PALOMAR MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES INC
S-3/A, 1996-12-17
PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS
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   As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 17, 1996
                                                 Registration No.  333-18003
    

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                              ---------------------
   
                                 AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                       TO
                                    FORM S-3
    

                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                      Under
                           The Securities Act of 1933

                       PALOMAR MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
                       ----------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                                    Delaware
                                    --------
         (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

                                   04-3128178
                                   ----------
                     (I.R.S. employer identification number)

        66 Cherry Hill Drive, Beverly, Massachusetts 01915 (508) 921-9300
        -----------------------------------------------------------------
          (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including
             area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)



                               Sarah Burgess Reed
                                 General Counsel
                       Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc.
                              66 Cherry Hill Drive
                          Beverly, Massachusetts 01915
                                 (508) 921-9300
                                 --------------
            (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
                   including area code, of agent for service)

         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 market conditions.

         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. [ ]

       

         Pursuant to Rule 416, there are also registered  hereby such additional
indeterminate  number of shares of such Common  Stock as may become  issuable as
dividend or to prevent dilution resulting from stock splits,  stock dividends or
similar  transactions  as set forth in the terms of the Preferred  Stock and the
warrants referred to above.

         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 this  Registration  Statement  shall become
effective on such date as the Commission,  acting pursuant to said Section 8(a),
may determine.


                                       2


   
                  SUBJECT TO COMPLETION DATED DECEMBER 17, 1996
    

PROSPECTUS
- ----------


                       PALOMAR MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.


                         700,948 shares of Common Stock
                                 consisting of:
            571,428 shares underlying Series G Convertible Preferred
                   Stock; and 129,520 shares underlying stock
                                purchase warrants

         This  Prospectus  relates  to shares of Common  Stock,  $.01 par value,
("Common  Stock" or the  "Shares") of Palomar  Medical  Technologies,  Inc. (the
"Company",  the  "Registrant"  or "Palomar")  consisting  of: (i) 285,714 shares
underlying  Series G Convertible  Preferred Stock issued to GFL Performance Fund
Limited and 285,714  shares  underlying  Series G  Convertible  Preferred  Stock
issued to GFL Advantage Fund Limited,  and (ii) 64,760 shares underlying a stock
purchase  warrant  issued with the Series G  Covertible  Preferred  Stock to GFL
Performance  Fund Limited and 64,760 shares  underlying a stock purchase warrant
issued  with the  Series G  Covertible  Preferred  Stock to GFL  Advantage  Fund
Limited,  all of which are exercisable as described in the Selling  Stockholders
and Plan of Distribution sections of the Prospectus. All shares to be registered
hereby are to be offered by the selling stockholders listed herein (the "Selling
Stockholders")  and the Company will  receive no proceeds  from the sale of such
shares.  The Company has agreed to indemnify  the Selling  Stockholders  against
certain  liabilities,  including certain liabilities under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or to contribute to payments which such
Selling  Stockholders may be required to make in respect  thereof.  See "Plan of
Distribution".

         The Company's  Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, is listed on the
National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotation System ("Nasdaq")
and traded on the Nasdaq  SmallCap  Market.  The last  reported bid price of the
Common Stock on the Nasdaq  SmallCap  Market on December 13, 1996 was  $6.75 per
share.

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

AN INVESTMENT IN THE SECURITIES  OFFERED HEREBY  INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK.
SEE "RISK FACTORS" AT PAGES 6 THROUGH 16.

         It is anticipated that usual and customary  brokerage fees will be paid
by the Selling  Stockholders on the sale of the Common Stock registered  hereby.
The  Company  will  pay the  other  expenses  of this  offering.  See  "Plan  of
Distribution".  The offer of shares of Common Stock by the Selling  Stockholders
as described in this Prospectus is referred to as the "Offering".

                The date of this Prospectus is December __, 1996.


                                       3


         No dealer,  salesman or other  person has been  authorized  to give any
information  or to make  any  representations  other  than  those  contained  or
incorporated  by  reference  in this  Prospectus  in  connection  with the offer
contained in this Prospectus,  and, if given or made, such other  information or
representations must not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Company
or the Selling  Stockholders.  This  Prospectus  does not constitute an offer to
sell or a solicitation  of an offer to buy the securities  offered hereby in any
jurisdiction  to any  person  to  whom it is  unlawful  to make  such  offer  or
solicitation in such  jurisdiction.  Neither the delivery of this Prospectus nor
any sale made hereunder shall, under any  circumstances,  create any implication
that  there has been no  change in the  affairs  of the  Company  since the date
hereof.

                              AVAILABLE INFORMATION

         The  Company  is  subject  to  the  informational  requirements  of the
Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as  amended  (the  "Exchange  Act"),  and in
accordance therewith files reports,  proxy statements and other information with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission").  Such reports,  proxy
statements and other information filed by the Company with the Commission can be
inspected and copied at the Public  Reference  Section of the  Commission at 450
Fifth  Street,  N.W.,  Washington,  D.C.  20549,  Room  1024  and at the  public
reference  facilities  maintained by the  Commission on the 14th Floor,  75 Park
Place, New York, New York 10007;  Suite 1400,  Northwestern  Atrium Center,  500
West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661; and Suite 500 East, Securities and
Exchange Commission Building, 5757 Wilshire Boulevard,  Los Angeles,  California
90036. Copies can be obtained from the Commission at prescribed rates by writing
to the  Commission at 450 Fifth  Street,  N.W.,  Washington,  D.C.  20549.  Such
reports,  proxy  statements  and similar  information  can also be inspected and
copied at the National  Association of Securities Dealers,  1735 K Street, N.W.,
Washington,  DC 20006-1500. In addition, the Commission maintains a Website that
contains  reports,  proxy  and  information  statements  and  other  information
regarding  registrants  that file  electronically,  including  the Company.  The
Commissions  Website  address  is  http://www.sec.gov.  This  prospectus,  which
constitutes  part of  Registration  Statement  filed  by the  Company  with  the
Commission  under the Securities Act omits certain of the information  contained
in the  Registration  Statement in accordance  with the rules and regulations of
the Commission.  Reference is hereby made to the  Registration  Statement and to
the  Exhibits  relating  thereto for  further  information  with  respect to the
Company and the  Securities  offered  hereby.  Any statements  contained  herein
concerning the provisions of any document are not necessarily complete,  and, in
each  instance,  reference  is made to the  copy of such  documents  filed as an
exhibit to the  Registration  Statement or otherwise  filed with the Commission.
Each such statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference.

                 INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

         The Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-KSB and Form 10-KSB\A-1 for its
fiscal year ended  December 31, 1995,  the  Company's  Quarterly  Report on Form
10-QSB and Form  10-QSB\A-1 for its quarter ending March 31, 1996, the Company's
Quarterly  Report on Form  10-QSB for its  quarter  ending  June 30,  1996,  the
Company's  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-QSB for its quarter ending September 30,
1996,  the  Company's  Form 8-K filed with the  commission  on May 16, 1996,  as
amended by Form 8-K/A filed June 11, 1996, and the  description of the Company's
Common Stock contained in its Registration  Statement on Form 8-A filed with the
Commission  on June 6, 1992,  as amended by Form 8 on December 17, 1992,  all of
which have been previously  filed with the Commission,  are incorporated in this
Prospectus by reference.  All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Section
13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date hereof and prior to
the  termination of the offering made hereby are also  incorporated by reference
herein and made a part  hereof  from the date of filing of such  documents.  Any
statement  contained in a document  incorporated by reference herein is modified
or superseded for all purposes to the extent that a statement  contained in this
Prospectus or in any other  subsequently filed document which is incorporated by
reference modifies or replaces such statement.  The Company will



                                       4



provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a
copy of this  Prospectus is delivered,  upon the written or oral request of such
person, a copy of all documents  incorporated herein by reference (not including
the  exhibits  to  such  documents,   unless  such  exhibits  are   specifically
incorporated  by reference  herein.  Requests for such copies should be directed
to: John J. Ingoldsby, Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc., 66 Cherry Hill Drive,
Beverly, Massachusetts 01915; telephone number (508) 921 - 9300.

                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

         The following  summary  information is qualified in its entirety by the
more detailed information appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus or incorporated
herein by reference and the financial  statements which are incorporated  herein
by reference.

THE COMPANY.......................    Palomar  Medical  Technologies,  Inc. (the
                                      "Company")  has  two  business   segments:
                                      medical products and electronic  products.
                                      The  medical  products  are under  various
                                      stages of development and clinical trials.
                                      The Company  does derive  revenue from the
                                      sale   of   medical    products   by   its
                                      subsidiaries        Spectrum       Medical
                                      Technologies,      Inc.     and     Tissue
                                      Technologies,   Inc.  In   addition,   the
                                      Company  derives  revenue from the sale of
                                      electronic  products  by its  subsidiaries
                                      Nexar    Technologies,     Inc.,    Dynaco
                                      Corporation and Comtel  Electronics,  Inc.
                                      The  electronic  products  segment  is the
                                      principal    source   of   the   Company's
                                      revenues.

RISK FACTORS......................    The Offering  involves  substantial  risk.
                                      See "Risk Factors".

SECURITIES OFFERED................    700,948  shares of Company  Common  Stock,
                                      par value $.01 per share.

OFFERING PRICE....................    All or part of the Shares  offered  hereby
                                      may be sold from  time to time in  amounts
                                      and  on  terms  to be  determined  by  the
                                      Selling Stockholders at the time of sale.

USE OF PROCEEDS...................    The  Company  will  receive no part of the
                                      proceeds  from  the  sale  of  the  shares
                                      registered  pursuant to this  Registration
                                      Statement.

SELLING STOCKHOLDERS..............    The Shares being offered  hereby are being
                                      offered  for the  account  of the  Selling
                                      Stockholders  specified  under the caption
                                      "Selling Stockholders".

NASDAQ TRADING SYMBOL.............    PMTI



                                       5


                                  RISK FACTORS

AN INVESTMENT IN THE SHARES  OFFERED  HEREBY  INVOLVES A HIGH DEGREE OF RISK AND
SHOULD  NOT BE MADE BY  PERSONS  WHO  CANNOT  AFFORD  THE LOSS OF  THEIR  ENTIRE
INVESTMENT.  IN  CONNECTION  WITH THE "SAFE  HARBOR"  PROVISIONS  OF THE PRIVATE
SECURITIES  LITIGATION  REFORM ACT OF 1995,  THE  COMPANY IS HEREBY  IDENTIFYING
IMPORTANT  FACTORS  THAT  COULD  CAUSE THE  COMPANY'S  ACTUAL  RESULTS TO DIFFER
MATERIALLY  FROM THOSE  PROJECTED IN  FORWARD-LOOKING  STATEMENTS OF THE COMPANY
MADE BY OR ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY.  THE COMPANY  ADVISES  READERS NOT TO PLACE
UNDUE  RELIANCE  ON SUCH  FORWARD-LOOKING  STATEMENTS  IN LIGHT OF THE RISKS AND
UNCERTAINTIES  TO WHICH  THEY ARE  SUBJECT.  THE  FOLLOWING  FACTORS  SHOULD  BE
CONSIDERED CAREFULLY IN EVALUATING THE COMPANY AND ITS BUSINESS.

         HOLDING COMPANY  STRUCTURE.  The Company has no significant  operations
other  than  those  incidental  to its  ownership  of the  capital  stock of its
subsidiaries.  As a holding  company,  the Company is  dependent on dividends or
other  intercompany  transfers  of  funds  from  its  subsidiaries  to meet  the
Company's  debt  service  and  other  obligations.  Claims of  creditors  of the
Company's subsidiaries,  including trade creditors, will generally have priority
as to the assets of such  subsidiaries  over the claims of the  Company  and the
holders of the Company's indebtedness.

         LIMITED OPERATING HISTORY;  RECENT ACQUISITIONS.  Many of the Company's
subsidiaries have limited operating  histories and are in the development stage,
and the Company is subject to all of the risks inherent in the  establishment of
a new business  enterprise.  Historically,  most of the Company's  revenues have
been  generated by its  flexible  circuit  board  component  business;  however,
Spectrum Medical  Technologies,  Inc.  ("Spectrum"),  acquired by the Company in
April 1995,  contributed  18% of the  Company's  revenues  in 1995.  The Company
acquired  Comtel  Electronics,   Inc.  ("Comtel")  in  March  1996,  and  Tissue
Technologies,  Inc.  ("Tissue")  in May 1996.  Both  Comtel and Tissue  have had
limited  operating  histories.  The likelihood of success of the Company must be
considered in light of the problems, expenses,  difficulties,  complications and
delays  frequently  encountered in connection  with the  establishment  of a new
business  and  development  of new  technologies  in the  medical  products  and
electronic  products  industries.   These  include,  but  are  not  limited  to,
government   regulation,   competition,   the  need  to   expand   manufacturing
capabilities  and  market  expertise,   and  setbacks  in  production,   product
development,  market acceptance and sales and marketing. The Company's prospects
could be  significantly  affected  by its  ability  to  subsequently  manage and
integrate the operations of several distinct  businesses with diverse  products,
services and customer bases in order to achieve cost efficiencies.  There can be
no assurance that the Company will be able to successfully  manage and integrate
the  operations of newly  acquired  businesses  into its  operations or that the
failure to do so will not increase the costs  inherent in the  establishment  of
new business enterprises.

         SUBSTANTIAL AND CONTINUING  LOSSES.  The Company incurred a net loss of
$12,620,768  for the year ended  December 31, 1995 and a net loss of $19,213,214
for the nine month period ended September 30, 1996. These losses are expected to
continue for the near term,  and there can be no assurance that the Company will
achieve profitable operations or that profitable operations will be sustained if
achieved.   At  September  30,  1996,  the  Company's  accumulated  deficit  was
US$45,903,951.   Dynaco  Corp.  ("Dynaco"),  Star  Medical  Technologies,   Inc.
("Star"), CD Titles, Inc. ("CD Titles"),  Dynamem, Inc. ("Dynamem"),  Comtel and
Tissue each have had a history of losses  prior to  acquisition  by the Company.
There  can  be  no  assurance  that  these  companies  will  achieve  profitable
operations  or that  profitable  operations  will be sustained if achieved.  The
Company anticipates  incurring  substantial  research and development  expenses,
which will reduce cash  available to fund current  operations.  The Company must
continue to secure additional financing to complete its research and development
activities,  commercialize its current and proposed medical products, expand its
current non-medical business, execute its acquisition business plan


                                       6


and fund ongoing  operations.  The Company  believes that the cash  generated to
date from its  financing  activities  and  amounts  available  under its  credit
agreement will be sufficient to satisfy its working capital requirements through
the next  twelve-month  period.  However,  there can be no  assurance  that this
assumption  will prove to be  accurate  or that  events in the  future  will not
require  the  Company  to obtain  additional  financing  sooner  than  presently
anticipated.  The Company may also determine,  depending upon the  opportunities
available to it, to seek additional  debt or equity  financing to fund the costs
of acquisitions or continuing expansion. To the extent that the Company finances
an  acquisition  with a  combination  of cash and  equity  securities,  any such
issuance of equity  securities  could result in dilution to the interests of the
Company's  shareholders.  Additionally,  to the extent that the  Company  incurs
indebtedness to fund increased  levels of accounts  receivable or to finance the
acquisition of capital  equipment or issues debt  securities in connection  with
any acquisition,  the Company will be subject to risks associated with incurring
substantial additional indebtedness, including the risks that interest rates may
fluctuate and cash flow may be insufficient to pay principal and interest on any
such  indebtedness.  The Company  continues  to  investigate  several  financing
alternatives,   including  additional  government  research  grants,   strategic
partnerships,  additional bank financing, private, debt and equity financing and
other sources.  While the Company regularly reviews potential funding sources in
relation  to  its  ongoing  and  proposed  research  projects,  there  can be no
assurance  that the  current  levels of funding or  additional  funding  will be
available, or if available will be on terms satisfactory to the Company. Failure
to obtain  additional  financing  could  have a material  adverse  effect on the
Company,   including  possibly   requiring  it  to  significantly   curtail  its
operations.

         RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ACQUISITIONS. Since going public, the Company has
acquired  seven  companies.  In the  normal  course  of  business,  the  Company
evaluates potential  acquisitions of businesses,  products and technologies that
would  complement or expand the Company's  business.  Acquisitions may result in
the  incurrence of  additional  debt,  the write-off of in-process  research and
development or technology acquisition and development costs and the amortization
of expenses related to goodwill and other intangible  assets, any of which could
have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,  financial  condition,
results of operations and cash flow.  Acquisitions  involve numerous  additional
risks, including  difficulties in the assimilation of the operations,  services,
products and personnel of the acquired  company,  the diversion of  management's
attention from other business  concerns,  entering  markets in which the Company
has little or no direct prior experience and the potential loss of key employees
of the acquired company.

         NEW  VENTURES.  The Company has entered  into several  agreements  with
physician groups to provide cosmetic laser services at laser treatment  centers,
and plans to enter into more such  agreements  in the future.  While the Company
believes  these  new  partnerships  are  strategically   important,   there  are
substantial  uncertainties  associated  with the  development  of new  products,
technologies  and services for evolving  markets.  The success of these ventures
will be determined not only by the Company's  efforts,  but also by those of its
partners.  Initial  timetables  for  the  development  and  introduction  of new
technologies,  products or services may not be achieved,  and  price/performance
targets may not prove  feasible.  External  factors,  such as the development of
competitive  alternatives  or  government  regulation,  may cause new markets to
evolve in unanticipated directions. (See "Highly Competitive Industries.")

         MANAGEMENT OF GROWTH.  In light of management's  views of the potential
for future  growth,  the  Company  has  adopted an  aggressive  growth plan that
includes  substantial  investments  in  its  sales,  marketing,  production  and
distribution  organizations,  the  creation  of  new  research  and  development
programs  and  increased  funding  of  existing  programs,  and  investments  in
corporate  infrastructure  that will be required to support  significant growth.
This  plan  carries  with it a number  of  risks,  including  a higher  level of
operating expenses, the difficulty of attracting and assimilating a large number
of new employees,


                                       7


and the  complexities  associated  with  managing a larger  and  faster  growing
organization.  Depending  on the  extent  of  future  growth,  the  Company  may
experience a significant  strain on its management,  operational,  manufacturing
and  financial  resources.  The  failure  of the  Company's  management  team to
effectively  manage growth,  should it continue to occur,  could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's financial condition and results of operations

         HIGHLY  COMPETITIVE  INDUSTRIES.  The  medical  device and  electronics
industries are characterized by intense competition.  The medical laser industry
is highly  competitive and is characterized by the frequent  introduction of new
products.  The Company competes in the development,  manufacture,  marketing and
servicing of laser technology products with numerous other companies, certain of
which have substantially  greater financial,  marketing and other resources than
the Company.  In addition,  the Company's medical products face competition from
alternative  medical  products and procedures,  such as  dermabrasion,  chemical
peels, pharmaceutical treatment, electrolysis, waxing and surgery, among others.
There can be no  assurance  that the Company will be able to  differentiate  its
products  from the  products of its  competitors  or that the  marketplace  will
consider the Company's  products to be superior to competing products or medical
procedures. There can be no assurance that competitors will not develop products
or that new  technologies  will  not be  developed  that  render  the  Company's
products  obsolete  or less  competitive.  In  addition,  in  entering  areas of
business in which it has little or no  experience,  such as the opening of laser
treatment  centers,  the  Company may not be able to compete  successfully  with
competitors that are more established in such areas. (See "New Ventures.")

         In the electronics  industry,  the Company competes with Packard-Hughes
Interconnect Co., Parlex Corporation, Teledyne Inc., IBM, Apple Computer, Compaq
and Dell Computer, among others. Many, if not most, of the Company's current and
prospective  competitors are substantial in size and have substantial financial,
managerial,  technical,  manufacturing,  marketing and other resources,  and may
introduce additional products that compete with those of the Company.  There can
be no assurance  that the  Company's  products will compete  favorably  with the
products  of its  competitors  or that  the  Company  will  have  the  resources
necessary  to compete  effectively  against such  companies.  As a result of the
intense  competition in the personal  computer market,  the Company expects that
gross margins on sales of its upgradeable  personal  computers will be extremely
narrow and will require the Company to manage  carefully its cost of goods sold.
There can be no  assurance  that the Company  will be able to manage its cost of
goods sold to the degree necessary for sales of upgradeable computer products to
generate  significant gross margins. The Company currently has limited marketing
capabilities   and  expects  to  place   significant   reliance  on  independent
distributors  and resellers for the  distribution and marketing of its products.
The  Company  will be  dependent  upon the  efforts of such third  parties.  The
inability to establish and maintain a network of  independent  distributors  and
resellers,  or a reduction in their sales efforts, could have a material adverse
effect on the  Company's  financial  condition  and  results of  operations.  In
addition,  there can be no assurance as to the viability or financial  stability
of the Company's independent  distributors and resellers.  The computer industry
has  been  characterized  from  time  to  time  by  financial   difficulties  of
distributors  and  resellers;  any such problems could lead to reduced sales and
could have a material  adverse effect on the Company's  financial  condition and
results of  operations.  There can be no assurance  that the Company's  products
will compete  favorably with the products of its competitors or that the Company
will have the resources necessary to compete effectively against such companies.



                                       8


         FLUCTUATIONS  IN  QUARTERLY  PERFORMANCE.   The  Company's  results  of
operations have fluctuated substantially and can be expected to continue to vary
significantly.  The Company's  quarterly operating results depend on a number of
factors,  including the timing of the introduction or acceptance of new products
offered by the Company or its  competitors,  changes in the mix of products sold
by the  Company,  changes in  regulations  affecting  the  medical  products  or
electronics  industry,  changes in the Company's operating  expenses,  personnel
changes and general economic conditions.

         The Company's stock price, like that of other technology companies,  is
subject to significant  volatility.  If revenues or earnings in any quarter fail
to meet the  investment  community's  expectations,  there could be an immediate
impact on the price of the Shares.  The price of the Shares may also be affected
by  broader  market  trends  unrelated  to  the  Company's   performance.   (See
"Volatility of Share Price.")


                                       9


         VOLATILITY   OF  SHARE  PRICE.   Factors  such  as   announcements   of
developments  related to the Company's  business,  announcements by competitors,
quarterly fluctuations in the Company's financial results and other factors have
caused  the  price  of  the  Company's   stock  to  fluctuate,   in  some  cases
substantially, and could continue to do so in the future. In addition, the stock
market  has  experienced   extreme  price  and  volume  fluctuations  that  have
particularly  affected the market price for many  technology  companies and that
have often been unrelated to the operating performance of these companies. These
broad market  fluctuations  may adversely affect the market price of the Shares.
The trading  prices of many  technology  companies'  stocks are at or near their
historical  highs,  and  reflect   price/earnings   ratios  substantially  above
historical norms. There can be no assurance that the trading price of the Shares
will remain at or near its current level.

         GOVERNMENT REGULATION. The Company's medical business segment and, to a
lesser degree, its electronics business segment are subject to regulation in the
United  States  and  abroad.   Failure  to  comply  with  applicable  regulatory
requirements can result in fines, denial or suspension of approvals, seizures or
recall of products, operating restrictions and criminal prosecutions, any or all
of which  could  have a material  adverse  effect on the  Company.  Furthermore,
changes in existing regulations or adoption of new regulations could prevent the
Company  from  obtaining,  or could  affect  the timing  of,  future  regulatory
approvals.

         Medical  Segment.  All  medical  devices,  including  those sold by the
Company,  are  subject  to  regulation  by the  FDA  under  the  Medical  Device
Amendments  of the United  States Food,  Drug and Cosmetics Act (the "FDA Act").
The Company's  business,  financial  condition  and  operations  are  critically
dependent upon timely receipt of FDA regulatory clearance.

                  FDA Clearance Status for Cosmetic Laser Products. Three of the
Company's lasers have received clearance from the FDA for certain dermatological
applications:  the Q-pulse  Ruby laser,  the  Tru-Pulse  laser and the  Epilaser
system.

         The Company is also investigating other applications in dermatology for
its  laser  systems.  It  will  be  required  to  obtain  FDA  clearance  before
commercially marketing any other application.  The Company believes that it will
be able to seek such clearance under the 510(k) application process; however, no
assurance  can be given that the FDA will not  require the Company to follow the
more extensive and  time-consuming  Pre-Market  Approval  ("PMA")  process.  FDA
review of a 510(k)  application  currently averages about seven to twelve months
and requires  limited  clinical  data based on  "substantial  equivalence"  to a
product  marketed  prior to 1976,  while a PMA review can last for several years
and require substantially more clinical data.

         The FDA also imposes various  requirements on manufacturers and sellers
of  products  under  its  jurisdiction,  such as  labeling,  good  manufacturing
practices,  record keeping and reporting requirements.  The FDA also may require
post-market  testing and surveillance  programs to monitor a product's  effects.
There can be no assurance that the  appropriate  clearances from the FDA will be
granted,  that the process to obtain  such  clearances  will not be  excessively
expensive  or lengthy or that the Company will have  sufficient  funds to pursue
such clearances.

         No assurance  can be given that FDA  approval  will be obtained for the
Company's current or proposed medical products on a timely basis, if at all. The
medical products segment of the Company's business, is, and will continue to be,
critically  dependent  upon FDA  approval of its current  and  proposed  medical
products.  Delays or  failure  to obtain  such  approval  would  have a material
adverse effect on the Company.



                                       10


                  Other  Government   Approvals  for  Medical   Products;   Good
Manufacturing  Practices.  In order to be sold  outside the United  States,  the
Company's  products are subject to FDA permit  requirements that are conditioned
upon clearance by the importing country's  appropriate  regulatory  authorities.
Many  countries  also require that  imported  products  comply with their own or
international  electrical  and safety  standards.  In November 1992, the Company
obtained approval certifying  compliance with certain  international  electrical
and safety regulations applicable to its pulsed dye laser.  Additional approvals
may  be  required  in  other  countries.  The  Company  has  yet  to  apply  for
international  approval  for its diode  laser for use in  cosmetic  surgery  and
dermatology.

         The Company is subject to the laser radiation safety regulations of the
FDA Act administered by the National Center for Devices and Radiological  Health
("CDRH") of the FDA. These regulations  require a laser manufacturer to file new
product and annual reports,  to maintain  quality  control,  product testing and
sales  records,  to distribute  appropriate  operation  manuals,  to incorporate
certain design and operating features in lasers sold to end-users and to certify
and label each laser sold to end-users  as one of four classes of lasers  (based
on the level of radiation from the laser).  In addition,  various warning labels
must be affixed on the product and certain  protective devices must be installed
depending upon the class of product. Under the Act, the Company is also required
to  register  with the FDA as a medical  device  manufacturer  and is subject to
inspection on a routine basis by the FDA for compliance with Good  Manufacturing
Practice ("GMP") regulations.  The GMP regulations impose certain procedural and
documentation  requirements  upon the  Company  relevant  to its  manufacturing,
testing and quality control activities.  The CDRH is empowered to seek fines and
other  remedies for  violations of these  regulatory  requirements.  The Company
believes that it is currently in compliance with these regulations.

         Electronic Segment. A significant  percentage of the total sales of the
flexible  circuit  board  component  business of the  Company,  which  presently
accounts for a significant amount of the sales of the Company, are the result of
either a subcontract or a direct contract for government  programs funded by the
U.S. military.  Generally,  government contracts and subcontracts are terminable
at the convenience of the government.  Cutbacks in military spending for certain
programs or lack of military  spending in general could have a material  adverse
effect on the Company.  There can be no assurance that termination of contracts,
cessation of purchase orders,  or a failure to appropriate  funds will not occur
in the future. Any termination,  cessation, or failure to appropriate funds with
respect to contracts or  subcontracts  having a  significant  dollar value would
have a material adverse effect on the Company's  business,  financial  condition
and results of operation. The unpredictable nature of the government procurement
process  also  may  contribute  to  fluctuations  in  the  Company's   quarterly
performance. (See "Fluctuations in Quarterly Performance.")

         Flexible circuit board component sales to the U.S. military are subject
to  certain  military  certifications.   These  certifications  are  based  upon
compliance with specification standards set by the U.S. military. The Company is
subject to  periodic  audit and review from U.S.  government  agencies to ensure
compliance under criteria set forth by these agencies. Failure to meet or exceed
criteria set forth could result in a suspension or  disqualification  of certain
certifications.  Such  suspension  or  disqualification  could  have a  material
adverse effect on the Company.



                                       11


         UNCERTAINTY OF MARKET ACCEPTANCE.  The Company continually develops new
products  intended for use in the medical  products  segment and the  electronic
products segment.  As with any new products,  there is substantial risk that the
marketplace  may not accept or be  receptive to the  potential  benefits of such
products.  Market acceptance of the Company's current and proposed products will
depend, in large part, upon the ability of the Company or any marketing partners
to demonstrate to the marketplace the advantages of the Company's  products over
other types of products. There can be no assurance that applications or uses for
the Company's  current and proposed products will be accepted by the marketplace
or that  any of the  Company's  current  or  proposed  products  will be able to
compete effectively.

         UNCERTAINTY  OF HEALTHCARE  REIMBURSEMENT  AND REFORM.  The  healthcare
industry is subject to changing  political,  economic and regulatory  influences
that may affect the procurement  practices and operations of healthcare industry
participants.  During  the past  several  years,  state and  federal  government
regulation of reimbursement rates and capital  expenditures in the United States
healthcare  industry has increased.  Lawmakers  continue to propose  programs to
reform the United  States  healthcare  system,  which may  contain  programs  to
increase  governmental  involvement in  healthcare,  lower Medicare and Medicaid
reimbursement  rates or  otherwise  change  the  operating  environment  for the
Company's  customers.  Healthcare  industry  participants  may  react  to  these
proposals by curtailing or deferring  investments,  including investments in the
Company's products.

         DEPENDENCE  ON THIRD PARTY  RESEARCHERS.  The Company is  substantially
dependent upon third party  researchers and others,  over which the Company will
not have absolute control,  to  satisfactorily  conduct and complete research on
behalf of the Company and to grant to the Company favorable  licensing terms for
products  which may be  developed.  The  Company  has  entered  into a number of
research   agreements   with   recognized   research   hospitals   and  clinical
laboratories.  These  research  institutions  include the Oregon  Medical  Laser
Center at the Heart  Institute of St.  Vincent  Hospital  and Medical  Center in
Portland,  Oregon,  the Wellman Labs at  Massachusetts  General Hospital and the
Otolaryngology  Research  Center for  Advanced  Endoscopic  Applications  at New
England Medical Center,  Boston,  Massachusetts.  The Company provides  research
funding, laser technology and optics know-how in return for licensing agreements
with respect to specific medical  applications and patents.  Management believes
that this method of conducting research and development  provides a higher level
of technical  and clinical  expertise  than it could provide on its own and in a
more cost efficient manner.  The Company's success will be highly dependent upon
the results of the research,  and there can be no assurance  that these research
agreements  will provide the Company with  marketable  products in the future or
that any of the products developed under these agreements will be profitable for
the Company.

         TECHNOLOGICAL  OBSOLESCENCE.  Both the medical products segment and the
electronics segment are characterized by extensive  technological  developments,
and the  rapid  pace  experienced  over the  past few  decades  is  expected  to
continue.  The  Company's  failure to  develop  products  in a timely  manner in
response to changes in the industry,  whether for  financial,  technological  or
other reasons,  will have a material  adverse effect on the Company's  business,
financial condition and results of operations.

         The medical device and personal  computer  industries are characterized
by extensive  research  and  development  and rapid  technological  change.  The
flexible circuit board component, electronics interconnect and personal computer
industries  are  characterized  by large  capital  investments  in new automated
processes and state-of-the-art  fabrication techniques.  In order to participate
effectively in those industries, the Company must continue to make large capital
investments  in  new  automated  processes  and   state-of-the-art   fabrication
techniques.  Development  by others of new or improved  products,  processes  or
technologies may make the Company's  products or proposed  products  obsolete or
less  competitive.  The


                                       12


Company will be required to devote continued efforts and financial  resources to
enhancement of its existing products and development of new products.  There can
be no  assurance  that the  Company  will have the  financial  resources  or the
technological  capability  necessary to carry out such product  enhancement  and
development.

         LACK OF PATENT PROTECTION.  The Company currently holds several patents
and intends to pursue various  additional  avenues that it deems  appropriate to
protect its  technology.  There can be no assurance,  however,  that the Company
will file any additional  patent  applications  or that any patent  applications
that have been,  or may be,  filed will  result in issued  patents,  or that any
patent, patent application,  know-how,  license or cross-license will afford any
protection or benefit to the Company.

         The  medical  device  market  has  been  characterized  by  substantial
litigation regarding patent and other intellectual  property rights. In both the
medical products and the electronic products segments,  litigation,  which could
result in  substantial  cost to and  diversion of effort by the Company,  may be
necessary  to protect  trade  secrets or  know-how  owned by or  licensed to the
Company  or  to  determine  the  enforceability,   scope  and  validity  of  the
proprietary   rights  of  others.   Adverse   determination   in  litigation  or
interference proceedings could subject the Company to significant liabilities to
third parties, require the Company to seek licenses from third parties and could
prevent the Company from  manufacturing  and selling its products,  all of which
could  have a  material  adverse  effect on the  Company's  business,  financial
condition and results of operations.

         POSSIBLE PATENT  INFRINGEMENTS.  In the medical products  segment,  the
Company  is aware of  patents  relating  to laser  technologies  used in certain
applications   that  the  Company  intends  to  pursue,   which,  if  valid  and
enforceable,  may be infringed by the Company. The Company has obtained opinions
of counsel  that the  Company is not  infringing  currently  on patents  held by
others;  however, such opinions have not been challenged in any court of law. If
the  Company's  current  or  proposed  products  are,  in the  opinion of patent
counsel,  infringing  on any of  these  patents,  the  Company  intends  to seek
non-exclusive,  royalty-bearing  licenses  to such  patents  but there can be no
assurance  that any such license  would be available on favorable  terms,  if at
all. In the electronic products segment,  the Company has not been notified that
it is  currently  infringing  on any  patents nor has it been the subject of any
patent  infringement  action. No assurance can be given that infringement claims
will not be made or that the  Company  would  prevail in any legal  action  with
respect  thereto.  Defense of a claim of infringement  would be costly and could
have a material  adverse effect on the Company's  business,  even if the Company
were to prevail.

         NEED FOR ADDITIONAL  QUALIFIED  PERSONNEL/DEPENDENCE  ON KEY PERSONNEL.
The Company's  ability to develop,  manufacture  and market all of its products,
and to attain a competitive position within the medical products and electronics
industries,  will  depend,  in large part,  on its ability to attract and retain
qualified personnel.  Competition for qualified personnel in these industries is
intense and the Company  will be  required  to compete for such  personnel  with
companies which may have greater financial and other resources;  there can be no
assurance  that the Company will be successful in attracting,  assimilating  and
retaining  the  personnel  it  requires  to grow  and  operate  profitably.  The
Company's  inability to attract and retain such personnel  could have a material
adverse effect upon its business. (See "Management of Growth.")

         The Company's  future  success  depends to a significant  extent on its
executive  officers and certain technical,  managerial and marketing  personnel.
The loss of the  services of any of these  individuals  or group of  individuals
could  have a  material  adverse  effect on the  Company's  business,  financial
condition and results of operations.

                                       13


         ISSUANCE OF  PREFERRED  STOCK AND  DEBENTURES  COULD  AFFECT  RIGHTS OF
COMMON  SHAREHOLDERS.  The Company is authorized to issue up to 5 million shares
of Preferred  Stock,  US$.01 par value. The Preferred Stock may be issued in one
or more series,  the terms of which may be determined at the time of issuance by
the Board of Directors, without further action by shareholders,  and may include
voting rights  (including the right to vote as a series on particular  matters),
preferences as to dividends and  liquidation,  conversion and redemption  rights
and sinking fund  provisions.  In February 1996, the Company issued 6,000 shares
of Series D Convertible  Preferred Stock at a price of US$1,000 per share, which
are  convertible  into Shares at 80% of the daily  average  closing price of the
Shares on the ten trading days preceding such  conversion,  but in no event less
than US$4.50 or more than  US$6.00.  As of December  12,  1996,  3,368 shares of
Series D Convertible  Preferred  Stock had been  converted  into 600,116  common
shares.  In April 1996,  the Company  issued 10,000 shares of Series E Preferred
Stock at a price of  US$1,000  per  share.  The Series E  Convertible  Preferred
Stock,  together with any accrued but unpaid  dividends,  may be converted  into
Shares at 85% of the  average  closing  bid price  for the  three  trading  days
immediately  preceding the conversion date, but in no event at less than US$6.00
or more  than  US$12.50.  As of  December  12,  1996,  7,872  shares of Series E
Convertible  Preferred Stock had been converted into 1,048,576 of common shares.
In July 1996, the Company issued 6,000 shares of Series F Convertible  Preferred
Stock at a price of US$1,000 per share, which are convertible into Shares at 80%
of the  daily  average  closing  price of the  Shares  on the ten  trading  days
preceding  such  conversion,  but in no event  less than  US$10.00  or more than
US$16.00.  In  September  1996,  the Company  issued  10,000  shares of Series G
Preferred  Stock at a price of  US$1,000  per share.  The  Series G  Convertible
Preferred  Stock,  together  with  any  accrued  but  unpaid  dividends,  may be
converted  into  Shares at 85% of the  average  closing  bid price for the three
trading days immediately  preceding the conversion date, but in no event at less
than US$6.00 or more than US$11.50. In July 1996, the Company issued 9,675 units
in a  convertible  debenture  financing.  Each unit  consisted of a  convertible
debenture  denominated in 1,000 Swiss Francs and a warrant to purchase 24 shares
of the Company's  common stock at $16.50 per share. In October 1996, the Company
issued  $5,000,000  in  4.5%  Convertible  Subordinated  Promissory  Notes.  The
issuance of any such additional  Preferred Stock or Debentures  could affect the
rights of the  holders of  Shares,  and could  reduce  the  market  price of the
Shares.  In particular,  specific  rights granted to future holders of Preferred
Stock or  Debentures  could be used to restrict the  Company's  ability to merge
with or sell its  assets to a third  party,  thereby  preserving  control of the
Company by the existing control group.

         ISSUANCE OF RESERVED SHARES;  REGISTRATION  RIGHTS.  As of December 16,
1996, the Company had 29,474,776 Shares of Common Stock outstanding. The Company
has  reserved an  additional  17,518,130  Shares for  issuance  as follows:  (1)
3,922,500 Shares for issuance to key employees, officers, directors, consultants
and advisors  pursuant to the Company's  Stock Option Plans;  (2) 254,115 Shares
for issuance to  employees,  officers and  directors  pursuant to the  Company's
401(k)  Plan;  (3)  1,000,000  Shares for  issuance  pursuant  to the  Company's
Employee Stock Purchase Plan; (4) 7,293,333 Shares for issuance upon exercise of
three-,   four-  five-  and  seven-year  Warrants  issued  to  certain  lenders,
investors,  consultants,  directors,  officers  and a principal  shareholder  (a
portion of which are subject to certain anti dilutive adjustments);  (5) 733,217
Shares for issuance  upon  conversion  of the 2,632 shares of Series D Preferred
Stock;  (6) 397,165  Shares for issuance upon  conversion of the 2,128 shares of
Series E Preferred Stock; (7) 867,800 Shares for issuance upon conversion of the
debentures sold in the Swiss Franc-Denominated  Offering; (8) 750,000 Shares for
issuance upon  conversion  of the  debentures  sold in the BlueStone  Management
Company  Offering;  (9) 600,000 Shares for issuance upon conversion of the 6,000
shares of Series F Preferred  Stock; and (10) 1,700,000 Shares for issuance upon
conversion  of the  10,000  shares  of  Series  G  Preferred  Stock.  All of the
foregoing  reserved  Shares are, or the Company  intends for them shortly to be,
registered  with the  Commission  and  therefore  freely  salable  on  Nasdaq or
elsewhere.



                                       14


         PRODUCT LIABILITY EXPOSURE.  Medical product companies face an inherent
business  risk of financial  exposure to product  liability  claims in the event
that the use of  their  products  results  in  personal  injury.  The  Company's
products are and will continue to be designed with numerous safety features, but
it is possible  that patients  could be adversely  affected by use of one of the
Company's products or that deaths could occur. Further, in the event that any of
the Company's  products  prove to be  defective,  the Company may be required to
recall and redesign such products.  Although the Company has not experienced any
material  losses  due to  product  liability  claims  to date,  there  can be no
assurance  that it will not  experience  such losses in the future.  The Company
maintains liability insurance in the amount of US$4,000,000;  however, there can
be no  assurance  that such  coverage  will  continue to be  available  on terms
acceptable to the Company or that such coverage will be adequate for liabilities
actually  incurred.  In the event the  Company is found  liable  for  damages in
excess  of the  limits of its  insurance  coverage,  or if any claim or  product
recall  results in  significant  adverse  publicity  against  the  Company,  the
Company's  business,  financial  condition  and results of  operations  could be
materially and adversely affected. In addition,  although the Company's products
have been and will  continue  to be designed  to operate in a safe  manner,  and
although the Company  attempts to educate medical  personnel with respect to the
proper  use  of its  products,  misuse  of the  Company's  products  by  medical
personnel over whom the Company cannot exert control may result in the filing of
product liability claims or significant adverse publicity against the Company.

         RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH INTERNATIONAL OPERATIONS. As part of its business
strategy,  the Company intends to seek  opportunities  to expand its product and
service  offerings  into  international  markets.  In marketing its products and
services  internationally,  the Company will likely face new competitors.  There
can be no  assurance  that  the  Company  will be  successful  in  marketing  or
distributing  products and services in these  markets or that its  international
revenue will be adequate to offset the expense of  establishing  and maintaining
international operations.  The Company's international business may be adversely
affected by changing economic  conditions in foreign countries.  The majority of
the Company's sales are currently  denominated in U.S. dollars, but there can be
no  assurance  that a  significantly  higher  level of future  sales will not be
denominated  in  foreign  currencies.  To the  extent the  Company  makes  sales
denominated  in  currencies  other  than U.S.  dollars,  gains and losses on the
conversion of those sales to U.S.  dollars may contribute to fluctuations in the
Company's business,  financial condition and results of operations. In addition,
fluctuations  in exchange  rates could affect demand for the Company's  products
and services.  Conducting an international business inherently involves a number
of other  difficulties and risks, such as export  restrictions,  export controls
relating  to  technology,  compliance  with  existing  and  changing  regulatory
requirements,  tariffs and other trade  barriers,  difficulties  in staffing and
managing international operations, longer payment cycles, problems in collecting
accounts  receivable,  political  instability,  seasonal  reductions in business
activity  in Europe  and  certain  other  parts of the world  during  the summer
months, and potentially adverse tax consequences. There can be no assurance that
one or more of these  factors  will not have a  material  adverse  effect on any
international  operations established by the Company and,  consequently,  on the
Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.

         DEPENDENCE ON SOLE SUPPLIERS.  The Company relies on outside  suppliers
for  substantially  all of its  manufacturing  supplies,  parts and  components.
Pyralux(R),  an integral  component of most of the  Company's  flexible  circuit
products,  is  manufactured  exclusively  by E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
("DuPont"). Although the Company has a written agreement with DuPont under which
DuPont will supply the Company with all of its requirements  for Pyralux,  there
can be no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain a sufficient  supply
of Pyralux to fulfill orders for its products in a timely manner, if at all.

         In  addition,  CO2 laser  tubes,  an  integral  component  of  Tissue's
Tru-Pulse  Laser system,  are  manufactured  exclusively by Pulse Systems,  Inc.
There can be no  assurance  that the Company  will be able to obtain  sufficient
supply of CO2 laser tubes to fulfill orders for its products in a timely manner,
if at all.

         DEPENDENCE ON SUBSTANTIAL CUSTOMERS. In the nine months ended September
30, 1996, one customer of Nexar,  Government Technology Services,  Inc.("GTSI"),
accounted for 17% of the Company's revenues.  The Company expects that GTSI will
continue to be an important customer,  but that sales to GTSI as a percentage of
total  revenue will decline  substantially  as the Company  further  expands its
distribution  network and increases its overall sales.  The Company is currently
negotiating  an agreement  with GTSI, a leading  supplier of desktop  systems to
United States Government Agencies,  which would strengthen an informal agreement
with the Company under which GTSI  currently  serves as the Company's  exclusive
federal reseller with respect to Government  Services  Administration  scheduled
purchases.  

         In the nine months ended  September  30, 1996,  one customer of Comtel,
New  Media,  Inc.  ("New  Media"),  a related  party,  accounted  for 27% of the
Company's  revenues.  Comtel has entered into a five (5) year agreement with New
Media whereby New Media,  subcontracted to Comtel all of its  manufacturing  and
assembly  business over the contract term. Comtel is compensated by New Media to
achieve a  guaranteed  15% gross  margin to Comtel.  Management  estimates  this
contract  will  generate $80 million in revenues for Comtel over the life of the
agreement.  On April 5, 1996, Palomar invested $2,345,000 in New Media preferred
and  common  stock and  loaned  New  Media an  additional  $1,000,000.  The note
recievable is  subordinated  and  nonrecourse,  bears  interest at 9% and is due
April 1999 or earlier under certain conditions.  Palomar also recieved a warrant
to purchase  200,000 shares of common stock in New Media at $1.20 per share. The
Company  expects that New Media will continue to be an important  customer,  but
that sales to New Media,  Inc. as a  percentage  of total  revenue  will decline
substantially  as the  Company  further  expands  its  distribution  network and
increases its overall sales.

         A loss from either customer could have material,  adverse effect on the
Company's business in the short term.


                                       15


Furthermore,  several  other  component  parts of the Company's  medical  device
products and electronic  segment  products are  manufactured  exclusively by one
supplier.  There can be no  assurance  that the Company will be able to obtain a
sufficient  supply of such  components at commercially  reasonable  prices or at
all. A shortage  of  necessary  parts and  components  or the  inability  of the
Company to obtain such parts and components would have a material adverse effect
on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations.

         HAZARDOUS  SUBSTANCE AND  ENVIRONMENTAL  CONCERNS.  The  manufacture of
substrate  interconnect  products  involves numerous chemical solvents and other
solid,  chemical  and  hazardous  wastes and  materials.  Dynaco is subject to a
variety of  environmental  laws relating to the generation,  storage,  handling,
use,  emission,  discharge  and  disposal of these  substances  and  potentially
significant risks of statutory and common law liability for environmental damage
and personal injury. The Company,  and in certain  circumstances,  its officers,
directors  and  employees,  may be subject to claims  arising from the Company's
manufacturing  activities,  including the improper release,  spillage, misuse or
mishandling of hazardous or  non-hazardous  substances or material.  The Company
may be strictly liable for damages,  regardless of whether it exercised due care
and  complied  with all  relevant  laws and  regulations.  The Company  does not
currently maintain environmental impairment insurance. There can be no assurance
that the Company will not face claims  resulting in  substantial  liability  for
which the Company is uninsured or that hazardous  substances are not or will not
be present at the Company's  facilities.  The Company  believes that it operates
its Dynaco facilities in substantial compliance with existing environmental laws
and regulations.  In June 1989 and April 1994,  Dynaco  conducted  environmental
studies of its  Tempe,  Arizona  substrate  manufacturing  facility  and did not
discover any contamination requiring remediation.

         Failure to comply with proper hazardous  substance handling  procedures
or violation of environmental laws and regulations would have a material adverse
effect on the Company.

         SIGNIFICANT OUTSTANDING INDEBTEDNESS;  SUBORDINATION OF DEBENTURES. The
Company has incurred substantial  indebtedness in relation to its equity capital
and will be subject to all of the risks  associated with  substantial  leverage,
including  the risk that  available  cash may not be adequate  to make  required
payments to the holders of the Debentures.  The Company's ability to satisfy its
obligations  under the  Debentures  from cash  flow will be  dependent  upon the
Company's  future  performance  and will be subject to  financial,  business and
other  factors  affecting  the  operation of the  Company,  many of which may be
beyond the Company's control.  In the event the Company does not have sufficient
cash resources to satisfy quarterly  interest or other repayment  obligations to
the  holders  of the  Debentures,  the  Company  will be in  default  under  the
Debentures,  which would have a material  adverse effect on the Company.  To the
extent that the Company is required to use cash  resources  to satisfy  interest
payments to the holders of the Debentures, it will have less resources available
for other  purposes.  Inability  of the  Company  to repay the  Debentures  upon
maturity would have a material adverse effect on the Company, which could result
in a reduction of the price of the Company's Shares.

         The Debentures will be unsecured and subordinate in right of payment to
all Senior  Indebtedness  of the  Company.  The  Debentures  do not restrict the
Company's  ability  to incur  additional  Senior  Indebtedness  and  most  other
indebtedness.  The terms of Senior  Indebtedness now existing or incurred in the
future could affect the Company's  ability to make payments of principal  and/or
interest to the holders of Debentures.

         POTENTIAL EFFECT OF ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS. The Company is subject to
the anti-takeover  provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation
Law, which prohibit the Company from engaging in a "business  combination"  with
an  "interested  stockholder"  for a period of three years after the date of the
transaction  in which the person becomes an interested  stockholder,  unless the
business



                                       16


combination is approved in a prescribed  manner.  The application of Section 203
could  have the  effect of  delaying  or  preventing  a change of control of the
Company.  The Company's stock option grants generally provide for an exercise of
some or all of the optioned stock, including non-vested shares, upon a change of
control or similar  event.  The Board of Directors  has authority to issue up to
5,000,000  shares  of  Preferred  Stock  and  to  fix  the  rights,  preference,
privileges and  restrictions,  including voting rights,  of these shares without
any further vote or action by the stockholders. The rights of the holders of the
Common Stock will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of
the  holders  of any  Preferred  Stock  that may be  issued in the  future.  The
issuance of Preferred Stock, while providing desirable flexibility in connection
with possible  acquisitions and other corporate purposes,  could have the effect
of making it more  difficult  for a third  party to  acquire a  majority  of the
outstanding  voting  stock  of  the  Company,  thereby  delaying,  deferring  or
preventing a change in control of the Company. Furthermore, such Preferred Stock
may have other  rights,  including  economic  rights senior to the Common Stock,
and, as a result,  the  issuance of such  Preferred  Stock could have a material
adverse  effect on the  market  value of the Common  Stock.  (See  "Issuance  of
Preferred Stock and Debentures Could Affect Rights of Common Shareholders.")



                                       17


                                   THE COMPANY

         The Company was  organized to design,  manufacture  and market  lasers,
delivery  systems and related  disposable  products for use in medical  cosmetic
procedures.  The Company currently  operates in two business  segments:  medical
products and electronic  products.  In the medical products segment, the Company
manufactures  and markets the Q-pulse Ruby laser,  the  Tru-Pulse  laser and the
EpiLaser  system,  all of  which  have  been  approved  by the FDA  for  certain
dermatological applications.  The Company also is developing ruby, pulse dye and
diode medical  lasers for use in clinical  trials and is engaged in the research
and  development of additional  medical and surgical  products.  The Company has
expanded  its  efforts in the  cosmetic  laser area  through a series of product
development activities, acquisitions and strategic alliances that target patient
self-pay procedures  performed in doctors' offices and clinics.  The Company has
entered into a number of research  agreements with recognized research hospitals
and  clinical  laboratories.   The  Company  provides  research  funding,  laser
technology  and optics  know-how in return for licensing  agreements to specific
medical  applications  and  patents.   Management  feels  that  this  method  of
conducting  research and  development  provides a higher level of technical  and
clinical expertise than it could provide on its own and in a more cost efficient
manner.  Some of the Company's  medical laser products are  undergoing  clinical
trials and have not  received  FDA  approval,  including  approval  for  certain
dermatological applications

         In the  electronic  products  segment,  the Company  manufactures  high
density,  flexible  electronic  circuitry  for use in  industrial,  military and
medical  devices and personal  computers with a unique circuit board design that
enables end users to upgrade and  replace  the  microprocessor,  memory and hard
drive  components.  Management  believes this upgradable  personal computer will
decrease the level of technical  obsolescence found with most personal computers
in the market. Some of the Company's  electronic products are being incorporated
into its laser  systems.  These  new  products  include a series of  proprietary
computer  memory modules that double the memory  capacity of traditional  memory
modules using the same interface.

         The Company also makes early stage investments in core technologies and
companies that management feels are strategic to the Company's  business or will
yield a higher  than  average  financial  return to support the  Company's  core
business.  Some of these investments are with companies that are related to some
of the directors and officers of the Company.

         In  September  1995,  the  Company   established   Palomar  Electronics
Corporation,  a wholly-owned subsidiary, as part of its ongoing plan to separate
the  electronics  and computer  segments of the business  from the medical laser
segments of the business.


                                 USE OF PROCEEDS

         The Company will  receive no part of the proceeds  from the sale of any
of the Shares by the Selling Stockholders.



                                       18



                              SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

         The following  table sets forth  information  concerning the beneficial
ownership of shares of Common Stock by the Selling  Stockholders  as of the date
of this  Prospectus  and the  number of such  shares  included  for sale in this
Prospectus  assuming the sale of all Shares being offered by this Prospectus.  A
description of the transactions  under which the Selling  Stockholders  received
the Common Stock being registered herein is set forth under the heading "Plan Of
Distribution" which follows this table. To the best of the Company's  knowledge,
except as stated in this Prospectus,  the Selling Stockholders have not held any
office or maintained  any material  relationship  with the Company or any of its
predecessors or affiliates over the past three years.  The Selling  Stockholders
reserve  the  right to  reduce  the  number  of  shares  offered  for sale or to
otherwise decline to sell any or all of the Shares registered hereunder.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                             Shares                  Shares                 Shares
                                             owned                   to be                  owned
Selling                                      prior to                sold in                after
Stockholders                                 Offering (1)(2)         Offering               Offering(2)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>                      <C>                 <C>
GFL Performance Fund Limited (3)               350,474                350,474                   -   -
c/o CITCO
Kaya Flamboyan 9
Curaco, Netherlands Antilles

GFL Advantage Fund Limited (4)               1,167,418                350,474             816,944   2.7%
c/o CITCO
Kaya Flamboyan 9
Curaco, Netherlands Antilles
</TABLE>



1.   Pursuant to the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission,  shares of
     Common Stock which an individual or group has a right to acquire  within 60
     days  pursuant  to the  exercise  of options or  warrants  are deemed to be
     outstanding  for the purpose of computing the ownership of such  individual
     or group.

2.   The  amount  and (if one  percent or more) the  percentage  of  outstanding
     Common Stock.

3.   Represents   285,714  shares  of  Common  Stock  issued  or  issuable  upon
     conversion  of 5,000 shares of Series G  Convertible  Preferred  Stock (the
     "Preferred Stock") and 64,760 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to a
     Warrant at $12.00 per share through 9/27/01.  The warrant is exercisable on
     the date of initial issuance  (9/27/96).  The Preferred Stock was issued at
     $1,000 per share. Under the terms of the Certificate of Designation for the
     Preferred Stock, the Preferred Stock,  together with any accrued but unpaid
     dividends,  can be converted  into a number of shares of Common Stock equal
     to 85% of the average  closing  bid price of the Common  Stock on the three
     consecutive trading days immediately  preceding the conversion date, but in
     no event less than $6.00 or more than $11.50.  The  Preferred  Stock is not
     convertible until December 26, 1996. Dividends accrue at the rate of 7% per
     annum.  The Preferred  Stock may only be converted and the Warrant may only
     be exercised to the extent that  neither GFL  Performance  Fund Limited nor
     any  affiliate  there of would be  deemed  to


                                       19


     hold more than 4.9% of the Company's  outstanding  Common Stock as a result
     of such conversion or exercise.

4.   Represents   285,714  shares  of  Common  Stock  issued  or  issuable  upon
     conversion  of 5,000 shares of Series G  Convertible  Preferred  Stock (the
     "Preferred Stock") and 64,760 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to a
     Warrant at $12.00 per share through 9/27/01.  The warrant is exercisable on
     the date of initial issuance  (9/27/96).  The Preferred Stock was issued at
     $1,000 per share. Under the terms of the Certificate of Designation for the
     Preferred Stock, the Preferred Stock,  together with any accrued but unpaid
     dividends,  can be converted  into a number of shares of Common Stock equal
     to 85% of the average  closing  bid price of the Common  Stock on the three
     consecutive trading days immediately  preceding the conversion date, but in
     no event less than $6.00 or more than $11.50.  The  Preferred  Stock is not
     convertible until December 26, 1996. Dividends accrue at the rate of 7% per
     annum.  The Preferred  Stock may only be converted and the Warrant may only
     be exercised to the extent that neither GFL Advantage  Fund Limited nor any
     affiliate  there of would be deemed to hold more than 4.9% of the Company's
     outstanding  Common Stock as a result of such conversion or exercise.  Also
     includes  397,165 shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon conversion
     of 2,128  shares  of  Series E  Convertible  Preferred  Stock  owned by GFL
     Advantage  Fund Limited,  and 304,259  shares of Common Stock issuable upon
     exercise of a warrant owned by GFL Advantage Fund Limited.

                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

         The  700,948  shares  being  registered  herein for sale by the Selling
Stockholders  consist of (i) 571,428  shares of Common  Stock issued or issuable
upon  conversion  of shares of the  Preferred  Stock,  and (ii)  129,520  shares
issuable pursuant to a Warrant  exercisable for Common Stock at $12.00 per share
through 9/27/01.

         The  Selling  Stockholders  may sell the  Common  Stock  registered  in
connection  with this Offering on the Nasdaq  market system or otherwise.  There
will  be  no  charges  or  commissions  paid  to  the  Company  by  the  Selling
Stockholders  in connection  with the issuance of the Shares.  It is anticipated
that usual and customary brokerage fees will be paid by the Selling Stockholders
upon sale of the Common  Stock  offered  hereby.  The Company will pay the other
expenses  of this  Offering.  The  Shares  may be sold  from time to time by the
Selling Stockholders,  or by pledges, donees, transferees or other successors in
interest.  Such  sales  may  be  made  on  one  or  more  exchanges  or  in  the
over-the-counter  market, or otherwise at prices and at terms then prevailing or
at  prices  related  to  the  then  current  market  price,   or  in  negotiated
transactions.  The  Shares  may be sold by one or more of the  following:  (a) a
block  trade in which the broker so engaged  will  attempt to sell the Shares as
agent but may  position  and  resell a  portion  of the  block as  principal  to
facilitate the transaction; (b) purchases by a broker or dealer as principal and
resale by such broker or dealer for its account pursuant to this Prospectus; (c)
an  exchange  distribution  in  accordance  with the  rules of  Nasdaq;  and (d)
ordinary brokerage transactions.  In effecting sales, brokers or dealers engaged
by the  Selling  Stockholders  may  arrange  for other  brokers  or  dealers  to
participate.  Brokers or dealers will  receive  commissions  or  discounts  from
Selling Stockholders in amounts to be negotiated prior to the sale. Such brokers
or dealers  and any other  participating  brokers or dealers may be deemed to be
"underwriters"  within the meaning of the Securities Act in connection with such
sales. In addition,  any securities covered by this Prospectus which qualify for
sale  pursuant  to Rule 144 may be sold under Rule 144 rather  than  pursuant to
this Prospectus.


                                       20


         The Company has agreed to indemnify  the Selling  Stockholders  against
certain liabilities,  including certain liabilities under the Securities Act, or
to contribute  to payments  which the Selling  Stockholders  will be required to
make in respect thereof.

                                     EXPERTS

         The audited  financial  statements  incorporated  by  reference in this
Prospectus  and  elsewhere in the  registration  statement  have been audited by
Arthur  Andersen  LLP,  independent  public  accountants,  as indicated in their
reports with respect thereto, and are included herein upon the authority of said
Firm as experts in giving said report.

                                 LEGAL OPINIONS

         The  validity  of the shares of Common  Stock  offered  hereby  will be
passed upon for the Company by Foley,  Hoag & Eliot LLP, One Post Office Square,
Boston, Massachusetts 02109.


                                       21



     DISCLOSURE OF COMMISSION POSITION ON INDEMNIFICATION FOR SECURITIES ACT
                                   LIABILITIES

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


                                       22


                 PART II. INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS


ITEM 14.          OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION

         The expenses in connection  with the issuance and  distribution  of the
Common Stock to be  registered  are  estimated  (except for the  Securities  and
Exchange  Commission  filing fee) below.  All such  expenses will be paid by the
Registrant.

      Securities and Exchange Commission Filing Fee                    $1,452
      Accounting Fees and Expenses                                      2,500
      Legal Fees and Expenses                                           2,000
      Blue Sky Filing Fees and Expenses                                   500
      Printing and Mailing Costs                                          100
      Transfer Agent Fees                                                 500
      Miscellaneous                                                       500
                                                           -------------------
                               Total Expenses                          $7,552
                                                           ===================


ITEM 15.          INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

         Delaware  General   Corporation  Law,  Section  102(b)(7),   enables  a
corporation in its original certificate of incorporation or an amendment thereto
validly  approved by  stockholders  to eliminate or limit personal  liability of
members of its Board of Directors for violations of a director's  fiduciary duty
of care. However,  the elimination or limitation shall not apply where there has
been a breach of the duty of loyalty,  failure to act in good faith, engaging in
intentional  misconduct  or  knowingly  violating  a law,  paying a dividend  or
approving a stock  repurchase  which was deemed illegal or obtaining an improper
personal  benefit.  The  Company's  Certificate  of  Incorporation  includes the
following language:

"To the maximum extent permitted by Section 102(b)(7) of the General Corporation
Laws of Delaware,  a director of this corporation shall not be personally liable
to the  corporation  or its  stockholders  for  monetary  damages  for breach of
fiduciary  duty as a director,  except for  liability  (i) for any breach of the
director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts
or omissions  not in good faith or which  involve  intentional  misconduct  or a
knowing  violation  of law,  (iii)  under  Section 174 of the  Delaware  General
Corporation  Law, or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an
improper personal benefit."

         Section  145 of the  General  Corporation  Law of the State of Delaware
generally  provides  that a corporation  may  indemnify  any director,  officer,
employee  or agent  against  expenses,  judgments,  fines  and  amounts  paid in
settlement in connection  with any action  against him by reason of his being or
having been such a  director,  officer,  employee or agent,  if he acted in good
faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests of the corporation  and, with respect to any criminal  action,  had no
reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful.  No indemnification  shall
be made,  however,  if he is adjudged liable for negligence or misconduct in the
performance of his duty to the corporation, unless a court determines that he is
nevertheless  entitled to indemnification.  If he is successful on the merits or
otherwise in defending the action,  the  corporation  must indemnify him against
expenses  actually and reasonably  incurred by him.  Article IX of the Company's
Bylaws provides indemnification as follows:



                                       23


INDEMNIFICATION

SECTION 1. Actions,  Etc. Other Than by or in the Right of the Corporation.  The
Corporation shall, to the full extent legally permissible,  indemnify any person
who was or is a party or is  threatened  to be made a party  to any  threatened,
pending or  completed  action,  suit or  proceeding,  whether  civil,  criminal,
administrative  or  investigative,  including a grand jury  proceeding,  and all
appeals (but excluding any such action, suit or proceeding by or in the right of
the  Corporation),  by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director,
executive  officer (as  hereinafter  defined) or advisory  council member of the
Corporation,  or is or was  serving  at the  request  of  the  Corporation  as a
director,  officer,  partner, trustee, employee or agent of another corporation,
partnership,   joint  venture,  trust  or  other  enterprise,  against  expenses
(including  attorneys'  fees),  judgments,  fines and amounts paid in settlement
actually and reasonably  incurred by such person in connection with such action,
suit or  proceeding  if such  person  acted in good  faith and in a manner  such
person reasonably  believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
Corporation,  and,  with respect to any criminal  action or  proceeding,  had no
reasonable  cause  to  believe  the  conduct  in  question  was  unlawful.   The
termination of any action,  suit or proceeding by judgment,  order,  settlement,
conviction,  or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent,  shall not, of
itself, create a presumption that such person did not act in good faith and in a
manner which such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
interests  of the  Corporation,  and,  with  respect to any  criminal  action or
proceeding, that such person had reasonable cause to believe that the conduct in
question was unlawful. As used in this Article IX, an "executive officer" of the
Corporation is the  president,  treasurer,  a vice president  given the title of
executive vice president,  or any officer designated as such pursuant to vote of
the Board of Directors.

SECTION 2. Actions. Etc. by or in the Right of the Corporation.  The Corporation
shall, to the full extent legally  permissible,  indemnify any person who was or
is a party or is  threatened  to be made a party to any  threatened,  pending or
completed  action  or  suit,  including  appeals,  by or in  the  right  of  the
Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor,  by reason of the fact that such
person is or was a director or executive  officer of the  Corporation as defined
in  Section  1 of this  Article,  or is or was  serving  at the  request  of the
Corporation  as a  director,  officer,  partner,  trustee,  employee or agent of
another  corporation,  partnership,  joint venture,  trust or other  enterprise,
against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and reasonably incurred by
such person in connection  with the defense or settlement of such action or suit
if such  person  acted in good  faith  and in a manner  such  person  reasonably
believed  to be in or not  opposed  to the best  interests  of the  corporation,
except that no  indemnification  shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or
matter as to which  such  person  shall have been  adjudged  to be liable to the
Corporation  unless and only to the  extent  that the Court of  Chancery  or the
court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon  application
that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances
of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such
expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

SECTION 3. Determination of Right of  Indemnification.  Any indemnification of a
director or officer (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the Corporation
only  as  authorized  in the  specific  case  upon  a  determination  that  such
indemnification is proper in the circumstances because the director or executive
officer  has met the  applicable  standard of conduct as set forth in Sections 1
and 2 hereof.  Such a determination shall be reasonably and promptly made (i) by
the Board of Directors by a majority  vote of a quorum  consisting  of directors
who were not  parties to such  action,  suit or  proceeding,  or (ii) (if such a
quorum is not  obtainable,  or, even if obtainable if a quorum of  disinterested
directors so directs) by  independent  legal  counsel in a written  opinion,  or
(iii) by the stockholders.


                                       24



SECTION 4. Indemnification Against Expenses of Successful Party. Notwithstanding
any other provision of this Article, to the extent that a director or officer of
the  Corporation  has  been  successful  in whole  or in part on the  merits  or
otherwise, including the dismissal of an action without prejudice, in defense of
any  action,  suit or  proceeding  or in defense  of any claim,  issue or matter
therein,  such person  shall be  indemnified  against all  expenses  incurred in
connection therewith.

SECTION 5. Advances of Expenses.  Expenses  incurred by a director or officer in
any action,  suit or proceeding  shall be paid by the  Corporation in advance of
the final  disposition of thereof,  if such person shall undertake to repay such
amount in the event that it is ultimately  determined,  as provided herein, that
such person is not entitled to  indemnification.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,
no advance shall be made by the Corporation if a determination is reasonably and
promptly  made (i) by the Board of Directors  by a majority  vote of a quorum of
disinterested directors, or (ii) (if such a quorum is not obtainable or, even if
obtainable,  if a quorum of  disinterested  directors so directs) by independent
legal  counsel in a written  opinion,  that,  based upon the facts  known to the
Board of Directors or such counsel at the time such  determination is made, such
person  has not met the  relevant  standards  set forth for  indemnification  in
Section 1 or 2, as the case may be.

SECTION  6.  Right  to   Indemnification   Upon   Application:   Procedure  Upon
Application.  Any indemnification or advance under Sections 1, 2, 4 or 5 of this
Article shall be made  promptly,  and in any event within ninety days,  upon the
written request of the person seeking to be indemnified,  unless a determination
is reasonably and promptly made by the Board of Directors that such person acted
in a manner set forth in such  Sections so as to justify the  Corporation's  not
indemnifying  such person or making  such an advance.  In the event no quorum of
disinterested  directors is  obtainable,  the Board of Directors  shall promptly
appoint  independent  legal  counsel to decide  whether the person  acted in the
manner  set  forth in such  Sections  so as to  justify  the  Corporation's  not
indemnifying such person or making such an advance. The right to indemnification
or advances as granted by this Article  shall be  enforceable  by such person in
any court of competent  jurisdiction,  if the Board of Directors or  independent
legal  counsel  denies  the  claim  therefor,  in  whole  or in  part,  or if no
disposition of such claim is made within ninety days.

SECTION 7. Other Right and Remedies: Continuation of Rights. The indemnification
and  advancement  of  expenses  provided  by this  Article  shall  not be deemed
exclusive of any other  rights to which any person  seeking  indemnification  or
advancement  of expenses  may be entitled  under any Bylaw,  agreement,  Vote of
stockholders  or  disinterested  directors,  the General  Corporation Law of the
State of  Delaware or  otherwise,  both as to action in such  person's  official
capacity and as to action in another  capacity  while  holding such office.  All
rights to  indemnification  or advancement under this Article shall be deemed to
be in the nature of  contractual  rights  bargained for and  enforceable by each
director  and  executive  officer as defined  in Section 1 of this  Article  who
serves in such  capacity  at any time  while  this  Article  and other  relevant
provisions  of the General  Corporation  Law of the State of Delaware  and other
applicable laws, if any, are in effect. All right to indemnification  under this
Article or  advancement of expenses shall continue as to a person who has ceased
to be a director  or  executive  officer,  and shall inure to the benefit of the
heirs,  executors and administrators of such a person. No repeal or modification
of this  Article  shall  adversely  affect any such rights or  obligations  then
existing with respect to any state of facts then or theretofore  existing or any
action,  suit or proceeding  theretofore or thereafter brought based in whole or
in part upon any such state of facts.  The Corporation  shall also indemnify any
person  for  attorneys'  fees,  costs,  and  expenses  in  connection  with  the
successful enforcement of such person's rights under this Article.



                                       25


SECTION 8. Other Indemnities.  The Board of Directors may, by general vote or by
vote  pertaining  to a specific  officer,  employee or agent,  advisory  council
member  or  class  thereof,   authorize  indemnification  of  the  Corporation's
employees and agents,  in addition to those  executive  officers and to whatever
extent it may determine,  which may be in the same manner and to the same extent
provided above.

SECTION 9.  Insurance.  Upon  resolution  passed by the Board of Directors,  the
Corporation  may purchase and maintain  insurance on behalf of any person who is
or was a director,  officer,  employee,  advisory council member or agent of the
Corporation,  or is or was  serving  at the  request  of the  Corporation,  as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation,  partnership, joint
venture,  trust or other enterprise  against any liability asserted against such
person and incurred by such person in any such capacity,  or arising out of such
person's status as such,  whether or not the Corporation would have the power to
indemnify  such person  against  such  liability  under the  provisions  of this
Article.

SECTION  10.  Constituent  Corporations.  For  the  purposes  of  this  Article,
reference  to "the  Corporation"  shall  include,  in addition to the  resulting
corporation,  any  constituent  corporations  (including  any  constituent  of a
constituent)  absorbed  in a  consolidation  or merger  which,  if its  separate
existence  had  continued,  would have had power and  authority to indemnify its
directors and officers so that any person who is or was a director or officer of
such a  constituent  corporation  or is or was  serving  at the  request of such
constituent  corporation  as a  director  or  officer  of  another  corporation,
partnership,  joint venture,  trust or other  enterprise shall stand in the same
position  under the  provisions of this Article with respect to the resulting or
surviving corporation as such person would have with respect to such constituent
corporation if its separate existence had continued.

SECTION 11.  Savings  Clause.  If this  Article or any portion  hereof  shall be
invalidated  on any  ground by any  court of  competent  jurisdiction,  then the
Corporation  shall  nevertheless  indemnify  each director,  executive  officer,
advisory  council  member,  and those  employees  and agents of the  Corporation
granted  indemnification  pursuant to Section 3 hereof as to expenses (including
attorneys' fees),  judgments,  fines and amounts paid in settlement with respect
to any action, suit or proceeding,  whether civil,  criminal,  administrative or
investigative,  including  a grand jury  proceeding,  and all  appeals,  and any
action  by the  Corporation,  to the full  extent  permitted  by any  applicable
portion of this  Article  that shall not have been  invalidated  or by any other
applicable law.

SECTION 12. Other Enterprises.  Fines. and Serving at Corporation's Request. For
purposes  of this  Article,  references  to "other  enterprises"  shall  include
employee  benefit  plans;  references  to "fines" shall include any excise taxes
assessed on a person with respect to any employee  benefit plan;  and references
to "serving at the request of the  Corporation"  shall  include any service as a
director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation which imposes duties on,
or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, or agent with respect
to any employee benefit plan, its participants,  or beneficiaries;  and a person
who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in
the interest of the participants and  beneficiaries of any employee benefit plan
shall be deemed to have acted in a manner not opposed to the best  interests  of
the Corporation" as referred to in this Article.



                                       26


ITEM 16. EXHIBITS

                  The following documents have been previously filed as Exhibits
and are incorporated herein by reference except those exhibits indicated with an
asterisk which are filed herewith:

         Exhibit No.       Description

         4(a)              Restated  Certificate of Incorporation,  incorporated
                           by reference to Exhibit No.  10(rr) of the  Company's
                           Quarterly  Report  on Form  10-QSB  for  its  quarter
                           ending June 30, 1996, filed August 14, 1996.

         4(b)              Bylaws of the Registrant incorporated by reference to
                           Exhibit No. 3(b) of the Company's  Amendment No. 8 to
                           Registration   Statement   on  Form  S-1  [Reg.   No.
                           33-47479] filed December 17, 1992.

         4(c)              Form of  Common  Stock  Certificate  incorporated  by
                           reference  to  Exhibit  No.  4(b)  of  the  Company's
                           Amendment No. 8 to Registration Statement on Form S-1
                           [Reg. No. 33-47479] filed December 17, 1992.

         4(d)              Certificate  of  Designation  of Series G Convertible
                           Preferred   Stock,    dated   September   26,   1996,
                           incorporated  by reference  to Exhibit No.  10(ww) of
                           the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-QSB for its
                           quarter  ending  September 30, 1996,  filed  November
                           14,1996.

         4(e)*             Certificate  of Amendment to the  Company's  Restated
                           Certificate  of  Incorporation,  as  filed  with  the
                           Delaware Secretary of State on December 16, 1996.

         5*                Opinion of Foley, Hoag & Eliot LLP regarding legality
                           of shares registered hereunder

         23(a)*            Consent of Arthur  Andersen LLP,  independent  public
                           accountants

         23(b)*            Consent  of  Foley,  Hoag & Eliot  LLP  (included  in
                           Exhibit 5)


ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS

(1)      The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

              (a) To file,  during any period in which offers or sales are being
              made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

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

                  (ii) To reflect in the prospectus  any facts or events arising
                       after the effective  date of 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


                                       27


                       and  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 20
                       percent  change in the maximum  aggregate  offering price
                       set forth in the  "Calculation of the  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 paragraphs 2(a)(i) and 2(a)(ii) do not apply if
the information  required to be included in a post-effective  amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the registrant  pursuant to
Section  13 or Section  15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934 that are
incorporated by reference herein.

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

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

(2)  The  undersigned  registrant  hereby  undertakes  that, for the purposes of
     determining  any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of
     the  registrant's  annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d)
     of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable,  each filing
     of any employee  benefit plan's annual report  pursuant to Section 15(d) of
     the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934) that is  incorporated by reference in
     the  registration  statement  shall  be  deemed  to be a  new  registration
     statement  relating to the securities  offered herein,  and the offering of
     such securities at that time be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering
     thereof.

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



                                       28



                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  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 Registration
Statement  to be  signed  on its  behalf  by  the  undersigned,  thereunto  duly
authorized, in the Town of Beverly,  Commonwealth of Massachusetts,  on December
13, 1996.

                                   PALOMAR MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.



                                             By: /s/ Steven Georgiev
                                                -----------------------------
                                                 Steven Georgiev, Chairman


         Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act of  1933,  this
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/  Steven Georgiev                      Chairman of the Board, Chief                             December 13, 1996
   --------------------------------------    Executive Officer and Director
   Steven Georgiev                           (Principal Executive Officer)
                                         

   /s/  Dr. Michael H. Smotrich              President, Chief Operating Officer,                      December 13, 1996
   --------------------------------------    Director
   Dr. Michael H. Smotrich               

   /s/  Joseph P. Caruso                     Vice President, Chief Financial                          December 13, 1996
   --------------------------------------    Officer, Treasurer (Principal Financial
   Joseph P. Caruso                          and Accounting Officer)
                                             

   /s/  Joseph E. Levangie                   Director                                                 December 13, 1996
   --------------------------------------
   Joseph E. Levangie

   /s/ Buster C. Glosson                     Director                                                 December 13, 1996
   --------------------------------------
   Buster Glosson

</TABLE>


                                       29



   

                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

                                       OF

                          CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

                                       OF

                       PALOMAR MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

         Palomar  Medical  Technologies,   Inc.,  a  corporation  organized  and
existing  under  and by virtue of the  General  Corporation  Law of the State of
Delaware (the "Corporation"), DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

         FIRST:  That the  directors of the  Corporation  by  unanimous  written
consent dated December 16, 1996 duly adopted resolutions proposing and declaring
it advisable that the Certificate of Incorporation be amended as follows:

         That the Certificate of  Incorporation of the Corporation be amended by
deleting  old  Article  Fourth  Part C, Series F  Convertible  Preferred  Stock,
Section 9(a) and  inserting a new Article  Fourth,  Part B, Series F Convertible
Preferred Stock,  Section 9(a) in its stead,  which shall be and read as follows
in its entirety:

               "Section 9.  Conversion.

                (a)Conversion  at Option of Holder.  The holders of the Series F
                   Convertible  Preferred  Stock  may,  upon  surrender  of  the
                   certificates therefor,  convert any or all of their shares of
                   Series F  Convertible  Preferred  Stock  into  fully paid and
                   nonassessable   shares  of  Common   Stock  and  such   other
                   securities and property as hereinafter  provided.  Commencing
                   on the date which is 20 days after the Registration Effective
                   Date (as  hereinafter  defined)  and at any time  thereafter,
                   each share of Series F Convertible  Preferred Stock initially
                   may be converted at the office of any transfer  agent for the
                   Series F Convertible  Preferred  Stock, if any, the office of
                   any  transfer  agent for the  Common  Stock or at such  other
                   office or  offices,  if any,  as the Board of  Directors  may
                   designate,  into  whole  shares of  Common  Stock at the rate
                   equal to the number of fully paid and nonassessable shares of
                   Common Stock (calculated as to each conversion to the nearest
                   1/100th of a share) determined by dividing (y) the sum of (I)
                   the Conversion  Amount,  (ii) accrued but unpaid dividends to
                   the Conversion Date, and (iii) accrued but unpaid interest on
                   the dividends in arrears to the Conversion Date by (z) 80% of
                   the daily  mean  average of the  Closing  Price of the Common
                   Stock  on  the  ten  consecutive   trading  days  immediately
                   preceding  the  Conversion  Date  (but in no event  shall the
                   amount  determined  pursuant to this clause (z)) be less that
                   $7.00  (subject to equitable  adjustments  for stock  splits,
                   stock dividends, combinations, recapitalizations,





                   reclassifications  and  similar  events)  regardless  of  the
                   actual amount  otherwise  determined  pursuant to this clause
                   (z) or more than $16.00 (subject to equitable adjustments for
                   stock     splits,     stock     dividends,      combinations,
                   recapitalizations,   reclassifications  and  similar  events)
                   regardless of the actual amount otherwise determined pursuant
                   to this  clause (z), in each case  subject to  adjustment  as
                   hereinafter  provided  (the  "Conversion  Rate");   provided,
                   however,   that  The   Travelers   Life   Insurance   Company
                   ("Travelers")  and any Travelers  Person (as defined  herein)
                   shall  only be  entitled  to  convert  any shares of Series F
                   Convertible  Preferred  Stock from time to time to the extent
                   that  Travelers or such Travelers  Person will,  through such
                   conversion, obtain that number of shares of Common Stock (the
                   "Conversion  Shares")  that,  together  with shares of Common
                   Stock directly or indirectly beneficially owned by Travelers,
                   its subsidiaries  and affiliated  persons  including  persons
                   serving as exclusive full time advisors of Travelers  (each a
                   "Travelers Person" and,  collectively,  "Travelers Persons"),
                   would not result in direct and indirect beneficial  ownership
                   by  all  Travelers  Persons  that  would  exceed  10%  of the
                   outstanding   shares  of  Common  Stock,   as  calculated  in
                   accordance with Rule 16a-1(a)(1). For purposes of calculating
                   the number of Conversion Shares,  Travelers shall be entitled
                   to use the outstanding number contained in the Company's most
                   recent  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-QSB or Annual  Report on
                   Form 10-KSB in accordance with Rule 13D-1(e). For purposes of
                   determining  the number of  Conversion  Shares,  the  Company
                   shall be entitled to rely,  and shall be fully  protected  in
                   relying, on any statement or representation made by Travelers
                   to the  Company  without  any  obligation  on the part of the
                   Company to make any  inquiry or  investigation  or to examine
                   its  records  or the  records of any  transfer  agent for the
                   Common Stock to confirm  such  calculation.  The  "Conversion
                   Price" shall be equal to the Conversion Amount divided by the
                   Conversion Rate.

                   Notwithstanding  any other  provision  of this  Section,  the
                   Corporation  shall not be required to permit a conversion  of
                   shares  of  Series  F  Convertible  Preferred  Stock  on  any
                   Conversion  Date  unless  the  aggregate  number of shares of
                   Series F Convertible  Preferred  Stock to be converted by all
                   holders  on such  Conversion  Date is 1,000  shares  (or such
                   lesser  number of shares  of Series F  Convertible  Preferred
                   Stock as shall remain  outstanding at the time of exercise of
                   such conversion right).

         That the  Certificate of  Incorporation  of the  Corporation be further
amended by adding  Part D,  Series G  Convertible  Preferred  Stock,  to Article
Fourth, which shall be and read as follows in its entirety:

               "D.  Series G. Convertible Preferred Stock

               SECTION 1.  DESIGNATION  AND  AMOUNT.  The shares of such  series
               shall be  designated as "Series G  Convertible  Preferred  Stock"
               (the "Series G Convertible  Preferred Stock"),  and the number of
               shares  constituting such series shall be 10,000 and shall not be
               subject to increase.  The Series G  Convertible  Preferred  Stock
               shall be  divided  into  two  tranches,  referred  to  herein  as
               "Tranche 1 Series G Convertible  Preferred Stock" (the "Tranche 1
               Series G Convertible  Preferred  Stock"),  which shall consist of
               4,000  shares,  and  "Tranche  2 Series G  Convertible  Preferred
               Stock" 

                                       2



               (the "Tranche 2 Series G  Convertible  Preferred  Stock"),  which
               shall consist of 6,000 shares.

               SECTION 2. STATED CAPITAL. The amount to be represented in stated
               capital  at all  times  for each  share of  Series G  Convertible
               Preferred  Stock  shall  be the  sum of (i)  $1,000,  (ii) to the
               extent  legally  available,  the accrued but unpaid  dividends on
               such share of Series G Convertible  Preferred Stock, and (iii) to
               be determined on at least a quarterly  basis,  an amount equal to
               the accrued and unpaid  interest on dividends in arrears  through
               the date of determination (as provided in Section 4).

               SECTION 3. RANK. All Series G Convertible  Preferred  Stock shall
               rank (i)  senior to the  Common  Stock,  par value $.01 per share
               (the  "Common  Stock"),  of the  Corporation,  now  or  hereafter
               issued,  as to payment of dividends  and  distribution  of assets
               upon liquidation,  dissolution, or winding up of the Corporation,
               whether  voluntary or involuntary,  and (ii) on a parity with the
               Series E  Convertible  Preferred  Stock of the  Corporation,  the
               Series F Convertible  Preferred  Stock of the Corporation and any
               additional series of preferred stock of any class which the Board
               of Directors or the stockholders may from time to time authorize,
               both as to payment of dividends and as to distributions of assets
               upon liquidation,  dissolution, or winding up of the Corporation,
               whether voluntary or involuntary.

               SECTION 4. DIVIDENDS AND DISTRIBUTIONS. (a) The holders of shares
               of Series G  Convertible  Preferred  Stock  shall be  entitled to
               receive,  when,  as, and if declared by the Board of Directors of
               the Corporation  (the "Board of Directors" or the "Board") out of
               funds legally  available for such purpose,  dividends at the rate
               of $70.00 per annum per share,  and no more, which shall be fully
               cumulative,  shall accrue without  interest  (except as otherwise
               specifically  provided herein) from the date of original issuance
               and shall be  payable  in cash  quarterly  on January 1, April 1,
               July 1, and  October 1 of each year  commencing  January  1, 1997
               (except  that if any such date is a  Saturday,  Sunday,  or legal
               holiday,  then  such  dividend  shall  be  payable  on  the  next
               succeeding day that is not a Saturday,  Sunday, or legal holiday)
               to  holders  of record as they  appear on the stock  books of the
               Corporation on such record dates,  not more than 20 nor less than
               10 days preceding the payment dates for such dividends,  as shall
               be fixed by the  Board.  Dividends  on the  Series G  Convertible
               Preferred  Stock  shall  be  paid  in  cash  or,  subject  to the
               limitations in Section 4(b) hereof, shares of Common Stock or any
               combination of cash and shares of Common Stock,  at the option of
               the  Corporation  as  hereinafter  provided.  The  amount  of the
               dividends  payable  per share of Series G  Convertible  Preferred
               Stock for each  quarterly  dividend  period  shall be computed by
               dividing  the  annual  dividend  amount  by four.  The  amount of
               dividends  payable for the initial dividend period and any period
               shorter than a full quarterly  dividend  period shall be computed
               on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months. Dividends
               not paid on a payment date,  whether or not such  dividends  have
               been  declared,  will bear  interest at the rate of 12% per annum
               until  paid.  No  dividends  or other  distributions,  other than
               dividends  payable  solely in  shares  of  Common  Stock or other
               capital stock of the  Corporation  ranking junior as to dividends
               to the Series G Convertible  Preferred Stock  (collectively,  the
               "Junior Dividend Stock"),  shall be paid or set apart for payment
               on  any  shares  of  Junior  Dividend  Stock,  and  no  purchase,
               redemption, or other acquisition shall be made by the Corporation
               of any shares of Junior  Dividend  Stock  (other than  purchases,
               redemptions or other acquisitions of a number of shares of Common
               Stock in the  aggregate  not in excess of 2 percent of the shares
               of  Common

                                       3



               Stock outstanding on the date this Certificate of Designations is
               filed with the  Secretary of State of the State of  Delaware,  at
               prices not in excess of the fair market value thereof at the time
               of  purchase,  redemption  or  acquisition)  unless and until all
               accrued  and  unpaid   dividends  on  the  Series  G  Convertible
               Preferred  Stock and interest on dividends in arrears at the rate
               specified  herein  shall have been paid or declared and set apart
               for payment.

               If at  any  time  any  dividend  on  any  capital  stock  of  the
               Corporation  ranking  senior  as to  dividends  to the  Series  G
               Convertible  Preferred Stock (the "Senior  Dividend Stock") shall
               be in default,  in whole or in part, no dividend shall be paid or
               declared  and set apart for  payment on the Series G  Convertible
               Preferred Stock unless and until all accrued and unpaid dividends
               with respect to the Senior  Dividend  Stock,  including  the full
               dividends for the then current dividend  period,  shall have been
               paid or declared and set apart for payment,  without interest. No
               full  dividends  shall  be paid or  declared  and set  apart  for
               payment on any class or series or the Corporation's capital stock
               ranking,  as  to  dividends,  on  a  parity  with  the  Series  G
               Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Parity Dividend Stock") for any
               period unless all accrued but unpaid  dividends  (and interest on
               dividends in arrears at the rate specified  herein) have been, or
               contemporaneously  are,  paid or declared  and set apart for such
               payment  on the Series G  Convertible  Preferred  Stock.  No full
               dividends  shall be paid or declared and set apart for payment on
               the Series G  Convertible  Preferred  Stock for any period unless
               all accrued but unpaid dividends have been, or  contemporaneously
               are,  paid or  declared  and set apart for  payment on the Parity
               Dividend Stock for all dividend  periods  terminating on or prior
               to the date of payment of such full dividends. When dividends are
               not paid in full upon the Series G  Convertible  Preferred  Stock
               and the Parity Dividend Stock, all dividends paid or declared and
               set  apart  for  payment  upon  shares  of  Series G  Convertible
               Preferred Stock (and interest on dividends in arrears at the rate
               specified  herein) and the Parity Dividend Stock shall be paid or
               declared  and set apart for payment pro rata,  so that the amount
               of dividends paid or declared and set apart for payment per share
               on the  Series  G  Convertible  Preferred  Stock  and the  Parity
               Dividend  Stock  shall in all cases  bear to each  other the same
               ratio that accrued and unpaid  dividends  per share on the shares
               of Series G Convertible  Preferred  Stock and the Parity Dividend
               Stock bear to each other.

               Any  references  to  "distribution"  contained  in this Section 4
               shall  not  be  deemed  to   include   any  stock   dividend   or
               distributions   made  in   connection   with   any   liquidation,
               dissolution, or winding up of the Corporation,  whether voluntary
               or involuntary.

                (b)If the  Corporation  elects  in  the  exercise  of  its  sole
                   discretion  to issue  shares of Common  Stock in  payment  of
                   dividends on the Series G Convertible  Preferred  Stock,  the
                   Corporation  shall issue and dispatch,  or cause to be issued
                   and  dispatched,  to each holder of such shares a certificate
                   representing  the  number of whole  shares  of  Common  Stock
                   arrived at by dividing the per share  Computed  Price of such
                   shares  of  Common  Stock  into  the  total  amount  of  cash
                   dividends  such  holder  would be  entitled to receive if the
                   aggregate  dividends  on the Series G  Convertible  Preferred
                   Stock held by such  holder  which are being paid in shares of
                   Common Stock were being paid in cash; provided, however, that
                   if  certificates  representing  shares  of  Common  Stock are
                   issued and  dispatched  to  holders  of Series G  Convertible
                   Preferred  Stock  subsequent to the third trading day after a
                   dividend payment date, the percentage used to calculate

                                       4



                   the  Computed  Price will be reduced by one for each  trading
                   day after the  third  trading  day  following  such  dividend
                   payment  date to the date of  dispatch  of  shares  of Common
                   Stock.  No fractional  shares of Common Stock shall be issued
                   in payment of dividends. In lieu thereof, the Corporation may
                   issue a number of shares of Common Stock to each holder which
                   reflects a rounding to the nearest  whole number of shares of
                   Common  Stock or may pay  cash.  The  Corporation  shall  not
                   exercise its right to issue shares of Common Stock in payment
                   of dividends on Series G Convertible Preferred Stock if:

                  (i)  the  number  of  shares  of  Common  Stock  at  the  time
                       authorized,  unissued and unreserved for all purposes, or
                       held in the  Corporation's  treasury,  is insufficient to
                       pay the portion of such dividends to be paid in shares of
                       Common Stock;

                  (ii) the  issuance or delivery of shares of Common  Stock as a
                       dividend  payment  would  require  registration  with  or
                       approval of any  governmental  authority under any law or
                       regulation,  and such  registration  or approval  has not
                       been effected or obtained;

                  (iii)the  shares  of Common  Stock to be issued as a  dividend
                       payment  have  not  been  authorized  for  listing,  upon
                       official notice of issuance,  on any securities  exchange
                       or market on which the Common  Stock is then  listed;  or
                       have not been  approved for quotation if the Common Stock
                       is traded in the over-the-counter market;

                   (iv)the  Computed  Price  (determined  without  regard to the
                       proviso to the  definition  thereof) is less than the par
                       value of the shares of Common Stock;

                    (v)the  shares  of  Common  Stock  (A)  cannot  be  sold  or
                       transferred without  restriction by unaffiliated  holders
                       who  receive  such  shares of Common  Stock as a dividend
                       payment  or  (B)  are  no  longer  listed  on a  national
                       securities exchange, on the Nasdaq National Market or the
                       Nasdaq SmallCap Market; or

                       (vi) the issuance of shares of Common Stock in payment of
                       dividends on Series G Convertible Preferred Stock held by
                       any GFL Person (as defined in Section 9(a) hereof)  would
                       result in any GFL Person  beneficially  owning  more than
                       4.9% of the Common  Stock,  determined as provided in the
                       proviso to the second sentence of Section 9(a) hereof.

                Shares of Common  Stock issued in payment of dividends on Series
                G Convertible Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section shall be,
                and for all  purposes  shall be  deemed to be,  validly  issued,
                fully  paid and  nonassessable  shares  of  Common  Stock of the
                Corporation;   the  issuance  and  delivery  thereof  is  hereby
                authorized;  and  the  dispatch  thereof  will  be,  and for all
                purposes  shall  be  deemed  to  be,  payment  in  full  of  the
                cumulative  dividends  to  which  holders  are  entitled  on the
                applicable dividend payment date.

                "Computed Price" of shares of Common Stock means the price equal
                to 85 percent of the  arithmetic  mean of the per share  Closing
                Price (as defined in Section  9(b)) of the Common  Stock for the
                three  consecutive  trading days ending on the third 

                                       5



                trading  day  prior to the  applicable  dividend  payment  date;
                provided however,  that,  notwithstanding  the foregoing,  in no
                event shall the Computed Price be less than $.01 per share.

               SECTION 5. LIQUIDATION PREFERENCE. In the event of a liquidation,
               dissolution, or winding up of the Corporation,  whether voluntary
               or  involuntary,  the holders of Series G  Convertible  Preferred
               Stock  shall be  entitled  to  receive  out of the  assets of the
               Corporation,  whether such assets  constitute  stated  capital or
               surplus  of  any  nature,   an  amount  per  share  of  Series  G
               Convertible Preferred Stock equal to the sum of (i) all dividends
               accrued and unpaid thereon to the date of final  distribution  to
               such  holders,  (ii) accrued and unpaid  interest on dividends in
               arrears  to  the  date  of  distribution,   and  (iii)  $1,000.00
               (collectively, "the Liquidation Preference"), and no more, before
               any  payment  shall  be made  or any  assets  distributed  to the
               holders  of  Common  Stock or any  other  class or  series of the
               Corporation's  capital  stock  ranking  junior as to  liquidation
               rights to the Series G Convertible Preferred Stock (collectively,
               the "Junior Liquidation  Stock");  provided,  however,  that such
               rights  shall  accrue  to the  holders  of  Series G  Convertible
               Preferred Stock only in the event that the Corporation's payments
               with  respect to the  liquidation  preference  of the  holders of
               capital stock of the Corporation ranking senior as to liquidation
               rights to the Series G Convertible  Preferred  Stock (the "Senior
               Liquidation   Stock")  are  fully  met.  After  the   liquidation
               preferences  of the Senior  Liquidation  Stock are fully met, the
               entire assets of the Corporation available for distribution shall
               be  distributed  ratably  among  the  holders  of  the  Series  G
               Convertible  Preferred Stock and any other class or series of the
               Corporation's  capital  stock  having  parity  as to  liquidation
               rights with the Series G Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Parity
               Liquidation Stock") in proportion to the respective  preferential
               amounts to which each is entitled (but only to the extent of such
               preferential  amounts).  After payment in full of the liquidation
               price of the shares of the Series G Convertible  Preferred  Stock
               and the Parity  Liquidation  Stock,  the  holders of such  shares
               shall  not  be  entitled  to  any  further  participation  in any
               distribution   of   assets   by  the   Corporation.   Neither   a
               consolidation   or  merger  of  the   Corporation   with  another
               corporation  nor a  sale  or  transfer  of  all  or  part  of the
               Corporation's assets for cash,  securities,  or other property in
               and of itself will be considered a liquidation,  dissolution,  or
               winding up of the Corporation.

               SECTION  6. NO  MANDATORY  REDEMPTION.  The  shares  of  Series G
               Convertible  Preferred  Stock  shall not be subject to  mandatory
               redemption by the Corporation.

               SECTION 7. NO SINKING  FUND.  The shares of Series G  Convertible
               Preferred  Stock  shall  not be  subject  to the  operation  of a
               purchase, retirement, or sinking fund.

               SECTION 8. OPTIONAL REDEMPTION.  So long as the Corporation is in
               compliance in all material  respects with its  obligations to the
               holders  of  shares  of  Series  G  Convertible  Preferred  Stock
               (including,   without  limitation,   its  obligations  under  the
               Registration  Rights  Agreement  between the  Corporation and the
               original holders of the Series G Convertible Preferred Stock (the
               "Registration  Rights  Agreement")  and  the  provisions  of this
               Certificate  of  Designations),  the  Corporation  shall have the
               right,  exercisable on not less than 15 days or more than 20 days
               written notice to the holders of record of the shares of Series G
               Convertible  Preferred Stock to be redeemed, at any time which is
               (x) 90 days or more after the  Tranche 1  Registration  Effective
               Date (as defined in Section  9(b)) to redeem all of the shares

                                       6



               or any part of not less than 600 shares (or such lesser number of
               shares of Tranche 1 Series G Convertible Preferred Stock as shall
               remain  outstanding  at the time of exercise  of such  redemption
               right) of Tranche 1 Series G Convertible  Preferred  Stock or (y)
               90 days or more after the Tranche 2  Registration  Effective Date
               (as  defined in Section  9(b)) to redeem all of the shares or any
               part of not less than 600 shares (or such lesser number of shares
               of Tranche 2 Series G Convertible Preferred Stock as shall remain
               outstanding at the time of exercise of such redemption  right) of
               Tranche 2 Series G Convertible Preferred Stock, in either case in
               accordance  with this  Section  8. Any  notice of  redemption  (a
               "Notice of Redemption")  under this Section shall be delivered to
               the holders of the shares of Series G Convertible Preferred Stock
               at their addresses  appearing on the records of the  Corporation;
               provided,  however,  that any  failure or defect in the giving of
               notice to any such holder shall not affect the validity of notice
               to or the redemption of shares of Series G Convertible  Preferred
               Stock of any other holder.  Any Notice of Redemption may, subject
               to the 15 and 20 day restrictions stated above, be given prior to
               the date  which  is 90 days  after  the  Tranche  1  Registration
               Effective Date or the Tranche 2 Registration  Effective  Date, as
               the  case  may  be,  but in any  such  case  may  not  specify  a
               Redemption Date (as herein defined) prior to the date which is 90
               days  after the  Tranche  1  Registration  Effective  Date or the
               Tranche 2  Registration  Effective  Date, as the case may be. Any
               Notice of  Redemption  shall  state (1) that the  Corporation  is
               exercising   its  right  to  redeem  all  or  a  portion  of  the
               outstanding  shares  of  Series  G  Convertible  Preferred  Stock
               pursuant to this  Section 8, (2) the number of shares of Series G
               Convertible  Preferred  Stock held by such holder which are to be
               redeemed  and the tranche of the shares to be  redeemed,  (3) the
               Redemption  Price (as hereinafter  defined) per share of Series G
               Convertible  Preferred  Stock  to  be  redeemed,   determined  in
               accordance  with this Section,  and (4) the date of redemption of
               such shares of Series G Convertible  Preferred Stock,  determined
               in accordance with this Section (the "Redemption  Date").  On the
               Redemption   Date,   the   Corporation   shall  make  payment  in
               immediately  available funds of the applicable  Redemption  Price
               (as  hereinafter  defined)  to each  holder of shares of Series G
               Convertible  Preferred  Stock to be redeemed to or upon the order
               of such  holder as  specified  by such  holder in  writing to the
               Corporation  at least one  business  day prior to the  Redemption
               Date. If the  Corporation  exercises its right to redeem all or a
               portion  of  the  outstanding  shares  of  Series  G  Convertible
               Preferred Stock the Corporation shall make payment to the holders
               of the  shares  of  Series G  Convertible  Preferred  Stock to be
               redeemed  in  respect  of each  share  of  Series  G  Convertible
               Preferred  Stock to be redeemed of an amount  equal to the sum of
               (A) the amount of the Liquidation Preference determined as of the
               applicable  Redemption  Date  and (B)  $176.50  (such  sum  being
               referred to herein as the "Redemption Price"). Upon redemption of
               less than all of the  shares of  Series G  Convertible  Preferred
               Stock evidenced by a particular certificate,  promptly, but in no
               event  later than three  business  days after  surrender  of such
               certificate to the  Corporation,  the  Corporation  shall issue a
               replacement  certificate  for the shares of Series G  Convertible
               Preferred  Stock which have not been redeemed.  Only whole shares
               of Series G Convertible  Preferred Stock may be redeemed.  If the
               Corporation   exercises   its  right  to  redeem  less  than  all
               outstanding shares of Series G Convertible  Preferred Stock, then
               such redemption  shall be made, as nearly as practical,  pro rata
               among the holders of record of the Series G Convertible Preferred
               Stock. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Certificate of
               Designations, no share of Series G Convertible Preferred Stock as
               to which the holder exercises the right of conversion pursuant to
               Section 9 hereof may be

                                       7



               redeemed by the  Corporation  on or after the date of exercise of
               such conversion right.

                SECTION 9.          CONVERSION.

                (a)Conversion at Option of Holder. (i) The holders of the Series
                   G  Convertible  Preferred  Stock may,  upon  surrender of the
                   certificates therefor,  convert any or all of their shares of
                   Series G  Convertible  Preferred  Stock  into  fully paid and
                   nonassessable   shares  of  Common   Stock  and  such   other
                   securities and property as hereinafter  provided.  Commencing
                   on the  date  which  is the  earliest  of (i) the  Tranche  1
                   Registration   Effective   Date,   (ii)  or  the   Tranche  2
                   Registration  Effective  Date and (iii) the date  which is 90
                   days after the date of initial issuance of shares of Series G
                   Convertible  Preferred Stock (the "Issuance Date") and at any
                   time thereafter, each share of Series G Convertible Preferred
                   Stock  initially may be converted at the principal  executive
                   offices of the Corporation,  the office of any transfer agent
                   for the Series G  Convertible  Preferred  Stock,  if any, the
                   office of any transfer  agent for the Common Stock or at such
                   other  office or offices,  if any, as the Board of  Directors
                   may designate,  into whole shares of Common Stock at the rate
                   equal to the number of fully paid and nonassessable shares of
                   Common Stock (calculated as to each conversion to the nearest
                   1/100th of a share) determined by dividing (y) the sum of (i)
                   the Conversion  Amount,  (ii) accrued but unpaid dividends to
                   the Conversion Date, and (iii) accrued but unpaid interest on
                   the dividends on the shares of Series G Convertible Preferred
                   Stock being  converted in arrears to the  Conversion  Date by
                   (z)  the  lesser  of  (I)  $11.50   (subject   to   equitable
                   adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends,  combinations,
                   recapitalizations,  reclassifications and similar events) and
                   (II) the product of (A) the Tranche 1  Conversion  Percentage
                   or the Tranche 2 Conversion  Percentage,  as the case may be,
                   times (B) the arithmetic  average of the Closing Price of the
                   Common   Stock  on  the  three   consecutive   trading   days
                   immediately  preceding the  Conversion  Date (but in no event
                   shall the amount  determined  pursuant to  subclause  (II) of
                   this  clause (z) be less than  $6.00  (subject  to  equitable
                   adjustments for stock splits, stock dividends,  combinations,
                   recapitalizations,  reclassifications  and  similar  events),
                   regardless of the actual amount otherwise determined pursuant
                   to this clause (z)) (the "Minimum Conversion Price"), in each
                   case  subject to  adjustment  as  hereinafter  provided  (the
                   "Conversion Rate"); provided, however, that in no event shall
                   Genesee Fund Limited  ("Genesee")  be entitled to convert any
                   shares of Series G Convertible  Preferred  Stock in excess of
                   that number of shares of Series G Convertible Preferred Stock
                   upon  conversion of which the sum of (1) the number of shares
                   of Common Stock  beneficially owned by Genesee and any person
                   whose beneficial ownership of shares of Common Stock would be
                   aggregated with Genesee's  beneficial  ownership of shares of
                   Common Stock for purposes of Section 13(d) of the  Securities
                   Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the  "Exchange  Act"),  and
                   Regulation   13D-G   thereunder  (each  a  "GFL  Person"  and
                   collectively, the "GFL Persons") (other than shares of Common
                   Stock  deemed  beneficially  owned  through the  ownership of
                   unconverted  shares of Series G Convertible  Preferred  Stock
                   and  unexercised  Common Stock  Purchase  Warrants  issued to
                   Genesee  in  connection  with the  issuance  of the  Series G
                   Convertible  Preferred Stock) and (2) the number of shares of

                                       8




                   Common Stock  issuable  upon the  conversion of the number of
                   shares of Series G Convertible  Preferred  Stock with respect
                   to which the  determination  in this  proviso is being  made,
                   would  result in  beneficial  ownership  by any GFL Person of
                   more than 4.9% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. For
                   purposes  of  the  proviso  to  the   immediately   preceding
                   sentence,   beneficial   ownership  shall  be  determined  in
                   accordance with Section 13(d) of the Securities  Exchange Act
                   of 1934, as amended, and Regulation 13D-G thereunder,  except
                   as  otherwise  provided  in clause (1) of the  proviso to the
                   immediately  preceding sentence.  For purposes of the proviso
                   to the second preceding  sentence,  the Corporation  shall be
                   entitled to rely, and shall be fully protected in relying, on
                   any  statement  or  representation  made  by  Genesee  to the
                   Corporation  in  connection  with  a  particular  conversion,
                   without any obligation on the part of the Corporation to make
                   any inquiry or investigation or to examine its records or the
                   records of any transfer agent for the Common Stock.

                  (i)  Each  certificate  for  shares  of  Series G  Convertible
                       Preferred  Stock  initially  issued  shall  bear a legend
                       identifying  it as either  "Tranche 1" or "Tranche 2," as
                       agreed in writing  with the  Corporation  by the  initial
                       holder of shares of Series G Convertible Preferred Stock.
                       Any new certificate issued upon transfer of any shares of
                       Series G  Convertible  Preferred  Stock or, in connection
                       with a  conversion  of  shares  of  Series G  Convertible
                       Preferred  Stock, to evidence the unconverted  balance of
                       shares of Series G Convertible Preferred Stock shall bear
                       the same  legend as the  certificate  surrendered  to the
                       Corporation in connection therewith, if applicable.

                (b)Certain Definitions.

                      As used herein, the "Closing Price" of any security on any
                      date shall mean the closing bid price of such  security on
                      such date on the  principal  securities  exchange on which
                      such security is traded.

                      As used herein, the "Conversion Amount" initially shall be
                      equal to $1,000.00,  subject to adjustment as  hereinafter
                      provided.

                      As used herein,  "Conversion  Date" shall mean the date on
                      which the notice of conversion is actually received by the
                      Corporation,  in case of a conversion at the option of the
                      holder pursuant to Section 9(a).

                      As  used  herein,  "SEC"  shall  mean  the  United  States
                      Securities and Exchange Commission.

                      As used  herein,  "Tranche 1  Computation  Date" means (1)
                      January  1,  1997,   unless  the  Tranche  1  Registration
                      Statement  theretofore has been declared  effective by the
                      SEC, and, (2) if the Tranche 1 Registration  Statement has
                      not theretofore  been declared  effective by the SEC, each
                      date which is 30 days after a Tranche 1 Computation Date.

                      As used  herein,  "Tranche 2  Computation  Date" means (1)
                      February  1,  1997,  unless  the  Tranche  2  Registration
                      Statement  theretofore has been 

                                       9



                      declared  effective by the SEC,  and, (2) if the Tranche 2
                      Registration  Statement has not theretofore  been declared
                      effective  by the SEC,  each date which is 30 days after a
                      Tranche 2 Computation Date.

                      As used herein,  "Tranche 1 Conversion  Percentage"  shall
                      mean,  with respect to any conversion of shares of Tranche
                      1 Series G Convertible Preferred Stock, 85 percent, except
                      that,  if the  Tranche  1  Registration  Statement  is not
                      ordered  effective by the SEC by the Tranche 1 Computation
                      Date,  then the percentage  stated above in this paragraph
                      shall be reduced by two percentage  points on each Tranche
                      1 Computation  Date, and except that the percentage stated
                      above in this paragraph,  as so adjusted,  is also subject
                      to  adjustment  as  provided in Section  3(f)(iii)  of the
                      Registration Rights Agreement.

                      As used herein,  "Tranche 2 Conversion  Percentage"  shall
                      mean, with respect to any conversion of Tranche 2 Series G
                      Convertible  Preferred Stock, 85 percent,  except that, if
                      the  Tranche  2  Registration  Statement  is  not  ordered
                      effective  by the SEC by the Tranche 2  Computation  Date,
                      then the percentage  stated above in this paragraph  shall
                      be  reduced  by two  percentage  points on each  Tranche 2
                      Computation  Date, and except that the  percentage  stated
                      above in this paragraph,  as so adjusted,  is also subject
                      to  adjustment  as  provided in Section  3(f)(iii)  of the
                      Registration Rights Agreement.

                      As used herein,  "Tranche 1 Registration  Effective  Date"
                      shall  mean the date on which the  Tranche 1  Registration
                      Statement is first ordered effective by the SEC.

                      As used herein,  "Tranche 2 Registration  Effective  Date"
                      shall  mean the date on which the  Tranche 2  Registration
                      Statement is first ordered effective by the SEC.

                      As used herein,  "Tranche 1 Registration  Statement" shall
                      mean the  Registration  Statement  required to be filed by
                      the  Corporation  with the SEC pursuant to Section 2(a)(i)
                      of the Registration Rights Agreement.

                      As used herein,  "Tranche 2 Registration  Statement" shall
                      mean the  Registration  Statement  required to be filed by
                      the Corporation  with the SEC pursuant to Section 2(a)(ii)
                      of the Registration Rights Agreement.

                (c)OtherProvisions.  Notwithstanding  anything in this Section 9
                   to the  contrary,  no change in the  Conversion  Amount shall
                   actually  be  made  until  the   cumulative   effect  of  the
                   adjustments  called  for by this  Section 9 since the date of
                   the last change in the  Conversion  Amount  would  change the
                   Conversion  Amount  by  more  than  1%.  However,   once  the
                   cumulative  effect  would  result in such a change,  then the
                   Conversion  Rate shall  actually  be  changed to reflect  all
                   adjustments  called for by this Section 9 and not  previously
                   made.  Notwithstanding  anything in this Section 9, no change
                   in the Conversion Amount shall be made that would result in a
                   Conversion  Price of less  than the par  value of the  Common
                   Stock into  which  shares of Series G  Convertible  Preferred
                   Stock are at the time convertible.

                                       10



                   The holders of shares of Series G Convertible Preferred Stock
                   at the close of business on the record date for any  dividend
                   payment to holders of Series G  Convertible  Preferred  Stock
                   shall be  entitled to receive  the  dividend  payable on such
                   shares   on   the   corresponding   dividend   payment   date
                   notwithstanding  the  conversion  thereof after such dividend
                   payment record date or the  Corporation's  default in payment
                   of the dividend due on such dividend payment date;  provided,
                   however,  that shares of Series G Convertible Preferred Stock
                   surrendered  for  conversion  during the period  between  the
                   close of business  on any record date for a dividend  payment
                   and the  opening of business  on the  corresponding  dividend
                   payment  date must be  accompanied  by  payment  of an amount
                   equal to the dividend payable on such shares on such dividend
                   payment  date.  A holder of  shares  of Series G  Convertible
                   Preferred  Stock on a record date for a dividend  payment who
                   (or  whose  transferee)   tenders  any  of  such  shares  for
                   conversion  into  shares  of  Common  Stock on or after  such
                   dividend  payment date will  receive the dividend  payable by
                   the  Corporation  on such  shares  of  Series  G  Convertible
                   Preferred Stock on such date, and the converting  holder need
                   not  include  payment  of the  amount of such  dividend  upon
                   surrender of shares of Series G Convertible  Preferred  Stock
                   for conversion. Except as provided above, no adjustment shall
                   be made in  respect  of cash  dividends  on  Common  Stock or
                   Series G Convertible  Preferred Stock that may be accrued and
                   unpaid at the date of surrender for conversion.

                   The right of the  holders of Series G  Convertible  Preferred
                   Stock  to  convert   their   shares  shall  be  exercised  by
                   delivering  to the  Corporation  or its  agent,  as  provided
                   above, a written  notice,  duly signed by or on behalf of the
                   holder,  stating the number of shares of Series G Convertible
                   Preferred  Stock to be converted and, in the case of Genesee,
                   stating  that such  conversion  will not  result  in  Genesee
                   beneficially  owning a number of  shares  of Common  Stock in
                   excess of that number  permitted by Section  9(a).  Promptly,
                   but in no event later than 10 business days after delivery of
                   a notice of conversion,  such holder shall surrender for such
                   purpose to the  Corporation or its agent,  as provided above,
                   certificates   representing  shares  to  be  converted,  duly
                   endorsed in blank or  accompanied  by proper  instruments  of
                   transfer.  If such holder shall fail to deliver  certificates
                   representing  shares to be converted in such form on or prior
                   to such tenth  business day, such notice of conversion  shall
                   not be effective, unless otherwise agreed by the Corporation,
                   but such  failure  shall not affect  such  holder's  right to
                   convert  such  shares at a date after the date such notice of
                   conversion  was  given.  The  Corporation  shall  pay any tax
                   arising  under United States  federal,  state or local law in
                   connection   with  any  conversion  of  shares  of  Series  G
                   Convertible Preferred Stock except that the Corporation shall
                   not, however, be required to pay any tax which may be payable
                   in respect of any transfer involved in the issue and delivery
                   upon conversion of shares of Common Stock or other securities
                   or  property  in a name  other than that of the holder of the
                   shares of the  Series G  Convertible  Preferred  Stock  being
                   converted, and the Corporation shall not be required to issue
                   or deliver  any such shares or other  securities  or property
                   unless  and  until  the  person  or  persons  requesting  the
                   issuance  thereof  shall  have  paid to the  Corporation  the
                   amount  of any  such  tax or shall  have  established  to the
                   satisfaction of the Corporation that such tax has been paid.

                                       11



                   The Corporation  (and any successor  corporation)  shall take
                   all  action  necessary  so that a  number  of  shares  of the
                   authorized but unissued  Common Stock (or common stock in the
                   case of any successor corporation)  sufficient to provide for
                   the  conversion of the Series G Convertible  Preferred  Stock
                   outstanding upon the basis  hereinbefore  provided are at all
                   times   reserved  by  the   Corporation   (or  any  successor
                   corporation),   free  from   preemptive   rights,   for  such
                   conversion,  subject to the provisions of the next succeeding
                   paragraph.  If the Corporation  shall issue any securities or
                   make any change in its capital  structure  which would change
                   the number of shares of Common Stock into which each share of
                   the Series G Convertible Preferred Stock shall be convertible
                   as herein  provided,  the Corporation  shall at the same time
                   also make proper  provision so that thereafter there shall be
                   a sufficient  number of shares of Common Stock authorized and
                   reserved,  free from preemptive rights, for conversion of the
                   outstanding  Series G Convertible  Preferred Stock on the new
                   basis.  If at any time the number of authorized  but unissued
                   shares of Common Stock shall not be  sufficient to effect the
                   conversion  of all of the  outstanding  shares  of  Series  G
                   Convertible  Preferred Stock, the Corporation  promptly shall
                   seek such  corporate  action as may,  in the  opinion  of its
                   counsel, be necessary to increase its authorized but unissued
                   shares of Common  Stock to such  number of shares as shall be
                   sufficient for such purpose.

                   In case of any  consolidation  or merger  of the  Corporation
                   with  any  other  corporation   (other  than  a  wholly-owned
                   subsidiary of the  Corporation)  in which the  Corporation is
                   not the  surviving  corporation,  or in  case of any  sale or
                   transfer  of all or  substantially  all of the  assets of the
                   Corporation, or in the case of any share exchange pursuant to
                   which  all of the  outstanding  shares  of  Common  Stock are
                   converted into other securities or property,  the Corporation
                   shall  make  appropriate   provision  or  cause   appropriate
                   provision  to be made so that each holder of shares of Series
                   G Convertible Preferred Stock then outstanding shall have the
                   right   thereafter   to  convert  such  shares  of  Series  G
                   Convertible  Preferred  Stock  into the kind  and  amount  of
                   shares of stock and other securities and property  receivable
                   upon such consolidation,  merger,  sale,  transfer,  or share
                   exchange by a holder of the number of shares of Common  Stock
                   into  which  such  shares of Series G  Convertible  Preferred
                   Stock  could  have been  converted  immediately  prior to the
                   effective date of such consolidation, merger, sale, transfer,
                   or  share   exchange.   If,  in  connection   with  any  such
                   consolidation,  merger,  sale,  transfer,  or share exchange,
                   each holder of shares of Common Stock is entitled to elect to
                   receive  either  securities,   cash,  or  other  assets  upon
                   completion of such transaction, the Corporation shall provide
                   or  cause  to  be   provided  to  each  holder  of  Series  G
                   Convertible   Preferred   Stock   the   right  to  elect  the
                   securities,  cash,  or other  assets  into which the Series G
                   Convertible  Preferred  Stock  held by such  holder  shall be
                   convertible  after  completion of any such transaction on the
                   same terms and subject to the same  conditions  applicable to
                   holders of the Common Stock (including,  without  limitation,
                   notice of the right to elect,  limitations  on the  period in
                   which such election  shall be made, and the effect of failing
                   to exercise the election).  The Corporation  shall not effect
                   any such transaction  unless the provisions of this paragraph
                   have been complied with. The above provisions shall similarly

                                       12



                   apply   to   successive   consolidations,   mergers,   sales,
                   transfers, or share exchanges.

                   If a holder shall have given a notice of conversion of shares
                   of Series G Convertible  Preferred  Stock,  upon surrender of
                   certificates  representing  shares  of  Series G  Convertible
                   Preferred Stock for conversion,  the Corporation  shall issue
                   and deliver to such person  certificates for the Common Stock
                   issuable  upon such  conversion  within three  business  days
                   after  such   surrender  of   certificates   and  the  person
                   converting  shall be deemed to be the holder of record of the
                   Common Stock  issuable upon such  conversion,  and all rights
                   with  respect  to  the  shares  surrendered  shall  forthwith
                   terminate  except  the right to receive  the Common  Stock or
                   other securities, cash, or other assets as herein provided.

                   No  fractional  shares of Common  Stock  shall be issued upon
                   conversion  of Series G Convertible  Preferred  Stock but, in
                   lieu of any  fraction of a share of Common  Stock which would
                   otherwise be issuable in respect of the  aggregate  number of
                   such shares  surrendered  for  conversion  at one time by the
                   same  holder,  the  Corporation  at its option (a) may pay in
                   cash an amount  equal to the  product  of (i) the  arithmetic
                   average of the  Closing  Price of a share of Common  Stock on
                   the three consecutive trading days before the Conversion Date
                   and  (ii)  such  fraction  of a  share  or (b) may  issue  an
                   additional share of Common Stock.

                   The "Closing  Price" for each day shall be the closing  price
                   regular  way on such day as  reported  on the New York  Stock
                   Exchange  Composite  Tape,  or,  if the  Common  Stock is not
                   listed  or  admitted  to  trading  on such  Exchange,  on the
                   principal national  securities exchange on which Common Stock
                   is listed  or  admitted  to  trading,  or,  if not  listed or
                   admitted to trading on any national securities exchange,  the
                   closing bid price as reported on the Nasdaq  National  Market
                   (or,  if not so  reported,  the  closing  price),  or, if not
                   admitted for  quotation on the Nasdaq  National  Market,  the
                   average  of the high bid and low asked  prices on such day as
                   recorded by the National  Association of Securities  Dealers,
                   Inc. through the National  Association of Securities  Dealers
                   Automated  Quotations System  ("NASDAQ"),  or if the National
                   Association of Securities Dealers,  Inc. through NASDAQ shall
                   not have  reported  any bid and asked  prices  for the Common
                   Stock on such day,  the  average of the bid and asked  prices
                   for such day as  furnished  by any New  York  Stock  Exchange
                   member firm selected from time to time by the Corporation for
                   such  purposes,  or, if no such bid and asked  prices  can be
                   obtained  from any such firm,  the fair  market  value of one
                   share of Common Stock on such day as determined in good faith
                   by the Board of Directors. Such determination by the Board of
                   Directors shall be conclusive.

                   The  Conversion  Amount  shall be adjusted  from time to time
                   under certain circumstances, subject to the provisions of the
                   first three  sentences of the first paragraph of this Section
                   9(c), as follows:

                   (i) Incase the Corporation  shall issue rights or warrants on
                       a pro  rata  basis to all  holders  of the  Common  Stock
                       entitling  such  holders  to  subscribe  for or  purchase
                       Common  Stock on the record  date  referred to below at a

                                       13



                       price  per  share  less than the  average  daily  Closing
                       Prices of the Common Stock on the 30 consecutive business
                       days  commencing  45 business days before the record date
                       (the "Current Market Price"),  then in each such case the
                       Conversion  Amount in effect on such record date shall be
                       adjusted in accordance with the formula

                                               C1 = C x   O + N
                                                          -----
                                               O +  N x P
                                                    -----
                                                      M

                       where


                        C1  =   the adjusted Conversion Amount
                        C   =   the current Conversion Amount
                        O   =   the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
                                on the Record date.
                        N   =   the number of additional shares of Common  Stock
                                issuable pursuant to the exercise of such rights
                                or warrants.
                        P   =   the offering price  per share of  the additional
                                shares  (which  amount shall   include   amounts
                                received by the  Corporation  in  respect of the
                                issuance  and  the  exercise  of such  rights or
                                warrants).
                        M   =   the  Current  Market  Price  per share of Common
                                Stock on the record date.

                       Such adjustment shall become effective  immediately after
                       the record  date for the  determination  of  stockholders
                       entitled to receive  such rights or  warrants.  If any or
                       all such rights or  warrants  are not so issued or expire
                       or  terminate  before  being  exercised,  the  Conversion
                       Amount then in effect shall be readjusted appropriately.

                  (ii) In case the Corporation  shall, by dividend or otherwise,
                       distribute  to  all  holders  of  its  Junior  Stock  (as
                       hereinafter  defined)  evidences of its  indebtedness  or
                       assets (including securities,  but excluding any warrants
                       or subscription  rights  referred to in subparagraph  (i)
                       above and any dividend or  distribution  paid in cash out
                       of the  retained  earnings of the  Corporation),  then in
                       each such case the Conversion Amount then in effect shall
                       be adjusted in accordance with the formula


                                          C1 = C x    M
                                                     ---   
                                                    M - F

                           where

                        C1  =   the adjusted Conversion Amount
                        C   =   the current Conversion Amount
                        M   =   the  Current  Market Price per  share of  Common
                                Stock on the record date mentioned below.
                        F   =   the aggregate amount of such cash  dividend and/
                                or the fair  market value  on the record date of
                                the  assets or  securities   to  be  distributed
                                divided by the number of shares of  Common Stock

                                       14



                                outstanding  on the  record  date.  The Board of
                                Directors   shall  determine  such  fair  market
                                value, which determination shall be conclusive.

                           Such adjustment  shall become  effective  immediately
                           after  the  record  date  for  the  determination  of
                           stockholders  entitled  to receive  such  dividend or
                           distribution. For purposes of this subparagraph (ii),
                           "Junior  Stock"  shall  include  any class of capital
                           stock   ranking   junior  as  to  dividends  or  upon
                           liquidation  to the  Series G  Convertible  Preferred
                           Stock.

                  (iii)All  calculations  hereunder shall be made to the nearest
                       cent or to the nearest 1/100 of a share,  as the case may
                       be.

                  (iv) If at any time as a result of an adjustment made pursuant
                       to the fifth  paragraph of this Section 9(c),  the holder
                       of any Series G Convertible  Preferred  Stock  thereafter
                       surrendered  for  conversion  shall  become  entitled  to
                       receive  securities,  cash,  or assets  other than Common
                       Stock,  the  number  or  amount  of  such  securities  or
                       property so receivable upon  conversion  shall be subject
                       to adjustment  from time to time in a manner and on terms
                       nearly  equivalent as practicable to the provisions  with
                       respect to the Common Stock  contained  in  subparagraphs
                       (i) to (iii) above.

               Except  as  otherwise  provided  above  in  this  Section  9,  no
               adjustment in the  Conversion  Amount shall be made in respect of
               any conversion for share  distributions or dividends  theretofore
               declared and paid or payable on the Common Stock.

               Whenever the  Conversion  Amount is adjusted as herein  provided,
               the  Corporation  shall send to each transfer  agent, if any, for
               the Series G Convertible  Preferred Stock and the Common Stock, a
               statement signed by the Chairman of the Board, the President,  or
               any Vice President of the Corporation and by its Treasurer or its
               Secretary or Assistant  Secretary stating the adjusted Conversion
               Amount  determined  as  provided  in  this  Section  9,  and  any
               adjustment  so evidenced,  given in good faith,  shall be binding
               upon all  stockholders  and upon the  Corporation.  Whenever  the
               Conversion  Amount is adjusted,  the Corporation will give notice
               by  mail  to the  holders  of  record  of  Series  G  Convertible
               Preferred Stock,  which notice shall be made within 15 days after
               the  effective  date of  such  adjustment  and  shall  state  the
               adjustment  and  the  Conversion  Amount.   Notwithstanding   the
               foregoing notice  provisions,  failure by the Corporation to give
               such  notice or a defect in such  notice  shall  not  affect  the
               binding nature of such corporate action of the Corporation.

               Whenever the Corporation shall propose to take any of the actions
               specified  in the  fifth  paragraph  of this  Section  9(c) or in
               subparagraphs  (i) or (ii) of the ninth paragraph of this Section
               9(c)  which  would  result in any  adjustment  in the  Conversion
               Amount under this Section  9(c),  the  Corporation  shall cause a
               notice to be  mailed at least 20 days  prior to the date on which
               the books of the Corporation will close or on which a record will
               be  taken  for such  action,  to the  holders  of  record  of the
               outstanding  Series G Convertible  Preferred Stock on the date of
               such notice.  Such notice shall specify the action proposed to be
               taken by the  Corporation  and the date as of  which  holders  of
               record of the Common Stock shall  participate in any such actions
               or be entitled to exchange  their Common Stock for  securities or
               other property, as the case may be. Failure by the Corporation to
               mail the notice or any defect in such notice shall not affect the
               validity of the transaction.

                                       15



               Notwithstanding  any  other  provision  of  this  Section  9,  no
               adjustment  in the  Conversion  Amount  need  be  made  (a) for a
               transaction referred to in subparagraphs (i) or (ii) of the ninth
               paragraph of this Section 9(c) if holders of Series G Convertible
               Preferred   Stock  are  to  participate  in  the  transaction  or
               distribution  on a basis  and  with  notice  that  the  Board  of
               Directors  determines such  transaction to be fair to the holders
               of the Series G Convertible  Preferred  Stock and  appropriate in
               light of the basis on which  holders of the  Common  Stock or, in
               the case of a transaction  referred to in said subparagraph (ii),
               holders of Junior Stock  participate in the transaction;  (b) for
               sales of Common  Stock  pursuant  to a plan for  reinvestment  of
               dividends and interest,  provided that the purchase  price in any
               such  sale is at  least  equal to the  fair  market  value of the
               Common  Stock at the time of such  purchase,  or  pursuant to any
               plan adopted by the Corporation for the benefit of its employees,
               directors, or consultants;  or (c) after such time as a holder of
               shares of Series G Convertible  Preferred Stock becomes  entitled
               to receive  only cash upon  conversion  of such  shares (in which
               case no interest  shall accrue on the amount of such cash for any
               period  prior to the date  which is  three  business  days  after
               surrender of the certificates for such shares for conversion).

               (d)  Conversion  at  Option  of  Corporation.   So  long  as  the
               Corporation  shall be in compliance in all material respects with
               its  obligations  to the  holders  of the  Series  G  Convertible
               Preferred Stock (including,  without limitation,  its obligations
               under the  Registration  Rights  Agreement and the  provisions of
               this  Certificate of  Designations)  and so long as the Tranche 1
               Registration  Statement and the Tranche 2 Registration  Statement
               shall  be  effective,  the  Corporation  shall  have  the  right,
               exercisable at any time or from time to time on or after the date
               which  is  one  year  after  the  later  of  (x)  the  Tranche  1
               Registration  Effective  Date and (y) the Tranche 2  Registration
               Effective Date, by at least 15 business days but not more than 20
               business days prior notice (a "Corporation Conversion Notice") to
               the  holders  of the Series G  Convertible  Preferred  Stock,  to
               require  such  holders  to  convert,   in  accordance   with  the
               provisions,  and subject to the  limitations,  of this Section 9,
               all or any part of the outstanding shares of Series G Convertible
               Preferred  Stock  into  shares of Common  Stock to the extent the
               same are at such time  convertible  into shares of Common  Stock.
               The Corporation  Conversion  Notice shall state (1) the number of
               shares  of  Series  G  Convertible   Preferred  Stock  which  the
               Corporation  seeks to  require  to be  converted  into  shares of
               Common  Stock and the tranche of the shares to be  converted  and
               (2) the conversion date (which shall not be less than 15 business
               days or more than 20 business days after the date the Corporation
               Conversion  Notice is  given).  If the  Corporation  shall give a
               Corporation Conversion Notice, then, unless theretofore converted
               by the  holder  or  redeemed  by the  Corporation  in  accordance
               herewith,  and, so long as the Tranche 1  Registration  Statement
               and the Tranche 2 Registration  Statement shall remain  effective
               on  such  conversion  date  and  the  Corporation   shall  be  in
               compliance in all material  respects with its  obligations  under
               the Registration Rights Agreement on such conversion date, on the
               conversion date properly set forth therein, the lesser of (A) the
               number of shares of Series G  Convertible  Preferred  Stock which
               the Corporation seeks to require to be converted, as set forth in
               such Corporation  Conversion  Notice or (B) the maximum number of
               shares  of Series G  Convertible  Preferred  Stock  which on such
               conversion  date is convertible in accordance  with Sections 9(a)
               hereof,  shall be converted  into such number of shares of Common
               Stock as shall be  determined  pursuant  to this  Section  9 (but
               without  regard  to  the  Minimum  Conversion  Price)  as if  the
               conversion  of such  number of  shares  of  Series G  Convertible
               Preferred  Stock were made by the holders  thereof in  accordance
               herewith without any further action on the part of the holders of
               such shares of Series G Convertible Preferred Stock. Upon receipt
               by the  Corporation  of  certificates  for  shares  of  Series  G
               Convertible Preferred Stock converted into shares of Common Stock
               in  accordance   with  this  Section  9(d)  after  a  Corporation
               Conversion  Notice is given,  the  Corporation  shall  issue and,
               within  three  trading days after such  

                                       16



               surrender,  deliver to or upon the order of such  holder (1) that
               number  of shares  of  Common  Stock for the  number of shares of
               Series  G  Convertible  Preferred  Stock  converted  as  shall be
               determined in accordance herewith,  (2) a new certificate for the
               balance of shares of Series G  Convertible  Preferred  Stock,  if
               any,  and (3) payment of the accrued and unpaid  dividends on the
               shares  of  Series G  Convertible  Preferred  Stock so  converted
               (which  payment  of  dividends  may be  made in  accordance  with
               Section 4 if the Corporation satisfies the requirements thereof).

               SECTION 10. VOTING RIGHTS. Except as otherwise required by law or
               expressly  provided  herein,   shares  of  Series  G  Convertible
               Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any matter.

               The  affirmative  vote or consent of the holders of a majority of
               the  outstanding  shares of the  Series G  Convertible  Preferred
               Stock, voting separately as a class, will be required for (1) any
               amendment,   alteration,   or   repeal,   whether  by  merger  or
               consolidation or otherwise,  of the Corporation's  Certificate of
               Incorporation if the amendment,  alteration, or repeal materially
               and adversely affects the powers,  preferences, or special rights
               of the Series G Convertible  Preferred Stock, or (2) the creation
               and issuance of any Senior  Dividend Stock or Senior  Liquidation
               Stock;  provided,  however,  that any increase in the  authorized
               preferred  stock of the  Corporation or the creation and issuance
               of any stock  which is both  Junior  Dividend  Stock  and  Junior
               Liquidation  Stock or any other capital stock of the  Corporation
               ranking on a parity with the Series G Convertible Preferred Stock
               shall  not be  deemed to affect  materially  and  adversely  such
               powers, preferences, or special rights.

               SECTION 11. OUTSTANDING  SHARES. For purposes of this Certificate
               of  Designations,  all shares of Series G  Convertible  Preferred
               Stock  shall be deemed  outstanding  except  (i) from the date of
               surrender  of  certificates   representing  shares  of  Series  G
               Convertible Preferred Stock for conversion into Common Stock, all
               shares of Series G Convertible  Preferred  Stock  converted  into
               Common Stock; (ii) from the date of registration of transfer, all
               shares of Series G Convertible  Preferred Stock held of record by
               the  Corporation  or any  subsidiary  or  Affiliate  (as  defined
               herein) of the  Corporation  and (iii) from the Redemption  Date,
               all  shares of Series G  Convertible  Preferred  Stock  which are
               redeemed,  so long as in each case the  Redemption  Price of such
               shares of Series G  Convertible  Preferred  Stock shall have been
               paid by the  Corporation  as and when  required  hereby.  For the
               purposes of this Certificate of Designations,  "Affiliate"  means
               any person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or
               under direct or indirect  common  control  with the  Corporation.
               "Control" is the power to direct the management and policies of a
               person,  directly or through one or more intermediaries,  whether
               through the  ownership  of voting  securities,  by  contract,  or
               otherwise."

                              

         SECOND:  That the aforesaid  amendments were duly adopted in accordance
with applicable  provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the
State of Delaware.

                                       17



         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Palomar Medical Technologies,  Inc. has caused this
certificate  to be signed by its Assistant  Secretary this 16th day of December,
1996.

                                         PALOMAR MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

                                          By: /s/ Sarah Burgess Reed
                                             -----------------------------------
                                                  Sarah Burgess Reed
                                                  Assistant Secretary
 
                                   

                                       18
    


                                                  December 10, 1996




Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc.
66 Cherry Hill Drive
Beverly, MA 01915

Gentlemen:

         We are familiar with the  Registration  Statement on Form S-3 (the "S-3
Registration  Statement")  to which this  opinion is an exhibit,  to be filed by
Palomar Medical Technologies, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), with
the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission  under the  Securities Act of 1933, as
amended. The S-3 Registration  Statement relates to the proposed public offering
by a security  holder of the Company of a total of 700,948 shares (the "Shares")
of the  Company's  Common  Stock,  $.01 par value per  share  ("Common  Stock"),
consisting  of (i) 571,428  shares  issuable  upon  conversion  of the Company's
Series G Convertible Preferred Stock, $.01 par value per share, and (ii) 129,520
shares  issuable upon exercise of a common stock purchase  warrant issued by the
Company.

         In arriving at the opinion expressed below, we have examined and relied
on the following documents:

                  (1)  the  Certificate  of  Incorporation  and  By-Laws  of the
         Company, each as amended as of the date hereof; and

                  (2) the  records  of  meetings  and  consents  of the Board of
         Directors  and  stockholders  of  the  Company  provided  to us by  the
         Company.

         In addition,  we have  examined  and relied on the  originals or copies
certified or otherwise  identified  to our  satisfaction  of all such  corporate
records of the  Company and such other  instruments  and other  certificates  of
public  officials,  officers and  representatives  of the Company and such other
persons,  and we  have  made  such  investigations  of law,  as we  have  deemed
appropriate as a basis for the opinion expressed below.

         Based  upon the  foregoing,  it is our  opinion  that the  Company  has
corporate  power adequate for the issuance of the Shares issued and to be issued
in the manner set forth in the S-3  Registration  Statement and offered pursuant
to the S-3 Registration Statement. The Company has taken all necessary corporate
action  required to  authorize  the  issuance  and sale of the Shares,  and when
certificates  for the  Shares  have been duly  executed  and  countersigned  and
delivered, such shares will be legally issued, fully paid and non-assessable.

         We hereby  consent to the  filing of this  opinion as an exhibit to the
S-3 Registration Statement.


                                                  Sincerely,

                                                  FOLEY, HOAG & ELIOT LLP


                                                  By: /s/ David A. Broadwin
                                                     -------------------------
                                                      David A. Broadwin




                   CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

As independent  public  accountants,  we hereby consent to the use of our report
and to all  references to our Firm included in or made part of the  registration
statement.


                                                    /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP

Boston, Massachusetts  
December 11, 1996



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