.01.  Issuance of Warrants.  [If Offered Securities with Warrants
                    --------------------    -----------------------------------
Attached] - Warrants shall be [initially] issued in connection with the issuance
- --------                                                                        
of the Offered Securities [but shall be separately transferable on and after
_____, 199_ (the "Detachable Date")][and shall not be separately transferable].
Warrant Certificates shall be [initially] issued in units with the Offered
Securities and each Warrant Certificate included in such a unit shall evidence
________ Warrants for each [share of Offered Securities] [$________ principal
amount of Offered Securities or its equivalent in a foreign currency or
composite currency] included in such unit.] [If Warrants alone - Upon issuance
                                             -----------------                
each Warrant Certificate shall evidence one or more Warrants.] Each Warrant
evidenced thereby shall represent the right, subject to the provisions contained
herein and therein, to purchase [________ shares of Warrant Securities] [a
Warrant Security in the principal amount of $_________ or its equivalent in a
foreign currency or composite currency].

     Section 1.02.  Execution and Delivery of Warrant Certificates.  Each
                    ----------------------------------------------       
Warrant Certificate, whenever issued, shall be in [bearer] [registered] form
substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit A hereto, shall be dated as of
its issue date and may have such letters, numbers or other marks of
identification or designation and such legends or endorsements printed,
lithographed or engraved thereon as the officers of the Company executing the
same may approve (execution thereof to be conclusive evidence of such approval)
and as are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Agreement, or as may be
required to comply with any law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant
thereto or with any rule or regulation of any stock exchange on which the
Warrant Certificates may be listed or authorized for trading, or to conform to
usage.  The Warrant Certificates shall be signed on behalf of the Company by its
Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief Financial
Officer and Treasurer, Executive Director, Global Treasury or Comptroller, and
attested by its Clerk or any of its Assistant Clerks, under its corporate seal.
Such signatures may be manual or facsimile signatures of such authorized
officers and may be imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Warrant
Certificates.  The seal of the Company may be in the form of a facsimile thereof
and may be impressed, affixed, imprinted or otherwise reproduced on the Warrant
Certificates.

     No Warrant Certificate shall be valid for any purpose, and no Warrant
evidenced thereby shall be exercisable, until such Warrant Certificate has been
countersigned by the Warrant Agent.  Such signature by the Warrant Agent upon
any Warrant Certificate executed by the Company shall be conclusive evidence
that the Warrant Certificate so countersigned has been duly issued hereunder.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
     In case any officer of the Company who shall have signed any of the Warrant
Certificates either manually or by facsimile signature shall cease to be such
officer before the Warrant Certificates so signed shall have been countersigned
and delivered by the Warrant Agent, such Warrant Certificates nevertheless may
be countersigned and delivered as though the person who signed such Warrant
Certificates had not ceased to be such officer of the Company, and any Warrant
Certificate may be signed on behalf of the Company by such persons as, at the
actual date of the execution of such Warrant Certificate, shall be the proper
officers of the Company, although at the date of the execution of this Agreement
any such person was not such officer.

     Pending the preparation of definitive Warrant Certificates, the Company may
execute, and upon the order of the Company the Warrant Agent shall authenticate
and deliver, temporary Warrant Certificates which are printed, lithographed,
typewritten, mimeographed or otherwise produced substantially of the tenor of
the definitive Warrant Certificates in lieu of which they are issued and with
such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as
the officers executing such Warrant Certificates may determine, as evidenced by
their execution of such Warrant Certificates.

     If temporary Warrant Certificates are issued, the Company will cause
definitive Warrant Certificates to be prepared without unreasonable delay.
After the preparation of definitive Warrant Certificates, the temporary Warrant
Certificates shall be exchangeable for definitive Warrant Certificates upon
surrender of the temporary Warrant Certificates at the corporate trust office of
the Warrant Agent [or _________], without charge to the holder.  Upon surrender
for cancellation of any one or more temporary Warrant Certificates, the Company
shall execute and the Warrant Agent shall authenticate and deliver in exchange
therefor definitive Warrant Certificates representing the same aggregate number
of Warrants.  Until so exchanged, the temporary Warrant Certificates shall in
all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this Agreement as definitive
Warrant Certificates.

     [If bearer Warrants - The term "holder" or "holder of a Warrant
      ------------------                                            
Certificate" as used herein shall mean [If Offered Securities with Warrants
                                        -----------------------------------
which are not immediately detachable - , prior to the Detachable Date, the
- ------------------------------------                                      
[bearer] [registered owner] of the Offered Security to which such Warrant
Certificate was initially attached, and after such Detachable Date] the bearer
of such Warrant Certificate.]

     [If registered Warrants - The term "holder" or "holder of a Warrant
      ----------------------                                            
Certificate" as used herein shall mean any person in whose name at the time any
Warrant Certificate shall be registered upon the books to be maintained by the
Warrant Agent for that purpose [If Offered Securities with Warrants which are
                                ---------------------------------------------
not immediately detachable - or upon the register of the Offered Securities
- --------------------------                                                 
prior to the Detachable Date.]  The Company will, or will cause the registrar of
the Offered Securities to, make available at all times to the Warrant Agent such
information as to holders of the Offered Securities with Warrants as may be
necessary to keep the Warrant Agent's records up to date.]

     Section 1.03.  Issuance of Warrant Certificates.  Warrant Certificates
                    --------------------------------                       
evidencing the right to purchase [___ shares] [an aggregate principal amount not
exceeding $_________] of Warrant Securities or its equivalent in a foreign
currency or composite currency (except as provided in Sections 2.03(c), 3.02 and
4.01) may be executed by the Company and delivered to the Warrant Agent upon the
execution of this Warrant Agreement or from time to time thereafter.  The

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
Warrant Agent shall, upon receipt of Warrant Certificates duly executed on
behalf of the Company, countersign Warrant Certificates evidencing Warrants
representing the right to purchase [____ shares] [up to $___________ aggregate
principal amount] of Warrant Securities or its equivalent in a foreign currency
or composite currency and shall deliver such Warrant Certificates to or upon the
order of the Company.  Subsequent to such original issuance of the Warrant
Certificates, the Warrant Agent shall countersign a Warrant Certificate only if
the Warrant Certificate is issued in exchange or substitution for one or more
previously countersigned Warrant Certificates [If registered Warrants - or in
                                               ----------------------        
connection with their transfer], as hereinafter provided.

                                  ARTICLE II.


               WARRANT PRICE, DURATION AND EXERCISE OF WARRANTS.

     Section 2.01.  Warrant Price.  [On__________, 199_] the exercise price of
                    -------------                                             
each Warrant is [$]___________.  [During the period from __________, 199_
through and including _________, 199_, the exercise price of each Warrant will
be [$]________ plus [accreted original issue discount] [accrued interest] from
______, 199_.  On _______, 199_ the exercise price of each Warrant will be
[$]_________.  During the period from ____________, 199_ through and including
__________, 199_, the exercise price of each Warrant will be [$]_______________
plus [accreted original issue discount] [accrued interest] from ___________,
199_; [in each case the original issue discount will be accreted at a __% annual
rate, computed on a [semiannual] [annual] basis using a 360-day year consisting
of twelve 30-day months;] [in each case accrued interest will be computed at a
rate equal to __%]].  Such purchase price of Warrant Securities may be
denominated in U.S. dollars or its equivalent in a foreign currency or composite
currency and may be determined in reference to an index and is referred to in
this Agreement as the "Warrant Price." [The original issue discount for each
$1,000 principal amount of Warrant Securities (or its equivalent thereof in a
foreign currency or composite currency) is [$]_____________.]

     Section 2.02.  Duration of Warrants.  Each Warrant evidenced by a Warrant
                    --------------------                                      
Certificate may be exercised in whole at any time, as specified herein, on or
after [the date thereof] [_____________, 19__] and at or before the close of
business on _____________, 19__ (the "Expiration Date").  Each Warrant not
exercised at or before the close of business on the Expiration Date shall become
void, and all rights of the holder of the Warrant Certificate evidencing such
Warrant and under this Agreement shall cease.

     Section 2.03.  Exercise of Warrants.  During the period specified in
                    --------------------                                      
Section 2.02, any whole number of Warrants, if the Warrant Certificate
evidencing the same shall have been countersigned by the Warrant Agent, may be
exercised by providing certain information set forth on the reverse side of the
Warrant Certificate and by paying in full, [in cash or by certified check or
official bank check or by bank wire transfer, in each case,] [by bank wire
transfer] in immediately available funds, the Warrant Price for each Warrant
exercised, to the Warrant Agent at its corporate trust office,
____________________ [or at ________________________], provided that such
exercise is subject to receipt within five Business Days (as defined in Section
6.11(f) hereof) of such [payment] [wire transfer] by the Warrant Agent of the
Warrant Certificate with the form of election to purchase Warrant

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
Securities set forth on the reverse side of the Warrant Certificate properly
completed and duly executed. The date on which payment in full of the Warrant
Price is received by the Warrant Agent shall, subject to receipt of the Warrant
Certificate as aforesaid, be deemed to be the date on which the Warrant is
exercised. The Warrant Agent shall deposit all funds received by it in payment
of the Warrant Price in the account of the Company maintained with it for such
purpose and shall advise the Company by telephone at the end of each day on
which a [payment] [wire transfer] for the exercise of Warrants is received of
the amount so deposited to its account. The Warrant Agent shall promptly confirm
such telephonic advice to the Company in writing.

          (b) The Warrant Agent shall, from time to time, as promptly as
practicable, advise the Company [and the Trustee under the Indenture] of the
number of Warrants exercised in accordance with the terms and conditions of this
Agreement and the Warrant Certificates, (ii) the instructions of each holder of
the Warrant Certificates evidencing such Warrants with respect to delivery of
the Warrant Securities to which such holder is entitled upon such exercise,
(iii) delivery of Warrant Certificates evidencing the balance, if any, of the
Warrants remaining after such exercise, and (iv) such other information as the
Company [or the Trustee] shall reasonably require.

          (c) As soon as practicable after the exercise of any Warrant or
Warrants, the Company shall issue[, pursuant to the Indenture, in authorized
denominations to or upon the order of the holder of the Warrant Certificate
evidencing such Warrant or Warrants,] the Warrant Security or Warrant Securities
to which such holder is entitled, in fully registered form, registered in such
name or names as may be directed by such holder; and, if fewer than all of the
Warrants evidenced by such Warrant Certificate were exercised, the Company shall
execute, and an authorized officer of the Warrant Agent shall manually
countersign and deliver to or upon the order of such holder, a new Warrant
Certificate evidencing the number of Warrants remaining unexercised.

          (d) The Company shall not be required to pay any stamp or other tax or
other governmental charge required to be paid in connection with any transfer
involved in the issue of the Warrant Securities; and in the event that any such
transfer is involved, the Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any
Warrant Securities until such tax or other charge shall have been paid or it has
been established to the Company's satisfaction that no such tax or other charge
is due.

                                  ARTICLE III.

                     OTHER PROVISIONS RELATING TO RIGHTS OF
                        HOLDERS OF WARRANT CERTIFICATES.

     Section 3.01.  No Rights as Warrant Securityholders Conferred by Warrants
                    ----------------------------------------------------------
or Warrant Certificates.  No Warrant Certificate or Warrant evidenced thereby
- -----------------------                                                      
shall entitle the holder thereof to any of the rights of a holder of the Warrant
Securities, including, without limitation, the right [to vote or] to receive
payments of [dividends or distributions of any kind] [principal of (and premium,
if any,) or interest, if any, on the Warrant Securities or to enforce any of the
covenants in the Indenture].

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
     Section 3.02.  Lost, Stolen, Mutilated or Destroyed Warrant Certificates.
                    ---------------------------------------------------------  
Upon receipt by the Company and the Warrant Agent of evidence reasonably
satisfactory to them of the ownership of and the loss, theft, destruction or
mutilation of any Warrant Certificate and of indemnity reasonably satisfactory
to them and, in the case of mutilation, upon surrender thereof to the Warrant
Agent for cancellation, then, in the absence of notice to the Company or the
Warrant Agent that such Warrant Certificate has been acquired by a bona fide
purchaser, the Company shall execute, and an authorized officer of the Warrant
Agent shall manually countersign and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of the
lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Warrant Certificate, a new Warrant
Certificate of the same tenor and evidencing a like number of Warrants.  Upon
the issuance of any new Warrant Certificate under this Section, the Company may
require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental
charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including
the fees and expenses of the Warrant Agent) in connection therewith.  Every
substitute Warrant Certificate executed and delivered pursuant to this Section
in lieu of any lost, stolen or destroyed Warrant Certificate shall represent an
additional contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the lost,
stolen or destroyed Warrant Certificate shall be at any time enforceable by
anyone, and shall be entitled to the benefits of this Warrant Agreement equally
and proportionately with any and all other Warrant Certificates duly executed
and delivered hereunder.  The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall
preclude (to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to
the replacement of mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed Warrant Certificates.

     Section 3.03.  Holder of Warrant Certificate May Enforce Rights.
                    ------------------------------------------------  
Notwithstanding any of the provisions of this Warrant Agreement, any holder of a
Warrant Certificate, without the consent of the Warrant Agent, [the Trustee,]
the holder of any Warrant Securities or the holder of any other Warrant
Certificate, may, in his own behalf and for his own benefit, enforce, and may
institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding against the Company
suitable to enforce, or otherwise in respect of, his right to exercise the
Warrant or Warrants evidenced by his Warrant Certificate in the manner provided
in his Warrant Certificate and in this Warrant Agreement.

                                  ARTICLE IV.

                 EXCHANGE AND TRANSFER OF WARRANT CERTIFICATES.

     Section 4.01.  Exchange and Transfer of Warrant Certificates.  [If Offered
                    ---------------------------------------------              
Securities with Warrants which are immediately detachable or Warrants alone -
Upon] [If Offered Securities with Warrants which are not immediately detachable
- - Prior to the Detachable Date a Warrant Certificate may be exchanged or
transferred only together with the Offered Security to which the Warrant
Certificate was initially attached, and only for the purposes of effecting or in
conjunction with an exchange or transfer of such Offered Security.  On or prior
to the Detachable Date, each transfer of the Offered Security on the register of
the Offered Securities shall operate also to transfer the related Warrant
Certificates.  After the Detachable Date upon] surrender at the corporate trust
office of the Warrant Agent or [__________], Warrant Certificates may be
exchanged for other Warrant Certificates in denominations evidencing Warrants,
each Warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase [_____ shares]
[$_____________ principal amount of Warrant Securities or its equivalent in a
foreign currency or composite currency] at the Warrant Price [If registered
Warrants - or may be transferred in whole or in part] [If bearer or registered

                                       6
<PAGE>
 
Warrants - provided that such other Warrant Certificates evidence the same
aggregate number of Warrants as the Warrant Certificates so surrendered.] [If
registered Warrants - The Warrant Agent shall keep, at its corporate trust
office [or at __________], books in which, subject to such reasonable
regulations as it may prescribe, it shall register Warrant Certificates in
accordance with Section 1.02 and transfers of outstanding Warrant Certificates,
upon surrender of the Warrant Certificates to the Warrant Agent at its corporate
trust office [or at ______] for transfer, properly endorsed or accompanied by
appropriate instruments of transfer and written instructions for transfer, all
in form satisfactory to the Company and the Warrant Agent.] No service charge
shall be made for any exchange or transfer of Warrant Certificates, but the
Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any stamp or other tax
or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection with any such
exchange or transfer.  Whenever any Warrant Certificates are so surrendered for
exchange or transfer an authorized officer of the Warrant Agent shall
countersign and deliver to the person or persons entitled thereto a Warrant
Certificate or Warrant Certificates duly authorized and executed by the Company,
as so requested.  The Warrant Agent shall not be required to effect any exchange
or transfer which will result in the issuance of a Warrant Certificate
evidencing a fraction of a Warrant or a number of full Warrants and a fraction
of a Warrant.  All Warrant Certificates issued upon any exchange or transfer of
Warrant Certificates shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing
the same obligations, and entitled to the same benefits under this Warrant
Agreement, as the Warrant Certificates surrendered for such exchange or
transfer.

     Section 4.02.  Treatment of Holders of Warrant Certificates.  [If Offered
                    --------------------------------------------              
Securities with bearer Warrants which are not immediately detachable - Subject
to Section 4.01, each] [If Offered Securities with bearer Warrants which are
immediately detachable or bearer Warrants alone - Each] Warrant Certificate
shall be transferable by delivery and shall be deemed negotiable and the bearer
of each Warrant Certificate may be treated by the Company, the Warrant Agent and
all other persons dealing with such bearer as the absolute owner thereof for any
purpose and as the person entitled to exercise the rights represented by the
Warrants evidenced thereby, any notice to the contrary notwithstanding.]  [If
registered Warrants alone or registered Warrants which are not immediately
detachable - Every holder of a Warrant Certificate, by accepting the same,
consents and agrees with the Company, the Warrant Agent and with every
subsequent holder of such Warrant Certificate that until the Warrant Certificate
is transferred on the books of the Warrant Agent [or the register of the Offered
Securities prior to the Detachable Date], the Company and the Warrant Agent may
treat the registered holder as the absolute owner thereof for any purpose and as
the person entitled to exercise the rights represented by the Warrants evidenced
thereby, any notice to the contrary notwithstanding.]

     Section 4.03.  Cancellation of Warrant Certificates.  Any Warrant
                    ------------------------------------              
Certificate surrendered for exchange, transfer or exercise of the Warrants
evidenced thereby shall, if surrendered to the Company, be delivered to the
Warrant Agent, and all Warrant Certificates surrendered or so delivered to the
Warrant Agent shall be promptly cancelled by the Warrant Agent and shall not be
reissued and, except as expressly permitted by this Warrant Agreement, no
Warrant Certificate shall be issued hereunder in exchange or in lieu thereof.
The Warrant Agent shall deliver to the Company from time to time or otherwise
dispose of cancelled Warrant Certificates in a manner satisfactory to the
Company.

                                       7
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE V.

                         CONCERNING THE WARRANT AGENT.

     Section 5.01.  Warrant Agent.  The Company hereby appoints ____________ as
                    -------------                                              
Warrant Agent of the Company in respect of the Warrants and the Warrant
Certificates upon the terms and subject to the conditions herein set forth; and
____________ hereby accepts such appointment.  The Warrant Agent shall have the
powers and authority granted to and conferred upon it in the Warrant
Certificates and hereby and such further powers and authority to act on behalf
of the Company as the Company may hereafter grant to or confer upon it.  All of
the terms and provisions with respect to such powers and authority contained in
the Warrant Certificates are subject to and governed by the terms and provisions
hereof.

     Section 5.02.  Conditions of Warrant Agent's Obligations.  The Warrant
                    -----------------------------------------              
Agent accepts its obligations herein set forth upon the terms and conditions
hereof, including the following, to all of which the Company agrees and to all
of which the rights hereunder of the holders from time to time of the Warrant
Certificates shall be subject:

          (a) Compensation and Indemnification.  The Company agrees to pay the
              --------------------------------                                
Warrant Agent promptly the compensation to be agreed upon with the Company for
all services rendered by the Warrant Agent and to reimburse the Warrant Agent
for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable counsel fees)
incurred by the Warrant Agent in connection with the services rendered hereunder
by the Warrant Agent.  The Company also agrees to indemnify the Warrant Agent
for, and to hold it harmless against, any loss, liability, or expense incurred
without negligence or bad faith on the part of the Warrant Agent, arising out of
or in connection with its acting as such Warrant Agent hereunder, as well as the
costs and expenses of defending against any claim or liability in the premises.

          (b) Agent for the Company.  In acting under this Warrant Agreement and
              ---------------------                                             
in connection with the Warrants, the Warrant Agent is acting solely as agent of
the Company and does not assume any obligation or relationship of agency or
trust with any of the owners or holders of the Warrants.

          (c) Documents.  The Warrant Agent shall be protected and shall incur
              ---------                                                       
no liability for or in respect of any action taken or thing suffered by it in
reliance upon any Warrant Certificates, notice, direction, consent, certificate,
affidavit, statement or other paper or document reasonably believed by it to be
genuine and to have been presented or signed by the proper parties.

          (d) Certain Transactions.  The Warrant Agent, and its officers,
              --------------------                                       
directors and employees, may become the owner of, or acquire any interest in,
any Warrants, with the same rights that it or they would have if it were not the
Warrant Agent hereunder, and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, it or
they may engage or be interested in any financial or other transaction with the
Company and may act on, or as depositary, trustee or agent for, any committee or
body of holders of Warrant Securities or other obligations of the Company as
freely as if it were not the Warrant Agent hereunder.  [Nothing in this Warrant
Agreement shall be deemed to prevent the Warrant Agent from acting as Trustee
under the Indenture.]

                                       8
<PAGE>
 
          (e) No Liability for Interest.  The Warrant Agent shall not be under
              -------------------------                                       
any liability for interest on any monies at any time received by it pursuant to
any of the provisions of this Warrant Agreement or of the Warrants.

          (f) No Liability for Invalidity.  The Warrant Agent shall not incur
              ---------------------------                                    
any liability with respect to the validity of any of the Warrants.

          (g) No Responsibility for Representations.  The Warrant Agent shall
              -------------------------------------                          
not be responsible for any of the recitals or representations herein or in the
Warrant Certificates contained (except as to the Warrant Agent's
countersignature thereon), all of which are made solely by the Company.

          (h) No Implied Obligations.  The Warrant Agent shall be obligated to
              ----------------------                                          
perform such duties as are herein and in the Warrant Certificates specifically
set forth and no implied duties or obligations shall be read into this Agreement
or the Warrant Certificates against the Warrant Agent.  The Warrant Agent shall
not be under any obligation to take any action hereunder which may tend to
involve it in any expense or liability, the payment of which within a reasonable
time is not, in its reasonable opinion, assured to it.  The Warrant Agent shall
not be accountable or under any duty or responsibility for the use by the
Company of any of the Warrant Certificates authenticated by the Warrant Agent
and delivered by it to the Company pursuant to this Agreement or for the
application by the Company of the proceeds of the Warrant Certificates.  The
Warrant Agent shall have no duty or responsibility in case of any default by the
Company in the performance of its covenants or agreements contained herein or in
the Warrant Certificates or in the case of the receipt of any written demand
from a holder of a Warrant Certificate with respect to such default, including,
without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any duty or responsibility to
initiate or attempt to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise or, except
as provided in Section 6.02 hereof, to make any demand upon the Company.

     Section 5.03.  Resignation and Appointment of Successor. The Company 
                    ----------------------------------------                  
agrees, for the benefit of the holders from time to time of the Warrant
Certificates, that there shall at all times be a Warrant Agent hereunder until
all the Warrant Certificates are no longer exercisable.

          (b) The Warrant Agent may at any time resign as such agent by giving
written notice to the Company of such intention on its part, specifying the date
on which its desired resignation will become effective; provided that such date
shall not be less than three months after the date on which such notice is given
unless the Company agrees to accept less notice.  The Warrant Agent hereunder
may be removed at any time by the filing with it of an instrument in writing
signed by or on behalf of the Company and specifying such removal and the date
when it shall become effective.  Such resignation or removal shall take effect
upon the appointment by the Company, as hereinafter provided, of a successor
Warrant Agent (which shall be a bank or trust company authorized under the laws
of the jurisdiction of its organization to exercise corporate trust powers) and
the acceptance of such appointment by such successor Warrant Agent.  The
obligations of the Company under Section 5.02(a) shall continue to the extent
set forth therein notwithstanding the resignation or removal of the Warrant
Agent.

          (c) In case at any time the Warrant Agent shall become incapable of
acting, or shall be adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or shall file a petition
seeking relief under Title 11 of

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
the United States Code, as now constituted or hereafter amended, or under any
other applicable Federal or State bankruptcy law or similar law or make an
assignment for the benefit of its creditors or consent to the appointment of a
receiver or custodian of all or any substantial part of its property or assets,
or shall admit in writing its inability to pay or meet its debts as they mature,
or if a receiver or custodian of it or of all or any substantial part of its
property or assets shall be appointed, or if an order of any court shall be
entered for relief against it under the provisions of Title 11 of the United
States Code, as now constituted or hereafter amended, or under any other
applicable Federal or State bankruptcy or similar law, or if any public officer
shall have taken charge or control of the Warrant Agent or of its property or
affairs, for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or liquidation, it
shall be disqualified from serving as Warrant Agent and a successor Warrant
Agent, qualified as aforesaid, shall be appointed by the Company by an
instrument in writing, filed with the successor Warrant Agent. Upon the
appointment as aforesaid of a successor Warrant Agent and acceptance by the
successor Warrant Agent of such appointment, the Warrant Agent so disqualified
shall cease to be Warrant Agent hereunder.

          (d) Any successor Warrant Agent appointed hereunder shall execute,
acknowledge and deliver to its predecessor and to the Company an instrument
accepting such appointment hereunder, and thereupon such successor Warrant
Agent, without further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all
authority, rights, powers, trusts, immunities, duties and obligations of such
predecessor with like effect as if originally named as Warrant Agent hereunder,
and such predecessor, upon payment of its charges and disbursements then unpaid,
shall thereupon become obligated to transfer, deliver and pay over, and such
successor Warrant Agent shall be entitled to receive, all monies, securities and
other property on deposit with or held by such predecessor, as Warrant Agent
hereunder.

          (e) Any corporation into which the Warrant Agent hereunder may be
merged or converted or any corporation with which the Warrant Agent may be
consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger, conversion or
consolidation to which the Warrant Agent shall be a party, or any corporation to
which the Warrant Agent shall sell or otherwise transfer all or substantially
all the assets and business of the Warrant Agent, provided that it shall be
qualified as aforesaid, shall be the successor Warrant Agent under this Warrant
Agreement without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the
part of any of the parties hereto.

     Section 5.04.  Payment of Taxes.  The Company will pay all stamp and other
                    ----------------                                           
duties, if any, to which, under the laws of the United States of America, this
Warrant Agreement or the original issuance of the Warrant Certificates may be
subject.

                                  ARTICLE VI.

                                 MISCELLANEOUS.

     Section 6.01.  Amendment.  This Warrant Agreement may be amended by the
                    ---------                                               
parties hereto, without the consent of the holder of any Warrant Certificate,
for the purpose of curing any ambiguity, or of curing, correcting or
supplementing any defective provision contained herein, or making any other
provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under this

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
Warrant Agreement as the Company and the Warrant Agent may deem necessary or
desirable; provided that such action shall not adversely affect the interests of
the holders of the Warrant Certificates.

     Section 6.02.  Notices and Demands to the Company and Warrant Agent.  If
                    ----------------------------------------------------     
the Warrant Agent shall receive any notice or demand addressed to the Company by
the holder of a Warrant Certificate pursuant to the provisions of the Warrant
Certificates, the Warrant Agent shall promptly forward such notice of demand to
the Company.

     Section 6.03.  Addresses.  Any communications from the Company to the
                    ---------                                             
Warrant Agent with respect to this Warrant Agreement shall be addressed to
_____________, Attention: ____________, and any communications from the Warrant
Agent to the Company with respect to this Warrant Agreement shall be addressed
to AutoZone, Inc., 123 South Front Street, Memphis, Tennessee 38103, Attention:
General Counsel (or such other address as shall be specified in writing by the
Warrant Agent or by the Company).

     Section 6.04.  Applicable Law.  The validity, interpretation and
                    --------------                                   
performance of this Warrant Agreement and each Warrant Certificate issued
hereunder and of the respective terms and provisions thereof shall be governed
by the laws of the State of New York.

     Section 6.05.  Delivery of Prospectus.  The Company will furnish to the
                    ----------------------                                  
Warrant Agent sufficient copies of a prospectus relating to the Warrant
Securities deliverable upon exercise of Warrants (the "Prospectus"), and the
Warrant Agent agrees that upon the exercise of any Warrant, the Warrant Agent
will deliver to the holder of the Warrant Certificate evidencing such Warrant,
prior to or concurrently with the delivery of the Warrant Securities issued upon
such exercise, a Prospectus.

     Section 6.06.  Obtaining of Governmental Approvals.  The Company will from
                    -----------------------------------                        
time to time take all action which may be necessary to obtain and keep effective
any and all permits, consents and approvals of governmental agencies and
authorities and securities acts filings under United States Federal and State
laws (including, without limitation, maintenance of the effectiveness of a
registration statement in respect of the Warrants and Warrant Securities under
the Securities Act of 1933), which may be or become requisite in connection with
the issuance, sale, transfer, and delivery of the Warrant Certificates, the
exercise of the Warrants, the issuance, sale, transfer and delivery of the
Warrant Securities issued upon exercise of the Warrants or upon the expiration
of the period during which the Warrants are exercisable.

     Section 6.07.  Persons Having Rights under Warrant Agreement.  Nothing in
                    ---------------------------------------------             
this Warrant Agreement expressed or implied and nothing that may be inferred
from any of the provisions hereof is intended, or shall be construed, to confer
upon, or give to, any person or corporation other than the Company, the Warrant
Agent and the holders of the Warrant Certificates any right, remedy or claim
under or by reason of this Warrant Agreement or of any covenant, condition,
stipulation, promise or agreement hereof; and all covenants, conditions,
stipulations, promises and agreements in this Warrant Agreement contained shall
be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the Company and the Warrant Agent and
their successors and of the holders of the Warrant Certificates.

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
     Section 6.08.  Headings.  The descriptive headings of the several Articles
                    --------                                                   
and Sections of this Warrant Agreement are inserted for convenience only and
shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of any of the provisions
hereof.

     Section 6.09.  Counterparts.  This Warrant Agreement may be executed in any
                    ------------                                                
number of counterparts, each of which so executed shall be deemed to be an
original; but such counterparts shall together constitute but one and the same
instrument.

     Section 6.10.  Inspection of Agreement.  A copy of this Warrant Agreement
                    -----------------------                                   
shall be available at all reasonable times at the principal corporate trust
office of the Warrant Agent for inspection by the holder of any Warrant
Certificate.  The Warrant Agent may require such holder to submit his Warrant
Certificate for inspection by it.

     Section 6.11.  Adjustment of Number of [Preferred Stock] [Shares of Common
                    -----------------------------------------------------------
Stock]; Notices.  The number of [Preferred Stock] [shares of Common Stock]
- ---------------                                                           
purchasable upon the exercise of each Warrant (the "Exercise Rate") is subject
to adjustment from time to time as provided in this Section.

          (a) Dividends or Distributions in [Preferred Stock] [Shares of Common
              -----------------------------------------------------------------
Stock].  In case the Company shall pay or make a dividend or other distribution
- ------                                                                         
on [any class or series of Preferred Stock for which Warrants may be exercised]
[its Common Stock] in [such Preferred Stock] [shares of its Common Stock], the
Exercise Rate in effect at the opening of business on the day following the date
fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such dividend or
other distribution shall be increased by dividing such Exercise Rate by a
fraction of which the numerator shall be the number of shares of [such Preferred
Stock] [Common Stock] outstanding at the close of business on the date fixed for
such determination and the denominator shall be the sum of such number of shares
and the total number of shares constituting such dividend or other distribution,
such increase to become effective immediately after the opening of business on
the day following the date fixed for such determination.  For the purposes of
this paragraph (a), the number of shares of [Preferred Stock] [Common Stock] at
any time outstanding shall not include shares held in the treasury of the
Company.  The Company will not pay any dividend or make any distribution on
shares of [Preferred Stock] [Common Stock] held in the treasury of the Company.

          (b) Rights or Warrants.  In case the Company shall issue rights or
              ------------------                                            
warrants to all holders of [a class or series of its Preferred Stock for which
Warrants may be exercised] [shares of its Common Stock] entitling them to
subscribe for or purchase shares of [such Preferred Stock] [Common Stock] at a
price per share less than the current market price per share (determined as
provided in paragraph (f) of this Section) of [such Preferred Stock] [Common
Stock] on the date fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled to
receive such rights or warrants, the Exercise Rate in effect at the opening of
business on the day following the date fixed for such determination shall be
increased by dividing such Exercise Rate by a fraction of which the numerator
shall be the number of shares of [such Preferred Stock] [Common Stock]
outstanding at the close of business on the date fixed for such determination
plus the number of shares of [such Preferred Stock] [Common Stock] which the
aggregate of the offering price of the total number of shares of [such Preferred
Stock] [Common Stock] so offered for subscription or purchase would purchase at
such current market price and the denominator shall be the number of shares of
[such Preferred Stock] [Common Stock] outstanding at the close of business

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
on the date fixed for such determination plus the number of shares of [such
Preferred Stock] [Common Stock] so offered for subscription or purchase, such
increase to become effective immediately after the opening of business on the
day following the date fixed for such determination. For the purposes of this
paragraph (b), the number of shares of [Preferred Stock] [Common Stock] at any
time outstanding shall not include shares held in the treasury of the Company
but shall include shares issuable in respect of scrip certificates issued in
lieu of fractions of shares of [Preferred Stock] [Common Stock]. The Company
will not issue any rights or warrants in respect of shares of [Preferred Stock]
[Common Stock] held in the treasury of the Company.

          (c) Subdivision or Combination.  In case outstanding shares of [a
              --------------------------                                   
class or series of its Preferred Stock for which Warrants are exercisable]
[Common Stock] shall be subdivided into a greater number of shares of [such
Preferred Stock] [Common Stock], the Exercise Rate in effect at the opening of
business on the day following the day upon which such subdivision becomes
effective shall be proportionately increased, and, conversely, in case
outstanding shares of [a class or series of its Preferred Stock for which
Warrants are exercisable] [Common Stock] shall each be combined into a smaller
number of shares of [such Preferred Stock] [Common Stock], the Exercise Rate in
effect at the opening of business on the day following the day upon which such
combination becomes effective shall be proportionately reduced, such increase or
reduction, as the case may be, to become effective immediately after the opening
of business on the day following the day upon which such subdivision or
combination becomes effective.

          (d) Dividend or Distribution of Assets.  In case the Company shall, by
              ----------------------------------                                
dividend or otherwise, distribute to all holders of [a class or series of its
Preferred Stock for which Warrants are exercisable] [shares of its Common Stock]
evidences of its indebtedness or assets (including securities, but excluding any
rights or warrants referred to in paragraph (b) of this Section, any dividend or
distribution paid in cash out of the retained earnings of the Company and any
dividend or distribution referred to in paragraph (a) of this Section), the
Exercise Rate shall be adjusted so that the same shall equal the price
determined by dividing the Exercise Rate in effect immediately prior to the
close of business on the date fixed for the determination of stockholders
entitled to receive such distribution by a fraction of which the numerator shall
be the current market price per share (determined as provided in paragraph (f)
of this Section) of [such Preferred Stock] [Common Stock] on the date fixed for
such determination less the then fair-market value (as determined by the Board
of Directors, whose determination shall be conclusive and described in a Board
Resolution filed with the Warrant Agent and any other Registrar) of the portion
of the assets or evidences of indebtedness so distributed applicable to one
share of [such Preferred Stock] [Common Stock] and the denominator shall be such
current market price per share of [such Preferred Stock] [Common Stock], such
adjustment to become effective immediately prior to the opening of business on
the day following the date fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled
to receive such distribution.

          (e) Reclassification.  The reclassification of [a class or series of
              ----------------                                                
its Preferred Stock for which Warrants are exercisable] [the Company's Common
Stock] into securities other than such [Preferred Stock] [Common Stock] (other
than any reclassification upon a consolidation or merger to which paragraph (1)
of this Section applies) shall be deemed to involve a distribution of such
securities other than such [Preferred Stock] [Common Stock] to all holders of
[such Preferred Stock] [Common Stock]

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
(and the effective date of such reclassification shall be deemed to be "the date
fixed for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive such
distribution" and "the date fixed for such determination" within the meaning of
paragraph (d) of this Section), and (ii) a subdivision or combination, as the
case may be, of the number of shares of [such Preferred Stock] [Common Stock]
outstanding immediately prior to such reclassification into the number of shares
of [such Preferred Stock] [Common Stock] outstanding immediately thereafter (and
the effective date of such reclassification shall be deemed to be "The day upon
which such subdivision becomes effective" or "The day upon which such
combination becomes effective", as the case may be, and "the day upon which such
subdivision or combination becomes effective" within the meaning of paragraph
(c) of this Section).

          (f) Current Market Price.  For the purpose of any computation under
              --------------------                                           
paragraphs (b) and (d) of this Section, the current market price per share of
[Preferred Stock] [Common Stock] on any date shall be deemed to be the average
of the daily closing prices for the 15 consecutive Business Days selected by the
Company commencing not less than 20 nor more than 30 Business Days before the
day in question.  The closing price for each day shall be the last reported
sales price regular way or, in case no such reported sale takes place on such
day, the average of the reported closing bid and asked prices regular way, in
either case on the New York Stock Exchange or, if such [Preferred Stock are]
[Common Stock is] not listed or admitted to trading on such Exchange, on the
principal national securities exchange on which such [Preferred Stock are]
[Common Stock is] listed or admitted to trading or, if not listed or admitted to
trading on any national securities exchange, on the Nasdaq National Market or,
if such [Preferred Stock are] [Common Stock is] not listed or admitted to
trading on any national securities exchange or quoted on such Nasdaq National
Market, the average of the closing bid and asked prices in the over-the-counter
market as furnished by any New York Stock Exchange member firm selected from
time to time by the Company for the purpose.  In the event that no such market
trading exists, the current market price will be determined by three independent
nationally reorganized investment banking firms selected by the Company in such
manner as the Board of Directors deems appropriate.  "Business Day" means each
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which
banking institutions where Warrants may be surrendered for exercise are
authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

          (g) Adjustments for Tax Purposes.  The Company may make such
              ----------------------------                            
adjustments in the Exercise Rate, in addition to those required by paragraphs
(a), (b), (c) and (d) of this Section, as it considers to be advisable in order
that any event treated for federal income tax purposes as a dividend of stock or
stock rights shall not be taxable to the recipients.

          (h) No Adjustment Below Par Value.  Notwithstanding the provisions of
              -----------------------------                                    
this Section, the Exercise Rate shall not be increased such that the price paid
per share would be less than the par value thereof as a result of any adjustment
made hereunder unless, under applicable law then in effect, Warrants may be
exercised, at such lower Exercise Rate, for legally issued, fully paid and
nonassessable shares of [Preferred Stock] [Common Stock].

          (i) Permitted Distributions.  The granting of the right to purchase 
              -----------------------                                
shares of [Preferred Stock] [Common Stock] (whether from treasury shares or
otherwise), pursuant to (i) any dividend or interest reinvestment plan or
[Preferred Stock] [Common Stock] purchase plan providing for the reinvestment of
dividends or interest payable on securities of the Company

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
and/or the investment of periodic optional payments; and (ii) any stock option
plans and/or employee benefit or similar plans shall not be deemed to constitute
an issue of rights or warrants by the Company.

          (j) No Adjustments Necessary.  No adjustment in the Exercise Rate
              ------------------------                                     
shall be required unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease
of at least one percent in such Exercise Rate, provided, however, that any
                                               --------  -------          
adjustment which by reason of this paragraph (j) is not required to be made
shall be carried forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment.
All calculations under this Section shall be made to the nearest cent or to the
nearest 1/100 of a share, as the case may be.

          (k) Notice of Adjustment.  Whenever the Exercise Rate is adjusted as
              --------------------                                            
herein provided, the Company shall forthwith compute the adjusted Exercise Rate
in accordance herewith and prepare a certificate signed by an officer of the
Company setting forth the adjusted Exercise Rate and showing in reasonable
detail the facts upon which such adjustment is based, and such certificate shall
forthwith be filed with the Warrant Agent and any other Registrar and cause a
notice stating that such adjustment has been effected and the adjusted Exercise
Rate to be mailed to the holders of Warrants at their last addresses as they
shall appear on the Warrant Register.

          (l) Successor Company.  In case of any reclassification or change of
              -----------------                                               
outstanding shares of [the class or series of Preferred Stock issuable upon
exercise of the Warrants] [Common Stock] (other than a change in par value, or
from par value to no par value, or from no par value to par value, or as a
result of a subdivision or combination), or in case of any merger or
consolidation of the Company with one or more other corporations (other than a
merger or consolidation in which the Company is the continuing corporation and
which does not result in any reclassification or change of outstanding shares of
[the class or series of Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants]
[Common Stock]), or in case of the merger of the Company into another
corporation, or in case of any sale or conveyance to another corporation of the
property of the Company as an entirety or substantially as an entirety, the
holder of Warrants of each series then outstanding shall have the right to
exercise such Warrant for the kind and amount of shares of capital stock or
other securities and property, including cash, receivable upon reclassification,
change, consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance by a holder of the number of
shares of [such class or series of Preferred Stock] [Common Stock] for which
such Warrant might have been exercised immediately prior to such
reclassification, change consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance.  In any such
case, the Company, or such successor or purchasing corporation, as the case may
be, shall execute and deliver to the Warrant Agent a supplemental Warrant
Agreement containing provisions to the effect set forth above and providing
further for adjustments which shall be as nearly equivalent as may be
practicable to the adjustments provided for in this Section.  The above
provisions shall similarly apply to successive reclassifications, changes,
consolidation, mergers, sales and conveyances.

          (m) Company to Reserve Capital Securities.  The Company shall at all
              -------------------------------------                           
times reserve and keep available out of the aggregate of its authorized but
unissued shares or its issued shares held in its treasury, or both, for the
purpose of effecting the exercise of the Warrants, such full number of its duly
authorized shares of [Preferred Stock] [Common Stock] as shall from time to time
be sufficient to effect the exercise of all outstanding Warrants.

                                       15
<PAGE>
 
     If any shares of [Preferred Stock] [Common Stock] reserved or to be
reserved for the purpose of exercise of Warrants hereunder require registration
with or approval of any governmental authority under any Federal or State law
before such shares may be validly delivered upon exercise, then the Company
covenants that it will in good faith and as expeditiously as possible endeavor
to secure registration or approval, as the case may be.

     The Company covenants that all shares of [Preferred Stock] [Common Stock]
which may be delivered upon exercise of Warrants shall upon delivery be fully
paid and nonassessable by the Company, subject to [ADD APPROPRIATE NEVADA LAW
PROVISIONS, IF APPLICABLE] and, except for taxes in connection with the exercise
of the Warrants, free from all taxes, liens and charges with respect to the
issue or delivery thereof.

          (n) Company to Give Notice of Certain Events.  In the event

          (1) that the Company shall pay any dividend or make any distribution
          to the holders of shares of [Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of
          the Warrants] [Common Stock] otherwise than in cash charged against
          consolidated net earnings or retained earnings of the Company and its
          consolidated subsidiaries or in [such Preferred Stock] [shares of
          Common Stock]; or

          (2) that the Company shall offer for subscription or purchase, pro
          rata, to the holders of [Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of the
          Warrants] [Common Stock] any additional shares of stock of any class
          or any securities exercisable for or exchangeable for stock of any
          class; or

          (3) of any reclassification or change of outstanding shares of [the
          class or series of Preferred Stock issuable upon the exercise of the
          Warrants] [Common Stock] (other than a change in par value, or from
          par value to no par value, or from no par  combination), or of any
          merger of consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company
          into, another corporation (other than a merger or consolidation in
          which the Company is the continuing corporation and which does not
          result in reclassification or change of outstanding shares of
          [Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants] [Common
          Stock]), or of any sale or conveyance to another corporation of the
          property of the Company as an entirety or substantially as an
          entirety; or

          (4) of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or
          winding-up of the Company;

then, and in any one or more of such events, the Company will file with the
Warrant Agent and any other Registrar written notice thereof at least twenty
days (or ten days in any case specified in clause (1) or (2) above) prior to (i)
the record date fixed with respect to any of the events specified in (1) and (2)
above and (ii) the effective date of any of the events specified in (3) above;
and shall mail promptly after providing such notice to the Warrant Agent or such
other Registrar a copy of such notice to the holders thereof at their last
addresses as they shall appear upon the Warrant Register.  Failure to give such
notice, or any defect therein, shall not affect the legality or validity of such
dividend, distribution, reclassification, consolidation, merger, sale, transfer,
dissolution, liquidation or winding up.

                                       16
<PAGE>
 
          (o) Company Determination Final.  Any determination that the Company
              ---------------------------                                     
or the Board of Directors must make pursuant to this Section is conclusive.

          (p) Warrant Agent's Adjustment Disclaimer.  The Warrant Agent has no
              -------------------------------------                           
duty to determine when an adjustment under this Section should be made, how it
should be made or what it should be.  The Warrant Agent has no duty to determine
whether a supplemental warrant agreement under paragraph (l) need be entered
into or whether any provisions of any supplemental warrant agreement are
correct.  The Warrant Agent shall not be accountable for and makes no
representation as to the validity or value of any securities or assets issued
upon exercise of Warrants.  The Warrant Agent shall not be responsible for the
Company's failure to comply with this Section.

          (q) Adjustments and Warrant Certificates.  Irrespective of any
              ------------------------------------                      
adjustments in the number or kind of shares purchasable upon the exercise of the
Warrants, Warrant Certificates theretofore or thereafter issued may continue to
express the same number and kind of shares per Warrant as are stated on the
Warrant Certificates initially issuable pursuant to this Agreement.

          (r) Subsequent Event.  After an adjustment to the Exercise Rate under
              ----------------                                                 
this Section, any subsequent event requiring an adjustment under this Section
shall cause an adjustment to the Exercise Rate as so adjusted.

     Section 6.12.  Fractional Shares.  The Company shall not be required to
                    -----------------                                       
deliver fractions of shares of [Preferred Stock] [Common Stock] upon exercises
of Warrants.  If more than one Warrant shall be surrendered for exercise at one
time by the same holder, the number of full shares which shall be deliverable
upon exercise thereof shall be computed on the basis of the aggregate of the
Warrants so surrendered instead of any fractional share of [Preferred Stock]
[Common Stock] which would otherwise be issuable upon exercise of any Warrant or
Warrants (or specified portions thereof).  The Company shall pay a cash
adjustment in respect of such fraction in an amount equal to the same fraction
of the market price per share of [Preferred Stock] [Common Stock] (as determined
in accordance with Section 6.11(f) or in any other manner prescribed by the
Board of Directors) at the close of business on the last Business Day prior to
the Date of Exercise.]

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, AutoZone, Inc. has caused this Warrant Agreement to be
signed by one of its duly authorized officers, and its corporate seal to be
affixed hereunto, and the same to be attested by its Clerk or one of its
Assistant Clerks; and ___________________ has caused this Warrant Agreement to
be signed by one of its duly authorized officers, and its corporate seal to be
affixed hereunto, and the same to be attested by its Secretary or one of its
Assistant Secretaries, all as of the day and year first above written.

                                       AUTOZONE, INC.

                                       By _______________________

Attest:

                                       17
<PAGE>
 
_________________________



                                       [Warrant Agent]

                                       By _______________________

Attest:

________________________

                                       18
<PAGE>
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT A
                                                                       ---------

                         (Form of Warrant Certificate)
                      [Front Face of Warrant Certificate]

[Form of Legend if                    Prior to ______ this
Offered Securities                    Warrant cannot be 
with Warrants which                   transferred or exchanged
are not immediately.]                 unless attached to a detachable:

                         [Title of Offered Securities]

[Form of Legend if                    Prior to ________ this
Warrants are not                      Warrant cannot be immediately exercisable:
exercised in whole or in part.]

                EXERCISABLE ONLY IF COUNTERSIGNED BY THE WARRANT
                           AGENT AS PROVIDED HEREIN.

                                 AUTOZONE, INC.

                                PURCHASE WARRANT

                       FOR [Title of Warrant Securities]

     VOID AFTER THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK ON ___________,
     199_.

[No.]                                         Warrants

     This certifies that [the bearer is the] [__________ or registered assigns
is the registered] owner of the above indicated number of Warrants, each Warrant
entitling such [bearer] [owner] to purchase, at any time [after the close of
business on ___________, 199_ and] on or before the close of business on
____________, 199_, [$]__________  [principal amount] [shares] of [Title of
Warrant Securities] (the "Warrant Securities") of AutoZone, Inc. (the
"Company"), issued and to be issued [under the Indenture (as hereinafter
defined)] [by the Company], on the following basis: [on __________, 199_,] the
exercise price of each Warrant is [$]_______________, [during the period from
_________, 199_, through and including ___________, 199_, the exercise price of
each Warrant will be [$]___________ plus [accreted original issue discount]
[accrued interest] from __________, 199_, on ______________, 199_, the exercise
price of each Warrant will be [$]__________, during the period from __________,
199_, through and including _____________, 199_, the exercise price of each
Warrant will be [$]________ plus [accreted original issue discount] [accrued
interest] from __________, 199_, [in each case, the original issue discount will
be accreted at a _ % annual rate, computed on a [semiannual] [annual] basis,
using a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months;] [in each case accrued
interest will be computed at a rate equal to __%]] (the "Warrant Price")]. [The
original issue discount for each [$]_________ principal amount of Warrant
Securities is [$]__________]. The [bearer] [owner] may exercise the Warrants
evidenced hereby by providing certain information

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
set forth on the back hereof and by paying in full, in lawful money of _______,
[in cash or by certified check or official bank check or by bank wire transfer,
in each case,] [by bank wire transfer] in immediately available funds, the
Warrant Price for each Warrant exercised to the Warrant Agent (as hereinafter
defined) and by surrendering this Warrant Certificate, with the purchase form on
the back hereof duly executed, at the corporate trust office of [name of Warrant
Agent] or its successor as warrant agent (the "Warrant Agent"), currently at the
address specified on the reverse hereof [or __________,] and upon compliance
with and subject to the conditions set forth herein and in the Warrant Agreement
(as hereinafter defined).

     Any whole number of Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate may be
exercised to purchase Warrant Securities in registered form in [denominations of
[$]___________ and any integral multiples thereof] [any number of whole shares].
Upon any exercise of fewer than all of the Warrants evidenced by this Warrant
Certificate, there shall be issued to the [registered owner] [bearer] hereof a
new Warrant Certificate evidencing the number of Warrants remaining unexercised.

     This Warrant Certificate is issued under and in accordance with the Warrant
Agreement dated as of _____________, 19 _ (the "Warrant Agreement"), between the
Company and the Warrant Agent and is subject to the terms and provisions
contained in the Warrant Agreement, to all of which terms and provisions the
[registered owner] [bearer] of this Warrant Certificate consents by acceptance
hereof. Copies of the Warrant Agreement are on file at the above-mentioned
office of the Warrant Agent [and at _________________].

     [The Warrant Securities to be issued and delivered upon the exercise of the
Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate will be issued [by the Company
pursuant to the Certificate of Vote applicable to such Warrant Securities]
[under and in accordance with an Indenture dated as of June 15, 1992 (the
"Indenture"), between the Company and Norwest Bank Minnesota, National
Association, as trustee (such trustee, and any successor to such trustee, as
amended by the First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 24, 1993, to be
herein called the "Trustee") and will be subject to the terms and provisions
contained in the Indenture. Copies of the Indenture, including the form of the
Warrant Securities, are on file at the corporate trust office of the Trustee
[and at ________________]].]

     [If Offered Securities with bearer Warrants which are not immediately
      --------------------------------------------------------------------
detachable - Prior to ________, 19__ this Warrant Certificate may be exchanged
- ----------                                                                    
or transferred only together with the [Title of Offered Securities] ("Offered
Securities") to which this Warrant Certificate was initially attached, and only
for the purpose of effecting, or in conjunction with, an exchange or transfer of
such Offered Security. After such date, this Warrant Certificate, and all rights
hereunder, may be transferred by delivery and the Company and the Warrant Agent
may treat the bearer hereof as the owner for all purposes.]

     [If Offered Securities with bearer Warrants which are immediately
      ----------------------------------------------------------------
detachable or bearer Warrants alone - This Warrant Certificate, and all rights
- -----------------------------------                                           
hereunder, may be transferred by delivery and the Company and the Warrant Agent
may treat the bearer hereof as the owner for all purposes.

     [If Offered Securities with registered Warrants which are not immediately
      ------------------------------------------------------------------------
detachable - Prior to __________, 19__ this Warrant Certificate may be exchanged
- ----------                                                                      
or transferred only

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
together with the [Title of Offered Securities] ("Offered Securities") to which
this Warrant Certificate was initially attached, and only for the purpose of
effecting, or in conjunction with, an exchange or transfer of such Offered
Security. After such date, this [If Offered Securities with registered Warrants
                                 ---------------------------------------------- 
which are immediately detachable or registered Warrant alone - This]
- ------------------------------------------------------------
Warrant Certificate may be transferred when surrendered at the-----corporate
trust office of the Warrant Agent [or ____________] by the registered owner or
his assigns, in person or by an attorney duly authorized in writing, in the
manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Warrant Agreement.]

     [If Offered Securities with Warrants which are not immediately detachable -
Except as provided in the immediately preceding paragraph, after] [If Offered
Securities with Warrants which are immediately detachable or Warrants alone -
After] countersignature by the Warrant Agent and prior to the expiration of this
Warrant Certificate, this Warrant Certificate may be exchanged at the corporate
trust office of the Warrant Agent for Warrant Certificates representing the same
aggregate number of Warrants.

     This Warrant Certificate shall not entitle the [registered owner] [bearer]
hereof to any of the rights of a registered owner of the Warrant Securities,
including, without limitation, the right [to vote or] to receive payments of
[dividends or distributions of any kind] [principal of (and premium, if any) or
interest, if any, on the Warrant Securities or to enforce any of the covenants
of the Indenture.]

     This Warrant Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose
until countersigned by the Warrant Agent.

Dated as of __________, 19__

                                       AUTOZONE, INC.



                                       By _______________________
                                          
Attest:

__________________________
     Countersigned:

__________________________
  As Warrant Agent:

By _______________________
   Authorized Signature

                                       3

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.1

                        [LETTERHEAD OF SCHRECK MORRIS]



                                  July 6, 1998



AutoZone, Inc.
123 South Front Street
Memphis, Tennessee  38103

     Re:  Registration on Form S-3
          ------------------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     In connection with Amendment No. 1 to the registration statement on Form 
S-3 (No. 333-58565) (the "Registration Statement") to be filed July 13, 1998
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), you have requested
our opinion with respect to the matters set forth below.

     You have provided us with a draft prospectus (the "Prospectus") which is a
part of the Registration Statement.  The Prospectus provides that it will be
supplemented in the future by one or more supplements to the Prospectus (each, a
"Prospectus Supplement").  The Prospectus as supplemented by various Prospectus
Supplements will provide for the issuance and sale by AutoZone, Inc., a Nevada
corporation (the "Company"), of up to $400,000,000 aggregate offering price of
(i) one or more series of senior or subordinated debt securities (the "Debt
Securities"), (ii) one or more series of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per
share (the "Preferred Stock"), (iii) shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per
share (the "Common Stock"), (iv) warrants to purchase Debt Securities, Common
Stock or Preferred Stock (collectively, the "Warrants") or (v) units of any one
or more of the foregoing securities (the "Units").  The Debt Securities,
Preferred Stock, Common Stock, Warrants and Units are collectively referred to
herein as the "Securities."  Any Debt Securities may be exchangeable and/or
convertible into shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock.  The Preferred Stock
may also be exchangeable for and/or convertible into shares of Common Stock or
another series of Preferred Stock.  The Debt Securities will be issued pursuant
to one or more indentures and one or more supplements thereto (each, an
"Indenture"), in each case between the Company and a trustee.
<PAGE>
 
SCHRECK MORRIS
ATTORNEYS AT LAW


AutoZone, Inc.
July 6, 1998
Page 2



     In our capacity as your special Nevada counsel in connection with the
Registration Statement, we are generally familiar with the proceedings taken and
proposed to be taken by the Company in connection with the authorization and
issuance of the Securities.  For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed that
such proceedings will be timely and properly completed, in accordance with all
requirements of applicable law, in the manner presently proposed.

     We have made such legal and factual examinations and inquiries, including
an examination of originals and copies certified or otherwise identified to our
satisfaction, of all such documents, agreements, corporate records and
instruments of the Company, as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for
purposes of this opinion.  In our examination, we have assumed without
independent verification (i) the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity
of all documents submitted to us as originals, and the conformity to authentic
original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified, conformed,
photostatic or facsimile copies, (ii) the legal competency of each natural
person, and (iii) the accuracy and completeness of all corporate records made
available to us by the Company and of all public records we reviewed.

     We have been furnished with, and with your consent have exclusively relied
upon, certificates of officers of the Company with respect to certain factual
matters.  In addition, we have obtained and relied upon such certificates and
assurances from public officials as we have deemed necessary.

     We are qualified to practice law in the State of Nevada.  The opinion
herein is limited to the effect on the subject transaction only of the laws of
the State of Nevada.  We express no opinion herein concerning, and assume no
responsibility regarding, the applicability to, or the effect thereon, of the
laws of any other jurisdiction, or as to any matters of municipal law or the
laws of any local agencies within the state, and we express no opinion herein
concerning any federal law, including any federal securities law, or any state
securities or Blue Sky laws.

     Subject to the foregoing and the other qualifications set forth herein, it
is our opinion that:

     1.   The Company has the authority pursuant to its Articles of
Incorporation, as amended (the "Articles") to issue up to 200,000,000 shares of
Common Stock.  Upon adoption by the Board of Directors of the Company of a
resolution in form and content as required by applicable law and upon issuance
and delivery of and payment for such shares in the manner contemplated by the
Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement(s)
and by such resolution, such shares of Common Stock (including any Common Stock
duly issued (i) upon the exchange or conversion of any shares of Preferred Stock
that are exchangeable or convertible into Common Stock, (ii) upon the exercise
of any Warrants exercisable for Common Stock or (iii) upon 
<PAGE>
 
SCHRECK MORRIS
ATTORNEYS AT LAW


AutoZone, Inc.
July 6, 1998
Page 3


the exchange or conversion of Debt Securities that are exchangeable or
convertible into Common Stock) will be validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.

     2.   The Company has the authority pursuant to the Articles to issue up to
1,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock.  When a series of Preferred Stock has been
duly established in accordance with the terms of the Articles and applicable
law, and upon adoption by the Board of Directors of the Company of a resolution
in form and content as required by applicable law and upon issuance and delivery
of and payment for such shares in the manner contemplated by the Registration
Statement, the Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement(s) and by such
resolution, such shares of such series of Preferred Stock (including any
Preferred Stock duly issued (i) upon the exchange or conversation of any shares
of Preferred Stock that are exchangeable or convertible into another series of
Preferred Stock, (ii) upon the exercise of any Warrants exercisable for
Preferred Stock or (iii) upon the exchange or conversion of Debt Securities that
are exchangeable or convertible into Preferred Stock) will be validly issued,
fully paid and nonassessable.

     We have assumed for purposes of this opinion that the applicable Indenture
has been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action by the Company, has
been duly executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes the legally
valid and binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in
accordance with its terms.

     We consent to your filing this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement and to the reference to our firm contained under the caption "Legal
Matters" in the Prospectus included therein. In giving this consent, we do not
admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under
Section 7 of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission
promulgated thereunder.

     This opinion is rendered only to you and is solely for your benefit in
connection with the transactions covered hereby.  This opinion may not be relied
upon by you for any other purpose, or furnished to, quoted from, or relied upon
by any other person, firm or entity for any purpose, without our prior written
consent.

                              Yours very truly,

                              SCHRECK MORRIS

                              /s/ SCHRECK MORRIS

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 5.2

                       [LETTERHEAD OF LATHAM & WATKINS]

                                 July 13, 1998

                                                            File No. 016137-0019


AutoZone, Inc.
123 South Front Street
Memphis, Tennessee  38103

          Re:  $400,000,000 Aggregate Offering
               Price of Securities of AutoZone, Inc.
               -------------------------------------

Ladies and Gentlemen:

          In connection with Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement on
Form S-3 (No. 333-58565) (the "Registration Statement") filed on July 13, 1998
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), you have requested
our opinion with respect to the matters set forth below.

          You have provided us with a draft prospectus (the "Prospectus") which
is a part of the Registration Statement.  The Prospectus provides that it will
be supplemented in the future by one or more supplements to the Prospectus
(each, a "Prospectus Supplement").  The Prospectus, as supplemented by various
Prospectus Supplements, will provide for the registration by AutoZone, Inc., a
Nevada corporation (the "Company"), of up to $400,000,000 aggregate offering
price of (i) one or more series of senior or subordinated debt securities (the
"Debt Securities"), (ii) one or more series of preferred stock, par value $.01
per share (the "Preferred Stock"), (iii) shares of common stock, par value $.01
per share (the "Common Stock"), (iv) warrants to purchase Debt Securities,
Common Stock or Preferred Stock (the "Warrants") or (v) units consisting of two
or more of the foregoing securities (the "Units").  The Debt Securities,
<PAGE>
 
LATHAM & WATKINS
AutoZone, Inc.
July 13, 1998
Page 2

Preferred Stock, Common Stock, Warrants and Units are collectively referred to
herein as the "Securities."  Any Debt Securities may be exchangeable for and/or
convertible into shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock.  The Preferred Stock
may also be exchangeable for and/or convertible into shares of Common Stock or
another series of Preferred Stock.  The Debt Securities may be issued pursuant
to one or more indentures (collectively, the "Indentures"), in each case between
the Company and a trustee (each, a "Trustee").

          In our capacity as your special counsel in connection with the
Registration Statement, we are generally familiar with the proceedings taken and
proposed to be taken by the Company in connection with the authorization and
issuance of the Securities.  For purposes of this opinion, we have assumed that
such proceedings will be timely and properly completed, in accordance with all
requirements of applicable federal and New York laws, in the manner presently
proposed.

          We have made such legal and factual examinations and inquiries,
including an examination of originals and copies certified or otherwise
identified to our satisfaction, of all such documents, corporate records and
instruments of the Company as we have deemed necessary or appropriate for
purposes of this opinion.  In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness
of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as
originals, and the conformity to authentic original documents of all documents
submitted to us as copies.

          We have been furnished with, and with your consent have exclusively
relied upon, certificates of officers of the Company with respect to certain
factual matters.  In addition, we have obtained and relied upon such
certificates and assurances from public officials as we have deemed necessary.

          We are opining herein as to the effect on the subject transaction only
of the federal securities laws of the United States and the internal laws of the
State of New York, and we express no opinion with respect to the applicability
thereto, or the effect thereon, of the laws of any other jurisdiction or as to
any matters of municipal law or the laws of any local agencies within any state.
Various issues concerning Nevada law are addressed in the opinion of Schreck
Morris, which has been separately provided to you, and we express no opinion
with respect to those matters.

          Subject to the foregoing and the other qualifications set forth
herein, it is our opinion that, as of the date hereof:

          1. When (a) the Debt Securities have been duly established in
accordance with the applicable Indenture (including, without limitation, the
adoption by the Board of Directors of the Company of a resolution duly
authorizing the issuance and delivery of the Debt Securities), duly
authenticated by the Trustee and duly executed and delivered on behalf of the
Company
<PAGE>
 
LATHAM & WATKINS
AutoZone, Inc.
July 13, 1998
Page 3

against payment therefor in accordance with the terms and provisions of the
applicable Indenture and as contemplated by the Registration Statement, the
Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement(s), and (b) when the
Registration Statement and any required post-effective amendment thereto and any
and all Prospectus Supplement(s) required by applicable laws have all become
effective under the Securities Act, and (c) assuming that the terms of the Debt
Securities as executed and delivered are as described in the Registration
Statement, the Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement(s), and (d)
assuming that the Debt Securities as executed and delivered do not violate any
law applicable to the Company or result in a default under or breach of any
agreement or instrument binding upon the Company, and (e) assuming that the Debt
Securities as executed and delivered comply with all requirements and
restrictions, if any, applicable to the Company, whether imposed by any court or
governmental or regulatory body having jurisdiction over the Company, and (f)
assuming that the Debt Securities are then issued and sold as contemplated in
the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and the related Prospectus
Supplement(s), the Debt Securities will constitute valid and legally binding
obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with
the terms of the Debt Securities.

        2.  When (a) the Warrants have been duly executed and delivered, and
issued and sold in the form and in the manner contemplated in the Registration
Statement, the Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement(s), and (b) when
the Registration Statement and any required post-effective amendment thereto and
any and all Prospectus Supplement(s) required by applicable law have all become
effective under the Securities Act, and (c) assuming that the terms of the
Warrants as executed and delivered are as described in the Registration
Statement, the Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement(s), and (d)
assuming that the Warrants, as executed and delivered, do not violate any law
applicable to the Company or result in a default under or breach of any
agreement or instrument binding upon the Company, and (e) assuming the Warrants
as executed and delivered comply with all requirements and restrictions, if any,
applicable to the Company, whether imposed by any court or governmental or
regulatory body having jurisdiction over the Company, and (f) assuming that the
Warrants are then issued and sold as contemplated in the Registration Statement,
the Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement(s), the Warrants will
constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable
against the Company in accordance with their terms.

        3.  When (a) the Registration Statement and any required post-effective
amendment thereto and any and all Prospectus Supplement(s) required by
applicable laws have all become effective under the Securities Act, and (b) when
the Debt Securities have been duly executed and delivered by all parties
thereto, and (c) assuming that the terms of the applicable Indenture as executed
and delivered are as described in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus and
the related Prospectus Supplement(s), and (d) assuming that the applicable
Indenture as executed and delivered does not violate any law applicable to the
Company or result in a default under or breach of any agreement or instrument
binding upon the Company, and 
<PAGE>
 
LATHAM & WATKINS
AutoZone, Inc.
July 13, 1998
Page 4

(e) assuming that the applicable Indenture as executed and delivered complies
with all requirements and restrictions, if any, applicable to the Company,
whether imposed by any court or governmental or regulatory body having
jurisdiction over the Company, and (f) assuming that the Debt Securities are
then issued and sold as contemplated in the Registration Statement, the
Prospectus and the related Prospectus Supplement(s), and (g) assuming that the
applicable Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the
Company, the applicable Indenture will constitute the valid and legally binding
obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company under the laws of the
State of New York in accordance with the terms of the applicable Indenture.

          The opinions set forth in paragraphs 1 through 3 above are subject to
the following exceptions, limitations and qualifications:  (i) the effect of
bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws now or
hereafter in effect relating to or affecting the rights and remedies of
creditors; (ii) the effect of general principles of equity, including without
limitation, concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing
and the possible unavailability of specific performance or injunctive relief,
regardless of whether enforcement is considered in a proceeding in equity or at
law, and the discretion of the court before which any proceeding therefor may be
brought; (iii) the unenforceability under certain circumstances under law or
court decisions of provisions providing for the indemnification of, or
contribution to, a party with respect to a liability where such indemnification
or contribution is contrary to public policy; (iv) we express no opinion
concerning the enforceability of any waiver of rights or defenses with respect
to stay, extension or usury laws; and (v) we express no opinion with respect to
whether acceleration of Debt Securities may affect the collectibility of any
portion of the stated principal amount thereof which might be determined to
constitute unearned interest thereon.

          We assume for purposes of this opinion that the Company has been duly
incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation under the laws of the
State of Nevada and has the corporate power and authority to issue and sell the
Securities; that the applicable Indenture has been duly authorized by all
necessary corporate action by the Company; that the Trustee for each applicable
Indenture is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of its jurisdiction of organization; that the Trustee is duly qualified to
engage in the activities contemplated by the applicable Indenture; that the
applicable Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the
Trustee and constitutes a legally valid, binding and enforceable obligation of
the Trustee, enforceable against the Trustee in accordance with its terms; that
the Trustee is in compliance, generally and with respect to acting as Trustee
under the applicable Indenture, with all applicable laws and regulations; and
that the Trustee has the requisite organizational and legal power and authority
to perform its obligations under the applicable Indenture.
<PAGE>
 
LATHAM & WATKINS
AutoZone, Inc.
July 13, 1998
Page 5

          We consent to your filing this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to our firm under the caption "Legal
Matters" in the Prospectus included therein.

          This opinion is rendered only to you and is solely for your benefit in
connection with the transactions covered hereby.  This opinion may not be relied
upon by you for any other purpose, or furnished to, quoted to, or relied upon by
any other person, firm or corporation for any purpose, without our prior written
consent.

                                 Very truly yours,

                                 /s/ Latham & Watkins

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 25.1
                                                                                
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                   FORM T-1
                                   --------

                           STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
                     UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
                 OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

               CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY
                  OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2)

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

                      THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
              (EXACT NAME OF TRUSTEE AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)

     A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION                          36-0899825
                                                          (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
                                                       IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)

ONE FIRST NATIONAL PLAZA, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS                  60670-0126
     (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)                 (ZIP CODE)
 
                      THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
                     ONE FIRST NATIONAL PLAZA, SUITE 0286
                        CHICAGO, ILLINOIS   60670-0286
            ATTN:  LYNN A. GOLDSTEIN, LAW DEPARTMENT (312) 732-6919
           (NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)



                      -----------------------------------
                                AUTOZONE, INC.
        (EXACT NAME OF OBLIGORS AS SPECIFIED IN THEIR TRUST AGREEMENTS)



           NEVADA                                        62-1482048
 (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF                      (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
  INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)                   IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)


 123 SOUTH FRONT STREET
 MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE                                        38103
 (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)                (ZIP CODE)

                            SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES
                        (TITLE OF INDENTURE SECURITIES)
                                        

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 1.   GENERAL INFORMATION.  FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO THE 
          --------------------                       
          TRUSTEE:

          (A) NAME AND ADDRESS OF EACH EXAMINING OR SUPERVISING AUTHORITY TO
          WHICH IT IS SUBJECT.

          Comptroller of Currency, Washington, D.C.; Federal Deposit Insurance
          Corporation, Washington, D.C.; The Board of Governors of the Federal
          Reserve System, Washington D.C..

          (B) WHETHER IT IS AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE CORPORATE TRUST POWERS.

          The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

ITEM 2.   AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR.  IF THE OBLIGOR IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE 
          ------------------------------                
          TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH SUCH AFFILIATION.

          No such affiliation exists with the trustee.

ITEM 16.  LIST OF EXHIBITS.   LIST BELOW ALL EXHIBITS FILED AS A PART OF THIS 
          -----------------                                     
          STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY.

          1.  A copy of the articles of association of the trustee now in
              effect.*

          2.  A copy of the certificates of authority of the trustee to commence
              business.*

          3.  A copy of the authorization of the trustee to exercise corporate
              trust powers.*

          4.  A copy of the existing by-laws of the trustee.*

          5.  Not Applicable.

          6.  The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Act.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
          7.  A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee published
              pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or
              examining authority.

          8.  Not Applicable.

          9.  Not Applicable.



     Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
     amended, the trustee, The First National Bank of Chicago, a national
     banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United
     States of America, has duly caused this Statement of Eligibility to be
     signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in
     the City of Chicago and State of Illinois, on the 3rd day of July, 1998.



            THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO,
            TRUSTEE


            BY /s/ Steven M. Wagner
               ___________________________________________
               STEVEN M. WAGNER
               FIRST VICE PRESIDENT




* EXHIBIT 1, 2,  3 AND 4 ARE HEREIN INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE TO EXHIBITS
BEARING IDENTICAL NUMBERS IN ITEM 16 OF THE FORM T-1 OF THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK
OF CHICAGO, FILED AS EXHIBIT 25 TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-3 OF U S
WEST CAPITAL FUNDING, INC., FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON
MAY 6, 1998 (REGISTRATION NO. 333-51907-01).

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBIT 6


                      THE CONSENT OF THE TRUSTEE REQUIRED
                         BY SECTION 321(b) OF THE ACT


                                              July 3, 1998



Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C.  20549

Gentlemen:

In connection with the qualification of an indenture of AutoZone, Inc. to The
First National Bank of Chicago, as Trustee, the undersigned, in accordance with
Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, hereby consents
that the reports of examinations of the undersigned, made by Federal or State
authorities authorized to make such examinations, may be furnished by such
authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request therefor.



                    Very truly yours,

                    THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO



               BY:  /s/ Steven M. Wagner                    
                   ----------------------------------------
                    STEVEN M. WAGNER
                    FIRST VICE PRESIDENT

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBIT 7

<TABLE>
 
<S>                        <C>                                  <C>
Legal Title of Bank:       The First National Bank of Chicago   Call Date: 03/31/98  ST-BK:  17-1630 FFIEC 031
Address:                   One First National Plaza, Ste 0460                                       Page RC-1
City, State  Zip:          Chicago, IL  60670
FDIC Certificate No.:      0/3/6/1/8
                           ---------
</TABLE>

CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF CONDITION FOR INSURED COMMERCIAL
AND STATE-CHARTERED SAVINGS BANKS FOR MARCH 31, 1998

All schedules are to be reported in thousands of dollars. Unless otherwise
indicated, report the amount outstanding of the last business day of the
quarter.

SCHEDULE RC--BALANCE SHEET

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 

                                                     DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS                            C400
                                                                                                          --------

<S>                                                                           <C>        <C>            <C>      <C>           <C>
ASSETS
1.   Cash and balances due from depository institutions (from Schedule
     RC-A):                                                                                             RCFD
                                                                                                        ----
     a. Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin(1)..............                             0081     4,141,168     1.a
     b. Interest-bearing balances(2).......................................                             0071     5,142,787     1.b
2.   Securities
     a. Held-to-maturity securities(from Schedule RC-B, column A)..........                             1754             0     2.a
     b. Available-for-sale securities (from Schedule RC-B, column D).......                             1773     7,819,811     2.b
3.   Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to
     resell................................................................                             1350     5,619,157     3.
4.   Loans and lease financing receivables:
     a. Loans and leases, net of unearned income (from Schedule                RCFD
                                                                               ----
     RC-C).................................................................    2122      26,140,376                            4.a
     b. LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses..........................    3123         417,371                            4.b
     c. LESS: Allocated transfer risk reserve..............................    3128               0                            4.c
     d. Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance, and                                        RCFD
                                                                                                        ----
        reserve (item 4.a minus 4.b and 4.c)...............................                             2125    25,723,005     4.d
5.   Trading assets (from Schedule RD-D)...................................                             3545     5,795,159     5.
6.   Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)..............                             2145       757,033     6.
7.   Other real estate owned (from Schedule RC-M)..........................                             2150         6,547     7.
8.   Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated
     companies (from Schedule RC-M)........................................                             2130       135,327     8.
9.   Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding..........                             2155       512,763     9.
10.  Intangible assets (from Schedule RC-M)................................                             2143       261,456    10.
11.  Other assets (from Schedule RC-F).....................................                             2160     2,223,495    11.
12.  Total assets (sum of items 1 through 11)..............................                             2170    58,137,708    12.
- ------------------
</TABLE> 

(1)  Includes cash items in process of collection and unposted debits.
(2)  Includes time certificates of deposit not held for trading.

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                        <C>                                  <C>
Legal Title of Bank:       The First National Bank of Chicago   Call Date:  03/31/98 ST-BK:  17-1630 FFIEC 031
Address:                   One First National Plaza, Ste 0460                                       Page RC-2
City, State  Zip:          Chicago, IL  60670
FDIC Certificate No.:      0/3/6/1/8
                           ---------
</TABLE>

SCHEDULE RC-CONTINUED

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                     DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN
                                                                         THOUSANDS
                                                                     -----------------   

<S>                                                                            <C>     <C>     <C>           <C>
LIABILITIES
13.  Deposits:
     a. In domestic offices (sum of totals of columns A and C                  RCON
                                                                               ----
     from Schedule RC-E, part 1).......................................        2200            21,551,932    13.a
     (1) Noninterest-bearing(1)........................................        6631             9,361,049    13.a1
     (2) Interest-bearing..............................................        6636            12,190,883    13.a2

     b. In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and                       RCFN
                                                                                       ----
     IBFs (from Schedule RC-E, part II)................................                2200    14,511,110    13.b
     (1) Noninterest bearing...........................................                6631       604,859    13.b1
     (2) Interest-bearing..............................................                6636    13,906,251    13.b2
14.  Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements
     to repurchase:                                                            RCFD    2800     3.887,022    14
15.  a. Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury.......................        RCON    2840        63,092    15.a
     b. Trading Liabilities(from Sechedule RC-D).......................        RCFD    3548     5,918,194    15.b

16.  Other borrowed money:                                                     RCFD
                                                                               ----
     a. With original maturity of one year or less.....................                2332     3,134,696    16.a
     b. With original  maturity of more than one year..................                A547       381,681    16.b
     c. With original maturity of more than three years................                A548       326,551    16.c

17.  Not applicable
18.  Bank's liability on acceptance executed and outstanding...........                2920       512,763    18.
19.  Subordinated notes and debentures.................................                3200     2,000,000    19.
20.  Other liabilities (from Schedule RC-G)............................                2930     1,163,747    20.
21.  Total liabilities (sum of items 13 through 20)....................                2948    53,450,788    21.
22.  Not applicable
EQUITY CAPITAL
23.  Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus.....................                3838             0    23.
24.  Common stock......................................................                3230       200,858    24.
25.  Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)..........                3839     3,107,585    25.
26.  a. Undivided profits and capital reserves.........................                3632     1,359,598    26.a
     b. Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale
        securities.....................................................                8434        18,975    26.b
27.  Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments...............                3284           (96)   27.
28.  Total equity capital (sum of items 23 through 27).................                3210     4,686,920    28.
29.  Total liabilities, limited-life preferred stock, and equity
     capital (sum of items 21, 22, and 28).............................                3300    58,137,708    29.
</TABLE>

Memorandum
To be reported only with the March Report of Condition.
<TABLE> 
<S>                                                                                                       <C> 
1. Indicate in the box at the right the number of the statement below that best describes the most 
   comprehensive level of auditing work performed for the bank by independent external 
                                                                                                          ---------    Number   
   auditors as of any date during 1996.......................................................RCFD 6724...  2           M.1.
                                                                                                          ---------
</TABLE> 
<TABLE> 
<S>                                                                <C>  
1 = Independent audit of the bank conducted in accordance          4 = Directors' examination of the bank performed by other
    with generally accepted auditing standards by a certified          external auditors (may be required by state chartering
    public accounting firm which submits a report on the bank          authority)
2 = Independent audit of the bank's parent holding company         5 = Review of the bank's financial statements by external
    conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing           auditors
    standards by a certified public accounting firm which          6 = Compilation of the bank's financial statements by external 
    submits a report on the consolidated holding company               auditors                                   
    (but not on the bank separately)                               7 = Other audit procedures (excluding tax preparation work)  
3 = Directors' examination of the bank conducted in                8 = No external audit work
    accordance with generally accepted auditing standards
    by a certified public accounting firm (may be required by
    state chartering authority)
- -------------------
</TABLE> 

(1) Includes total demand deposits and noninterest-bearing time and savings
    deposits.

                                       6

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 25.2
                                                                                
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549



                                   FORM T-1
                                   --------

 
                           STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
                     UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939
                 OF A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE
                            

               CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY
                  OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2)

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


                      THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
              (EXACT NAME OF TRUSTEE AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)



  A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION                          36-0899825
                                                       (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
                                                    IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)

 

ONE FIRST NATIONAL PLAZA, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS                 60670-0126
 (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)                   (ZIP CODE)


                      THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO
                     ONE FIRST NATIONAL PLAZA, SUITE 0286
                        CHICAGO, ILLINOIS   60670-0286
            ATTN:  LYNN A. GOLDSTEIN, LAW DEPARTMENT (312) 732-6919
           (NAME, ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE NUMBER OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)


                      -----------------------------------
                                AUTOZONE, INC.
        (EXACT NAME OF OBLIGORS AS SPECIFIED IN THEIR TRUST AGREEMENTS)



            NEVADA                                         62-1482048
 (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF                        (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
 INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)                       IDENTIFICATION NUMBER)


      123 SOUTH FRONT STREET
        MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE                                    38103
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)                    (ZIP CODE)


                         SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
                        (TITLE OF INDENTURE SECURITIES)
                                        

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
Item 1.   GENERAL INFORMATION.  FURNISH THE FOLLOWING
          --------------------                       
          INFORMATION AS TO THE TRUSTEE:

          (a) NAME AND ADDRESS OF EACH EXAMINING OR
          SUPERVISING AUTHORITY TO WHICH IT IS SUBJECT.

          Comptroller of Currency, Washington, D.C.; 
          Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, 
          Washington, D.C.; The Board of Governors of 
          the Federal Reserve System, Washington D.C..

          (b) WHETHER IT IS AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE
          CORPORATE TRUST POWERS.

          The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate
          trust powers.

ITEM 2.   AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR.  IF THE OBLIGOR
          ------------------------------                
          IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH
          SUCH AFFILIATION.

          No such affiliation exists with the trustee.

ITEM 16.  LIST OF EXHIBITS.   LIST BELOW ALL EXHIBITS FILED AS A
          -----------------                                     
          PART OF THIS STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY.

          1.  A copy of the articles of association of the
              trustee now in effect.*

          2.  A copy of the certificates of authority of the
              trustee to commence business.*

          3.  A copy of the authorization of the trustee to
              exercise corporate trust powers.*

          4.  A copy of the existing by-laws of the trustee.*

          5.  Not Applicable.

          6.  The consent of the trustee required by
              Section 321(b) of the Act.

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
          7. A copy of the latest report of condition of the
             trustee published pursuant to law or the
             requirements of its supervising or examining
             authority.

          8.  Not Applicable.

          9.  Not Applicable.

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
     amended, the trustee, The First National Bank of Chicago, a national
     banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United
     States of America, has duly caused this Statement of Eligibility to be
     signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in
     the City of Chicago and State of Illinois, on the 3rd day of July, 1998.


            THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO,
            TRUSTEE


            BY /s/ Steven M. Wagner
               ___________________________________________
               STEVEN M. WAGNER
               FIRST VICE PRESIDENT







* EXHIBIT 1, 2,  3 AND 4 ARE HEREIN INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE TO EXHIBITS
BEARING IDENTICAL NUMBERS IN ITEM 16 OF THE FORM T-1 OF THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK
OF CHICAGO, FILED AS EXHIBIT 25 TO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON FORM S-3 OF U S
WEST CAPITAL FUNDING, INC., FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON
MAY 6, 1998 (REGISTRATION NO. 333-51907-01).

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT 6



                      THE CONSENT OF THE TRUSTEE REQUIRED
                         BY SECTION 321(b) OF THE ACT



                                         July 3, 1998



Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C.  20549

Gentlemen:

In connection with the qualification of an indenture of AutoZone, Inc. to The
First National Bank of Chicago, as Trustee, the undersigned, in accordance with
Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, hereby consents
that the reports of examinations of the undersigned, made by Federal or State
authorities authorized to make such examinations, may be furnished by such
authorities to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request therefor.


                    Very truly yours,

                    THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF CHICAGO



               BY:  /s/ Steven M. Wagner                     
                   -------------------------------------
                    STEVEN M. WAGNER
                    FIRST VICE PRESIDENT

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBIT 7

<TABLE>
<CAPTION> 

<S>                        <C>                                  <C>     
Legal Title of Bank:       The First National Bank of Chicago   Call Date: 03/31/98  ST-BK:  17-1630 FFIEC 031
Address:                   One First National Plaza, Ste 0460                                        Page RC-1
City, State  Zip:          Chicago, IL  60670
FDIC Certificate No.:      0/3/6/1/8
                           ---------
</TABLE>

CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF CONDITION FOR INSURED COMMERCIAL
AND STATE-CHARTERED SAVINGS BANKS FOR MARCH 31, 1998

All schedules are to be reported in thousands of dollars. Unless otherwise
indicated, report the amount outstanding of the last business day of the
quarter.


SCHEDULE RC--BALANCE SHEET

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS            C400
                                                                                                           ----
<S>                                                                 <C>                                    <C>               <C>
ASSETS
1.   Cash and balances due from depository institutions (from Schedule
     RC-A):............................................................                               RCFD
                                                                                                      ----
     a. Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin(1)..........                               0081      4,141,168     1.a
     b. Interest-bearing balances(2)...................................                               0071      5,142,787     1.b
2.   Securities
     a. Held-to-maturity securities(from Schedule RC-B, column A).........                            1754              0     2.a
     b. Available-for-sale securities (from Schedule RC-B, column D)......                            1773      7,819,811     2.b
3.   Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to
     resell............................................................                               1350      5,619,157     3.
4.   Loans and lease financing receivables:
     a. Loans and leases, net of unearned income (from Schedule........         RCFD
                                                                                ----
        RC-C)..........................................................         2122   26,140,376                             4.a
     b. LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses......................         3123      417,371                             4.b
     c. LESS: Allocated transfer risk reserve..........................         3128            0                             4.c
     d. Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance, and.......                               RCFD
                                                                                                      ----
        reserve (item 4.a minus 4.b and 4.c)...........................                               2125     25,723,005     4.d
5.   Trading assets (from Schedule RD-D)...............................                               3545      5,795,159     5.
6.   Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases)..........                               2145        757,033     6.
7.   Other real estate owned (from Schedule RC-M)......................                               2150          6,547     7.
8.   Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated
     companies (from Schedule RC-M)....................................                               2130        135,327     8.
9.   Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding......                               2155        512,763     9.
10.  Intangible assets (from Schedule RC-M)............................                               2143        261,456     10.
11.  Other assets (from Schedule RC-F).................................                               2160      2,223,495     11.
12.  Total assets (sum of items 1 through 11)..........................                               2170     58,137,708     12.
</TABLE> 
 
- ------------------
(1)  Includes cash items in process of collection and unposted debits.
(2)  Includes time certificates of deposit not held for trading.

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<S>                        <C>                                  <C>  
Legal Title of Bank:       The First National Bank of Chicago   Call Date:  03/31/98 ST-BK:  17-1630 FFIEC 031
Address:                   One First National Plaza, Ste 0460                                        Page RC-2
City, State  Zip:          Chicago, IL  60670
FDIC Certificate No.:      0/3/6/1/8
                           ---------
</TABLE>

SCHEDULE RC-CONTINUED

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN
                                                                  THOUSANDS
                                                               -----------------
<S>                                                                                        <C>    <C>          <C>
LIABILITIES
13. Deposits:
  a. In domestic offices (sum of totals of columns A and C                                 RCON
                                                                                           ----
     from Schedule RC-E, part 1).................................                          2200   21,551,932   13.a
     (1) Noninterest-bearing(1)..................................                          6631    9,361,049   13.a1
     (2) Interest-bearing........................................                          6636   12,190,883   13.a2

  b. In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and....                          RCFN
                                                                                           ----
     IBFs (from Schedule RC-E, part II)..........................                          2200   14,511,110   13.b
     (1) Noninterest bearing.....................................                          6631      604,859   13.b1
     (2) Interest-bearing........................................                          6636   13,906,251   13.b2
14.  Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements
     to repurchase:..............................................                     RCFD 2800    3.887,022    14
15.  a. Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury.................                     RCON 2840       63,092    15.a
     b. Trading Liabilities(from Sechedule RC-D).................                     RCFD 3548    5,918,194    15.b

16.  Other borrowed money:.......................................                          RCFD
                                                                                           ----
     a. With original maturity of one year or less...............                          2332    3,134,696    16.a
     b. With original  maturity of more than one year............                          A547      381,681    16.b
     c. With original maturity of more than three years..........                          A548      326,551    16.c
17.  Not applicable
18.  Bank's liability on acceptance executed and outstanding.....                          2920      512,763    18.
19.  Subordinated notes and debentures...........................                          3200    2,000,000    19.
20.  Other liabilities (from Schedule RC-G)......................                          2930    1,163,747    20.
21.  Total liabilities (sum of items 13 through 20)..............                          2948   53,450,788    21.
22.  Not applicable

EQUITY CAPITAL
23.  Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus...............                          3838            0      23.
24.  Common stock................................................                          3230      200,858      24.
25.  Surplus (exclude all surplus related to preferred stock)....                          3839    3,107,585      25.
26.  a. Undivided profits and capital reserves...................                          3632    1,359,598      26.a
     b. Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale
        securities...............................................                          8434       18,975      26.b
27.  Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments.........                          3284          (96)     27.
28.  Total equity capital (sum of items 23 through 27)...........                          3210    4,686,920      28.
29.  Total liabilities, limited-life preferred stock, and equity
     capital (sum of items 21, 22, and 28).......................                          3300   58,137,708      29.
</TABLE>

Memorandum
To be reported only with the March Report of Condition.

1. Indicate in the box at the right the number of the statement below that best
   describes the most comprehensive level of auditing work performed for the
   bank by independent external auditors as of any date during 1996 . . . . . .
   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . ....RCFD 6724 . ....

- -------------------------------
2                                          Number 
- -------------------------------            M.1.    

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                 <C>
1 =  Independent audit of the bank conducted in accordance          4. =  Directors' examination of the bank performed by other 
     with generally accepted auditing standards by a certified            external auditors (may be required by state chartering
     public accounting firm which submits a report on the bank            authority)
2 =  Independent audit of the bank's parent holding company         5  =  Review of the bank's financial statements by external  
     conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing             auditors
     standards by a certified public accounting firm which          6  =  Compilation of the bank's financial statements by 
     submits a report on the consolidated holding company                 external auditors                                  
     (but not on the bank separately)                               7 =   Other audit procedures (excluding tax preparation work)  
3 =  Directors' examination of the bank conducted in                8 =   No external audit work
     accordance with generally accepted auditing standards
     by a certified public accounting firm (may be required by
     state chartering authority)
</TABLE> 

- -------------------
(1) Includes total demand deposits and noninterest-bearing time and savings
deposits.

                                       6


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