OMEGA HEALTHCARE INVESTORS INC
8-A12B, 1999-05-14
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUSTS
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                     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              Washington D.C. 20549



                                    FORM 8-A

                FOR REGISTRATION OF CERTAIN CLASSES OF SECURITIES
                     PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE
                         SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


                        OMEGA HEALTHCARE INVESTORS, INC.
                        --------------------------------

             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)


                   Maryland                          38-3041398
          -----------------------------         ----------------------
      (State or other jurisdiction of     (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
       incorporation or organization)


              900 Victors Way, Suite 350, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108
              -----------------------------------------------------
               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)


       Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

               Title of each class      Name of each exchange on which
               to be so registered      each class is to be registered
               ---------------------   --------------------------------

             Preferred Stock Purchase Rights New York Stock Exchange

If this form relates to the registration of a class of securities pursuant to 
Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act and is effective pursuant to General 
Instruction A(c), check the following box. [X]

        If this form relates to the registration of a class of securities
   pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Exchange Act and is effective pursuant to
             General Instruction A(d), check the following box. [ ]

Securities Act registration statement file number to which this form
relates:________

       Securities to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

                                      None
                                      ----

                                (Title of Class)


<PAGE>





ITEM 1.  DESCRIPTION OF REGISTRANT'S SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED

         On May 12, 1999, the Board of Directors of Omega Healthcare  Investors,
Inc. (the  "Company")  declared a dividend  distribution  of one preferred share
purchase  right (a "Right") for each share of common stock,  par value $0.10 per
share (the "Common Stock"),  of the Company outstanding at the close of business
on May 24, 1999 (the "Record  Date").  The  dividend  will be paid on the Record
Date to holders  of Common  Stock on such date.  The  holders of any  additional
shares of Common Stock issued after the Record Date and before the redemption or
expiration of the Rights (or the Distribution  Date, as defined below) will also
be entitled to one Right for each such  additional  share of Common Stock.  Each
Right entitles the  registered  holder under certain  circumstances  to purchase
from the Company one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Junior  Participating
Preferred  Stock,  par  value  $1.00  per share  (the  "Participating  Preferred
Stock"),  of the Company at a price of $90.00 per one  one-thousandth of a share
of Participating Preferred Stock (the "Purchase Price"),  subject to adjustment.
The  description  and terms of the Rights are set forth in the Rights  Agreement
dated as of May 12, 1999 between the Company and First Chicago Trust Company, as
rights agent (the "Rights Agreement").

         Initially, the Rights will be attached to and evidenced by certificates
evidencing  shares of Common Stock, and no separate  certificates for the Rights
will be distributed. The Rights will become exercisable and will be evidenced by
separate certificates only after the earlier to occur of (i) 10 days following a
public  announcement that a person or group of affiliated or associated  persons
has acquired beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the outstanding Common Stock
(thereby becoming an "Acquiring  Person"),  (ii) 15 business days (or such later
date as may be  determined  by the Board of Directors  prior to such time as any
person or group of affiliated or associated persons becomes an Acquiring Person)
following the  commencement of, or the announcement of an intention to commence,
a tender  or  exchange  offer  the  consummation  of which  would  result in the
beneficial  ownership  by a person  or group  of  persons  of 10% or more of the
outstanding  Common Stock,  or (iii) 10 business days (or such later date as may
be  determined  by action of the  Board of  Directors  prior to such time as any
person or group of affiliated or associated persons becomes an Acquiring Person)
after  the  filing  of  any  application,  request  or  other  document  with  a
governmental  agency seeking approval of, attempting to rebut any presumption of
control  upon,  or indicating  an intention to enter into,  any  transaction  or
series of  transactions  that would result in any person becoming the beneficial
owner of 10% or more of the outstanding Common Stock (the first of such dates to
occur  being  referred  to  herein as the  "Distribution  Date").  Common  Stock
certificates  issued upon  transfer or issuance of Common Stock after the Record
Date and prior to the Distribution Date (or earlier  redemption or expiration of
the  Rights)  will  contain a notation  incorporating  the Rights  Agreement  by
reference.  In addition, if the Board of Directors in good faith determines that
a  person  who  would   otherwise  be  an  Acquiring   Person  has  become  such
inadvertently,  and such person  divests as promptly as practicable a sufficient
number  of  Common  Stock so that such  person  would no longer be an  Acquiring
Person,  then such  person  shall not be deemed to be an  Acquiring  Person  for
purposes of the Rights Agreement.



<PAGE>


         The Rights will expire on May 12, 2009 (the "Final  Expiration  Date"),
unless the Final  Expiration  Date is  extended or unless the Rights are earlier
redeemed or exchanged by the Company, in each case as described below.

         The Purchase Price payable,  and the number of shares of  Participating
Preferred Stock or other securities or property  issuable,  upon exercise of the
Rights are subject to adjustment under certain  circumstances  from time to time
to prevent  dilution.  With certain  exceptions,  no  adjustment in the Purchase
Price will be required until cumulative  adjustments require an adjustment of at
least 1% in such Purchase Price.

         Participating  Preferred Stock  purchasable upon exercise of the Rights
will not be  redeemable.  Each share of  Participating  Preferred  Stock will be
entitled to a minimum preferential  quarterly distribution payment, when, as and
if authorized by the Board of Directors out of funds legally  available for such
purpose, of $1.00 per share but will be entitled to an aggregate distribution of
1,000 times any distribution declared per share of Common Stock. In the event of
liquidation,  the holders of the Participating  Preferred Stock will be entitled
to a minimum  preferential  liquidation  payment  of $1.00 per share but will be
entitled to an  aggregate  payment of 1,000 times the payment  made per share of
Common Stock. Each share of Participating Preferred Stock will have 1,000 votes,
voting together with the Common Stock. In the event of any merger, consolidation
or other  transaction in which shares of Common Stock are exchanged,  each share
of  Participating  Preferred  Stock will be entitled to receive  1,000 times the
amount  received  per  share  of  Common  Stock.  In the  event of  issuance  of
Participating  Preferred  Stock  upon  exercise  of  the  Rights,  in  order  to
facilitate   trading,   a  depositary   receipt  may  be  issued  for  each  one
one-thousandth of a share of Participating Preferred Stock.
The Rights will be protected by customary antidilution provisions.

         In the event  that any  person  or group of  affiliated  or  associated
persons becomes an Acquiring Person,  proper provision will be made so that each
holder of a Right, other than Rights  beneficially owned by the Acquiring Person
(which will thereafter be void), will thereafter have the right to receive, upon
exercise  thereof,  a number of shares of  Common  Stock  having a market  value
(determined  in  accordance  with the Rights  Agreement)  equal to two times the
Purchase Price. In lieu of the issuance of Common Stock upon exercise of Rights,
the Board of  Directors  may  under  certain  circumstances,  and if there is an
insufficient  number of shares of Common Stock authorized but unissued to permit
the  exercise in full of the Rights,  the Board is required to, take such action
as may be  necessary  to cause the Company to issue or pay upon the  exercise of
Rights, cash (including by way of a reduction of the Purchase Price),  property,
other  securities or any combination of the foregoing  having an aggregate value
equal to that of the Common Stock which  otherwise would have been issuable upon
exercise of the Rights.  The Company may permit the Rights to be  exercised  for
50% of the shares of Common Stock (or cash,  property or other  securities  that
may be substituted  for Common Stock) that would  otherwise be purchasable  upon
exercise  thereof in  consideration  of the surrender of the Rights so exercised
and without other payment of the Purchase Price.



<PAGE>


         In the event  that,  after any  person or group  becomes  an  Acquiring
Person,  the  Company  is  acquired  in a merger or other  business  combination
transaction or 50% or more of its consolidated assets or earning power are sold,
proper  provision  will be made so that each  holder of a Right will  thereafter
have the  right  to  receive,  upon the  exercise  thereof  at the then  current
Purchase  Price,  a number of shares of common  stock of the  acquiring  company
having a market value (determined in accordance with the Rights Agreement) equal
to two times the Purchase Price.

         At any time after any person or group  becomes an Acquiring  Person and
prior  to the  acquisition  by  that  person  or  group  of 50% or  more  of the
outstanding  shares of Common  Stock,  the Board of  Directors  may exchange the
Rights  (other than Rights  owned by that person or group which will have become
void),  in whole or in part,  at an exchange  ratio of one share of Common Stock
(or one  one-thousandth  of a share of Participating  Preferred Stock) per Right
(subject to adjustment).

         As soon as  practicable  after the  Distribution  Date,  the Company is
obligated to use its best  efforts to file a  registration  statement  under the
Securities  Act of 1933, as amended,  relating to the  securities  issuable upon
exercise of Rights and to cause such registration  statement to become effective
as soon as practicable.

         At any time prior to the time a person or group of  persons  becomes an
Acquiring Person, the Board of Directors may redeem the Rights, in whole but not
in part,  at a  redemption  price of $0.01 per Right (the  "Redemption  Price"),
payable  in  cash,  Common  Stock  or any  other  form of  consideration  deemed
appropriate by the Board of Directors.  The redemption of the Rights may be made
effective at such time,  on such basis and with such  conditions as the Board of
Directors  in  its  sole   discretion  may  establish.   Immediately   upon  the
effectiveness of any redemption of the Rights,  the right to exercise the Rights
will  terminate  and the only right of the  holders of Rights will be to receive
the Redemption Price.

         The  terms of the  Rights  may be  amended  by the  Board of  Directors
without the consent of the holders of the Rights, except that from and after the
time  any  person  or group of  affiliated  or  associated  persons  becomes  an
Acquiring  Person,  no such amendment may adversely  affect the interests of the
holders of the Rights.

         Until a Right is exercised,  the holder thereof,  as such, will have no
rights as a stockholder of the Company, including, without limitation, the right
to vote or to receive dividends.

         The Rights have certain  anti-takeover  effects.  The Rights will cause
substantial  dilution to a person or group that  attempts to acquire the Company
on terms not approved by the Board of Directors. The Rights should not interfere
with any merger or other business combination approved by the Board of Directors
since the Rights may be redeemed by the Company at the Redemption Price prior to
the time that a person or group has acquired beneficial ownership of 10% or more
of the Common Stock.



<PAGE>


         The Rights  Agreement,  which specifies the terms of the Rights and the
Participating  Preferred Stock, has been filed as Exhibit 4 to this Registration
Statement and is incorporated herein by reference.  The foregoing description of
the Rights does not purport to be complete  and is subject to, and is  qualified
in its entirety by reference to, the Rights Agreement, including the definitions
therein of certain terms.

ITEM 2.  EXHIBITS
          Exhibit No.              Exhibit 
          ---------------          --------

          4                        Rights  Agreement,  dated  as of May 12,  
                                   1999,  between  Omega  Healthcare Investors,
                                   Inc. and First Chicago Trust Company, as 
                                   Rights Agent, including Exhibit A thereto 
                                   (Form of Articles  Supplementary  relating to
                                   the Series A Junior Participating  Preferred
                                   Stock) and Exhibit B thereto (Form of Right
                                   Certificate)
                                   

          <PAGE>


                                                      SIGNATURE

         Pursuant to the  requirements of Section 12 of the Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934, the Registrant  has duly caused this  registration  statement to be
signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


                        OMEGA HEALTHCARE INVESTORS, INC.


Date: May 14, 1999                         By:     /s/ David A. Stover          
                                                 --------------------------
                                                     David A. Stover
                                                     Chief Financial Officer


<PAGE>




                     EXHIBIT INDEX
                     -------------


          Exhibit No.              Exhibit 
          ---------------          --------

              4                    Rights  Agreement,  dated  as of May 12,  
                                   1999,  between  Omega  Healthcare Investors,
                                   Inc. and First Chicago Trust Company, as 
                                   Rights Agent, including Exhibit A thereto 
                                   (Form of Articles  Supplementary  elating to
                                   the Series A Junior Participating  Preferred
                                   Stock) and Exhibit B thereto (Form of Right
                                   Certificate)(incorporated by reference to
                                   Exhibit 1 to the Registrant's Current Report 
                                   on Form 8-K dated May 12, 1999)



EXHIBIT 4



                                RIGHTS AGREEMENT

                                     between

                        OMEGA HEALTHCARE INVESTORS, INC.

                                       and

                           FIRST CHICAGO TRUST COMPANY

                                  Rights Agent

                            Dated as of May 12, 1999




<PAGE>


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                            Page

Section 1.        Certain Definitions..........................................1

Section 2.        Appointment of Rights Agent..................................4

Section 3.        Issuance of Right Certificates...............................4

Section 4.        Form of Right Certificates...................................6

Section 5.        Countersignature and Registration............................7

Section 6.        Transfer, Division, Combination and Exchange of
                  Right Certificates; Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost
                  or Stolen Right Certificates.................................8

Section 7.        Exercise of Rights; Purchase Price; Expiration Date of 
                  Rights.......................................................8

Section 8.        Cancellation and Destruction of Right Certificates..........10

Section 9.        Availability of Preferred Stock.............................11

Section 10.       Preferred Stock Record Date.................................11

Section 11.       Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number of Shares or Number 
                  of Rights...................................................11

Section 12.       Certificate of Adjusted Purchase Price or Number of Shares..18

Section 13.       Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer of Assets or 
                  Earning Power...............................................18

Section 14.       Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares.....................20

Section 15.       Rights of Action............................................22

Section 16        Agreement of Right Holders..................................22

Section 17.       Right Certificate Holder Not Deemed a Shareholder...........23

Section 18.       Concerning the Rights Agent.................................23

Section 19.       Merger or Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent...23



<PAGE>


                                                                            Page

Section 20.       Duties of Rights Agent......................................24

Section 21.       Change of Rights Agent......................................26

Section 22.       Issuance of New Right Certificates..........................27

Section 23.       Redemption..................................................27

Section 24.       Exchange....................................................28

Section 25.       Notice of Certain Events....................................29

Section 26.       Notices.....................................................30

Section 27.       Supplements and Amendments..................................30

Section 28.       Successors..................................................30

Section 29.       Benefits of this Agreement..................................30

Section 30.       Severability................................................31

Section 31.       Governing Law...............................................31

Section 32.       Counterparts................................................32

Section 33.       Descriptive Headings........................................32

Section 34.       Determinations and Actions by the Board of Directors........32

Exhibit A -       Form of Articles Supplementary of Omega Healthcare Investors, 
                  Inc.

Exhibit B -       Form of Right Certificate



<PAGE>







                                RIGHTS AGREEMENT


         This Agreement, dated as of May 12, 1999, is entered into between Omega
Healthcare  Investors,  Inc., a Maryland Corporation (the "Company"),  and First
Chicago Trust Company, a New York corporation (the "Rights Agent").

         The Board of  Directors  of the Company has  authorized  and declared a
dividend of one (1) preferred stock purchase right (a "Right") for each share of
Common Stock (as hereinafter defined) of the Company outstanding as of the Close
of Business on May 24, 1999 (the "Record  Date"),  each Right  representing  the
right  to  purchase  one  one-thousandth  of a  share  of  Preferred  Stock  (as
hereinafter  defined),  upon the terms and subject to the conditions  herein set
forth,  and has further  authorized  and directed the issuance of one Right with
respect to each share of Common  Stock that  shall be  outstanding  between  the
Record  Date  and the  first  to occur  of the  Redemption  Date  and the  Final
Expiration Date (as such terms are hereinafter defined).

         Accordingly, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements
herein set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:

         Section 1.  Certain Definitions.  For purposes of this Agreement, the 
following terms have the meanings indicated:



<PAGE>




                  "Acquiring  Person"  shall  mean any  Person  (as  hereinafter
         defined) who or which,  together with all Affiliates and Associates (as
         such  terms  are  hereinafter  defined)  of such  Person,  shall be the
         Beneficial Owner (as hereinafter  defined) of 10% or more of the Common
         Stock of the  Company  then  outstanding,  but  shall not  include  the
         Company,  any Affiliate or Subsidiary (as  hereinafter  defined) of the
         Company,  any employee  benefit plan of the Company or of any Affiliate
         or Subsidiary of the Company or any entity  holding Common Stock for or
         pursuant to the terms of any such plan.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,
         no Person  shall become an  "Acquiring  Person" as the result of (i) an
         acquisition  of Common  Stock by the Company  which,  by  reducing  the
         number  of  shares  of  Common   Stock   outstanding,   increases   the
         proportionate  number of shares of Common Stock  beneficially  owned by
         such  Person to 10% or more of the  Common  Stock of the  Company  then
         outstanding,  or (ii) the  acquisition  by such Person of newly  issued
         Common  Stock  directly  from the Company (it being  understood  that a
         purchase from an underwriter or other intermediary is not directly from
         the  Company);  provided,  however,  that if a Person  shall become the
         Beneficial Owner of 10% or more of the Common Stock of the Company then
         outstanding  by reason of Common Stock  acquisitions  by the Company or
         the receipt of newly issued Common Stock  directly from the Company and
         shall,  after such Common Stock  acquisitions or direct issuance by the
         Company, become the Beneficial Owner of any additional shares of Common
         Stock  of the  Company,  then  such  Person  shall be  deemed  to be an
         "Acquiring Person"; provided further, however, that any transferee from
         such  Person who  becomes  the  Beneficial  Owner of 10% or more of the
         Common  Stock of the Company then  outstanding  shall  nevertheless  be
         deemed to be an "Acquiring Person."  Notwithstanding the foregoing,  if
         the Board of Directors of the Company  determines  in good faith that a
         Person  who  would  otherwise  be an  "Acquiring  Person,"  as  defined
         pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this paragraph, has become such
         inadvertently,  and such Person divests as promptly as practicable (and
         in any event within ten (10)  Business Days after  notification  by the
         Company  or such  later  period  as may be  determined  by the Board of
         Directors  prior to the expiration of such ten-day period) a sufficient
         number of shares of Common Stock so that such Person would no longer be
         an Acquiring Person, as defined pursuant to the foregoing provisions of
         this  paragraph,  then  such  Person  shall  not  be  deemed  to  be an
         "Acquiring Person" for any purposes of this Agreement.

                  "Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the respective meanings
         ascribed  to  such  terms  in  Rule  12b-2  of the  General  Rules  and
         Regulations  under the  Exchange  Act, as in effect on the date of this
         Agreement.

                  A Person shall be deemed the  "Beneficial  Owner" of and shall
         be deemed to "beneficially own" any securities:

                           (i)  which  such  Person  or  any  of  such  Person's
                  Affiliates  or  Associates   beneficially  owns,  directly  or
                  indirectly;



<PAGE>


                           (ii)  which  such  Person  or  any of  such  Person's
                  Affiliates or Associates,  directly or indirectly, has (A) the
                  right  to  acquire   (whether   such   right  is   exercisable
                  immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any
                  agreement,  arrangement or  understanding,  whether written or
                  oral  (other  than  customary   agreements  with  and  between
                  underwriters  and selling group members with respect to a bona
                  fide public offering of  securities),  or upon the exercise of
                  conversion  rights,  exchange  rights,  rights (other than the
                  Rights), warrants or options, or otherwise; provided, however,
                  that a Person shall not be deemed the Beneficial  Owner of, or
                  to beneficially own,  securities tendered pursuant to a tender
                  or  exchange  offer made by or on behalf of such Person or any
                  of such Person's  Affiliates or Associates until such tendered
                  securities are accepted for purchase or exchange; (B) the sole
                  or shared  right to vote or  dispose  of  (including  any such
                  right pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding,
                  whether  written or oral);  provided,  however,  that a Person
                  shall  not  be  deemed   the   Beneficial   Owner  of,  or  to
                  beneficially  own, any security if the agreement,  arrangement
                  or  understanding to vote such security (1) arises solely from
                  a revocable  proxy or consent given to such Person in response
                  to a public proxy or consent  solicitation  made  pursuant to,
                  and in accordance  with, the applicable  rules and regulations
                  promulgated  under the  Exchange  Act and (2) is not also then
                  reportable  on  Schedule  13D under the  Exchange  Act (or any
                  comparable or successor report); or (C) "beneficial ownership"
                  of (as determined  pursuant to Rule 13d-3 of the General Rules
                  and Regulations under the Exchange Act); or

                           (iii)  which  are  beneficially  owned,  directly  or
                  indirectly, by any other Person (or any Affiliate or Associate
                  thereof)  with  which  such  Person  or any of  such  Person's
                  Affiliates or Associates  has any  agreement,  arrangement  or
                  understanding   (other  than  customary  agreements  with  and
                  between underwriters and selling group members with respect to
                  a bona fide public  offering of securities) for the purpose of
                  acquiring,  holding, voting (except to the extent contemplated
                  by the  proviso  to clause  (B) of  subparagraph  (ii) of this
                  definition) or disposing of any securities of the Company.

                  Notwithstanding  anything  in this  definition  of  Beneficial
         Ownership to the  contrary,  the phrase "then  outstanding,"  when used
         with reference to the Beneficial Ownership of securities of the Company
         by any Person, shall mean the number of such securities then issued and
         outstanding  together  with  the  number  of such  securities  not then
         actually  issued and  outstanding  which such Person would be deemed to
         own beneficially hereunder.

                  "Business  Day" shall mean any day other  than a  Saturday,  a
         Sunday,  or a day  on  which  banking  institutions  in  New  York  are
         authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

                  "Close of  Business"  on any given  date shall mean 5:00 P.M.,
         Eastern time, on such date; provided, however, that if such date is not
         a  Business  Day it shall  mean 5:00 P.M.,  Eastern  time,  on the next
         succeeding Business Day.

                  "Common  Stock" when used with  reference to the Company shall
         mean the  common  stock,  par value  $0.10 per share,  of the  Company.
         "Common  Stock" when used with  reference  to any Person other than the
         Company  shall mean the  capital  stock (or equity  interest)  with the
         greatest voting power of such other Person or the equity  securities or
         other equity  interest having power to control or direct the management
         of such other Person.

                  "Distribution Date" shall have the meaning set forth in 
         Section 3 hereof.

                  "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
         as amended.

                  "Exchange Ratio" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 
         24 hereof.

                  "Expiration Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
         7 hereof.

                  "Final  Expiration  Date"  shall have the meaning set forth in
         Section 7 hereof.



<PAGE>


                  "Person" shall mean any individual, firm, corporation or other
         entity,  and shall  include any  successor  (by merger or otherwise) of
         such entity.

                  "Preferred Stock" shall mean the Series A Junior Participating
         Preferred  Stock,  par value $1.00 per share, of the Company having the
         rights and preferences set forth in the form of Articles  Supplementary
         attached to this Agreement as Exhibit A.

                  "Principal Party" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 
         13 hereof.

                  "Purchase Price" shall have the meaning set forth in Section  
         4 hereof.

                  "Redemption Date" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 
         7 hereof.

                  "Right Certificate" shall have the meaning set forth in       
         Section 3 hereof.

                  "Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as    
         amended.

                  "Stock  Acquisition  Date" shall mean the first date of public
         announcement  (which,  for purposes of this definition,  shall include,
         without   limitation,   a  report  filed   pursuant  to  Section  13(d)
         promulgated  under the  Exchange  Act) by the  Company or an  Acquiring
         Person that an Acquiring Person has become such.

                  "Subsidiary" of any Person shall mean any corporation or other
         entity of which a  majority  of the voting  power of the voting  equity
         securities or equity interest is owned, directly or indirectly, by such
         Person.

                  "Trading Day" shall have the meaning set forth in Section     
         11(d)(i) hereof.

                  "Triggering  Event" shall mean any event  described in Section
         11(a)(ii) or Section 13(a).

         Any determination or interpretation  required in connection with any of
the  definitions  contained  in this  Section  1 shall  be made by the  Board of
Directors of the Company in their good faith judgment, which determination shall
be final and binding on the Rights Agent and on all stockholders of the Company.

         Section 2. Appointment of Rights Agent. The Company hereby appoints the
Rights  Agent to act as agent for the Company in  accordance  with the terms and
conditions  hereof,  and the Rights Agent hereby accepts such  appointment.  The
Company  may from  time to time  appoint  such  co-Rights  Agents as it may deem
necessary or desirable  upon ten (10) days' prior  written  notice to the Rights
Agent. The Rights Agent shall have no duty to supervise and shall in no event be
liable for acts or omissions of any such co-Rights Agents.



<PAGE>


         Section 3.  Issuance of Right Certificates.

         (a) Until the  earlier  of (i) the Close of  Business  on the tenth day
after the Stock  Acquisition  Date,  (ii) the Close of Business on the fifteenth
Business Day (or such later date as may be  determined by action of the Board of
Directors  prior to such time as any Person  becomes an Acquiring  Person) after
the  date of the  commencement  by any  Person  (other  than  the  Company,  any
Affiliate or Subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company
or of any Affiliate or Subsidiary  of the Company or any entity  holding  Common
Stock for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan) of, or of the first  public
announcement  of, the  intention  of any Person  (other  than the  Company,  any
Affiliate or Subsidiary of the Company, any employee benefit plan of the Company
or of any Affiliate or Subsidiary  of the Company or any entity  holding  Common
Stock for or  pursuant to the terms of any such plan) to  commence,  a tender or
exchange offer the consummation of which would result in any Person becoming the
Beneficial Owner of Common Stock aggregating 10% or more of the then outstanding
Common Stock,  or (iii) the Close of Business on the tenth Business Day (or such
later date as may be  determined  by action of the Board of  Directors  prior to
such time as any Person becomes an Acquiring Person) after the date of filing by
any Person of, or the first public  announcement  of the intention of any Person
to file, any application, request, submission or other document with any federal
or state  regulatory  authority  seeking  approval of,  attempting  to rebut any
presumption of control upon, or otherwise indicating an intention to enter into,
any transaction or series of transactions the consummation of which would result
in any Person becoming the Beneficial  Owner of Common Stock  aggregating 10% or
more of the then  outstanding  Common Stock,  other than a transaction  in which
newly issued  shares of Common Stock are issued  directly by the Company to such
Person  (including  any such date which is after the date of this  Agreement and
prior to the  issuance  of the Rights;  the  earlier of such dates being  herein
referred  to as the  "Distribution  Date"),  (x) the  Rights  will be  evidenced
(subject to the  provisions  of Section  3(b)  hereof) by the  certificates  for
Common Stock registered in the names of the holders thereof (which  certificates
shall  also be  deemed  to be  certificates  for  Rights)  and  not by  separate
certificates,  and (y) the Rights will be  transferable  only in connection with
the  transfer  of the  underlying  Common  Stock  (including  a transfer  to the
Company).  As soon as practicable after the Distribution  Date, the Company will
prepare and  execute,  the Rights Agent will  countersign,  and the Company will
send or cause to be sent (and the Rights  Agent  will,  if  requested,  send) by
first-class,  insured,  postage-prepaid  mail,  to each record  holder of Common
Stock as of the Close of Business on the  Distribution  Date,  at the address of
such  holder  shown on the  records  of the  Company,  a Right  Certificate,  in
substantially the form of Exhibit B hereto (a "Right  Certificate"),  evidencing
one Right for each share of Common Stock so held. As of the  Distribution  Date,
the Rights will be evidenced solely by such Right Certificates.



<PAGE>


         (b) With respect to certificates for shares of Common Stock outstanding
as of the Record Date, until the Distribution Date, the Rights will be evidenced
by such  certificates  registered  in the  names  of the  holders  thereof,  and
registered  holders of Common Stock shall also be the registered  holders of the
associated  Rights  (regardless  of whether  such  ownership is indicated on the
Common Stock  certificates).  Until the earliest of the  Distribution  Date, the
Redemption  Date or the Final  Expiration  Date, the transfer of any certificate
for Common Stock shall also  constitute  the  transfer of the Rights  associated
with the Common Stock represented thereby.

         (c) Rights  shall be issued in  respect  of all shares of Common  Stock
which are issued  (whether or not  previously  issued) after the Record Date but
prior to the earliest of the Distribution Date, the Redemption Date or the Final
Expiration  Date.  Until the  Distribution  Date,  certificates  evidencing such
shares of Common  Stock  shall  also be deemed to be  certificates  for  Rights.
Certificates  evidencing  both Common Stock and Rights in  accordance  with this
Section 3 which are executed and delivered  (whether or not the shares of Common
Stock evidenced thereby were previously issued or are presented for transfer) by
the Company (including, without limitation, certificates representing reacquired
shares of Common Stock  referred to in the last sentence of this  paragraph (c))
after the Record Date but prior to the earliest of the  Distribution  Date,  the
Redemption  Date or the Final  Expiration  Date shall have impressed on, printed
on, written on or otherwise  affixed to them a legend that by itself or together
with prior legends is substantially to the following effect:

                  This certificate also evidences and entitles the holder hereof
                  to certain rights as set forth in the Rights Agreement between
                  Omega  Healthcare  Investors,  Inc. (the  "Company") and First
                  Chicago Trust  Company,  dated as of May 12, 1999 (the "Rights
                  Agreement"), the terms of which are hereby incorporated herein
                  by reference  and a copy of which is on file at the  principal
                  offices of the Company.  Under certain  circumstances,  as set
                  forth in the Rights Agreement, the Rights will be evidenced by
                  separate  certificates and will no longer be evidenced by this
                  certificate.  The  Company  will  mail to the  holder  of this
                  certificate  a copy of the Rights  Agreement,  as in effect on
                  the date of mailing,  without charge promptly after receipt of
                  a written request  therefor.  Under certain  circumstances set
                  forth in the Rights  Agreement,  Rights issued to, or held by,
                  any Person who is,  was or becomes an  Acquiring  Person or an
                  Affiliate or  Associate  thereof (as such terms are defined in
                  the Rights Agreement),  whether currently held by or on behalf
                  of such Person or by any subsequent holder,  shall become null
                  and void.

Until the Distribution  Date, the Rights  associated with the Common Stock shall
be evidenced by the  certificates  evidencing  the  associated  shares of Common
Stock alone  (regardless  of whether  any such  certificate  contains  the above
legend),  and the transfer of any such  certificate  shall also  constitute  the
transfer of the Rights associated with the Common Stock represented  thereby. In
the event that the  Company  purchases  or acquires  any Common  Stock after the
Record Date but prior to the Distribution  Date, any Rights associated with such
Common Stock shall be deemed  canceled and retired so that the Company shall not
be entitled to exercise any Rights associated with the Common Stock which are no
longer outstanding.



<PAGE>


         Section 4.  Form of Right Certificates.

         (a) The Right  Certificates  (and the  forms of  election  to  purchase
Preferred Stock and of assignment to be printed on the reverse thereof) shall be
substantially  the  same  as  Exhibit  B  hereto  and may  have  such  marks  of
identification  or  designation  and such  legends,  summaries  or  endorsements
printed thereon as the Company may deem  appropriate and as are not inconsistent
with the provisions of this Agreement,  or as may be required to comply with any
applicable law or with any rule or regulation made pursuant  thereto or with any
rule or  regulation  of any stock  exchange on which the Rights may from time to
time be listed, or to conform to usage.  Subject to the provisions of Section 11
and Section 22 hereof,  the Right Certificates shall entitle the holders thereof
to purchase such number of one  one-thousandths of a share of Preferred Stock as
shall be set forth  therein  at the price per one  one-thousandth  of a share of
Preferred  Stock set forth therein (the  "Purchase  Price"),  but the amount and
type of securities  purchasable upon the exercise of each Right and the Purchase
Price thereof shall be subject to adjustment as provided herein.

         (b) Any Right Certificate issued pursuant to Section 3(a) or Section 22
hereof that evidences Rights  beneficially  owned by: (i) an Acquiring Person or
any  Associate  or Affiliate of an  Acquiring  Person,  (ii) a transferee  of an
Acquiring  Person (or of any Associate or Affiliate of an Acquiring  Person) who
becomes a transferee after the Acquiring Person becomes an Acquiring  Person, or
(iii) a transferee  of an Acquiring  Person (or of any Associate or Affiliate of
an Acquiring  Person) who becomes a transferee prior to or concurrently with the
Acquiring Person becoming such and receives such Rights pursuant to either (A) a
transfer (whether or not for consideration) from the Acquiring Person to holders
of equity  interests  in such  Acquiring  Person or to any Person  with whom the
Acquiring  Person has any continuing  agreement,  arrangement or  understanding,
whether  written or oral,  regarding  the  transferred  Rights or (B) a transfer
which is part of a plan, arrangement or understanding,  whether written or oral,
which has as a primary  purpose or effect the  avoidance of Section 7(e) hereof,
and any Right Certificate issued pursuant to Section 6 or Section 11 hereof upon
transfer,  exchange,  replacement  or adjustment of any other Right  Certificate
referred  to in this  sentence,  shall  contain  (to  the  extent  feasible  and
otherwise reasonably identifiable as such) the following legend:

                  The Rights  evidenced  by this Right  Certificate  are or were
                  beneficially  owned by a Person who was or became an Acquiring
                  Person or an Affiliate or Associate of an Acquiring Person (as
                  such terms are defined in the Rights Agreement).  Accordingly,
                  this Right  Certificate  and the Rights  evidenced  hereby may
                  become void in the circumstances  specified in Section 7(e) of
                  such Agreement.

The provisions of Section 7(e) shall apply whether or not any Right  Certificate
actually contains the foregoing legend.



<PAGE>


         Section 5.  Countersignature  and Registration.  The Right Certificates
shall be  executed  on behalf of the  Company  by the  Chairman  of its Board of
Directors, its President or any of its Vice Presidents, or its Secretary, either
manually or by facsimile  signature,  shall have affixed  thereto the  Company's
seal or a  facsimile  thereof,  and shall be  attested  by the  Secretary  or an
Assistant Secretary of the Company,  either manually or by facsimile  signature.
The Right Certificates  shall be manually  countersigned by the Rights Agent and
shall not be valid for any purpose unless countersigned.  In case any officer of
the Company who shall have signed any of the Right  Certificates  shall cease to
be such officer of the Company before  countersignature  by the Rights Agent and
issuance and delivery by the Company, such Right Certificates, nevertheless, may
be  countersigned  by the Rights  Agent and issued and  delivered by the Company
with the same  force and  effect as though  the  person  who  signed  such Right
Certificates  had not ceased to be such  officer of the  Company;  and any Right
Certificate  may be signed on behalf of the  Company by any person  who,  at the
actual  date of the  execution  of such  Right  Certificate,  shall  be a proper
officer of the Company to sign such Right  Certificate,  although at the date of
the execution of this Rights Agreement any such person was not such an officer.

         Following the Distribution Date, the Rights Agent will keep or cause to
be kept, at its office  designated for such purpose,  books for registration and
transfer of the Right Certificates  issued hereunder.  Such books shall show the
names and addresses of the  respective  holders of the Right  Certificates,  the
number of Rights evidenced on its face by each of the Right Certificates and the
date of each of the Right Certificates.

         Section  6.  Transfer,  Division,  Combination  and  Exchange  of Right
Certificates;  Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Right Certificates.  Subject
to the  provisions of Sections 4(b),  7(e), 14 and 24 hereof,  at any time after
the Close of Business on the Distribution  Date, and at or prior to the Close of
Business on the earlier of the Redemption Date or the Final Expiration Date, any
Right Certificate or Right Certificates may be transferred, divided, combined or
exchanged for another Right  Certificate  or Right  Certificates,  entitling the
registered  holder to purchase a like number of shares of  Preferred  Stock (or,
following a Triggering Event,  Common Stock or other securities or property,  as
the case may be) as the Right Certificate or Right Certificates surrendered then
entitled such holder to purchase.  Any registered  holder  desiring to transfer,
divide,  combine or exchange any Right Certificate or Right  Certificates  shall
make such request in writing  delivered to the Rights Agent, and shall surrender
the Right Certificate or Right Certificates to be transferred, divided, combined
or  exchanged  at the office of the Rights Agent  designated  for such  purpose.
Neither the Rights  Agent nor the Company  shall be obligated to take any action
whatsoever  with  respect  to  the  transfer  of  any  such  surrendered   Right
Certificate  until the  registered  holder shall have  completed  and signed the
certificate  contained  in the form of  assignment  on the reverse  side of such
Right  Certificate and the Company shall have been provided with such additional
evidence of the identity of the Beneficial Owner (or former Beneficial Owner) or
Affiliates  or  Associates  thereof as the  Company  shall  reasonably  request.
Thereupon  the  Rights  Agent  shall,  subject  to  Sections  4  and  7  hereof,
countersign  and deliver to the person entitled  thereto a Right  Certificate or
Right Certificates, as the case may be, as so requested. The Company may require
payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or governmental  charge that may be
imposed in connection  with any transfer,  division,  combination or exchange of
Right Certificates.



<PAGE>


         Upon receipt by the Company and the Rights Agent of evidence reasonably
satisfactory  to them of the loss,  theft,  destruction or mutilation of a Right
Certificate,  and,  in case of  loss,  theft or  destruction,  of  indemnity  or
security  reasonably  satisfactory  to  them,  and,  at the  Company's  request,
reimbursement  to the Company and the Rights  Agent of all  reasonable  expenses
incidental  thereto,  and upon surrender to the Rights Agent and cancellation of
the Right  Certificate  if  mutilated,  the Company  will make and deliver a new
Right  Certificate  of like tenor to the Rights Agent for  countersignature  and
delivery  to the  registered  holder in lieu of the Right  Certificate  so lost,
stolen, destroyed or mutilated.

         Section 7.  Exercise of Rights; Purchase Price; Expiration Date of     
Rights.

         (a) Subject to Section 7(e) hereof,  the registered holder of any Right
Certificate  may  exercise  the Rights  evidenced  thereby  (except as otherwise
provided  herein)  in whole or in part at any time after the  Distribution  Date
upon surrender of the Right  Certificate,  with the form of election to purchase
on the reverse side thereof duly executed,  to the Rights Agent at the office of
the Rights  Agent  designated  for such  purpose,  together  with payment of the
Purchase  Price with respect to each  surrendered  Right for the total number of
shares of Preferred Stock (or Common Stock or other  securities or property,  as
the  case may be) as to  which  the  Rights  are  exercised,  at or prior to the
earliest of (i) the Close of  Business  on May 12,  2009 (the "Final  Expiration
Date"), (ii) the time at which the Rights are redeemed as provided in Section 23
hereof  (the  "Redemption  Date") or (iii)  the time at which  such  Rights  are
exchanged as provided in Section 24 hereof (the  earliest to occur of the events
described  in (i),  (ii) and (iii) being herein  referred to as the  "Expiration
Date").

         (b) The  Purchase  Price  for  each  one  one-thousandth  of a share of
Preferred  Stock pursuant to the exercise of a Right shall  initially be $90.00,
shall be subject to adjustment  from time to time as provided in Sections 11 and
13 hereof and shall be payable in lawful  money of the United  States of America
in accordance with paragraph (c) below.



<PAGE>


         (c) Upon receipt of a Right Certificate  evidencing exercisable Rights,
with the form of election to purchase and the certificate on the reverse side of
the Right  Certificate  duly  executed,  accompanied  by payment of the Purchase
Price for the Preferred Stock (or Common Stock or other  securities or property,
as the case  may be) to be  purchased  and an  amount  equal  to any  applicable
transfer  tax  required  to be paid by the holder of such Right  Certificate  in
accordance  with Section 9 hereof by certified  check,  cashier's check or money
order  payable to the order of the  Company,  the Rights  Agent shall  thereupon
promptly (i) (A) requisition  from any transfer agent of the Preferred Stock (or
make  available,  if the Rights  Agent is the  transfer  agent of the  Preferred
Stock)  certificates for the number of shares of Preferred Stock to be purchased
and the Company hereby irrevocably  authorizes its transfer agent to comply with
all such  requests,  or (B) if the  Company  shall have  elected to deposit  the
Preferred  Stock  issuable upon exercise of the Rights with a depositary  agent,
requisition  from the depositary  agent depositary  receipts  representing  such
number  of one  one-thousandths  of a  share  of  Preferred  Stock  as are to be
purchased (in which case  certificates for the Preferred Stock evidenced by such
receipts shall be deposited by the transfer agent with the depositary agent) and
the Company will direct the depositary  agent to comply with such request,  (ii)
when appropriate,  requisition from the Company the amount of cash to be paid in
lieu of issuance of  fractional  shares in  accordance  with  Section 14 hereof,
(iii) after receipt of such certificates or depositary receipts,  cause the same
to be  delivered  to or upon the order of the  registered  holder of such  Right
Certificate,  registered  in such  name or  names as may be  designated  by such
holder and (iv) when  appropriate,  after receipt,  deliver such cash to or upon
the order of the registered holder of such Right Certificate.  In the event that
the Company is obligated to issue other securities  (including  Common Stock) of
the Company, pay cash and/or distribute other property pursuant to Section 11(a)
hereof,  the Company  will make all  arrangements  necessary  so that such other
securities,  cash and/or  property are available for  distribution by the Rights
Agent, if and when appropriate.

         (d) In case  the  registered  holder  of any  Right  Certificate  shall
exercise less than all the Rights  evidenced  thereby,  a new Right  Certificate
evidencing Rights equivalent to the Rights remaining unexercised shall be issued
by the  Rights  Agent and  delivered  to the  registered  holder  of such  Right
Certificate  or to his duly  authorized  assigns,  subject to the  provisions of
Section 14 hereof.

         (e)  Notwithstanding  anything in this Agreement to the contrary,  from
and after the occurrence of a Triggering Event, any Rights beneficially owned by
(i) an Acquiring  Person or an  Associate  or Affiliate of an Acquiring  Person,
(ii) a transferee of an Acquiring Person (or of any such Associate or Affiliate)
who becomes a transferee  after the Acquiring Person becomes an Acquiring Person
or (iii) a transferee  of an Acquiring  Person (or of any Associate or Affiliate
of an Acquiring  Person) who becomes a transferee prior to or concurrently  with
the  Acquiring  Person  becoming an Acquiring  Person and  receives  such Rights
pursuant to either (x) a transfer  (whether or not for  consideration)  from the
Acquiring  Person to holders of equity  interests in such Acquiring Person or to
any  Person  with  whom  the  Acquiring  Person  has any  continuing  agreement,
arrangement or understanding, whether written or oral, regarding the transferred
Rights or (y) a transfer  which the Board of  Directors  otherwise  concludes in
good faith is part of a plan,  arrangement or understanding,  whether written or
oral,  which has as a primary  purpose or effect the  avoidance  of this Section
7(e),  shall become null and void without any further action,  and any holder of
such Rights  shall  thereupon  have no rights  whatsoever  with  respect to such
Rights,  whether  under any provision of this  Agreement or otherwise,  from and
after the occurrence of a Triggering Event. The Company shall use all reasonable
efforts to insure that the  provisions  of this Section 7(e) hereof are complied
with,  but shall have no liability to any holder of Rights for the  inability to
make any  determinations  with respect to an Acquiring Person or its Affiliates,
Associates or transferees hereunder.



<PAGE>


         (f) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, neither
the Rights Agent nor the Company shall be obligated to undertake any action with
respect to a registered holder upon the occurrence of any purported  exercise as
set forth in this  Section 7 unless  the  certificate  contained  in the form of
election to  purchase  set forth on the  reverse  side of the Right  Certificate
surrendered  for such  exercise  shall  have been  completed  and  signed by the
registered  holder  thereof and the Company  shall have been  provided with such
additional  evidence  of  the  identity  of  the  Beneficial  Owner  (or  former
Beneficial  Owner) or  Affiliates  or  Associates  thereof as the Company  shall
reasonably request.

         (g) The Company  covenants and agrees that it will cause to be reserved
and kept  available out of its  authorized  and unissued  Preferred  Stock (and,
following  the  occurrence  of a  Triggering  Event,  Common  Stock and/or other
securities),  the  number of shares  of  Preferred  Stock  (and,  following  the
occurrence of a Triggering  Event,  Common Stock and/or other  securities)  that
will be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of all outstanding Rights.

         Section 8.  Cancellation  and  Destruction of Right  Certificates.  All
Right Certificates surrendered for the purpose of exercise,  transfer, division,
combination  or exchange  shall,  if surrendered to the Company or to any of its
agents,  be delivered to the Rights Agent for  cancellation or in canceled form,
or, if  surrendered  to the Rights Agent,  shall be canceled by it, and no Right
Certificates  shall be issued in lieu thereof  except as expressly  permitted by
any of the provisions of this Rights Agreement. The Company shall deliver to the
Rights  Agent for  cancellation  and  retirement,  and the Rights Agent shall so
cancel and retire,  any other  Right  Certificate  purchased  or acquired by the
Company otherwise than upon the exercise thereof. The Rights Agent shall deliver
all canceled Right Certificates to the Company, or shall, at the written request
of the Company, destroy such canceled Right Certificates, and in such case shall
deliver a certificate of destruction thereof to the Company.

         Section 9.  Availability of Preferred Stock. The Company  covenants and
agrees that it will take all such action as may be  necessary to ensure that all
shares of Preferred Stock (and,  following the occurrence of a Triggering Event,
Common Stock and/or other  securities)  delivered upon exercise of Rights shall,
at the time of  delivery  of the  certificates  for such  Preferred  Stock (and,
following  the  occurrence  of a  Triggering  Event,  Common  Stock and/or other
securities),  subject to  payment of the  Purchase  Price,  be duly and  validly
authorized and issued and fully paid and nonassessable.

         The Company further  covenants and agrees that it will pay when due and
payable any and all federal and state  transfer  taxes and charges  which may be
payable in respect of the issuance or delivery of the Right  Certificates  or of
any Preferred  Stock (or Common Stock and/or other  securities,  as the case may
be) upon the exercise of Rights. The Company shall not, however,  be required to
pay any transfer tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer or delivery
of Right  Certificates  to a person  other than,  or the issuance or delivery of
certificates  or depositary  receipts for the  Preferred  Stock (or Common Stock
and/or other  securities,  as the case may be) in a name other than that of, the
registered  holder of the Right Certificate  evidencing  Rights  surrendered for
exercise or to issue or to deliver any  certificates or depositary  receipts for
Preferred  Stock (or Common Stock and/or other  securities,  as the case may be)
upon the  exercise  of any  Rights  until any such tax shall have been paid (any
such tax being  payable by the holder of such Right  Certificate  at the time of
surrender)  or  until  it  has  been  established  to the  Company's  reasonable
satisfaction that no such tax is due.



<PAGE>


         Section 10.  Preferred Stock Record Date. Each person in whose name any
certificate  for  shares  of  Preferred  Stock (or  Common  Stock  and/or  other
securities,  as the case may be) is issued upon the exercise of Rights shall for
all  purposes  be deemed to have  become  the  holder of record of the shares or
securities represented thereby on, and such certificate shall be dated, the date
upon which the Right Certificate evidencing such Rights was duly surrendered and
payment of the  Purchase  Price (and any  applicable  transfer  taxes) was made;
provided, however, that if the date of such surrender and payment is a date upon
which the Preferred Stock (or Common Stock and/or other securities,  as the case
may be) transfer books of the Company are closed, such person shall be deemed to
have  become  the  record  holder  of such  stock  or  securities  on,  and such
certificate  shall be  dated,  the next  succeeding  Business  Day on which  the
Preferred  Stock (or Common Stock and/or other  securities,  as the case may be)
transfer  books of the  Company  are open.  Prior to the  exercise of the Rights
evidenced  thereby,  the holder of a Right  Certificate shall not be entitled to
any  rights of a holder  of  Preferred  Stock  (or  Common  Stock  and/or  other
securities,  as the case may be) for  which  the  Rights  shall be  exercisable,
including,  without limitation, the right to vote, to receive dividends or other
distributions or to exercise any preemptive rights, and shall not be entitled to
receive any notice of any proceedings of the Company, except as provided herein.

         Section 11. Adjustment of Purchase Price, Number of Shares or Number of
Rights.  The Purchase Price,  the number of shares of Preferred Stock covered by
each Right and the number of Rights  outstanding  are subject to adjustment from
time to time as provided in this Section 11.

         (a) (i) In the event the  Company  shall at any time  after the date of
         this Agreement (A) declare a dividend on the Preferred Stock payable in
         shares of Preferred  Stock,  (B)  subdivide the  outstanding  Preferred
         Stock,  (C)  combine  the  outstanding  Preferred  Stock into a smaller
         number of shares of Preferred Stock or (D) issue any of its shares in a
         reclassification   of  the   Preferred   Stock   (including   any  such
         reclassification  in connection with a consolidation or merger in which
         the Company is the continuing or surviving entity), except as otherwise
         provided in this Section  11(a) and Section  7(e) hereof,  the Purchase
         Price in effect at the time of the record date for such  dividend or of
         the   effective    date   of   such    subdivision,    combination   or
         reclassification,  and the number and kind of shares  issuable  on such
         date, shall be proportionately adjusted so that the holder of any Right
         exercised  after such time shall be entitled  to receive the  aggregate
         number  and kind of shares  which,  if such  Right  had been  exercised
         immediately  prior to such date and at a time when the Preferred  Stock
         transfer  books of the Company were open, he would have owned upon such
         exercise  and been  entitled  to  receive  by virtue of such  dividend,
         subdivision,  combination or reclassification;  provided, however, that
         in no event shall the consideration to be paid upon the exercise of one
         Right be less than the aggregate par value of the shares of the Company
         issuable  upon  exercise of one Right.  If an event  occurs which would
         require  an  adjustment   under  both  Section   11(a)(i)  and  Section
         11(a)(ii),  the adjustment  provided for in this Section 11(a)(i) shall
         be in addition to, and shall be made prior to, any adjustment  required
         pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii).



<PAGE>


                  (ii) Subject to Section 24 of this Agreement, in the event any
         Person becomes an Acquiring Person,  each holder of a Right,  except as
         provided  below and in Section 7(e)  hereof,  shall  thereafter  have a
         right to receive,  upon  exercise  thereof at a price equal to the then
         current Purchase Price multiplied by the number of one  one-thousandths
         of a share of Preferred Stock for which a Right is then exercisable, in
         accordance  with the terms of this  Agreement  and in lieu of Preferred
         Stock,  such  number of shares of Common  Stock of the Company as shall
         equal the result obtained by (A) multiplying the then current  Purchase
         Price by the  number  of one  one-thousandths  of a share of  Preferred
         Stock for which a Right is then  exercisable  and dividing that product
         by (B) 50% of the then current per share market price of the  Company's
         Common Stock (determined  pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof) on the date
         of the  occurrence  of such event.  In the event that any Person  shall
         become an Acquiring  Person and the Rights  shall then be  outstanding,
         the Company shall not take any action which would eliminate or diminish
         the benefits intended to be afforded by the Rights.

                  (iii)  In lieu of  issuing  Common  Stock  of the  Company  in
         accordance with Section 11(a)(ii) hereof,  the Company may, in the sole
         discretion of the Board of Directors,  elect to (and, in the event that
         the Board of Directors has not exercised the exchange  right  contained
         in  Section  24  hereof  and there are not  sufficient  issued  but not
         outstanding  and  authorized  but  unissued  shares of Common  Stock to
         permit  the  exercise  in full of the  Rights  in  accordance  with the
         foregoing  subparagraph (ii), the Company shall take all such action as
         may be necessary to  authorize,  issue or pay, upon the exercise of the
         Rights,  cash (including by way of a reduction of the Purchase  Price),
         property,  other  securities  or  any  combination  thereof  having  an
         aggregate  value equal to the value of the Common  Stock of the Company
         which otherwise would have been issuable pursuant to Section 11(a)(ii),
         which aggregate value shall be determined by a majority of the Board of
         Directors.  For purposes of the  preceding  sentence,  the value of the
         Common Stock shall be  determined  pursuant to Section 11(d) hereof and
         the value of any equity  securities  which a  majority  of the Board of
         Directors  determines  to be  equivalent  to a share  of  Common  Stock
         (including the Preferred Stock, in such ratio as the Board of Directors
         shall  determine)  shall be deemed to have the same value as the Common
         Stock.  Any such  election by the Board of  Directors  must be made and
         publicly  announced  within sixty (60) days following the date on which
         the event described in Section 11(a)(ii) shall have occurred. Following
         the occurrence of the event described in Section 11(a)(ii),  a majority
         of the Board of Directors then in office may suspend the exercisability
         of the Rights for a period of up to sixty (60) days  following the date
         on which the event  described in Section  11(a)(ii) shall have occurred
         to the extent that the Board of Directors has not determined whether to
         exercise the Company's right of election under this Section 11(a)(iii).
         In the event of any such  suspension,  the Company shall issue a public
         announcement  stating  that the  exercisability  of the Rights has been
         temporarily suspended.



<PAGE>


         (b) In case the  Company  shall fix a record  date for the  issuance of
rights,  options or warrants to all holders of Preferred  Stock  entitling  them
(for a period  expiring  within  forty-five (45) calendar days after such record
date) to  subscribe  for or purchase  Preferred  Stock (or stock having the same
rights, privileges and preferences as the Preferred Stock ("Equivalent Preferred
Stock")) or securities  convertible into Preferred Stock or Equivalent Preferred
Stock at a price per share of Preferred Stock or Equivalent  Preferred Stock (or
having a conversion  price per share, if a security  convertible  into Preferred
Stock or Equivalent Preferred Stock) less than the then current per share market
price of the Preferred  Stock (as defined in Section 11(d)) on such record date,
the Purchase Price to be in effect after such record date shall be determined by
multiplying the Purchase Price in effect  immediately  prior to such record date
by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be the number of shares of Preferred
Stock  outstanding  on such record  date plus the number of shares of  Preferred
Stock which the aggregate  offering price of the total number of Preferred Stock
and/or Equivalent Preferred Stock so to be offered (and/or the aggregate initial
conversion price of the convertible  securities so to be offered) would purchase
at such current market price and the denominator of which shall be the number of
shares of  Preferred  Stock  outstanding  on such record date plus the number of
additional  shares of Preferred  Stock and/or  Equivalent  Preferred Stock to be
offered for  subscription or purchase (or into which the convertible  securities
so to be offered are initially convertible); provided, however, that in no event
shall the  consideration  to be paid upon the exercise of one Right be less than
the aggregate  par value of the shares of the Company  issuable upon exercise of
one Right. In case such  subscription  price is paid in a consideration  part or
all of which shall be in a form other than cash, the value of such consideration
shall be as  determined  in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company,
whose  determination  shall be  described  in a statement  filed with the Rights
Agent and shall be binding on the Rights Agent and on the holders of the Rights.
Preferred  Stock owned by or held for the  account of the  Company  shall not be
deemed  outstanding  for the purpose of any such  computation.  Such  adjustment
shall be made  successively  whenever  such a record  date is fixed;  and in the
event that such  rights,  options or warrants  are not so issued,  the  Purchase
Price shall be adjusted to be the  Purchase  Price which would then be in effect
if such record date had not been fixed.



<PAGE>


         (c) In case the  Company  shall fix a record  date for the  making of a
distribution  to  all  holders  of  the  Preferred  Stock  (including  any  such
distribution  made in  connection  with a  consolidation  or merger in which the
Company is the continuing or surviving  entity) of evidences of  indebtedness or
assets (other than a regular  periodic  cash  dividend or a dividend  payable in
shares of Preferred Stock) or subscription  rights or warrants  (excluding those
referred to in Section 11(b)  hereof),  the Purchase Price to be in effect after
such record date shall be determined by multiplying the Purchase Price in effect
immediately  prior to such  record date by a fraction,  the  numerator  of which
shall be the then current per share market price of the Preferred  Stock on such
record  date,  less the fair market  value (as  determined  in good faith by the
Board of Directors of the Company,  whose  determination shall be described in a
statement filed with the Rights Agent) of the portion of the assets or evidences
of indebtedness so to be distributed or of such subscription  rights or warrants
attributable  to one share of Preferred Stock and the denominator of which shall
be such  current  per  share  market  price of the  Preferred  Stock;  provided,
however,  that in no event shall the  consideration to be paid upon the exercise
of one Right be less than the  aggregate  par value of the shares of the Company
to be  issued  upon  exercise  of one  Right.  Such  adjustments  shall  be made
successively  whenever  such a record date is fixed;  and in the event that such
distribution  is not so made,  the Purchase  Price shall again be adjusted to be
the  Purchase  Price  which  would then be in effect if such record date had not
been fixed.

         (d) (i) For the purpose of any computation hereunder,  other than under
         Section  11(a)(iii) hereof, the "current per share market price" of any
         security (a "Security" for the purpose of this Section 11(d)(i)) on any
         date shall be deemed to be the average of the daily closing  prices per
         share of such Security for the thirty (30) consecutive Trading Days (as
         such term is hereinafter  defined)  immediately prior to such date, and
         for the purpose of any computation under Section 11(a)(iii) hereof, the
         "current  per share  market  price" of a Security  on any date shall be
         deemed to be the average of the daily closing  prices per share of such
         Security for thirty (30) consecutive Trading Days immediately following
         such date;  provided,  however,  that in the event that the current per
         share  market  price  of the  Security  is  determined  during a period
         following  the  announcement  by the issuer of such  Security  of (A) a
         dividend or  distribution  on such  Security  payable in shares of such
         Security or  securities  convertible  into such shares  (other than the
         Rights),  or (B) any subdivision,  combination or  reclassification  of
         such  Security and prior to the  expiration of thirty (30) Trading Days
         after the ex-dividend  date for such dividend or  distribution,  or the
         record  date for such  subdivision,  combination  or  reclassification,
         then, and in each such case, the "current per share market price" shall
         be appropriately adjusted to reflect the current market price per share
         equivalent  (ex-dividend) of such Security.  The closing price for each
         day shall be the last sale price, regular way, or, in case no such sale
         takes  place on such day,  the  average  of the  closing  bid and asked
         prices,  regular  way,  in either  case as  reported  in the  principal
         consolidated  transaction  reporting  system with respect to securities
         listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock Exchange or, if the
         Security  is not  listed or  admitted  to trading on the New York Stock
         Exchange,  as  reported  in  the  principal  consolidated   transaction
         reporting  system with respect to  securities  listed on the  principal
         national  securities  exchange  on which  the  Security  is  listed  or
         admitted  to trading  or, if the  Security is not listed or admitted to
         trading on any national securities exchange,  the last quoted price or,
         if not so quoted,  the average of the high bid and low asked  prices in
         the over-the-counter market, as reported by the National Association of
         Securities Dealers,  Inc. Automated Quotation System ("NASDAQ") or such
         other  system then in use,  or, if on any such date the Security is not
         quoted by any such  organization,  the  average of the  closing bid and
         asked  prices as  furnished  by a  professional  market  maker making a
         market  in the  Security  selected  by the  Board of  Directors  of the
         Company.  If on any such date no market maker is making a market in the
         Security,  the fair value of such Security on such date (as  determined
         in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company)  shall be used.
         The term "Trading Day" shall mean a day on which the principal national
         securities  exchange  on which the  Security  is listed or  admitted to
         trading is open for the  transaction of business or, if the Security is
         not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities  exchange,
         a Business Day.



<PAGE>


                  (ii)  For  the  purpose  of  any  computation  hereunder,  the
         "current  per share  market  price"  of the  Preferred  Stock  shall be
         determined in accordance with the method set forth in Section 11(d)(i).
         If the Preferred Stock is not publicly  traded,  the "current per share
         market price" of the Preferred Stock shall be conclusively deemed to be
         the current per share  market  price of the Common Stock of the Company
         as determined pursuant to Section 11(d)(i)  (appropriately  adjusted to
         reflect  any  stock  split,  stock  dividend  or  similar   transaction
         occurring  after  the date  hereof),  multiplied  by one  thousand.  If
         neither  the Common  Stock of the Company  nor the  Preferred  Stock is
         publicly held or so listed or traded,  "current per share market price"
         shall mean the fair value per share as  determined in good faith by the
         Board  of  Directors  of the  Company,  whose  determination  shall  be
         described in a statement filed with the Rights Agent.

         (e) Anything herein to the contrary  notwithstanding,  no adjustment in
the Purchase  Price shall be required  unless such  adjustment  would require an
increase or decrease of at least 1% in the Purchase  Price;  provided,  however,
that any  adjustments  which by reason of this Section 11(e) are not required to
be made  shall be carried  forward  and taken  into  account  in any  subsequent
adjustment.  All calculations under this Section 11 shall be made to the nearest
cent or to the nearest one  one-millionth  of a share of Preferred  Stock or one
ten-thousandth   of  any  other  stock  or   security,   as  the  case  may  be.
Notwithstanding  the  first  sentence  of this  Section  11(e),  any  adjustment
required by this Section 11 shall be made no later than the earlier of (i) three
years from the date of the  transaction  which requires such  adjustment or (ii)
the date of the expiration of the right to exercise any Rights.

         (f) If as a result of an  adjustment  made pursuant to Section 11(a) or
Section 13(a) hereof, the holder of any Right thereafter  exercised shall become
entitled  to  receive  any stock of the  Company  other  than  Preferred  Stock,
thereafter the number of such other shares of stock so receivable  upon exercise
of any Right shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in a manner and on
terms as nearly  equivalent as practicable to the provisions with respect to the
Preferred  Stock contained in this Section 11, and the provisions of Sections 7,
9, 10, 13 and 14 with respect to the  Preferred  Stock shall apply on like terms
to any such other shares of stock.

         (g) All  Rights  originally  issued by the  Company  subsequent  to any
adjustment made to the Purchase Price hereunder shall entitle the holder thereof
to purchase,  at the adjusted Purchase Price, the number of one  one-thousandths
of a share of  Preferred  Stock  purchasable  from time to time  hereunder  upon
exercise of the Rights, all subject to further adjustment as provided herein.



<PAGE>


         (h) Unless the Company shall have exercised its election as provided in
Section  11(i),  upon each  adjustment of the Purchase  Price as a result of the
calculations made in Sections 11(b) and (c), each Right outstanding  immediately
prior to the  making of such  adjustment  shall  thereafter  entitle  the holder
thereof  to  purchase,  at the  adjusted  Purchase  Price,  that  number  of one
one-thousandths  of a share of Preferred  Stock  (calculated  to the nearest one
one-millionth of a share of Preferred Stock) obtained by (i) multiplying (A) the
number of one  one-thousandths  of a share of Preferred Stock covered by a Right
immediately  prior  to such  adjustment  by (B) the  Purchase  Price  in  effect
immediately prior to such adjustment of the Purchase Price and (ii) dividing the
product so  obtained  by the  Purchase  Price in effect  immediately  after such
adjustment of the Purchase Price.

         (i) The Company may elect on or after the date of any adjustment of the
Purchase  Price  to  adjust  the  number  of  Rights,  in  substitution  for any
adjustment in the number of one  one-thousandths  of a share of Preferred  Stock
purchasable upon the exercise of a Right.  Each of the Rights  outstanding after
such  adjustment of the number of Rights shall be exercisable  for the number of
one  one-thousandths  of a share  of  Preferred  Stock  for  which  a Right  was
exercisable  immediately  prior to such  adjustment.  Each  Right held of record
prior to such  adjustment  of the number of Rights  shall  become that number of
Rights (calculated to the nearest one  ten-thousandth)  obtained by dividing the
Purchase Price in effect  immediately  prior to adjustment of the Purchase Price
by the Purchase  Price in effect  immediately  after  adjustment of the Purchase
Price.  The Company shall make a public  announcement  of its election to adjust
the number of Rights,  indicating  the record date for the  adjustment,  and, if
known at the time, the amount of the adjustment to be made. This record date may
be the date on which the Purchase Price is adjusted or any day thereafter,  but,
if the  Right  Certificates  have been  issued,  shall be at least ten (10) days
later than the date of the public announcement.  If Right Certificates have been
issued,  upon each  adjustment of the number of Rights  pursuant to this Section
11(i), the Company shall, as promptly as practicable, cause to be distributed to
holders of record of Right  Certificates on such record date Right  Certificates
evidencing,  subject to Section 14 hereof,  the  additional  Rights,  if any, to
which such holders shall be entitled as a result of such adjustment,  or, at the
option of the Company,  shall cause to be  distributed to such holders of record
in substitution and replacement for the Right  Certificates held by such holders
prior to the date of adjustment,  and upon surrender thereof, if required by the
Company, new Right Certificates  evidencing all the Rights to which such holders
shall be entitled after such adjustment. Right Certificates so to be distributed
shall be issued,  executed and  countersigned  in the manner provided for herein
and  shall  be  registered  in the  names  of the  holders  of  record  of Right
Certificates on the record date specified in the public announcement.

         (j)  Irrespective  of any adjustment or change in the Purchase Price or
the number of one  one-thousandths  of a share of Preferred  Stock issuable upon
the exercise of the Rights,  the Right  Certificates  theretofore and thereafter
issued  may  continue  to  express  the  Purchase  Price  and the  number of one
one-thousandths  of a share of  Preferred  Stock  which  were  expressed  in the
initial Right Certificates issued hereunder.

         (k) Before  taking any action that would cause an  adjustment  reducing
the Purchase Price below one  one-thousandth  of the then par value,  if any, of
the Preferred Stock issuable upon exercise of the Rights, the Company shall take
any action which may, in the opinion of its counsel,  be necessary in order that
the Company may validly and legally issue fully paid and nonassessable shares of
Preferred Stock at such adjusted Purchase Price.



<PAGE>


         (l) In any  case  in  which  this  Section  11  shall  require  that an
adjustment  in the  Purchase  Price be made  effective as of a record date for a
specified  event,  the Company may elect to defer until the  occurrence  of such
event the issuance to the holder of any Right  exercised  after such record date
of the Preferred  Stock and other  securities of the Company,  if any,  issuable
upon such exercise over and above the  Preferred  Stock and other  securities of
the Company,  if any,  issuable  upon such exercise on the basis of the Purchase
Price in effect prior to such adjustment;  provided,  however,  that the Company
shall  deliver  to such  holder  a due  bill  or  other  appropriate  instrument
evidencing such holder's right to receive such  additional  shares of stock upon
the occurrence of the event requiring such adjustment.

         (m) Anything in this Section 11 to the  contrary  notwithstanding,  the
Company  shall be entitled to make such  reductions  in the Purchase  Price,  in
addition to those adjustments  expressly  required by this Section 11, as and to
the extent that it in its sole  discretion  shall  determine  to be advisable in
order that any  consolidation  or subdivision of the Preferred  Stock,  issuance
wholly for cash of any  Preferred  Stock at less than the current  market price,
issuance wholly for cash of Preferred  Stock or securities  which by their terms
are convertible into or exchangeable for Preferred Stock, dividends on Preferred
Stock  payable in  Preferred  Stock or issuance  of rights,  options or warrants
referred  to  hereinabove  in Section  11(b),  hereafter  made by the Company to
holders of its Preferred Stock shall not be taxable to such stockholders.

         (n) In the event that at any time after the date of this  Agreement and
prior to the  Distribution  Date,  the  Company  shall  (i)  declare  or pay any
dividend on the Common Stock  payable in shares of Common Stock or (ii) effect a
subdivision,   combination   or   consolidation   of  the   Common   Stock   (by
reclassification  or otherwise  than by payment of dividends in shares of Common
Stock) into a greater or lesser  number of shares of Common  Stock,  then in any
such case (x) the number of one  one-thousandths  of a share of Preferred  Stock
purchasable  after such  event  upon  proper  exercise  of each  Right  shall be
determined  by  multiplying  the  number  of one  one-thousandths  of a share of
Preferred  Stock so purchasable  immediately  prior to such event by a fraction,
the  numerator  of which is the  number of shares  of Common  Stock  outstanding
immediately  before  such  event and the  denominator  of which is the number of
shares of Common Stock  outstanding  immediately  after such event, and (y) each
share of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event shall have issued
with  respect  to it that  number of Rights  which  each  share of Common  Stock
outstanding  immediately  prior to such event had issued with respect to it. The
adjustments  provided  for in this  Section  11(n)  shall  be made  successively
whenever such a dividend is declared or paid or such a subdivision,  combination
or consolidation is effected.

         (o) So long as the shares of stock  issuable  upon the  exercise of the
Rights may be listed on any national securities exchange,  the Company shall use
its best  efforts  to cause,  from and  after  such  time as the  Rights  become
exercisable, all shares of stock reserved for such issuance to be listed on such
exchange upon official notice of issuance upon such exercise.



<PAGE>


         (p) The  Company  shall use its best  efforts  to (i) file,  as soon as
practicable following the first occurrence of a Triggering Event, a registration
statement  under the Securities  Act with respect to the securities  purchasable
upon exercise of the Rights on an appropriate form, (ii) cause such registration
statement to become  effective  as soon as  practicable  after such filing,  and
(iii) cause such  registration  statement to remain effective (with a prospectus
at all times meeting the  requirements  of the Securities Act) until the date of
the  expiration of the Rights.  The Company will also take such action as may be
appropriate  under the blue sky laws of the  various  states.  The  Company  may
temporarily  suspend,  for a period of time not to exceed ninety (90) days,  the
exercisability  of the  Rights in order to  prepare  and file such  registration
statement  or in  order  to  comply  with  such  blue  sky  laws.  Upon any such
suspension,  the Company  shall  issue a public  announcement  stating  that the
exercisability of the Rights has been temporarily suspended.

         (q) In the event  that the  Rights  become  exercisable  following  the
occurrence of a Triggering Event, the Company may permit the Rights,  subject to
Section 7(e) hereof,  to be exercised  for 50% of the shares of Common Stock (or
cash,  property or other  securities to be substituted for Common Stock pursuant
to Section  11(a)(iii)) that would otherwise be purchasable under subsection (a)
in  consideration of the surrender to the Company of the Rights so exercised and
without  other  payment  of the  Purchase  Price.  Rights  exercised  under this
subsection  (q)  shall be deemed  to have  been  exercised  in full and shall be
canceled.

         Section 12. Certificate of Adjusted Purchase Price or Number of Shares.
Whenever  an  adjustment  is made as  provided  in Section 11 or 13 hereof,  the
Company shall promptly (a) prepare a certificate  setting forth such adjustment,
and a brief statement of the facts accounting for such adjustment, (b) file with
the  Rights  Agent and with each  transfer  agent  for the  Common  Stock or the
Preferred Stock a copy of such  certificate and (c) mail a brief summary thereof
to each holder of a Right Certificate in accordance with Section 25 hereof.  The
Rights Agent shall be fully protected in relying on any such  certificate and on
any adjustment therein contained and may assume that no adjustment has been made
unless and until it shall have received such certificate.

         Section 13.  Consolidation, Merger or Sale or Transfer of Assets or    
Earning Power.



<PAGE>


         (a) If after the Stock  Acquisition Date,  directly or indirectly,  (x)
the Company shall  consolidate  with, or merge with and into,  any other Person,
(y) any Person shall  consolidate  with the Company,  or merge with and into the
Company and the Company  shall be the  continuing  or  surviving  entity of such
merger and, in  connection  with such  merger,  all or part of the Common  Stock
shall be changed into or exchanged  for stock or other  securities  of any other
Person (or the Company) or cash or any other property,  or (z) the Company shall
sell or  otherwise  transfer (or one or more of its  Subsidiaries  shall sell or
otherwise  transfer),  in one or more  transactions,  assets  or  earning  power
aggregating  50% or more of the assets or earning  power of the  Company and its
Subsidiaries  (taken as a whole) to any Person or Persons other than the Company
or one or more of its  wholly-owned  Subsidiaries,  then, and in each such case,
proper  provision  shall be made so that (i) each  holder of a Right  (except as
otherwise provided herein) shall thereafter have the right to receive,  upon the
exercise  thereof at a price equal to the then current Purchase Price multiplied
by the number of one  one-thousandths  of a share of Preferred Stock for which a
Right is then exercisable, in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and in
lieu of Preferred  Stock,  such number of validly  authorized and issued,  fully
paid,  non-assessable  and freely  tradeable common stock of the Principal Party
(as hereinafter  defined),  free and clear of all liens, rights of call or first
refusal,  encumbrances  or other  adverse  claims,  as shall  equal  the  result
obtained by (A) multiplying the then current Purchase Price by the number of one
one-thousandths  of a share  of  Preferred  Stock  for  which  a  Right  is then
exercisable  (or,  if such  Right is not then  exercisable  for a number  of one
one-thousandths  of a share of Preferred  Stock,  the number of such  fractional
shares  for which it was  exercisable  immediately  prior to an event  described
under Section 11(a)(ii) hereof) and dividing that product by (B) 50% of the then
current  per share  market  price of the common  stock of such  Principal  Party
(determined  pursuant to Section  11(d) hereof) on the date of  consummation  of
such consolidation,  merger,  sale or transfer;  (ii) such Principal Party shall
thereafter  be liable for, and shall  assume,  by virtue of such  consolidation,
merger,  sale or transfer,  or otherwise,  all the obligations and duties of the
Company pursuant to this Agreement; (iii) the term "Company" shall thereafter be
deemed to refer to such Principal Party and (iv) such Principal Party shall take
such steps (including,  but not limited to, the authorization and reservation of
a sufficient  number of shares of its common stock in accordance  with Section 9
hereof) in connection with such  consummation as may be necessary to assure that
the provisions  hereof shall  thereafter be applicable,  as nearly as reasonably
may be, in relation to its common stock thereafter deliverable upon the exercise
of the Rights.

         (b) "Principal Party" shall mean:

                  (i) In the case of any transaction  described in (x) or (y) of
         the first sentence of Section  13(a),  the Person that is the issuer of
         any  securities  into which  shares of Common  Stock of the Company are
         converted in such merger or consolidation,  and if no securities are so
         issued,  the  Person  that is the  surviving  entity of such  merger or
         consolidation (including the Company if applicable); and

                  (ii) in the case of any  transaction  described  in (z) of the
         first sentence in Section 13(a), the Person that is the party receiving
         the  greatest  portion  of the  assets  or  earning  power  transferred
         pursuant to such transaction or transactions;



<PAGE>


provided,  however,  that in any such  case  described  in  clauses  (b)(i)  and
(b)(ii):  (1) if the common stock of such Person is not at such time and has not
been continuously over the preceding 12-month period registered under Section 12
of the  Exchange  Act,  and such  Person is a direct or indirect  Subsidiary  of
another  Person  the  common  stock  of  which  is and has  been so  registered,
"Principal Party" shall refer to such other Person; (2) in case such Person is a
Subsidiary, directly or indirectly, of more than one Person, the common stock of
two or more of which  is and has been so  registered,  "Principal  Party"  shall
refer to  whichever of such Persons is the issuer of the common stock having the
greatest aggregate market value; and (3) in case such Person is owned,  directly
or  indirectly,  by a joint  venture  formed by two or more Persons that are not
owned,  directly or indirectly,  by the same Person,  the rules set forth in (1)
and (2) above shall apply to each of the chains of ownership  having an interest
in such joint  venture as if such  party were a  "Subsidiary"  of both or all of
such joint venturers and the Principal Parties in each such chain shall bear the
obligations  set forth in this  Section 13 in the same ratio as their  direct or
indirect interests in such Person bear to the total of such interests.

         (c) The Company shall not  consummate any such  consolidation,  merger,
sale or transfer unless the Principal  Party shall have sufficient  common stock
authorized  to permit the full  exercise  of the Rights  and prior  thereto  the
Company and such Principal Party shall have executed and delivered to the Rights
Agent a supplemental  agreement  providing for the terms set forth in paragraphs
(a)  and  (b) of  this  Section  13 and  further  providing  that,  as  soon  as
practicable  after  the  date of any  consolidation,  merger  or sale of  assets
mentioned in paragraph (a) of this Section 13, the Principal Party will:

                  (i)  prepare  and  file a  registration  statement  under  the
         Securities   Act,  with  respect  to  the  Rights  and  the  securities
         purchasable  upon exercise of the Rights on an  appropriate  form,  and
         will use its best efforts to cause such  registration  statement to (A)
         become  effective  as soon as  practicable  after  such  filing and (B)
         remain   effective   (with  a  prospectus  at  all  times  meeting  the
         requirements of the Securities Act) until the Expiration Date;

                  (ii)  deliver to holders  of the Rights  historical  financial
         statements  for the Principal  Party and each of its  Affiliates  which
         comply in all respects with the  requirements  for registration on Form
         10 under the Exchange Act; and

                  (iii) take such  actions as may be  necessary  or  appropriate
         under the blue sky laws of the various states.

The provisions of this Section 13 shall similarly apply to successive mergers or
consolidations  or  sales  or  other  transfers.  In the  event  that one of the
transactions  described in this Section  13(a) shall occur at any time after the
occurrence of a transaction  described in Section 11(a)(ii)  hereof,  the Rights
which have not theretofore been exercised shall thereafter become exercisable in
the manner described in Section 13(a).

         Section 14.  Fractional Rights and Fractional Shares.



<PAGE>


         (a) The Company  shall not be required to issue  fractions of Rights or
to distribute Right  Certificates  which evidence  fractional Rights. In lieu of
such fractional Rights, there may be paid to the registered holders of the Right
Certificates  with regard to which such  fractional  Rights  would  otherwise be
issuable,  an amount in cash equal to the same  fraction of the  current  market
value of a whole  Right.  For the purposes of this  Section  14(a),  the current
market  value of a whole Right shall be the closing  price of the Rights for the
Trading Day immediately  prior to the date on which such fractional Rights would
have been  otherwise  issuable.  The closing price for any day shall be the last
sale price,  regular  way, or, in case no such sale takes place on such day, the
average of the  closing  bid and asked  prices,  regular  way, in either case as
reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system with respect
to securities  listed or admitted to trading on the New York Stock  Exchange or,
if the  Rights  are not  listed or  admitted  to  trading  on the New York Stock
Exchange, as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting system
with respect to securities listed on the principal national  securities exchange
on which the Rights are listed or  admitted to trading or, if the Rights are not
listed or  admitted to trading on any  national  securities  exchange,  the last
quoted  price or, if not so  quoted,  the  average of the high bid and low asked
prices in the  over-the-counter  market,  as  reported  by NASDAQ or such  other
system then in use or, if on any such date the Rights are not quoted by any such
organization,  the average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a
professional market maker making a market in the Rights selected by the Board of
Directors of the  Company.  If on any such date no such market maker is making a
market in the Rights, the fair value of the Rights on such date as determined in
good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company shall be used.

         (b) The Company  shall not be required to issue  fractions of shares of
Preferred  Stock  (other than  fractions  which are  integral  multiples  of one
one-thousandth  of a share of Preferred Stock) upon exercise of the Rights or to
distribute  certificates  which evidence  fractional  shares of Preferred  Stock
(other than fractions which are integral  multiples of one  one-thousandth  of a
share of Preferred  Stock).  Fractions of shares of Preferred  Stock in integral
multiples  of one  one-thousandth  of a share of  Preferred  Stock  may,  at the
election of the Company,  be evidenced by  depositary  receipts,  pursuant to an
appropriate  agreement  between  the Company  and a  depositary  selected by it;
provided,  that such agreement shall provide that the holders of such depositary
receipts shall have all the rights, privileges and preferences to which they are
entitled  as  beneficial  owners  of the  Preferred  Stock  represented  by such
depositary  receipts.  In lieu of fractional  shares of Preferred Stock that are
not integral  multiples of one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock, the
Company  may, to the extent  necessary  to reduce  such  fraction to an integral
multiple  of  one  one-thousandth,  pay  to  the  registered  holders  of  Right
Certificates  at the time such Rights are exercised as herein provided an amount
in  cash  equal  to  the  same  fraction  of the  current  market  value  of one
one-thousandth  of a share of Preferred  Stock. For the purposes of this Section
14(b),  the current market value of one  one-thousandth  of a share of Preferred
Stock shall be one  one-thousandth  of the closing price of a share of Preferred
Stock (as determined pursuant to the second sentence of Section 11(d)(i) hereof)
for the Trading Day immediately prior to the date of such exercise.

         (c) Following the occurrence of a Triggering  Event,  the Company shall
not be required to issue  fractions of Common Stock upon  exercise of the Rights
or to distribute  certificates which evidence fractional shares of Common Stock.
In lieu of  fractional  shares  of  Common  Stock,  the  Company  may pay to the
registered  holders of Right  Certificates at the time such Rights are exercised
as herein  provided an amount in cash equal to the same  fraction of the current
market value of one share of Common Stock.  For purposes of this Section  14(c),
the current market value of one share of Common Stock shall be the closing price
of one share of Common Stock (as determined  pursuant to the second  sentence of
Section  11(d)(i)  hereof) for the Trading Day immediately  prior to the date of
such exercise.



<PAGE>


         (d) The  holder of a Right by the  acceptance  of the  Right  expressly
waives his right to receive any fractional  Rights or any fractional shares upon
exercise of a Right (except as provided above).

         Section 15.  Rights of Action.  All rights of action in respect of this
Agreement,  excepting  the  rights of action  given to the  Rights  Agent  under
Section 18 hereof, are vested in the respective  registered holders of the Right
Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution Date, the registered holders of the
Common Stock);  and any registered holder of any Right Certificate (or, prior to
the Distribution  Date, of the Common Stock),  without the consent of the Rights
Agent  or of the  holder  of any  other  Right  Certificate  (or,  prior  to the
Distribution Date, of the Common Stock),  may, in his own behalf and for his own
benefit,  enforce, and may institute and maintain any suit, action or proceeding
against  the Company to enforce,  or  otherwise  act in respect of, his right to
exercise the Rights  evidenced by such Right  Certificate in the manner provided
in such Right Certificate and in this Agreement.  Without limiting the foregoing
or  any  remedies  available  to  the  holders  of  Rights,  it is  specifically
acknowledged that the holders of Rights would not have an adequate remedy at law
for any breach of this Agreement and will be entitled to specific performance of
the  obligations  under,  and  injunctive  relief  against  actual or threatened
violations of the obligations of any Person subject to, this Agreement.

         Section 16.  Agreement of Right  Holders.  Every holder of a Right,  by
accepting  the same,  consents  and agrees with the Company and the Rights Agent
and with every other holder of a Right that:

                  (a)  prior  to the  Distribution  Date,  the  Rights  will  be
         transferable only in connection with the transfer of the Common Stock;

                  (b) after the  Distribution  Date, the Right  Certificates are
         transferable  only  on the  registry  books  of  the  Rights  Agent  if
         surrendered at the principal office of the Rights Agent,  duly endorsed
         or accompanied by a proper instrument of transfer;

                  (c) the  Company  and the Rights  Agent may deem and treat the
         person  in  whose  name  the  Right   Certificate  (or,  prior  to  the
         Distribution   Date,  the  associated  Common  Stock   certificate)  is
         registered as the absolute  owner  thereof and of the Rights  evidenced
         thereby  (notwithstanding  any notations of ownership or writing on the
         Right  Certificates or the associated  Common Stock certificate made by
         anyone  other than the  Company or the Rights  Agent) for all  purposes
         whatsoever,  and  neither  the  Company  nor the Rights  Agent shall be
         affected by any notice to the contrary; and



<PAGE>


                  (d)   notwithstanding   anything  in  this  Agreement  to  the
         contrary,  neither  the  Company  nor the Rights  Agent  shall have any
         liability  to any holder of a Right or any other  Person as a result of
         its inability to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement by
         reason of any  preliminary  or  permanent  injunction  or other  order,
         decree or ruling  issued by a court of competent  jurisdiction  or by a
         governmental, regulatory or administrative agency or commission, or any
         statute,  rule, regulation or executive order promulgated or enacted by
         any  governmental   authority   prohibiting  or  otherwise  restraining
         performance of such obligation.

         Section  17.  Right  Certificate  Holder Not Deemed a  Stockholder.  No
holder,  as such, of any Right  Certificate  shall be entitled to vote,  receive
dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of the Preferred  Stock or any
other  securities  of the  Company  which  may at any  time be  issuable  on the
exercise of the Rights represented  thereby, nor shall anything contained herein
or in any Right  Certificate be construed to confer upon the holder of any Right
Certificate,  as such,  any of the rights of a stockholder of the Company or any
right to vote for the  election of  directors  or upon any matter  submitted  to
stockholders at any meeting thereof, or to give or withhold consent to any trust
action, or to receive notice of meetings or other actions affecting stockholders
(except  as  provided  in  Section  25  hereof),  or  to  receive  dividends  or
subscription  rights, or otherwise,  until the Right or Rights evidenced by such
Right  Certificate  shall have been exercised in accordance  with the provisions
hereof.

         Section 18.  Concerning the Rights Agent.  The Company agrees to pay to
the  Rights  Agent  reasonable  compensation  for all  services  rendered  by it
hereunder and, from time to time, on demand of the Rights Agent,  its reasonable
expenses and counsel fees and other disbursements incurred in the administration
and execution of this  Agreement and the exercise and  performance of its duties
hereunder.  The Company  also agrees to  indemnify  the Rights Agent for, and to
hold it harmless  against,  any loss,  liability,  or expense,  incurred without
gross  negligence,  bad faith or  willful  misconduct  on the part of the Rights
Agent,  for anything done or omitted by the Rights Agent in connection  with the
acceptance  and  administration  of this  Agreement,  including  the  costs  and
expenses of defending against any claim of liability in the premises.

         The Rights Agent shall be protected  and shall incur no liability  for,
or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it in connection with,
its  administration  of this Agreement in reliance upon any Right Certificate or
certificate  for the  shares of  Preferred  Stock or  Common  Stock or for other
securities  of the Company,  instrument  of  assignment  or  transfer,  power of
attorney,   endorsement,   affidavit,   letter,  notice,   direction,   consent,
certificate,  statement, or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine
and to be signed,  executed and, where necessary,  verified or acknowledged,  by
the proper  person or persons,  or  otherwise  upon the advice of counsel as set
forth in Section 20 hereof.



<PAGE>


         Section 19. Merger or  Consolidation or Change of Name of Rights Agent.
Any Person  into which the Rights  Agent or any  successor  Rights  Agent may be
merged or with which it may be  consolidated,  or any Person  resulting from any
merger or  consolidation to which the Rights Agent or any successor Rights Agent
shall be a party,  or any Person  succeeding to the stock  transfer or corporate
trust business of the Rights Agent or any successor  Rights Agent,  shall be the
successor  to the Rights  Agent under this  Agreement  without the  execution or
filing of any paper or any further act on the part of any of the parties hereto;
provided,  that such Person  would be eligible  for  appointment  as a successor
Rights Agent under the provisions of Section 21 hereof. In case at the time such
successor  Rights Agent shall succeed to the agency  created by this  Agreement,
any of the Right  Certificates  shall have been countersigned but not delivered,
any  such  successor  Rights  Agent  may  adopt  the   countersignature  of  the
predecessor  Rights Agent and deliver such Right  Certificates so countersigned;
and in case at that  time any of the  Right  Certificates  shall  not have  been
countersigned,   any  successor   Rights  Agent  may   countersign   such  Right
Certificates  either in the name of the predecessor  Rights Agent or in the name
of the  successor  Rights Agent;  and in all such cases such Right  Certificates
shall  have  the full  force  provided  in the  Right  Certificates  and in this
Agreement.

         In case at any time the name of the Rights  Agent  shall be changed and
at such time any of the Right Certificates shall have been countersigned but not
delivered,  the Rights Agent may adopt the countersignature under its prior name
and deliver Right Certificates so countersigned; and in case at that time any of
the Right Certificates shall not have been  countersigned,  the Rights Agent may
countersign such Right  Certificates  either in its prior name or in its changed
name;  and in all such cases such Right  Certificates  shall have the full force
provided in the Right Certificates and in this Agreement.

         Section 20. Duties of Rights  Agent.  The Rights Agent  undertakes  the
duties and  obligations  imposed by this Agreement upon the following  terms and
conditions,  by all of which the Company and the holders of Right  Certificates,
by their acceptance thereof, shall be bound:

         (a) The Rights Agent may consult  with legal  counsel (who may be legal
counsel  for the  Company),  and the opinion of such  counsel  shall be full and
complete authorization and protection to the Rights Agent as to any action taken
or omitted by it in good faith and in accordance with such opinion.

         (b) Whenever in the  performance of its duties under this Agreement the
Rights Agent shall deem it  necessary  or  desirable  that any fact or matter be
proved or  established  by the Company  prior to taking or suffering  any action
hereunder,  such fact or matter  (unless  other  evidence in respect  thereof be
herein  specifically  prescribed)  may be deemed to be  conclusively  proved and
established by a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board, the President,
any Vice President,  or the Secretary of the Company and delivered to the Rights
Agent; and such certificate shall be full  authorization to the Rights Agent for
any action  taken or suffered in good faith by it under the  provisions  of this
Agreement in reliance upon such certificate.

         (c) The Rights  Agent shall be liable  hereunder to the Company and any
other  Person  only for any and all  losses,  liabilities,  costs,  damages  and
expenses  (including  attorneys'  fees) arising out of or in connection with the
Rights Agent's gross negligence,  bad faith or willful  misconduct.  Anything in
this  Agreement  to the contrary  notwithstanding,  in no event shall the Rights
Agent be liable for  special,  indirect or  consequential  loss or damage of any
kind whatsoever (including but not limited to lost profits),  even if the Rights
Agent has been advised of the  likelihood of such loss or damage and  regardless
of the form of the action.



<PAGE>


         (d) The Rights Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of any of the
statements  of fact or  recitals  contained  in this  Agreement  or in the Right
Certificates (except its countersignature  thereof) or be required to verify the
same, but all such  statements and recitals are and shall be deemed to have been
made by the Company only.

         (e) The Rights Agent shall not be under any  responsibility  in respect
of the validity of this  Agreement or the execution and delivery  hereof (except
the due  execution  hereof by the Rights Agent) or in respect of the validity or
execution of any Right Certificate (except its  countersignature  thereof);  nor
shall it be  responsible  for any  breach  by the  Company  of any  covenant  or
condition contained in this Agreement or in any Right Certificate;  nor shall it
be responsible for any change in the exercisability of the Rights (including the
Rights  becoming void pursuant to Section 7(e) hereof) or any  adjustment in the
terms of the Rights  (including the manner,  method or amount thereof)  provided
for in Section  3, 11, 13, 23 or 24, or the  ascertaining  of the  existence  of
facts that would require any such change or  adjustment  (except with respect to
the  exercise  of Rights  evidenced  by Right  Certificates  after  receipt of a
certificate furnished pursuant to Section 12 describing a change or adjustment);
nor  shall it by any act  hereunder  be  deemed  to make any  representation  or
warranty as to the authorization or reservation of any Preferred Stock or Common
Stock to be issued pursuant to this Agreement or any Right  Certificate or as to
whether any  Preferred  Stock or Common  Stock  will,  when  issued,  be validly
authorized and issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

         (f) The Company agrees that it will perform,  execute,  acknowledge and
deliver or cause to be performed, executed,  acknowledged and delivered all such
further and other acts, instruments and assurances as may reasonably be required
by the Rights Agent for the carrying  out or  performing  by the Rights Agent of
the provisions of this Agreement.

         (g) The  Rights  Agent is  hereby  authorized  and  directed  to accept
instructions  with respect to the  performance of its duties  hereunder from the
Chairman of the Board, the President,  any Vice President,  the Secretary or the
Treasurer  of the  Company,  and  to  apply  to  such  officers  for  advice  or
instructions in connection  with its duties,  and it shall not be liable for any
action taken or suffered by it in good faith in accordance with  instructions of
any  such  officer  or  for  any  delay  in  acting  while   waiting  for  those
instructions.  Any application by the Rights Agent for written instructions from
the  Company  may, at the option of the Rights  Agent,  set forth in writing any
action  proposed to be taken or omitted by the Rights Agent under this Agreement
and the date on and/or after which such action  shall be taken or such  omission
shall be  effective.  The Rights  Agent shall not be liable for any action taken
by, or omission of, the Rights Agent in accordance  with a proposal  included in
any such application on or after the date specified in such  application  (which
date shall not be less than five (5) Business Days after the date any officer of
the Company actually  receives such  application,  unless any such officer shall
have  consented in writing to an earlier date) unless,  prior to taking any such
action (or the  effective  date in the case of an  omission),  the Rights  Agent
shall  have  received  written  instructions  in  response  to such  application
specifying the action to be taken or omitted.



<PAGE>


         (h) The Rights Agent and any stockholder, Director, officer or employee
of the  Rights  Agent  may  buy,  sell  or deal in any of the  Rights  or  other
securities of the Company or its Subsidiaries or become  pecuniarily  interested
in any transaction in which the Company or its  Subsidiaries  may be interested,
or contract with or lend money to the Company or its  Subsidiaries  or otherwise
act as fully and freely as though it were not Rights Agent under this Agreement.
Nothing herein shall preclude the Rights Agent from acting in any other capacity
for the Company or its Subsidiaries or for any other legal entity.

         (i) The Rights  Agent may  execute  and  exercise  any of the rights or
powers hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder  either itself or by or
through its attorneys or agents, and the Rights Agent shall not be answerable or
accountable for any act, default, neglect or misconduct of any such attorneys or
agents or for any loss to the  Company  resulting  from any such  act,  default,
neglect or misconduct,  provided  reasonable care was exercised in the selection
and continued employment thereof.

         (j) If,  with  respect to any  Rights  Certificate  surrendered  to the
Rights Agent for exercise or transfer,  the certificate  attached to the form of
assignment  or form of election to purchase,  as the case may be, has either not
been  completed  or  indicates  an  affirmative  response  to  clause 1 and/or 2
thereof, the Rights Agent shall not take any further action with respect to such
requested exercise of transfer without first consulting with the Company.



<PAGE>


         Section 21. Change of Rights  Agent.  The Rights Agent or any successor
Rights Agent may resign and be discharged  from its duties under this  Agreement
upon  thirty  (30) days'  notice in writing  mailed to the  Company  and to each
transfer agent of the Common Stock or Preferred Stock by registered or certified
mail,  and to the holders of the Right  Certificates  by  first-class  mail. The
Company may remove the Rights  Agent or any  successor  Rights Agent upon thirty
(30) days' notice in writing,  mailed to the Rights  Agent or  successor  Rights
Agent,  as the case may be, and to each  transfer  agent of the Common  Stock or
Preferred Stock by registered or certified mail, and to the holders of the Right
Certificates by first-class mail. If the Rights Agent shall resign or be removed
or shall  otherwise  become  incapable of acting,  the Company  shall  appoint a
successor  to  the  Rights  Agent.  If the  Company  shall  fail  to  make  such
appointment  within a period of thirty  (30) days  after  giving  notice of such
removal  or  after  it has been  notified  in  writing  of such  resignation  or
incapacity by the resigning or incapacitated  Rights Agent or by the holder of a
Right Certificate (who shall, with such notice, submit his Right Certificate for
inspection by the Company),  then the registered holder of any Right Certificate
may apply to any court of competent  jurisdiction  for the  appointment of a new
Rights Agent. Any successor Rights Agent, whether appointed by the Company or by
such a court,  shall be (A) a corporation  or bank  organized and doing business
under the laws of the United States or of any other state of the United  States,
which  is  authorized  under  such  laws to  exercise  corporate  trust or stock
transfer powers and is subject to supervision or examination by federal or state
authority  and  which  has at the  time of its  appointment  as  Rights  Agent a
combined  capital and surplus of at least $100  million or (B) an  affiliate  of
such a  corporation  described  in  subparagraph  (A).  After  appointment,  the
successor Rights Agent shall be vested with the same powers,  rights, duties and
responsibilities  as if it had been  originally  named as Rights  Agent  without
further act or deed; but the predecessor Rights Agent shall deliver and transfer
to the successor Rights Agent any property at the time held by it hereunder, and
execute and deliver any further assurance, conveyance, act or deed necessary for
the  purpose.  Not later than the  effective  date of any such  appointment  the
Company shall file notice thereof in writing with the  predecessor  Rights Agent
and each  transfer  agent of the Common  Stock or  Preferred  Stock,  and mail a
notice thereof in writing to the registered  holders of the Right  Certificates.
Failure to give any notice  provided  for in this  Section 21,  however,  or any
defect therein,  shall not affect the legality or validity of the resignation or
removal of the Rights Agent or the appointment of the successor Rights Agent, as
the case may be.

         Section 22. Issuance of New Right Certificates.  Notwithstanding any of
the provisions of this  Agreement or of the Rights to the contrary,  the Company
may, at its option, issue new Right Certificates  evidencing Rights in such form
as may be approved by its Board of Directors to reflect any adjustment or change
in the  Purchase  Price  and the  number  or kind or  class  of  stock  or other
securities  or  property  purchasable  under  the  Right  Certificates  made  in
accordance  with the provisions of this  Agreement.  In addition,  in connection
with the issuance or sale of shares of Common Stock  following the  Distribution
Date and prior to the  redemption or  expiration of the Rights,  the Company (a)
shall,  with respect to shares of Common Stock so issued or sold pursuant to the
exercise  of  options or under any  employee  plan or  arrangement,  or upon the
exercise,  conversion  or  exchange  of  securities  hereinafter  issued  by the
Company,  and (b) may, in any other case, if deemed  necessary or appropriate by
the Board of Directors of the Company, issue Right Certificates representing the
appropriate number of Rights in connection with such issuance or sale; provided,
however,  that (i) no such  Right  Certificate  shall be issued  if,  and to the
extent that,  the Company shall be advised by counsel that such  issuance  would
create a significant risk of material adverse tax consequences to the Company or
the Person to whom such  Right  Certificate  would be  issued,  and (ii) no such
Right  Certificate  shall be issued  if,  and to the  extent  that,  appropriate
adjustment shall otherwise have been made in lieu of the issuance thereof.

         Section 23.  Redemption.

         (a) The Company  may, at its option,  at any time prior to such time as
any Person becomes an Acquiring Person,  redeem all but not less than all of the
then outstanding Rights at a redemption price of $0.01 per Right,  appropriately
adjusted  to reflect any stock  split,  stock  dividend  or similar  transaction
occurring  after  the date  hereof  (such  redemption  price  being  hereinafter
referred to as the  "Redemption  Price").  The  redemption  of the Rights by the
Company  may be made  effective  at such  time,  on such  basis  and  with  such
conditions as the Board of Directors in its sole  discretion may establish.  The
Company  may, at its option,  pay the  Redemption  Price in cash,  Common  Stock
(based on the current per share  market price of the Common Stock at the time of
redemption) or any other form of consideration  deemed  appropriate by the Board
of Directors.



<PAGE>


         (b)  Immediately  upon the  action  of the  Board of  Directors  of the
Company  ordering the redemption of the Rights (or at the effective time of such
redemption  established by the Board of Directors of the Company pursuant to the
next-to-last  sentence of  paragraph  (a) of this  Section  23), and without any
further  action and without any  notice,  the right to exercise  the Rights will
terminate  and the only right  thereafter  of the holders of Rights  shall be to
receive the Redemption  Price.  The Company shall promptly give public notice of
any such redemption;  provided, however, that the failure to give, or any defect
in, any such notice shall not affect the validity of such redemption.  Within 10
days after such action of the Board of Directors  ordering the redemption of the
Rights or, if later, the  effectiveness of the redemption of the Rights pursuant
to the  next-to-last  sentence of paragraph (a), the Company shall mail a notice
of  redemption to all the holders of the then  outstanding  Rights at their last
addresses as they appear upon the  registry  books of the Rights Agent or, prior
to the  Distribution  Date, on the registry  books of the transfer agent for the
Common Stock.  Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be
deemed given, whether or not the holder receives the notice. Each such notice of
redemption  will state the method by which the payment of the  Redemption  Price
will be made. The Company may, at its option,  discharge all of its  obligations
with respect to the Rights by (i) issuing a press release  announcing the manner
of redemption of the Rights, (ii) depositing with a bank or trust company having
a  capital  and  surplus  of at least  $100,000,000,  funds  necessary  for such
redemption,  in trust,  to be applied to the  redemption of the Rights so called
for  redemption and (iii)  arranging for the mailing of the Redemption  Price to
the  registered  holders  of  the  Rights;  then,  and  upon  such  action,  all
outstanding Rights Certificates shall be null and void without further action by
the Company.  Neither the Company nor any of its  Affiliates or  Associates  may
redeem, acquire or purchase for value any Rights at any time in any manner other
than that specifically set forth in this Section 23, in Section 24 hereof, or in
connection with the purchase of Common Stock prior to the Distribution Date.

         Section 24.  Exchange.

         (a) The  Company  may, at its  option,  at any time after a  Triggering
Event,  exchange  all or part of the then  outstanding  and  exercisable  Rights
(which shall not include Rights that have become void pursuant to the provisions
of Section 7(e)  hereof) for shares of Common Stock at an exchange  ratio of one
share of Common  Stock per Right,  appropriately  adjusted  to reflect any stock
split,  stock dividend or similar  transaction  occurring  after the date hereof
(such exchange  ratio being  hereinafter  referred to as the "Exchange  Ratio").
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be empowered to effect such
exchange at any time after any Person (other than the Company,  any Affiliate or
Subsidiary  of the Company,  any employee  benefit plan of the Company or of any
Affiliate or Subsidiary of the Company or any entity holding Common Stock for or
pursuant  to the  terms of any such  plan),  together  with all  Affiliates  and
Associates of such Person,  becomes the  Beneficial  Owner of 50% or more of the
Common Stock then outstanding.



<PAGE>


         (b)  Immediately  upon the  action  of the  Board of  Directors  of the
Company  ordering the exchange of any Rights  pursuant to paragraph  (a) of this
Section 24 and without any further  action and without any notice,  the right to
exercise such Rights shall  terminate and the only right  thereafter of a holder
of such Rights  shall be to receive  that number of shares of Common Stock equal
to the number of such  Rights  held by such holder  multiplied  by the  Exchange
Ratio.  The Company  shall  promptly  give public  notice of any such  exchange;
provided, however, that the failure to give, or any defect in, such notice shall
not affect the  validity of such  exchange.  The Company  promptly  shall mail a
notice of any such  exchange  to all of the holders of such Rights at their last
addresses as they appear upon the registry books of the Rights Agent. Any notice
which is mailed in the manner herein provided shall be deemed given,  whether or
not the holder receives the notice.  Each such notice of exchange will state the
method by which the  exchange  of the Common  Stock for Rights  will be effected
and, in the event of any partial  exchange,  the number of Rights  which will be
exchanged.  Any partial  exchange shall be effected pro rata based on the number
of Rights (other than Rights which have become void  pursuant to the  provisions
of Section 7(e) hereof) held by each holder of Rights.

         (c) In any exchange  pursuant to this  Section 24, the Company,  at its
option, may substitute  Preferred Stock (or Equivalent  Preferred Stock, as such
term is defined in Section  11(b)  hereof)  for Common  Stock  exchangeable  for
Rights, at the initial rate of one  one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock
(or equivalent preferred share) for each share of Common Stock, as appropriately
adjusted to reflect  adjustments  in the voting  rights of the  Preferred  Stock
pursuant to the terms  thereof,  so that the  fraction  of a share of  Preferred
Stock delivered in lieu of each share of Common Stock shall have the same voting
rights as one share of Common Stock.

         (d) In the event that there  shall not be  sufficient  shares of Common
Stock or Preferred  Stock issued but not  outstanding or authorized but unissued
to permit any exchange of Rights as contemplated in accordance with this Section
24, the Company  shall take all such  action as may be  necessary  to  authorize
additional  shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock for issuance upon exchange
of the Rights.

         (e) The Company  shall not be required to issue  fractions of shares of
Common Stock or to distribute  certificates which evidence  fractional shares of
Common Stock.  In lieu of such  fractional  shares of Common Stock,  the Company
shall pay to the  registered  holders of the Right  Certificates  with regard to
which such shares of  fractional  Common  Stock would  otherwise  be issuable an
amount in cash equal to the same fraction of the current market value of a whole
share of Common  Stock.  For the  purposes of this  paragraph  (e),  the current
market  value of a whole share of Common  Stock shall be the closing  price of a
share of Common Stock (as determined  pursuant to the second sentence of Section
11(d)(i)  hereof) for the Trading Day immediately  prior to the date of exchange
pursuant to this Section 24.

         Section 25.  Notice of Certain Events.



<PAGE>


         (a)  In  case  the  Company   shall  propose  at  any  time  after  the
Distribution  Date (i) to pay any dividend payable in shares of any class to the
holders of its Preferred Stock or to make any other  distribution to the holders
of its Preferred Stock (other than a regular  quarterly cash dividend),  (ii) to
offer to the holders of its Preferred  Stock rights or warrants to subscribe for
or to purchase any additional  shares of Preferred  Stock or shares of any class
or any other securities, rights or options, (iii) to effect any reclassification
of its  Preferred  Stock  (other  than a  reclassification  involving  only  the
subdivision of outstanding Preferred Stock), (iv) to effect any consolidation or
merger into or with,  or to effect any sale or other  transfer (or to permit one
or more of its  Subsidiaries  to effect any sale or other  transfer),  in one or
more transactions,  of 50% or more of the assets or earning power of the Company
and its Subsidiaries  (taken as a whole) to, any other Person, (v) to effect the
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, or (vi) to declare or pay
any dividend on the Common Stock  payable in shares of Common Stock or to effect
a   subdivision,   combination  or   consolidation   of  the  Common  Stock  (by
reclassification  or otherwise  than by payment of dividends in shares of Common
Stock),  then,  in each such case,  the  Company  shall give to each holder of a
Right  Certificate,  in  accordance  with  Section 26  hereof,  a notice of such
proposed  action,  which shall  specify the record date for the purposes of such
stock dividend, or distribution of rights or warrants, or the date on which such
reclassification,    consolidation,   merger,   sale,   transfer,   liquidation,
dissolution,  or  winding  up is to take  place  and the  date of  participation
therein by the holders of the Common Stock and/or  Preferred  Stock, if any such
date is to be fixed, and such notice shall be so given in the case of any action
covered  by clause  (i) or (ii) above at least ten (10) days prior to the record
date for determining holders of the Preferred Stock for purposes of such action,
and in the case of any such other action,  at least 10 days prior to the date of
the taking of such proposed action or the date of  participation  therein by the
holders of the Common  Stock  and/or  Preferred  Stock,  whichever  shall be the
earlier.

         (b) In case any of the  events set forth in  Section  11(a)(ii)  hereof
shall occur,  then the Company shall as soon as practicable  thereafter  give to
each holder of a Right  Certificate,  in  accordance  with Section 26 hereof,  a
notice of the  occurrence of such event,  which notice shall describe such event
and the consequences of such event to holders of Rights under Section  11(a)(ii)
hereof.

         Section 26. Notices. Notices or demands authorized by this Agreement to
be given or made by the Rights  Agent or by the holder of any Right  Certificate
to or on the Company shall be sufficiently  given or made if sent by first-class
mail, postage prepaid, addressed (until another address is filed in writing with
the Rights Agent) as follows:

                           Omega Healthcare Investors, Inc.
                           900 Victors Way, Suite 350
                           Ann Arbor, Michigan 48108
                           Attention:  Secretary

         Subject to the  provisions  of Section 21 hereof,  any notice or demand
authorized by this Agreement to be given or made by the Company or by the holder
of any Right  Certificate to or on the Rights Agent shall be sufficiently  given
or made if sent by first-class mail,  postage prepaid,  addressed (until another
address is filed in writing with the Company) as follows:

                           First Chicago Trust Company
                           525 Washington Blvd. 3rd floor
                           Suite 4660
                           Jersey City, NJ  07310
                           Attn.:  Corporate Actions Administrator



<PAGE>


Notices  or  demands  authorized  by this  Agreement  to be given or made by the
Company or the  Rights  Agent to the  holder of any Right  Certificate  shall be
sufficiently  given  or  made  if sent by  first-class  mail,  postage  prepaid,
addressed  to such holder at the address of such holder as shown on the registry
books of the Company.

         Section 27.  Supplements and  Amendments.  The Company may from time to
time  supplement or amend this Agreement  without the approval of any holders of
Right Certificates in order to cure any ambiguity,  to correct or supplement any
provision contained herein which may be defective or inconsistent with any other
provisions herein, to shorten or lengthen any time period hereunder,  or to make
any other provisions with respect to the Rights (including,  without limitation,
changes  to the  Purchase  Price)  which  the  Company  may  deem  necessary  or
desirable,  any such supplement or amendment to be evidenced by a writing signed
by the Company and the Rights Agent; provided, however, that from and after such
time as any Person  becomes an Acquiring  Person,  this  Agreement  shall not be
amended in any manner which would adversely  affect the interests of the holders
of Rights.

         Section  28.  Successors.  All the  covenants  and  provisions  of this
Agreement by or for the benefit ofthe Company or the Rights Agent shall bind and
inure to the benefit of their respective successors and assigns hereunder.

         Section 29. Benefits of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement shall
be construed to give to any Person other than the Company,  the Rights Agent and
the registered holders of the Right Certificates (and, prior to the Distribution
Date, the Common Stock) any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim under this
Agreement; and this Agreement shall be for the sole and exclusive benefit of the
Company,  the Rights Agent and the registered  holders of the Right Certificates
(and, prior to the Distribution Date, the Common Stock).

         Section  30.  Severability.   If  any  term,  provision,   covenant  or
restriction  of this Agreement is held by a court of competent  jurisdiction  or
other  authority  to be invalid,  void or  unenforceable,  the  remainder of the
terms, provisions,  covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in
full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated.

         Section 31.  Governing Law. This  Agreement and each Right  Certificate
issued  hereunder  shall be deemed to be a  contract  made under the laws of the
State of Maryland  and for all  purposes  shall be governed by and  construed in
accordance  with the laws of such State  applicable  to contracts to be made and
performed  entirely  within such State,  except  that those  provisions  of this
Agreement affecting the rights,  duties and responsibilities of the Rights Agent
shall be governed by and  construed in  accordance  with the law of the State of
Illinois.

         Section 32. Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any number
of counterparts and each of such  counterparts  shall for all purposes be deemed
to be an original,  and all such counterparts shall together  constitute but one
and the same instrument.



<PAGE>


         Section 33.  Descriptive Headings.  Descriptive headings of the several
Sections of this Agreement areinserted for convenience only and shall not      
control or affect the meaning or construction of any of theprovisions hereof.

         Section 34.  Determinations and Actions by the Board of Directors.  The
Board of Directors of the Company shall have the  exclusive  power and authority
to administer this Agreement and to exercise all rights and powers  specifically
granted to the  Directors  or the Company or as may be necessary or advisable in
the administration of this Agreement,  including,  without limitation, the right
and power to (a) interpret the  provisions of this  Agreement,  and (b) make all
determinations  deemed  necessary or advisable  for the  administration  of this
Agreement  (including a  determination  to redeem or not redeem the Rights or to
amend this  Agreement).  All such actions,  interpretations  and  determinations
(including,  for purpose of clause (b) above,  all omissions with respect to the
foregoing)  which are done or made by the Directors in good faith,  shall (x) be
final,  conclusive and binding on the Company,  the Rights Agent, the holders of
the Right Certificates and all other parties,  and (y) not subject the Directors
to any liability to the holders of the Right Certificates.


<PAGE>


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed and attested, all as of the day and year first above written.


                                    OMEGA HEALTHCARE INVESTORS, INC.



                                       By    /s/ Essel W. Bailey, Jr.
                                           ---------------------------
                                             Essel W. Bailey, Jr.
                                             President


Attest:


By      /s/ David A. Stover                                       
        ----------------------
          David A. Stover
          Vice President


                                    FIRST CHICAGO TRUST COMPANY



                                       By   /s/ Joanne Gorostiola
                                         --------------------------
                                            Joanne Gorostiola
                                            Asst. Vice President


Attest:


By       /s/ Mary E. Garcia                                
         -----------------
          Mary E. Garcia
          Customer Service Officer


<PAGE>


 Exhibit A

                        OMEGA HEALTHCARE INVESTORS, INC.

                                     FORM OF
                             ARTICLES SUPPLEMENTARY
                                 SERIES A JUNIOR
                          PARTICIPATING PREFERRED STOCK


         Omega  Healthcare   Investors,   Inc.,  a  Maryland   corporation  (the
"Company"), hereby certifies to the State Department of Assessments and Taxation
of Maryland pursuant to Section 2-208(b) of the Maryland General Corporation Law
(the "MGCL") that:

         FIRST: Under a power contained in Article IV, Section 2 of the Articles
of  Restatement of the Company,  the Board of Directors,  as required by Section
2-208(b) of the MGCL,  at a meeting  duly called and held on May 12,  1999,  has
designated  100,000 unissued shares of the Company's  Preferred Stock, $1.00 par
value per share,  as Series A Junior  Participating  Preferred  Stock,  with the
following preferences, conversion and other rights, voting powers, restrictions,
limitations as to dividends and other  distributions,  qualifications  and terms
and  conditions of  redemption,  which upon any  restatement  of the Articles of
Restatement  shall  be  made  part of  Article  IV of such  Articles,  with  any
necessary or appropriate changes to the enumeration and lettering hereof:

                  SERIES A JUNIOR PARTICIPATING PREFERRED STOCK

         Section 1. Designation and Amount. There shall be a series of preferred
stock of the  Company,  $1.00 par value per  share,  which  shall be  designated
"Series  A Junior  Participating  Preferred  Stock"  (the  "Series  A  Preferred
Stock"),  and the number of shares  constituting  that  series of stock shall be
100,000.  Such number of shares may be increased or decreased by  resolution  of
the Board of Directors and by the filing of articles supplementary in accordance
with the  provisions  of Title 2 of the  MGCL  stating  that  such  increase  or
reduction has been so  authorized;  provided,  however,  that no decrease  shall
reduce the number of shares of Series A  Preferred  Stock to a number  less than
the  number of shares of Series A  Preferred  Stock  then  outstanding  plus the
number  of  shares  of  Series A  Preferred  Stock  issuable  upon  exercise  of
outstanding  rights,  options or  warrants  or upon  conversion  of  outstanding
securities issued by the Company.

         Section 2.  Dividends and Distributions.



<PAGE>



         (A)  Subject  to the prior and  superior  rights of the  holders of any
shares of any class or series of preferred  stock of the Company  ranking  prior
and  superior to the Series A Preferred  Stock with  respect to  dividends,  the
holders of Series A Preferred  Stock shall be entitled to receive,  when, as and
if authorized  by the Board of Directors out of funds legally  available for the
purpose,  quarterly  dividends  payable in cash to holders of record on the last
Business Day of March, June, September and December in each year (each such date
being referred to herein as a "Quarterly  Dividend Payment Date") (commencing on
the first Quarterly  Dividend  Payment Date after the first issuance of a shares
of Series A Preferred Stock or fraction thereof) in an amount per share (rounded
to the  nearest  cent)  equal to the  greater of (a) $1.00 or (b) subject to the
provision for adjustment  hereinafter  set forth,  1,000 times the aggregate per
share  amount of all cash  dividends,  and 1,000 times the  aggregate  per share
amount (payable in kind) of all non-cash dividends or other  distributions other
than a dividend  payable in shares of Common  Stock  (hereinafter  defined) or a
subdivision of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by a reclassification  or
otherwise),  authorized on the common stock,  par value $0.10 per share,  of the
Company (the "Common Stock") since the immediately  preceding Quarterly Dividend
Payment Date,  or, with respect to the first  Quarterly  Dividend  Payment Date,
since the first  issuance of any shares of Series A Preferred  Stock or fraction
thereof.  In the event the Company shall at any time  following May 12, 1999 (i)
declare any dividend on Common  Stock  payable in shares of Common  Stock,  (ii)
subdivide  the  outstanding   shares  of  Common  Stock  or  (iii)  combine  the
outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each
such case the amount to which holders of Series A Preferred  Stock were entitled
immediately prior to such event under clause (b) of the preceding sentence shall
be adjusted by multiplying each such amount by a fraction the numerator of which
is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such event
and the  denominator  of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that were
outstanding immediately prior to such event.

         (B) The Company shall declare a dividend or  distribution on the Series
A Preferred  Stock as provided in paragraph  (A) above at the time it declares a
dividend or distribution  on the Common Stock (other than a dividend  payable in
shares of Common Stock);  provided that in the event no dividend or distribution
shall have been  declared  on the Common  Stock  during the period  between  any
Quarterly   Distribution   Payment  Date  and  the  next  subsequent   Quarterly
Distribution  Payment  Date, a  distribution  of $1.00 per share on the Series A
Preferred  Stock shall  nevertheless  be payable on such Quarterly  Distribution
Payment Date.

         (C) No dividend or distribution  (other than a dividend or distribution
payable in shares of Common  Stock)  shall be paid or payable to the  holders of
Common Stock unless, prior thereto, all accrued but unpaid dividends to the date
of that dividend or distribution shall have been paid to the holders of Series A
Preferred Stock.



<PAGE>


         (D) Dividends  shall begin to accrue and be  cumulative on  outstanding
Series A Preferred Stock from the Quarterly Dividend Payment Date next preceding
the date of  issuance  of such  Series A  Preferred  Stock,  unless  the date of
issuance  of such  stock is prior to the  record  date for the  first  Quarterly
Dividend  Payment  Date,  in which case  dividends  on such stock shall begin to
accrue and be cumulative  from the date of issuance of such stock, or unless the
date of  issuance is a Quarterly  Dividend  Payment  Date or is a date after the
record  date for the  determination  of  holders  of  Series A  Preferred  Stock
entitled to receive a quarterly  dividend  and before  such  Quarterly  Dividend
Payment Date, in either of which events such dividends shall begin to accrue and
be cumulative  from such  Quarterly  Dividend  Payment Date.  Accrued but unpaid
dividends  shall not bear  interest.  Dividends  paid on the Series A  Preferred
Stock in an  amount  less than the total  amount of such  dividends  at the time
accrued  and  payable  on  such  stock  shall  be   allocated   pro  rata  on  a
share-by-share basis among all such shares of stock at the time outstanding. The
Board of  Directors  may fix a record date for the  determination  of holders of
Series  A  Preferred  Stock  entitled  to  receive  payment  of  a  dividend  or
distribution  declared thereon,  which record date shall be no more than 30 days
prior to the date fixed for the payment thereof.

         Section 3.  Voting Rights.  The holders of Series A Preferred Stock 
shall have the following voting rights:

         (A) Subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, each
one  one-thousandth  of a share of Series A Preferred  Stock  shall  entitle the
holder  thereof  to  one  vote  on  all  matters  submitted  to a  vote  of  the
stockholders  of the  Company.  In the  event  the  Company  shall  at any  time
following  May 12,  1999 (i) declare any  dividend  on Common  Stock  payable in
shares of Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding shares of Common Stock or
(iii) combine the  outstanding  shares of Common Stock into a smaller  number of
shares, then in each such case the number of votes per share to which holders of
Series A Preferred Stock were entitled  immediately prior to such event shall be
adjusted by multiplying  such number by a fraction the numerator of which is the
number of shares of Common Stock  outstanding  immediately  after such event and
the  denominator  of which is the  number of shares  of Common  Stock  that were
outstanding immediately prior to such event.

         (B)  Except as  otherwise  provided  herein,  the  holders of shares of
Series A Preferred Stock and the holders of shares of Common Stock and any other
capital stock of the Company having general voting rights shall vote together as
one class on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders of the Company.

         (C) (i) Whenever, at any time or times, dividends payable on any Series
         A Preferred  Stock  shall be in arrears in an amount  equal to at least
         six full  quarterly  dividends  (whether or not declared and whether or
         not  consecutive),  the holders of record of the outstanding  shares of
         Series A  Preferred  Stock  shall  have  the  exclusive  right,  voting
         separately as a single class,  to elect two Directors of the Company at
         a special  meeting of  stockholders  of the Company or at the Company's
         next annual  meeting of  stockholders,  and at each  subsequent  annual
         meeting of  stockholders,  as provided  below.  At  elections  for such
         Directors, the holders of Series A Preferred Stock shall be entitled to
         cast  one  vote for  each  one  one-thousandth  of a share of  Series A
         Preferred Stock held, subject to adjustment.



<PAGE>


                  (ii) Upon the  vesting  of such  right of the  holders  of the
         Series A  Preferred  Stock,  the  number  of  members  of the  Board of
         Directors shall automatically be increased by two and the two vacancies
         so created  shall be filled by vote of the  holders of the  outstanding
         Series A Preferred Stock as hereinafter set forth. A special meeting of
         the  stockholders  of the Company then entitled to vote shall be called
         by the  Chairman,  the  President,  any Senior  Vice  President  or the
         Secretary  of the  Company,  if  requested in writing by the holders of
         record  of not less  than  10% of the  Series A  Preferred  Stock  then
         outstanding.  At such special  meeting,  or, if no such special meeting
         shall have been called, then at the next annual meeting of stockholders
         of the  Company,  the  holders of the Series A  Preferred  Stock  shall
         elect,  voting as above provided,  two Directors of the Company to fill
         the aforesaid vacancies created by the automatic increase in the number
         of members of the Board of Directors.  At any and all such meetings for
         such election,  the holders of a majority of the  outstanding  Series A
         Preferred  Stock shall be  necessary  to  constitute  a quorum for such
         election, whether present in person or by proxy, and such two Directors
         shall be elected by the vote of at least a plurality  of shares held by
         such stockholders  present or represented at the meeting.  Any Director
         elected by holders of Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section
         may be removed at any annual or special meeting, by vote of the holders
         of  a  majority  of  the  shares  of  Series  A  Preferred  Stock  then
         outstanding,  voting as a single class,  with or without cause. In case
         any vacancy shall occur among the  Directors  elected by the holders of
         the Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to this Section, such vacancy may
         be filled by the remaining  Director so elected,  or his successor then
         in office, and the Director so elected to fill such vacancy shall serve
         until the next meeting of  stockholders  for the election of Directors.
         After the holders of the Series A Preferred  Stock shall have exercised
         their right to elect  Directors  in any  default  period and during the
         continuance  of such  period,  the  number  of  Directors  shall not be
         further  increased or decreased except by vote of the holders of Series
         A Preferred  Stock as herein  provided or pursuant to the rights of any
         equity  securities  ranking  senior to or pari  passu with the Series A
         Preferred Stock.

                  (iii)  The  right of the  holders  of the  Series A  Preferred
         Stock,  voting separately as a class, to elect two members of the Board
         of Directors of the Company as aforesaid shall continue until, and only
         until, such time as all arrears in dividends  (whether or not declared)
         on the Series A Preferred  Stock  shall have been paid or declared  and
         set apart for payment, at which time such right shall terminate, except
         as herein or by law  expressly  provided,  subject to  revesting in the
         event  of  each  and  every   subsequent   default  of  the   character
         above-mentioned.  Upon any  termination  of the right of the holders of
         the Series A Preferred Stock as a class to vote for Directors as herein
         provided, the term of office of all Directors then in office elected by
         the holders of Series A Preferred  Stock pursuant to this Section shall
         terminate  immediately.  Whenever  the term of office of the  Directors
         elected by the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to this
         Section  shall  terminate  and the special  voting powers vested in the
         holders of the Series A Preferred  Stock pursuant to this Section shall
         have  expired,  the number of members of the Board of  Directors of the
         Company  shall be such number as may be  provided  for in the Bylaws of
         the  Company   irrespective  of  any  increase  made  pursuant  to  the
         provisions of this Section.

         (D) Except as otherwise  provided herein or required by law, holders of
Series A Preferred  Stock shall have no special  voting rights and their consent
shall not be  required  (except to the  extent  they are  entitled  to vote with
holders of Common Stock as provided herein) for taking any corporate action.


<PAGE>


         Section 4.  Certain Restrictions.

         (A)  Whenever   any   quarterly   dividends   or  other   dividends  or
distributions  payable on the Series A Preferred  Stock as provided in Section 2
are in arrears,  then, thereafter and until all accrued and unpaid dividends and
distributions,  whether or not declared, on Series A Preferred Stock outstanding
shall have been paid in full, the Company shall not:

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

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

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

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

         (B) The  Company  shall not permit  any  subsidiary  of the  Company to
purchase  or  otherwise  acquire  for  consideration  any shares of stock of the
Company unless the Company could, under paragraph (A) of this Section,  purchase
or otherwise acquire such shares of stock at such time and in such manner.



<PAGE>


         Section 5.  Reacquired  Shares.  Any shares of Series A Preferred Stock
purchased or otherwise  acquired by the Company in any manner  whatsoever  shall
become  authorized but unissued shares of stock and may be reissued as shares of
Common  Stock or as part of a new  series of  preferred  or  common  stock to be
created by resolution or resolutions  of the Board of Directors,  subject to the
conditions and restrictions on issuance set forth herein.

         Section  6.  Liquidation,  Dissolution  or  Winding  Up.  (A)  Upon any
voluntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, no distribution
shall be made to the  holders of shares of stock  ranking  junior  (either as to
dividends or upon liquidation,  dissolution or winding up of the Company) to the
Series A  Preferred  Stock  unless,  prior  thereto,  the  holders  of  Series A
Preferred  Stock shall have  received  $1.00 per share,  plus an amount equal to
accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions thereon, whether or not declared,
to the date of such payment (the "Series A Liquidation  Preference").  Following
the  payment  of the full  amount of the  Series A  Liquidation  Preference,  no
additional  distributions  shall be made to the  holders  of Series A  Preferred
Stock unless,  prior thereto, the holders of Common Stock shall have received an
amount per share (the "Common  Adjustment")  equal to the  quotient  obtained by
dividing (i) the Series A Liquidation Preference by (ii) 1,000 (as appropriately
adjusted as set forth in  subparagraph  C below to reflect  such events as stock
splits, stock dividends and recapitalizations  with respect to the Common Stock)
(such number in clause (ii), the "Adjustment Number").  Following the payment of
the full amount of the Series A Liquidation Preference and the Common Adjustment
in  respect of all  outstanding  shares of Series A  Preferred  Stock and Common
Stock,  respectively,  holders of Series A Preferred Stock and holders of Common
Stock shall  receive  their  ratable and  proportionate  share of the  remaining
assets to be distributed in the ratio,  on a per share basis,  of the Adjustment
Number to 1 (one)  with  respect  to such  Series A  Preferred  Stock and Common
Stock, on a per share basis, respectively.

         (B) In the  event,  however,  that  there  are  not  sufficient  assets
available to permit  payment in full of the Series A Liquidation  Preference and
the  liquidation  preferences  of all other series of preferred  stock,  if any,
which rank on a parity with the Series A Preferred  Stock,  then such  remaining
assets  shall be  distributed  ratably to the  holders of the Series A Preferred
Stock  and  such  parity  shares  of  stock in  proportion  to their  respective
liquidation preferences.

         (C) In the event the Company  shall at any time  following May 12, 1999
(i) declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii)
subdivide  the  outstanding   shares  of  Common  Stock  or  (iii)  combine  the
outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each
such case the Adjustment Number in effect  immediately prior to such event shall
be adjusted by multiplying such Adjustment Number by a fraction the numerator of
which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such
event and the  denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that
were outstanding immediately prior to such event.



<PAGE>


         Section 7. Consolidation,  Merger, etc. In case the Company shall enter
into any  consolidation,  merger,  combination or other transaction in which the
shares  of  Common  Stock are  exchanged  for or  changed  into  other  stock or
securities, cash and/or any other property, then in any such case, the shares of
Series A  Preferred  Stock  shall at the same  time be  similarly  exchanged  or
changed  in an  amount  per  share  (subject  to the  provision  for  adjustment
hereinafter  set  forth)  equal to 1,000  times the  aggregate  amount of stock,
securities,  cash and/or any other property  (payable in kind),  as the case may
be, into which or for which each share of Common  Stock is exchanged or changed.
In the event the Company  shall at any time (i)  declare any  dividend on Common
Stock payable in shares of Common Stock,  (ii) subdivide the outstanding  shares
of Common Stock or (iii) combine the  outstanding  shares of Common Stock into a
smaller  number of  shares,  then in each such case the  amount set forth in the
preceding  sentence with respect to the exchange or change of Series A Preferred
Stock shall be adjusted by  multiplying  such amount by a fraction the numerator
of which is the number of shares of Common Stock  outstanding  immediately after
such event and the  denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock
that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

         Section 8. Redemption. The shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall not
be redeemable by the Company. The preceding sentence shall not limit the ability
of the  Company to  purchase  or  otherwise  deal in such shares of stock to the
extent permitted by law.

         Section 9. Ranking.  The Series A Preferred  Stock shall rank junior to
all other series of the Company's  preferred  stock (whether with or without par
value) as to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets, unless the
terms of any such series shall provide otherwise.

         Section 10.  Amendment.  Neither the Company's  Articles of Restatement
nor any Articles Supplementary relating to the Series A Preferred Stock shall be
amended in any manner which would  materially and adversely  alter or change the
preferences,  rights or other terms of the Series A Preferred  Stock without the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority or more of the outstanding  Series
A Preferred Stock, voting separately as a class.

         Section 11. Fractional  Shares.  Shares of Series A Preferred Stock may
be issued  in  fractions  of a share  that are  integral  multiples  of  one-one
thousandth of a share of stock, which shall entitle the holder, in proportion to
such holder's  fractional  shares, to exercise voting rights,  receive dividends
and participate in distributions  and to have the benefit of all other rights of
holders of Series A Preferred Stock.

         SECOND:  These Articles Supplementary have been approved by the Board
of Directors in the manner and by the vote required by law.

         THIRD:  The  undersigned  Chairman  of  the  Board  acknowledges  these
Articles  Supplementary  to be the act of the Company  and, as to all matters or
facts required to be verified under oath, such officer  acknowledges that to the
best of his knowledge,  information and belief, these matters and facts are true
in all material respects and that this statement is made under the penalties for
perjury.


<PAGE>


         IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  these  Articles  Supplementary  have  been  duly
executed by the undersigned officer this 12th day of May, 1999.

                                    OMEGA HEALTHCARE INVESTORS, INC.



                                    By:  /s/ Essel W. Bailey, Jr.               
                                        --------------------------
                                          Essel W. Bailey, Jr.
                                          President


Attest:

By:    /s/ David A. Stover
     -----------------------
        David A. Stover
        Vice President





<PAGE>

                                                            Exhibit B

                           [Form of Right Certificate]


Certificate No. R-                          Rights

         NOT  EXERCISABLE  AFTER MAY 12,  2009 OR EARLIER  IF THE RIGHTS  EXPIRE
         UNDER  CERTAIN  CIRCUMSTANCES  OR  ARE  EXCHANGED  OR  REDEEMED  BY THE
         COMPANY.  THE RIGHTS ARE  SUBJECT TO  REDEMPTION,  AT THE OPTION OF THE
         COMPANY,  AT $0.01  PER  RIGHT ON THE  TERMS  SET  FORTH IN THE  RIGHTS
         AGREEMENT. UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, RIGHTS BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY AN
         ACQUIRING PERSON (AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN THE RIGHTS  AGREEMENT) AND
         ANY  SUBSEQUENT  HOLDER OF SUCH RIGHTS MAY BECOME  NULL AND VOID.  [THE
         RIGHTS  REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE OR WERE BENEFICIALLY  OWNED
         BY A PERSON WHO WAS OR BECAME AN  ACQUIRING  PERSON OR AN  AFFILIATE OR
         ASSOCIATE  OF AN  ACQUIRING  PERSON (AS SUCH  TERMS ARE  DEFINED IN THE
         RIGHTS AGREEMENT).  ACCORDINGLY,  THIS RIGHT CERTIFICATE AND THE RIGHTS
         REPRESENTED  HEREBY MAY BECOME VOID IN THE  CIRCUMSTANCES  SPECIFIED IN
         SECTION 7(e) OF SUCH AGREEMENT.]*

                                Right Certificate

                        OMEGA HEALTHCARE INVESTORS, INC.


- --------
     *  The  portion  of the  legend  in  brackets  shall  be  inserted  only if
        applicable and shall replace the preceding sentence.
<PAGE>



     This certifies that  _________________________,  or registered  assigns, is
the  registered  owner of the  number of Rights set forth  above,  each of which
entitles the owner thereof,  subject to the terms,  provisions and conditions of
the Rights Agreement, dated as of May 12, 1999 (the "Rights Agreement"), between
Omega Healthcare  Investors,  Inc., a Maryland corporation (the "Company"),  and
First Chicago Trust Company (the "Rights Agent") to purchase from the Company at
any time  after the  Distribution  Date (as such term is  defined  in the Rights
Agreement)  and prior to 5:00 p.m.  (Eastern  time) on May 12, 2009 or notice of
redemption  or exchange at the office of the Rights Agent (or its  successors as
Rights Agent) designated for such purpose,  one  one-thousandth of a fully paid,
non-assessable   shares  of  Series  A  Junior  Participating   Preferred  Stock
("Preferred  Stock")  of the  Company,  at a  purchase  price of $90.00  per one
one-thousandth  of a share of  Preferred  Stock  (the  "Purchase  Price"),  upon
presentation  and surrender of this Right  Certificate with the appropriate Form
of Election to Purchase and related  Certificate  duly  executed.  The number of
Rights  evidenced  by this  Right  Certificate  (and the  number  of  shares  of
Preferred  Stock which may be purchased upon exercise  thereof) set forth above,
and the  Purchase  Price per share of Preferred  Stock set forth above,  are the
number and Purchase  Price as of May 12, 1999,  based on the shares of Preferred
Stock as constituted at such date.  Capitalized  terms not defined in this Right
Certificate  that are defined in the Rights  Agreement  shall have the  meanings
ascribed to them in the Rights Agreement.

         Upon the occurrence of a Triggering  Event, if the Rights  evidenced by
this Right  Certificate are beneficially  owned by (i) an Acquiring Person or an
Affiliate  or  Associate  of any  such  Acquiring  Person,  (ii)  under  certain
circumstances  specified  in the  Rights  Agreement,  a  transferee  of any such
Acquiring Person,  Associate or Affiliate,  or (iii) under certain circumstances
specified  in the Rights  Agreement,  a transferee  of a person who,  after such
transfer,  became an  Acquiring  Person,  or an  Affiliate  or  Associate  of an
Acquiring  Person,  such Rights shall become null and void and no holder  hereof
shall have any right with  respect to such Rights from and after the  occurrence
of any such Triggering Event.

         As provided in the Rights Agreement,  the Purchase Price and the number
and  kind of  shares  of  Preferred  Stock  or other  securities,  which  may be
purchased  upon the exercise of the Rights  evidenced by this Right  Certificate
are subject to modification and adjustment upon the happening of certain events.

         This Right  Certificate is subject to all of the terms,  provisions and
conditions of the Rights Agreement,  which terms,  provisions and conditions are
hereby  incorporated  herein by  reference  and made a part  hereof and to which
Rights Agreement  reference is hereby made for a full description of the rights,
limitations  of rights,  obligations,  duties and  immunities  hereunder  of the
Rights  Agent,  the  Company and the  holders of the Right  Certificates,  which
limitations of rights include the temporary  suspension of the exercisability of
such Rights under  certain  circumstances  specified  in such Rights  Agreement.
Copies of the Rights Agreement are on file at the above-mentioned  office of the
Company and are also available upon written request to the Company.

         This Right Certificate, with or without other Right Certificates,  upon
surrender at the principal  corporate  trust office of the Rights Agent,  may be
exchanged for another Right Certificate or Right  Certificates of like tenor and
date evidencing  Rights entitling the holder to purchase a like aggregate number
of shares of Preferred Stock as the Rights evidenced by the Right Certificate or
Right Certificates  surrendered shall have entitled such holder to purchase.  If
this Right  Certificate shall be exercised in part, the holder shall be entitled
to receive upon surrender hereof another Right Certificate or Right Certificates
for the number of whole Rights not exercised.



<PAGE>


         Subject to the provisions of the Rights Agreement, the Rights evidenced
by this Certificate may be redeemed by the Company at its option at a redemption
price of $0.01 per Right at any time  prior to the  earlier  of (i) such time as
any Person  becomes an  Acquiring  Person or (ii) the Close of  Business  on the
Final Expiration Date.

         No fractional share of Preferred Stock will be issued upon the exercise
of any Right or Rights evidenced hereby (other than fractions which are integral
multiples of one one-thousandth of a share of Preferred Stock, which may, at the
election of the  Company,  be  evidenced by  depositary  receipts),  but in lieu
thereof a cash payment will be made, as provided in the Rights Agreement.

         No holder of this Right Certificate, as such, shall be entitled to vote
or receive  dividends or be deemed for any purpose the holder of Preferred Stock
or of any other  securities  of the Company which may at any time be issuable on
the exercise  hereof,  nor shall anything  contained in the Rights  Agreement or
herein be construed to confer upon the holder hereof, as such, any of the rights
of a  stockholder  of the  Company  or any  right  to vote for the  election  of
directors or upon any matter  submitted to stockholders at any meeting  thereof,
or to give or withhold consent to any corporate action, or, to receive notice of
meetings  or other  actions  affecting  stockholders  (except as provided in the
Rights Agreement), or to receive dividends or subscription rights, or otherwise,
until the Right or Rights  evidenced by this Right  Certificate  shall have been
exercised as provided in the Rights Agreement.

         This Right Certificate shall not be valid or obligatory for any purpose
until it shall have been countersigned by the Rights Agent.

         WITNESS  the  signature  of the proper  officers of the Company and its
seal.

Dated as of     ,     

                                            OMEGA HEALTHCARE INVESTORS, INC.

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

Attest:  (SEAL)



Name:
Title:




<PAGE>


Countersigned:

FIRST CHICAGO TRUST COMPANY

By:                                                           
     ---------------------------
         Authorized Signature


<PAGE>


                   [Form of Reverse Side of Right Certificate]


                               FORM OF ASSIGNMENT
                               ------------------

         (To be executed  by the  registered  holder if such  holder  desires to
transfer the Right Certificate.)

FOR VALUE RECEIVED                                                        hereby
                  ------------------------------------------------------
sells, assigns and transfers unto                                               
                                 -----------------------------------------------
                  (Please  print  name and  address  of  transferee)  
this Right Certificate,  together  with all right,  title and  interest  
therein,  and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint        Attorney, to
                                                            --------
transfer the within Right Certificate  on the  books  of the  within-named  
Company,  with  full  power of substitution.

Date:                     ,                                           
          ---------------------                     ----------------------------
                                                              Signature

Signature Guaranteed:
                                   Certificate
                                   -----------

     The undersigned hereby certifies by checking the appropriate boxes that:

     (1) this  Rights  Certificate  |_| is |_| is not being sold,  assigned  and
transferred by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an Acquiring  Person or an
Affiliate or Associate of any such  Acquiring  Person (as such terms are defined
pursuant to the Rights Agreement);

     (2) after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the undersigned,  it |_|
did |_| did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate from any
Person who is, was or subsequently became an Acquiring Person or an Affiliate or
Associate of an Acquiring Person.
                                  
Date:                    ,                                      Signature
     -------------------------------                  --------------------------

                                     NOTICE
                                     ------

         The  signature  to  the  foregoing   Assignment  and  Certificate  must
correspond  to the name as written  upon the face of this Right  Certificate  in
every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.


<PAGE>





                          FORM OF ELECTION TO PURCHASE

                      (To be executed if holder desires to
                     exercise Rights evidenced by the Right
                                  Certificate.)

To:      OMEGA HEALTHCARE INVESTORS, INC.

         The undersigned  hereby irrevocably elects to exercise   Rights 
                                                                --
evidenced by this Right  Certificate  to purchase the  Preferred  Stock  
issuable upon the exercise of the Rights (or such other  securities of the 
Company or of any other person which may be issuable  upon the exercise of the 
Rights) and requests that certificates for such shares of stock be issued in the
name of:

Please insert social security
or other identifying number:                                                    


                                    (Please print name and address)

         If such number of Rights shall not be all the Rights  evidenced by this
Right Certificate,  a new Right Certificate for the balance of such Rights shall
be registered in the name of and delivered to:

Please insert social security
or other identifying number:                                                    


                                    (Please print name and address)



Date:           ,                                           
                                                              Signature


<PAGE>




Signature Guaranteed:

                                   Certificate

     The undersigned hereby certifies by checking the appropriate boxes that:

         (1) the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate |_| are |_| are not
being exercised by or on behalf of a Person who is or was an Acquiring Person or
an  Affiliate  or  Associate  of any such  Acquiring  Person  (as such terms are
defined pursuant to the Rights Agreement);

         (2) after due inquiry and to the best knowledge of the undersigned,  it
|_| did |_| did not acquire the Rights evidenced by this Rights Certificate from
any  Person  who is,  was or  became an  Acquiring  Person  or an  Affiliate  or
Associate of an Acquiring Person.

Dated:            ,                                                             
                                                              Signature


                                     NOTICE

         The  signature to the  foregoing  Election to Purchase and  Certificate
must  correspond to the name as written upon the face of this Right  Certificate
in every particular, without alteration or enlargement or any change whatsoever.



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