UNIVERSAL STANDARD MEDICAL LABORATORIES INC
SC 13D/A, 1996-09-30
MEDICAL LABORATORIES
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                  SCHEDULE 13D

           Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )*

                  Universal Standard Medical Laboratories, Inc.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                (Name of Issuer)

                           Common stock, no par value
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         (Title of Class of Securities)

                                    913839106
          ---------------------------------------------------------
                                 (CUSIP Number)

            Barbara McDonald; WestSphere Group; P.O. Box 309 63 SMB, 
            Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, B.W.I., Tel.:  809-949-9845 
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 (Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and
                                 Communications)

                               September 19, 1996

             (Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)

If  the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report
the acquisition which  is the subject of  this Schedule 13D, and  is filing this
schedule because of Rule 13d-1(b)(3) or (4), check the following box / /

Check the following box if a fee is being paid with this statement  / /.  (A fee
is not required only if  the reporting person:  (1) has a previous  statement on
file reporting  beneficial ownership of more  than five percent  of the class of
securities described  in  Item 1;  and (2)  has  filed no  amendment  subsequent
thereto reporting beneficial ownership of less than five percent of  such class.
See Rule 13d-7.)

Note:   Six copies of this  statement, including all  exhibits, should  be filed
with the Commission.  See Rule 13d-1(a) for other parties  to whom copies are to
be sent.

*The remainder  of this cover page shall be filled  out for a reporting person's
initial  filing on  this form with  respect to the subject  class of securities,
and for  any  subsequent amendment  containing  information  which  would  alter
disclosures provided in a prior cover page.

The  information required  on the  remainder of  this cover  page  shall not  be
deemed to be  "filed" for the purpose  of Section 18 of the  Securities Exchange
Act of 1934 ("Act") or  otherwise subject to the liabilities of  that section of
the  Act but shall be  subject to all other  provisions of the Act (however, see
the Notes).
<PAGE>
                                  SCHEDULE 13D
    CUSIP No.  913839106

        1)    Names of Reporting Persons S.S. or I.R.S. Identification
              Nos. of Above Persons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

                   WestSphere Equity Holdings, Ltd.

        2)    Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See
              Instructions) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
                   (a)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . / /
                   (b)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . / /

        3)    SEC Use Only  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

        4)    Source of Funds 

                   See Item 3   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

        5)    Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings is Required
              Pursuant to Items 2(d) or 2(e)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . / /
        6)    Citizenship or Place of Organization

                   The Cayman Islands

    Number of Shares Beneficially Owned by
    Each Reporting Person With

              7)  Sole Voting Power
                   None

              8)  Shared Voting Power
                   None

              9)  Sole Dispositive Power
                   None

              10) Shared Dispositive Power
                   None

        11)   Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person    
                   0

        12)   Check if the Aggregate Amount in Row (11) Excludes Certain
              Shares (See Instructions) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . / /

        13)   Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)

                   0.0%
      
        14)   Type of Reporting Person

                   CO

<PAGE>
Item 1.   Security and Issuer.

          This statement relates to the common stock, no par value per share
     (the "Shares"), of Universal Standard Medical Laboratories, Inc., a
     Michigan corporation (the "Company").  The Company's principal executive
     office is located at 21705 Evergreen Road, Southfield, Michigan 48075.

Item 2.   Identity and Background.

          This statement is being filed on behalf of WestSphere Equity
     Holdings, Ltd. ("WEHL").

          WEHL is a corporation organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands,
     B.W.I. Funding II, LP is a limited partnership organized under the laws of
     Delaware.  WEHL maintains its principal place of business at c/o Maples
     and Calder, Cayman International Trust Building, P.O. Box 309, Panton
     Avenue, Kirk House, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, B.W.I.; mailing address:
     P.O. Box 309 63 SMB, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, B.W.I.  

          WEHL's principal business is the acquisition of U.S. companies
     through the provision of equity investments.

          WEHL is party to a management agreement with WestSphere Capital
     Associates, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership ("WCA"), pursuant to
     which WCA has the authority to manage the assets, including the Shares
     owned by WEHL.  WestSphere Capital Inc., a Delaware corporation ("WCI"), 
     is the general partner of WCA, and, therefore, may be deemed to be an 
     entity controlling WEHL.  WCI manages the business of WCA.  The address 
     of each of WCA and WCI is c/o WestSphere Capital Associates, L.P., 55 
     East 50th Street, 13 floor, New York, New York 10022.

          Information concerning the executive officers and directors of each
     of WEHL, WCA and WCI is set forth in Schedule A to this statement. 
     Neither WEHL nor, to the best of our knowledge, WCA, WCI or any person
     named in Schedule A, during the last five years (i) has been convicted in
     a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations and similar
     misdemeanors); or (ii) was a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or
     administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such
     proceeding was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order
     enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or mandating activities
     subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violations
     with respect to such laws.

Item 3.   Source and Amount of Funds or other Consideration.

          Portfolio Investment Company Limited ("PICL"), a Cayman Islands
     corporation, acquired 1,335,558 Shares from WEHL pursuant to a
     Subscription and Share Purchase Agreement, dated September 19, 1996,
     enclosed hereto as Exhibit 1 (the "Subscription and Share Purchase
     Agreement") and incorporated by reference herein. PICL acquired the Shares
     with the proceeds of the offering outside of the United states pursuant to
     Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of US$8,000,000 of
     9 1/4% Notes Due 1999 (the"Notes"). 

Item 4.   Purpose of Transaction.
<PAGE>
          WEHL sold its directly held Shares to PICL in order to obtain funds
     to repay certain obligations owed by WEHL and otherwise restructure its
     investment portfolio.  Through the subscription of 21,695 shares of PICL,
     representing a 43.4% ownership of that entity, WEHL has maintained a
     indirect beneficial interest in 945,349 Shares.  Depending upon the
     Company's business and prospects, and upon future developments (including,
     without limitation, performance of the Shares in the market, availability
     of funds to PICL to pay its obligations under the Notes and general
     economic conditions), PICL may from time to time dispose of all or a
     portion of the Shares it holds.  WEHL, in turn (or persons who may be
     deemed to be affiliated with WEHL), may from time to time purchase Shares,
     either from PICL or unaffiliated parties.  Any purchases by WEHL (or
     affiliates) may be in the open market or privately negotiated
     transactions, or otherwise.  WEHL is contractually obligated to repurchase
     up to 945,349 Shares if PICL exercises a put right under the Subscription
     and Share Purchase Agreement.

     Except as described in this Item 4, WEHL has not formulated any plans or
     proposals which relate to or would result in:  (a) the acquisition by any
     person of additional securities of the Company, or the disposition of
     securities of the Company; (b) an extraordinary corporation transaction,
     such as merger, reorganization or liquidation, involving the Company or
     any of its subsidiaries; (c) a sale or transfer of a material amount of
     assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries; (d) any change in the
     present Board of Directors or management of the Company, including any
     plans or proposals to change the number or term of directors or to fill
     any existing vacancies on the Board; (e) any material change in the
     present capitalization or dividend policy of the Company; (f) any other
     material change in the Company's business or corporate structure; (g)
     changes in the Company's charter or bylaws or other actions which may
     impede the acquisition of control of the Company by any person; (h)
     causing a class of securities of the Company to be delisted from a
     national securities exchange or to cease to be authorized to be quoted in
     an inter-dealer quotation system of a registered national securities
     association; (i) causing a class of equity securities of the Company to
     become eligible for termination of registration pursuant to Section
     12(g)(4) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; or (j) any action similar
     to those enumerated above.

Item 5.   Interest in Securities of the Issuer.

          (a)  The table below sets forth the number and percentage of Shares
               directly and indirectly held by each person named in Item 2
               above:

<TABLE>

<CAPTION>
                  Number of     Number of      Number of
                    Shares        Shares         Shares       Approximate
Filing Party       Directly     Indirectly    Directly and    Percentages
                     Held          Held        Indirectly
                                                  Held
<S>               <C>           <C>           <C>              <C>
WEHL                        0          0               0               0

WCA<F1>                          480,517         480,517         38.8%<F2>
WCI<F1>                          480,517         480,517         38.8%<F2>
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
          (b)  WEHL has no power to vote the Shares beneficially owned by it
               except indirectly through exercise of its rights as shareholder
               of PICL.

          (c)  WEHL sold 1,335,558 Shares to PICL on September 19, 1996 as
               described in Items 3 and 4.

          (d)  Not applicable.

          (e)  September 19, 1996.

Item 6.   Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect
          to Securities of the Issuer.

          Pursuant to the Subscription and Share Purchase Agreement, WEHL has 
     agreed to purchase up to 945,349 Shares at the option of PICL at a price
     to be determined on the basis of the number of Shares then held by PICL
     and certain obligations owed by PICL.

Item 7.   Material to be Filed as Exhibits.

     Exhibit 1.     Subscription and Share Purchase Agreement dated September
                    19, 1996.
<PAGE>
                                   SCHEDULE A

                        Directors and Executive Officers

          Except as set forth below, the business address of each person is c/o
WestSphere Capital Associates, L.P., 55 East 50th Street, 13 floor, New York,
New York 10022.

Directors of WEHL              Present Principal Occupation.


(a) Jose Bohorquez             Director of Equity

(b) Ryhal Gallagher            Director of Equity



General Partner of WCA

WCI


Executive Officers of WCA

Eduardo Bohorquez              Chief Executive Officer

Nicholas Peters                Managing Director

Joseph J. Vadapalas            Managing Director


Directors and Executive Officers of WCI

Eduardo Bohorquez              President and Chief Executive Officer

Nicholas Peters                Executive Vice President

Joseph J. Vadapalas            Executive Vice President


Citizenship of Directors and Executive Officers

(a) Jose Bohorquez             Colombia
(b) Eduardo Bohorquez          United States
(c) Joseph J. Vadapalas        United States
(d) Ryhal Gallagher            Republic of Ireland
<PAGE>
                                    SIGNATURE


          After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief,
I certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete
and correct.


                               WESTSPHERE EQUITY HOLDINGS, LTD.



                               By:    /s/ Joseph J. Vadapalas       
                                   Joseph J. Vadapalas
                                   Its:  Authorized Signatory

Date:  September 30, 1996
<PAGE>
                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


Exhibit 1.     Subscription and Share Purchase Agreement, dated September 19,
               1996.
<PAGE>
____________________
[FN]
<F1> Includes the Shares sold by WEHL to PICL and all other Shares acquired and
owned by PICL.  This number also incudes 45,710 Shares belonging to CLF, Ltd,
173,465 Shares belonging to CLF L.P., both entities controlled by WCA, and
warrants held by affiliates of WCA adn WCI to purchase 83,117 Shares.  PICL has
entered into a Management Agreement whereby WCA will have investment power
including the power to dispose, or to direct the disposition of the Shares, and
therefore WCA may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of the Shares directly
owned by PICL.  WCI is the general partner of WCA, and therefore may be deemed
to be the beneficial owner of the Shares directly owned by PICL.  WCA and WCI
disclaim this beneficial interest.

<F2> Percentages of beneficial ownership are calculated assuming 6,392,000
Shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 1996, as reported in the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K.



                    SUBSCRIPTION AND SHARE PURCHASE AGREEMENT

          THIS AGREEMENT, dated as of September 19, 1996, by an among
WESTSPHERE EQUITY HOLDINGS, LTD., a corporation organized and existing under
the laws of the Cayman Islands ("Equity"); WESTSPHERE EQUITY HOLDINGS II, LTD.,
a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands
("Equity II"); WESTSPHERE FUNDING, LTD., a corporation organized and existing
under the laws of the Cayman Islands ("Funding"); WESTSPHERE FUNDING II, LTD.,
a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the Cayman Islands
("Funding II"); CLF, LTD., a corporation organized and existing under the laws
of the Cayman Islands ("CLF"); WESTSPHERE FUNDING II, L.P., a limited
partnership constituted and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware
("Funding II, L.P.") (together, the "Investors"); and PORTFOLIO INVESTMENT
COMPANY LIMITED, a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the
Cayman Islands (the "Company");


                                    RECITALS 

          WHEREAS, the Company has been established by the Investors for the
purpose of holding and selling certain investments in corporations located in
the United States of America which initially consists in the USML Shares (as
hereinafter defined), the Holding Shares (as hereinafter defined) and the Note
(as hereinafter defined), together with any cash (including interest accrued
thereon) derived from such investments (together, the "Portfolio") all of which
are currently owned by the Investors as described in Schedule I hereto;

          WHEREAS, each of the Investors desires to participate as an equity
investor in the Company by purchasing, and the Company wishes to sell, the
Shares (as hereinafter defined);

          WHEREAS, the Company desires to purchase from each of the Investors,
and the Investors wishes to sell, the Portfolio;

          NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises, the
covenants and agreements contained herein together with other consideration,
the adequacy and receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto
agree as follows:


                                   ARTICLE I.

                                   Definitions

          1.1  Certain Definitions. As used in this Agreement, the following
definitions shall have the following meanings (such definitions to be equally
applicable to both singular and plural forms of the terms defined):

          "Agreement":  this Subscription and Share Purchase Agreement, as
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

          "Applicable Law":  as to any Person (a) the Certificate of
Incorporation, Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association or other
organizational or governing documents of such Person, (b) any law, treaty,
rule, regulation, ordinance, decree, injunction, writ or order or any
<PAGE>
determination of an arbitrator or a court or other governmental authority, in
each case applicable to or binding upon such Person.

          "Closing":  the closing of the purchase and sale of the Shares
pursuant to this Agreement to take place at the offices of Simpson Thacher &
Bartlett, 425 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York.

          "Closing Date":  unless otherwise agreed by the parties hereto, the
date upon which the conditions set forth in Article VII of the Fiscal Agency
Agreement are satisfied.

          "Company":  as defined in the Recitals hereto.

          "Fiscal Agency Agreement":  refers to the Fiscal Agency Agreement,
dated as of the date hereof, by and between the Company and The Bank of New
York, London Branch, as fiscal and paying agent, as amended, supplemented or
otherwise modified from time to time.

          "Governmental Approval":  authorizations, consents, approvals,
waivers, exemptions, variances, franchises, permissions, permits and licenses
of, and filings and declarations with, any Governmental Authority.

          "Governmental Authority":  any nation or government, any state or
other political subdivision thereof, and any entity exercising executive,
legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining
to government.

          "Holding":  refers to Southland Food Services Holding Corporation, a
Delaware corporation.

          "Holding Shares":  means 90 fully paid and nonassessable shares of
the existing common stock of Southland Food Services Holding Corporation, a
Delaware corporation.

          "Note":  means a certain note issued to Funding II by Holding for the
aggregate amount of US$3.35 million.

          "Notes Due 1999":  as defined in Section 4.2.

          "Person":  any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, group,
trust, joint venture, Governmental Authority or other entity, and shall include
any successor (by merger or otherwise) of such entity.

          "Placement Agent":  refers to WestSphere Investment Management, S.A.
as placement agent under the Placement Agreement.

          "Placement Agreement":  means the Placement Agreement by and among
the Company, as issuer, and WestSphere Investment Management S.A., as placement
agent, executed on September 19, 1996 whereby the Company issued and the
Placement Agent agreed to place the Notes Due 1999 and provide certain
additional services to the Company.

          "Shares":  the shares of common stock of the Company as set forth in
the Articles of Association.

          "US$" or "U.S. dollars:  dollars in lawful currency of the United
States of America.
<PAGE>
          "USML Shares":  means 2,178,223 fully paid and nonassessable shares
of the existing common stock of Universal Standard Medical Laboratories, Inc.,
a Michigan company publicly registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange
Commission and NASDAQ listed.

          1.2   Additional Defined Terms.  For facility of use certain
additional terms are defined within the Agreement at the point of reference.


                                   ARTICLE II.

                          Subscription of Common Shares

          Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, the
parties hereto agrees as follows

          2.1  Subscription of Shares.  At the Closing, each of the Investors
will subscribe the number of Shares of the Company set forth opposite the name
of such Investor on Schedule I hereto, at the subscription price of US$1.00 per
Share.  The price of subscription will be deducted from the amounts payable to
each Investor by the Company for the Portfolio, in accordance with the
respective amounts otherwise payable by such Investor. 

          2.2  Delivery of Certificates.  The issuance, sale and purchase of
the Shares shall be evidenced by the Company delivering or causing to be
delivered to each Shareholder one or more certificates representing the number
of Shares purchased by such Shareholder, such certificate or certificates to
be duly registered in the name of the Shareholder on the books of the Company
in accordance with the Articles of Association.


                                  ARTICLE III.

                            Purchase of the Portfolio

          Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, the
parties hereto agree as follows:

          3.1   Purchase and Sale of Shares.  1.  At the Closing, the Company
agrees to purchase and each Investor agrees to sell the USML Shares, Holding
Shares and Note (together, the "Portfolio") in amount and for the consideration
set forth opposite the name of each Investor on Schedule II hereto.  The amount
of consideration is calculated at 58.31% of the estimated fair market value of
the Portfolio.  The Investors acknowledge and agree that the discount to market
value is fair and reasonable in the light of their maintenance of an indirect
interest in the Portfolio through their ownership of the Company.  The
consideration amount set forth in Schedule II, after adjustment in accordance
with Section 3.2 hereof, will be payable the first business day immediately
following Closing by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the
accounts designated by the Investors on Schedule IV hereto.  At Closing, the
Investors shall deliver to the Company certificates evidencing the USML Shares
and the Holding Shares, duly endorsed in blank or with a duly executed stock
transfer power attached and the Note, duly assigned to the Company.

          3.2   Repayment of Debt.  In partial payment of the consideration,
the Company agrees to repay or arrange for the repayment of certain obligations
of certain Investors not in excess of an aggregate of US$3,000,000 (the

<PAGE>
"Investor Debt").  The persons to whom such Investor Debt is payable, together
with the amounts owing (interest and principal) are set forth in Schedule III
hereto.  As a result, the consideration payable by the Company to such
Investors for the Portfolio is reduced in recognition of the Company's
agreement to repay the Investor Debt.  The Company has entered into the
Placement Agreement with the Placement Agent, an affiliate of the Investors,
pursuant to which the Placement Agent has agreed to place the Notes Due 1999
and allocate the proceeds therefrom in accordance with the instructions
contained in such agreement, including, without limitation, the payment of the
amounts owed hereunder and the payment of the Investor Debt.  The Placement
Agent shall use its best efforts to obtain an executed release from the
creditors of such Investors.

          3.3   Irrevocability of Transfer.  The Investors agree that, upon
satisfaction of the conditions to Closing set forth in Article VI of the Fiscal
Agency Agreement, the transfer of the Portfolio is irrevocable.  In that
regard, the Investors accept any risk of nonpayment from the Placement Agent
and will look to the Placement Agent as third party beneficiaries under the
Placement Agreement for payment of the amounts owed hereunder and for evidence
of repayment of the Investor Debt and releases from the creditors for the
Investor Debt.

                                   ARTICLE IV.

                                    Put Right

          4.1  Put Right.  The Company shall have the right (a "Put Right") to
require at any time the Investors to purchase all, but not less than all, the
Portfolio, or whatever portion of the Portfolio is remaining at such time, at
the Put Price (as hereinafter defined).  Each Investor acknowledges and agrees
that it will purchase, upon prior receipt of notification pursuant to this
Section 4.1, the Portfolio (or the remaining portion thereof) by paying its pro
rata share of the Put Price in accordance with its proportional interest in the
capital stock of the Company.  The Company shall give written notice to the
Investors of its intention to exercise its Put Right with at least 30 days
prior to the date of exercise.

          4.2  Put Price.  The "Put Price" shall be equal to the sum of (i) the
interest accrued and payable on the notes issued by the Company pursuant to the
Fiscal Agency Agreement (the "Notes Due 1999") through the date of exercise,
(ii) the principal outstanding on the Notes Due 1999, (iii) any premium,
prepayment or other charge due and payable on the Notes Due 1999 in accordance
with the Fiscal Agency Agreement and (iv) additional amounts, if any, required
to pay the Company's fees and expenses related to the Notes Due 1999.


                                   ARTICLE V.

                         Representations and Warranties

          5.1   Representations and Warranties of the Investors.  Each of the
Investors represents and warrants to each other party that, as of the date of
this Agreement and as of the Closing Date, with respect to itself:

          (a)   Organization and Standing.  Such party:

                (i)  is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in
     good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation
<PAGE>
     except for Funding II L.P. which is a limited partnership existing under
     the laws of the Cayman Islands; and

                (ii)  has all requisite organizational power and authority
     necessary to enable it to use its corporate name and to own, lease or
     otherwise hold its properties and assets and to carry on its business as
     presently conducted or intended.

          (b)   Authority.  Such party has all requisite organizational power
and authority to enter into this Agreement to which it is a party and to
consummate the transactions intended hereby and thereby.  The execution and
delivery by such party of this Agreement and the consummation by such party of
the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, have been duly authorized by
all necessary organizational action on the part of such party.  This Agreement
has been, or will at the Closing have been, duly executed and delivered by such
party and constitute, or will at the Closing constitute, its legal, valid and
binding obligations, enforceable against such party in accordance with their
respective terms.  The execution and delivery by such party of this Agreement
does not and did not, and the consummation of the transactions and compliance
with the terms of this Agreement will not, conflict with, result in any
violation of or default (with or without notice or lapse of time or both)
under, give rise to a right of termination, cancellation or acceleration of any
material obligation or to the loss of any material benefit under or result in
or require the creation, imposition or extension of any lien upon any of its
properties or assets under (A) any contract, (B) any provision of its
constitutive documents or (C) any judgment or Applicable Law, except, with
respect to clauses (A) or (C), for such conflicts, violations, defaults, rights
or losses that, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a material
adverse effect on such party's ability to perform its obligations under this
Agreement in accordance with their respective terms.  No Governmental Approval
or approval of any other Person is required to be obtained or made by such
party or any of its Affiliates in connection with the execution and delivery of
this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or
thereby.

          (c)  Ownership.  Such party is the registered and beneficial owner of
all Portfolio listed opposite its name on Schedule II hereto, free and clear of
all liens, charges, encumbrances, security interests, options, pledges,
transfer restrictions or any other claims or third party rights.

          5.2   Representations and Warranties of the Company
The Company represents and warrants to each other party that, as of the date of
this Agreement and as of the Closing Date, with respect to itself:

          (a)   Organization and Standing.  The Company:

                (i)  is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in
     good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation; and

                (ii)  has all requisite corporate power and corporate authority
     necessary to enable it to use its corporate name and to own, lease or
     otherwise hold its properties and assets and to carry on its business as
     presently conducted or intended.

          (b)   Authority.  The Company has all requisite corporate power and
corporate authority to enter into this Agreement and to consummate the
transactions intended hereby and thereby.  The execution and delivery by the
<PAGE>
Company of this Agreement and the consummation by the Company of the
transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, have been duly authorized by all
necessary corporate action on the part of the Company.  This Agreement has
been, or will at the Closing have been, duly executed and delivered by the
Company and constitute, or will at the Closing constitute, its legal, valid and
binding obligations, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their
respective terms.  The execution and delivery by the Company of this Agreement
does not and did not, and the consummation of the transactions and compliance
with the terms of this Agreement to which it is a party will not, conflict
with, result in any violation of or default (with or without notice or lapse of
time or both) under, give rise to a right of termination, cancellation or
acceleration of any material obligation or to the loss of any material benefit
under or result in or require the creation, imposition or extension of any lien
upon any of its properties or assets under (A) any contract, (B) any provision
of its constitutive documents or (C) any judgment or Applicable Law, except,
with respect to clauses (A) or (C), for such conflicts, violations, defaults,
rights or losses that, individually or in the aggregate, would not have a
material adverse effect on the Company's ability to perform its obligations
under this Agreement in accordance with their respective terms.  No
Governmental Approval or approval of any other Person is required to be
obtained or made by the Company or any of its Affiliates in connection with the
execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

          (c)   Authorized Capital.  The authorized capital stock of the
Company consists of 50,000 shares of common stock, nominal (par) value US$1.00. 
All issued and outstanding shares have been duly authorized and are validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable.  The Company does not have outstanding
any rights (preemptive or other) to subscribe for or to purchase, or any
warrants or options for the purchase of, or any agreements, understandings or
arrangements providing for or other obligations requiring the issuance
(contingent or other) of, or any calls, commitments or claims of any character
relating to, any shares of any class of its capital stock or any securities
convertible into or exchangeable for any such stock.  The Company is not
subject to any obligations (contingent or other) to repurchase or otherwise
acquire or rescind the sale of any shares of any class of its stock or any
securities, rights or options related thereto.


                                   ARTICLE VI.

                                    Covenants

          In order to induce the Investors to enter into this Agreement, the
Company agrees and covenants with the Shareholders that it will be subject to
the covenants set forth in Article VIII of the Fiscal Agency Agreement as if
the same appeared in their entirety herein.



                                  ARTICLE VII.

                            Miscellaneous Provisions

          7.1   Expenses.  All costs and expenses incurred in connection with
this Agreement, shall be paid by the Company.
<PAGE>
          7.2   No Third-Party Beneficiaries.  This Agreement shall not confer
any rights or remedies upon any person other than the parties hereto and their
respective successors and permitted assigns.

          7.3   Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall be binding upon
and inure to the benefit of the parties named herein and their respective
successors and permitted assigns.  

          7.4   Assignment.  No party may assign or otherwise transfer any of
its rights or obligations under this Agreement by operation of law or
otherwise, without the prior written consent of the other Parties, which
consent shall not be unreasonably withheld.  Any purported or attempted
assignment contrary to the terms hereof shall be null and void and of no force
or effect.

          7.5   Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original but all of which
together will constitute one and the same instrument.

          7.6   Headings.  The sections headings contained in this Agreement
are inserted for convenience only and are not part of this Agreement and shall
not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

          7.7   Notices.  Notices given under this Agreement shall be in
writing and shall be effective when actually delivered to such party by hand,
telex or telecopy to an officer of such party or on the date indicated on the
signed receipt if sent by mail, postage prepaid;

          (a) if to the Investors, shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or
     facsimile transmission to WestSphere Investment Management S.A., Av.
     Adolfo Davila 740, piso 4, oficina 18, Dock 5 Puerto Madero (1107), Buenos
     Aires, Argentina, Attention: Armando C. Braun, Chairman, cc to: Walter
     Fonseca, Director;

          (b) if to the Company, shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or
     facsimile transmission to the Company at P.O. Box 309 63 SMB, Grand
     Cayman, Cayman Islands, BWI, Attention: Barbara McDonald.

          7.8  Governing Law.  This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the substantive laws of the Cayman Islands.

          7.9  Amendments and Waivers.  This Agreement may be amended, modified,
superseded or canceled and any of its terms, covenants, representations,
warranties, undertakings or conditions may be waived only by an instrument in
writing signed by (or by some person duly authorized by) all of the parties
hereto or, in the case of a waiver, by the party waiving compliance.

          7.10  Severability.  Any term or provision of this Agreement that is
invalid or unenforceable in any situation in any jurisdiction shall not affect
the validity or enforceability of the remaining terms and provisions hereof or
the validity or enforceability of the offending term or provision in any other
situation or in any other jurisdiction.  If the final judgment of a court of
competent jurisdiction declares that any term or provision hereof is invalid or
unenforceable, the Parties agree that the court making the determination of
invalidity or unenforceability shall have the power to reduce the scope,
duration, or area of the term or provision, to delete specific words or
phrases, or to replace any invalid or unenforceable term or provision with a
term or provision that is valid and enforceable and that comes closest to
<PAGE>
expressing the intention of the invalid or unenforceable term or provision, and
this Agreement shall be enforceable as so modified after the expiration of the
time within which the judgment may be appealed.

          7.11  Exhibits and Schedules.  The Exhibits and Schedules identified
in this Agreement are incorporated herein by reference and made a part hereof.

          7.12  No Violation of Law.  This Agreement shall not be construed to
require either party to be compelled to do any act or remain in any situation
in violation of any law applicable to such party.
<PAGE>
          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement
on the day and year first above written.  


                                    PORTFOLIO INVESTMENT COMPANY
                                      LIMITED

                                    By:   /s/ Pablo Stalman                
                                         Pablo Stalman
                                         Attorney-in-fact



                                    WESTSPHERE EQUITY HOLDINGS, LTD. 

                                    By:   /s/ Joseph J. Vadapalas          
                                         Joseph J. Vadapalas
                                         Attorney-in-fact



                                    WESTSPHERE EQUITY HOLDINGS II, LTD.
                                                                      


                                    By:   /s/ Joseph J. Vadapalas          
                                         Joseph J. Vadapalas
                                         Attorney-in-fact



                                    WESTSPHERE FUNDING, LTD.

                                    By:   /s/ Joseph J. Vadapalas          
                                         Joseph J. Vadapalas
                                         Attorney-in-fact



                                    WESTSPHERE FUNDING II, LTD.

                                    By:   /s/ Joseph J. Vadapalas          
                                         Joseph J. Vadapalas
                                         Attorney-in-fact



                                    CLF, LTD.

                                    By:   /s/ Joseph J. Vadapalas          
                                         Joseph J. Vadapalas
                                         Attorney-in-fact



<PAGE>
                                    WESTSPHERE FUNDING II, L.P.

                                    By:   /s/ Joseph J. Vadapalas          
                                         Joseph J. Vadapalas
                                         Attorney-in-fact
 
<PAGE>
                                   SCHEDULE I


          The following sets forth the names of the Investors and the number of
Shares to be purchased by each:


Name                                                          Shares

WestSphere Equity Holdings, Ltd.                              21,695

WestSphere Equity Holdings II, Ltd.                            1,015

WestSphere Funding, Ltd.                                       4,875

WestSphere Funding II, Ltd.                                   13,605

CLF, Ltd.                                                      2,110

Funding II L.P.                                                6,700

         Total                                                50,000
<PAGE>
                                   SCHEDULE II


                 The following sets forth the securities comprising the
Portfolio to be sold by each Investor and the total consideration to be
received therefor (adjusted for any assumption of debt):


Investors                               PortfolioConsiderationNet Amount

(1)  Equity                        100,000 USML Shares
                                  1,235,558 USML SharesUS$3,115,208 US$665,513
                                          -Debt<2,449,695>
                                              665.513 
 
(2)  Equity II                      90 Holding Shares145,775 145,775

(3)  Funding                       300,018 USML Shares699,762 149,457
                                             <550,305>
                                          -Debt149,457 
 
(4)  Funding II                     US$3,350,000 Note1,953,385 1,953,385

(5)  CLF                           130,000 USML Shares303,212 303,212

(6)  Funding II, L.P.              412,647 USML SharesUS$ 962,458   962,458

                                             US$4,179,800
<PAGE>
                                  SCHEDULE III

                 The following sets forth the persons who hold the Investor 
Debt and the amount of such debt (principal and interest) held by each 
such person:


                            Names                          Debt Amount
<PAGE>
                                   SCHEDULE IV


                 The following sets forth the account numbers for each of the
Investors for wiring instructions:


BankAmerica International
335 Madison Avenue
New York, NY
Fedwire Number: 026009593
For Credit: BankAmerica Trust & Banking Corp.
         (Cayman) Ltd.
Account No. 19489
For Further Credit: WestSphere Funding Ltd.
Account No. B1752




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