TRO LEARNING INC
10-K, 1998-01-15
MISCELLANEOUS PUBLISHING
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<PAGE>

                                           
                                           
                          SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                                WASHINGTON, DC  20549
                                      FORM 10-K
                                           

 X   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE 
- ---  ACT OF 1934

                      FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                           
                                          or
                                           
___  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES   
     EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                    For the transition period from _____ to _____
                                           
                            COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 0-20842
                                                   -------

                                  TRO LEARNING, INC.
                                  ------------------
                (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
                                           
Delaware                                                             36-3660532
- --------                                                             ----------
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)    (IRS Employer
                                                         Identification Number)

1721 Moon Lake Blvd., Suite 555  Hoffman Estates, IL                      60194
- ----------------------------------------------------                      -----
(Address of principal executive offices)                             (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:              (847) 781-7800
                                                                 --------------

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:     None

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

                       Common Stock, Par Value $.01 Per Share 
                       ---------------------------------------
                                           
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports 
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934 during the preceding twelve months and (2) has been subject to such 
filing requirements for the past 90 days.     Yes    X       No 
                                                   -----        -----

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of the Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K.  ___

The number of shares of the Registrant's common stock, par value $.01 per share,
outstanding as of December 10, 1997 was:  6,405,346 shares.

The aggregate market value of common stock (based on the closing price on
December 10, 1997) held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was approximately
$28,948,000.

Index for exhibits is located on page 55.

This document contains 59 pages.


                                          1

<PAGE>

                         DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
                                           
Certain information in the Proxy Statement for the Company's Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be held on April 16, 1998 (the "1998 Proxy Statement") is
incorporated herein by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K.  Pursuant to
Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the 1998 Proxy
Statement will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120
days after the close of the Company's fiscal year.


                      NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING INFORMATION
                                           
                                           
This Form 10-K contains forward looking statements identified by the use of
"believes", "expects", "anticipates", and similar expressions.  Such statements
are subject to risk and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
from those contemplated by the forward looking statement.  Such risks and
uncertainties include any change in the market acceptance of the Company's
products and services, the risk of failure of the Company's technology to remain
at market standards, the risk of the Company being able to finance its business
operations, and other similar business and market risks.  Readers are cautioned
not to place undue reliance on such forward looking statements.


                                          2

<PAGE>

                                  TRO LEARNING, INC.
                                      FORM 10-K
                          FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                           
                                           
                                  TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                  -----------------
                                           
                                                                           Page
                                                                           ----
                                        PART I
                                           
Item 1.  Business. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Item 2.  Facilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Item 3.  Legal Proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Item 4.  Submission of Matters to Vote of Security Holders . . . . . . . . . 24

                                       PART II
                                           
Item 5.  Market for Registrant's Common Stock and Related Stockholder 
            Matters. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Item 6.  Selected Consolidated Financial Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Item 7.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
            Results of Operations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
            Accounting and Financial Disclosure. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

                                       PART III

Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant. . . . . . . . . 54
Item 11. Executive Compensation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management. . . 54
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions. . . . . . . . . . . 54

                                       PART IV

Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K. . 55

Signatures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59


                                          3

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                                  TRO LEARNING, INC.
                                      FORM 10-K
                          FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                        PART I
                                           
                                           
ITEM 1.   BUSINESS

GENERAL:

TRO Learning, Inc. (the Company) is a leading developer and marketer of 
microcomputer-based, interactive, self-paced instructional systems used in a 
wide variety of adult settings.  Offering comprehensive educational 
courseware specifically designed for young adult and adult learners, the 
Company's PLATO-Registered Trademark- Learning Systems are marketed to middle 
schools and high schools, community colleges, job training programs, 
correctional institutions, government-funded programs, the military, and 
corporations.  The Company's TRO Aviation Training Systems are marketed to 
airlines worldwide for use by commercial airline pilots, maintenance crews, 
and cabin personnel.

COMPANY HISTORY:

The Company was incorporated in July 1989 as Edu Corp., and in October 1992 
it changed its name to TRO Learning, Inc.  The Company's wholly-owned 
operating subsidiary is The Roach Organization, Inc. (TRO).  TRO has two 
wholly-owned subsidiaries, one in Canada, TRO Learning (Canada), Inc., and 
one in the United Kingdom, TRO Learning (U.K.) Ltd.

In September 1989, the Company acquired most of the assets of Control Data 
Corporation's (Control Data) computer-based education, training and testing 
business.  Under the Company's senior management team, the marketing focus of 
the business was redirected from sales of hardware and data processing 
services to the delivery of solution-oriented courseware and training 
services to education providers in a wide variety of settings.  In addition, 
the Company initiated a new business strategy of developing a library of 
courseware to market to commercial airlines.  The Company made significant 
additional investments in organizational infrastructure and personnel for 
sales and marketing.  At the same time, the Company reduced general and 
administrative expenses through implementation of cost controls and 
streamlined operations. The Company also made substantial investments in the 
development and introduction of new products and services, as well as the 
enhancement of its existing courseware for education and training 
applications.

During fiscal 1992, the Company discontinued two businesses, the NASD testing 
center business and the end user computer training distribution business.  In 
addition, in September 1993, the Company entered into a Certification and 
Testing Services Agreement with Sylvan Learning Systems (SLS), whereby SLS 
agreed to assume and perform the Company's rights and obligations under its 
Certification and Testing Services contracts.

                                          4

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                                  TRO LEARNING, INC.
                                      FORM 10-K
                          FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                        PART I
                                           
ITEM 1.   BUSINESS, CONTINUED

COMPANY STRATEGY:

The Company's strategy is to address the needs of adult and young adult learners
by providing a broad range of interactive, multimedia, self-paced educational
and training courseware delivered on personal computers.  The critical elements
of the Company's business strategy are as follows:

TARGET ADULT AND YOUNG ADULT MARKET OPPORTUNITIES.  The Company targets growing
market niches that serve adult and young adult learners rather than pre-school
and elementary school-aged children.  These market niches, including the
corporate workplace environment, have specific educational and training
requirements that can be addressed by the Company's computer-based products and
services.  The Company's courseware incorporates themes, graphics and media
appropriate to adult and young adult learners.

PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE, SOLUTION-ORIENTED COURSEWARE AND SERVICES.  Drawing upon
its extensive library of computer-based courseware, the Company's education and
training specialists work closely with clients to design a program of
instruction which meets their specific educational and training needs.  The
Company offers its products in modular form and flexible formats that can be
tailored to a wide variety of applications.

EMPHASIZE SALES OF HIGH MARGIN COURSEWARE.  Since the acquisition from Control
Data in 1989, the Company has redirected the marketing focus of the business
from hardware and data processing services, which have generally experienced
declining profit margins, to solution-oriented education and training courseware
and services which generate higher profit margins and greater opportunities for
growth. 

COMMITMENT TO ON-GOING COURSEWARE DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT.  Since the
acquisition, the Company has made substantial investments in developing and
enhancing courseware for education and training applications and is committed to
maintaining a diverse and comprehensive curriculum.  The Company uses the design
and structural advantages inherent in its proprietary software development
systems to design and produce new courseware and services to meet the changing
needs of its clients and prospects. 

INTERNET/INTRANET DELIVERY:

The Company is focused on developing the broadest delivery system for its
instructional management system and courseware library. The rapid acceptance and
worldwide accessibility of the Internet, as well as the increased acceptance of
a technology-based distance learning model, offers the potential of just-in-time
learning and expanded access to PLATO education and training products. Internet
delivery is also very supportive of the sales and marketing focus on
organizations 


                                          5

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                                  TRO LEARNING, INC.
                                      FORM 10-K
                          FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                        PART I

ITEM 1.   BUSINESS, CONTINUED

INTERNET/INTRANET DELIVERY, CONTINUED

providing a wide range of education and training services throughout the
community, allowing for new distribution channels to complement the direct sales
model.

Corporations and many of the larger school districts and training organizations
have developed intranets to share information and communication. The expanding
availability of intranets offers a platform for the delivery and distribution of
education and training across the organization to any location. With the
availability of high-speed telecommunications links between facilities,
intranets are a powerful delivery system for PLATO education and training.

MARKET OVERVIEW:

Many competitive, social, and political trends over the past few years have led
to significant demand for technology-based education and training:

          -    Identification by numerous government and private studies that
               basic skills and training deficiencies are a major threat to
               American industry's ability to achieve its goals and compete
               internationally.  This trend has been accompanied by increased
               governmental and private-sector spending on basic skills and job
               skills training.
          
          -    In industry, pressure to improve cost-efficiency and access to
               training and education has led to a willingness to adopt
               non-traditional training methods.
          
          -    The acceleration of technological changes requires ongoing
               workforce retraining and skills enhancement.
          
          -    Widely reported declines in standardized test scores and an
               increased demand by states and school districts for measurable
               results of such programs have increased concern over training and
               educational program effectiveness.
          
          -    Legislative initiatives and governmental mandates (such as
               welfare, prison reform, and regulatory requirements in the
               aviation industry) have increased the demand for education and
               training outside traditional educational settings.
          
          -    Dramatic improvements in the price and performance of hardware
               have made it feasible for more institutions to purchase
               microcomputers of adequate power to deliver effective educational
               and training courseware products.


                                          6

<PAGE>

                                  TRO LEARNING, INC.
                                      FORM 10-K
                          FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                        PART I

ITEM 1.   BUSINESS, CONTINUED

MARKET OVERVIEW, CONTINUED
          
          -    Advances in instructional design, programming, and presentation
               technologies have made it possible to develop courseware and
               software cost-effectively.

          -    The development of multimedia software has heightened the
               interest in education and training, both for business and
               education as well as for the consumer market.

A prominent example of these trends is the PLATO Learning System, which combines
extensive courseware and curriculum management software with networked hardware
and system management software.  The Company believes sales will grow at a
faster rate in the adult and young adult markets than in the traditional primary
school markets.  The adult and young adult segments of the education markets are
receiving increased levels of funding as schools, government, and private sector
programs seek to reduce school drop-out rates and to provide basic skills and
education.  Further, private sector employers continue to provide their
employees with remedial and basic literacy skills training as well as specific
job-related training.

The demand for pilot and other airline personnel training is driven by several
factors, including new aircraft acquisition, retrofitting existing equipment,
and cross-training on various types of equipment.  The Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) and foreign government regulators, as well as competitive
factors, require commercial pilots and other flight personnel to be certified on
new and upgraded equipment.  Technological advances in aircraft, new aircraft
acquisitions, and personnel promotions create an ongoing demand for high
quality, standardized, flexible, and cost-effective training.  Retrofitting
existing aircraft to update equipment and to meet new regulatory requirements
creates further industry need for training pilots, maintenance and in-flight
personnel.

The Company uses microcomputer-based educational technology to address these
trends.  This technology offers a number of advantages in both traditional and
non-traditional educational settings, including self-pacing, interactive
instruction, standardized curricula, individual tailoring of programs, remote
service delivery, scheduling flexibility, and ready measurement of performance
providing instantaneous student feedback.  In addition, educational technology
enables instructors to manage curricula and provide individualized tutoring
rather than provide the same instruction for all students.


                                          7

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                                  TRO LEARNING, INC.
                                      FORM 10-K
                          FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                        PART I

ITEM 1.   BUSINESS, CONTINUED

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES:

The Company develops and markets microcomputer-based, interactive, self-paced
instructional systems. The Company also delivers its PLATO Education courseware
products to customers over the Internet or intranets.  Although the design and
specific features of a system depend upon the particular needs of each client, a
learning system typically includes a library of educational courseware,
instructional management software, a delivery system, and consulting  services. 
The Company provides educational courseware and services to middle and high
schools, community colleges, job training programs, correctional institutions,
government-funded training programs, the military and private industry.  It also
provides courseware for the aviation industry, developed by the Company in
partnership with aircraft operators.  The suite of courseware currently
available encompasses the majority of modern aircraft types manufactured by
Boeing, Airbus, Fokker, Saab, Bombadier, ATR, British Aerospace and
McDonnell-Douglas.  Solutions are offered for all aspects of an airline's
training requirements for flight crews (pilot and cabin staff) and ground
personnel (aircraft maintenance and support services).

In general, the PLATO Learning System offers educators an effective supplement
or alternative to traditional, instructor-led education.  A typical learning
system installation consists of 10 to 30 workstations, educational courseware,
instructional management software, and hardware and typically sells for $50,000
to $200,000.  PLATO Learning Systems are currently installed at over 3,000 sites
with an aggregate of approximately 52,000 workstations.  The Company's PLATO
clients include New York City Board of Education, State of Tennessee Board of
Regents, California Department of Corrections, Montana Department of
Corrections, AT&T, Abbott Laboratories, Honeywell, Georgia Pacific,
Kimberly-Clark, Printpack, Saturn, USAA, Siemens, Bethlehem Steel, Houston
Community College, Victoria Independent School District, Garland Independent
School District, Dayton Public Schools, Polk County Schools, Glendale Union High
School District, Weber County Schools, New Hampshire Technical College System,
Florida Correctional Educational School Authority, and Open Learning Agency
(Canada).

The Company's Aviation Training Systems address the training needs of the
aviation industry through the analysis, design and development of courseware
specific to a particular training requirement; and through the resale of its
library of courseware titles.  In fiscal 1997, the average Aviation Training
System sale was in excess of $300,000.  Over the past seven years, the Company
has sold to more than 90 of the world's major airlines and key companies within
the aviation industry and its courseware can be found on over 1,400
workstations. The Company's Aviation Training clients include United Airlines,
American Airlines, Lufthansa, SAS, Singapore Airlines, Flight Safety
International, Crossair, Kuwait Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Gulf Air, Cathay
Pacific Airways, Braathens SAFE, CST Berlin, Czeskolovenske Aerolinie, Hughes
Flight Training, Icare and SAAB Aircraft.  In fiscal 1997, the Company derived
approximately 88% of its 


                                          8

<PAGE>

                                  TRO LEARNING, INC.
                                      FORM 10-K
                          FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                        PART I

ITEM 1.   BUSINESS, CONTINUED

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES, CONTINUED

Aviation Training revenues from sales to non U.S.-based air carriers.  See Note
7 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for geographic area information.

COURSEWARE:

The PLATO Learning System courseware library has over 5,000 hours of on-line
instruction, including in excess of 3,300 lessons and 8,500 objectives.  PLATO
offers a comprehensive curriculum developed  specifically for adult and young
adult learners.  The Company's Aviation courseware library consists of over
2,000 hours of on-line, highly-interactive instruction and simulation of
aviation-related topics.  This library is being increased by over 250 hours of
new courseware each year developed by the in-house development team.  The
library covers a range of topics for pilot transition and recurrent training,
in-flight cabin services (including safety and survival courses), maintenance
and air traffic control. The following tables set forth the current
PLATO and Aviation courseware.


                                          9

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                                  TRO LEARNING, INC.
                                      FORM 10-K
                          FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                        PART I

ITEM 1.   BUSINESS, CONTINUED

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES, CONTINUED

COURSEWARE, Continued

               PLATO LEARNING SYSTEM COURSEWARE AND SOFTWARE OFFERINGS

PLATO COURSEWARE:                      THIRD PARTY COURSEWARE:
- ----------------                       ----------------------

COMMUNICATION                          Reading Horizons
Reading 1 and 2                        Mindplay Writing Series
Writing Series                         English Discoveries (ESL)
Communication                          Projects for the Real World
Reading for Information                Job Skills for the Real World
Writing in the Workplace               Basic Skills for the Real World
Advanced Reading Strategies            Rediscover Science 6-9 and 9-12
                                       Towards Algebra
MATHEMATICS                            Business Software Training Series
Math Fundamentals                      Substances Abuse Series
Math Fundamentals (Spanish Edition)    Blueprint Reading
Applied Math                           Mastering Geometric Dimensioning and 
Data Skills                                Tolerancing
Pre-Algebra                            Technical Skills Series
Beginning, Intermediate and Advanced   Health, Safety and Environmental Series
    Algebra                            Ultrakey Keyboarding
Beginning and Intermediate Algebra
    (Spanish Edition)                  PLATO SOFTWARE PRODUCTS
Geometry and Measurement 1 and 2       PLATO Curriculum Manager
Trigonometry                           PLATO Pathways Instructional Management
Calculus 1 and 2                           System for Windows
                                       PLATO Remote Administration 
SCIENCE                                PLATO Records Transfer and Consolidation
Science Fundamentals                       Utility
Chemistry 1 and 2                      PCD3 Authoring System
Physics 1 and 2                        PLATO S.T.A.R.
                                       
SOCIAL STUDIES                         
Social Studies                         
                                       
TECHNOLOGY                             
Quality Fundamentals                   
                                       
LIFE SKILLS                            
Life and Job Skills                    
Parenting Skills                       


                                          10

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                                  TRO LEARNING, INC.
                                      FORM 10-K
                          FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                        PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS, CONTINUED

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES, CONTINUED

COURSEWARE, Continued
                               TRO AVIATION COURSEWARE
                                            
FLIGHT                                      IN-FLIGHT SERVICES
Airbus:   A300-600                          B747-700 and B757 Transition 
                                                 Training
          A310                              Basic Service
          A320                              Key Position
          A321                              Recurrent Emergency Training
          A320 FMGS LOFT Trainer            Cocktail Services
          A330                              Preflight/Inflight/Postflight 
                                                 Responsibilities
          A340                              New Tech Cart
Boeing:   B737-200 to B737-300 Differences  Single Aisle Cabin and Galley 
                                                 Systems
          B737-300/400/500                  Cabin and Galley Systems: B767 and 
                                                 DC-10
          B737-300 FMGS LOFT Trainer        B747 Equipment and Systems
          B747-400                          Purser Control Center (PCC)
          B747-400 Systems Simulations      Cabin Intercom Data Systems (CIDS)
          B747-400 Freighter Difference     
          B757                              SYSTEMS AND OPERATIONS
          B757/767 FMGS LOFT Trainer        Traffic Collision and Avoidance 
                                                 (TCAS) Systems
          B767                              Category (CAT) II and III 
                                                 Operations
Canadair: Regional Jet                      North Atlantic Navigation
Fokker:   F50                               South Atlantic Navigation
          F100                              KNS 660 Area Navigation
Saab      2000                              International Flight Operations
          2000 FMGS LOFT Trainer            Head Up Guidance System (HUGS)*
                                            ACARS
MAINTENANCE TRAINING                        ETOPS*
McDonnell-Douglas     MD-80                 Aircraft Performance
Jet Aircraft Maintenance Fundamentals*      Collins 4200 and 6000* FMS Trainer
Ramp Services                               Navigation Trainer*
A340 CMCS Simulation                        
B747-400 CMS Simulation                     SAFETY AND SURVIVAL
                                            First Aid
GENERAL AVIATION                            General Safety and Emergency
Beech Baron                                 Safety and Emergency: A320/330/340
Beech Bonanza F33 and A36                   Safety and Emergency: 
                                                 B737/747/767/777
Piper Arrow                                 Dangerous Goods
Piper Cheyenne IIIA                         Airline Security
Eagle (PPL)                                 Basic Cabin Crew Courses
          
AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL                         
CAA NERC System                             
Central Flow Management                     

_____________________________________________
* in development                            


                                          11

<PAGE>

                                  TRO LEARNING, INC.
                                      FORM 10-K
                          FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                        PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS, CONTINUED

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES, CONTINUED

PLATO COURSEWARE AND SOFTWARE:

Each PLATO course teaches a set of skills which has been defined in terms of
measurable performance.  The course teaches the skill through a progression of
tutorials and practice lessons with diagnostic feedback.  New courseware
developed has added an instructional model focused on problem-solving.  Learners
have access to assessments which target instruction.  After each sequence of
tutorial and practice, a test follows which verifies the learner's achievement. 
The PLATO Curriculum Manager (described below) can identify the specific skills
each individual learner needs to master, and prescribe instruction the student
needs.  Teachers can adapt PLATO courseware to their own lesson plans because of
its modular design.  While PLATO can be used effectively with minimal teacher
support, the Company believes that the greatest learning gains are achieved when
teachers use PLATO to transform their role in the classroom from mere
information presenter to that of tutor, manager, and counselor.

PLATO courseware is correlated to many national standardized tests. 
Increasingly, educators are being judged according to their students' progress
as measured by a number of these tests.  Product correlation, therefore, has
become an important factor in how educators evaluate the usefulness and
effectiveness of an integrated learning system and its courseware.  Some of the
major standardized tests to which PLATO courseware is closely aligned are:

Adult Basic Literacy Exam (ABLE)            Comprehensive Adult Student 
American College Test (ACT)                      Assessment System (CASAS)
California Achievement Test (CAT)           General Education Development Exam
California Basic Education Skills Test           (GED)
  (CBEST)                                   Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
Canadian Adult Achievement Test (CAAT)      Test of Achievement and Proficiency
                                                 (TAP)
                                            Test of Adult Basic Education 
                                                 (TABE)

An independent evaluation conducted comparing PLATO computer-based education
with traditional classroom instruction showed that PLATO computer-based
education resulted in 10% greater learning gains with approximately half the
instruction time.  In addition, surveys and third party evaluations have shown
that learners prefer PLATO over conventional classroom instruction because it is
success-oriented, places the learner in control, does not waste time, sustains
interest, supports learning on demand, and is private.



                                          12

<PAGE>

                                  TRO LEARNING, INC.
                                      FORM 10-K
                          FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                        PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS, CONTINUED

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES, CONTINUED

PLATO COURSEWARE AND SOFTWARE, Continued

In late 1992, the Company undertook major upgrades and enhancements to its
products.  The new PLATO products represent a significant redesign of the
Company's core PLATO curricula.  Completed in 1995, the new PLATO products have
four major elements:

INSTRUCTIONAL IMPROVEMENTS.  Hundreds of instructional improvements have been
incorporated throughout the lessons based on learner and client feedback and
subject-matter expert input.  The new PLATO courseware is fully compatible with
the existing PLATO curriculum structure so that learners encounter a smooth
transition from old to new.

A NEW USER INTERFACE.  Streamlined screens and graphically-based function
buttons that can be activated by either the keyboard or mouse improve learner
interaction and control and give PLATO courseware a new look and feel.

A NEW GRAPHIC LOOK.  New graphics are instructionally integrated and visually
appealing to our target audience of young adult and adult learners.  The
graphics were carefully designed and created to contribute to the instructional
objectives and to enhance the learning experience.  Animation and color combine
to make the new PLATO products what the Company believes to be the premier
computer-based instructional system on the market today.  

NEW INSTRUCTOR OPTIONS.  New features have been added that allow instructors to
easily preview and review all aspects of each lesson, including a review of all
questions.  This "page down" mode will be extremely helpful in facilitating
instructor familiarization with PLATO lessons.

Building on an excellent foundation, these new features significantly enhance
and further improve the effectiveness and acceptance of PLATO. In 1995 and 1996,
the Company completed the development of a major new program designed to enhance
the foundation skills of workers in support of the high performance workplace
required by business and industry to be competitive in today's global economy. 
PLATO-Registered Trademark- WorkSkills focuses on developing the reading, math,
writing, and communication skills necessary for worker success, using a series
of skill-building lessons structured in skill levels to accommodate the
different competencies necessary to perform specific job functions.  The PLATO
WorkSkills curricula have broad applicability in the school and job training
markets as well, fully complementing the core PLATO courseware library.  The
development of PLATO WorkSkills was the result of extensive consultation with a
wide range of large and small companies representing many business sectors, as
well as with state and local


                                          13

<PAGE>

                                  TRO LEARNING, INC.
                                      FORM 10-K
                          FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                        PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS, CONTINUED

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES, CONTINUED

PLATO COURSEWARE AND SOFTWARE, Continued

secondary and adult educators, both individually and through an advisory group
process.  The new curricula will further enhance the Company's leadership
position in the education and training market. 

In the past year, the first Windows-based curriculum, Advanced Reading
Strategies, was released.  It builds on the PLATO instructional model and adds
extensive problem-based activities to enhance and extend learning, consistent
with new trends in education and training.  New courseware under development
builds on this instructional architecture, adding extensive media, including
animation, audio and video, and extending the problem-based applications.

TRO AVIATION COURSEWARE:

Substantially all of the Aviation Training courseware library has been developed
over the last seven years.  This courseware offers high-quality, cost-effective
methods of meeting the training requirements imposed, in particular, by
regulatory authorities.  The demands placed on the aviation industry by these
authorities make the use of computer-based training an efficient and
cost-effective way of covering these training requirements.  Courseware can be
customized to accommodate different equipment configurations and individual
airline operating policies.  The Aviation Training group follows industry
standard training analysis techniques and has received ISO 9001 certification
for quality procedures.

Courseware development begins with an initial analysis of the customer's
training requirement, including the overall job and skills required, the
relevant regulations, the target student population and a financial analysis of
the costs of various training approaches (including the cost of not training).

Following initial analysis, the design phase begins, during which time the
details required in the courseware modules are gradually developed.  At all
times, the customer's training authority describes, checks and approves the
technical content before it becomes finalized on screen, or supported with audio
material.  The development team includes specialists in video, computer audio,
graphics and animation.  Many of the courseware packages can be presented in
different languages.


                                          14

<PAGE>

                                  TRO LEARNING, INC.
                                      FORM 10-K
                          FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                        PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS, CONTINUED

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES, CONTINUED 

TRO AVIATION COURSEWARE, Continued

Courseware developed includes tutorials and competency-based drill and practice
procedure simulations, providing students with a realistic, highly-interactive,
criterion-referenced training environment.

Development tools, including many of the new Windows-based packages, enable
courseware to be produced efficiently and to facilitate customization and
maintenance.  The Company is constantly reviewing new development tools and its
development specialists are active in networking within the market place to
ensure that only the most up-to-date, efficient and cost-effective tools are
utilized.  The Company also monitors some of the most advanced computer
techniques, such as virtual reality.  If these technologies become viable
training tools, the Company is positioned to take full advantage of them.

New regulations are continuously forcing aircraft operators into new training
activities.  One such area covers the training and licensing of aircraft
maintenance staff.  In response to this requirement, TRO partnered with
Lufthansa to analyze, design and produce the Jet Aircraft Maintenance
Fundamentals (JAMF) courseware package of some 130 hours.  These regulations
will eventually be adopted worldwide and TRO will initially be the only company
to offer a fully comprehensive course covering the majority of topics demanded
by the regulators.  Additionally, there are a number of PLATO courses that have
been identified to support some of the basic educational requirements of the new
regulations.

Another new area for Aviation Training is the introduction of Ab Initio
courseware for new pilot students.  An exclusive marketing contract has been
signed to market this courseware worldwide.  Topics ranging from Theory of
Flight Meteorology and Power Plant to Navigation Principles are covered in this
150-hour package, which is delivered on CD-ROM and uses all relevant multi-media
training techniques.  The courseware addresses the topics required for basic
pilot licenses from most of the regulatory authorities throughout the world.

INSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE:

Both the Company's PLATO and Aviation courseware are managed by sophisticated
computer-based software called the Curriculum Manager.  It provides an effective
means of monitoring learner progress and recording and reporting performance
data.  The Curriculum Manager provides access to courseware as well as
administrative control of the integrated learning system, and gives instructors
the flexibility to design customized learning paths to meet individual learner
needs, program objectives and/or alignments.  Through the Curriculum Manager,
courseware can be


                                          15

<PAGE>

                                  TRO LEARNING, INC.
                                      FORM 10-K
                          FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                        PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS, CONTINUED

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES, CONTINUED 

INSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE, Continued

presented as published or restructured to correspond to specific program
requirements or teaching strategies.  Instructors also have the flexibility to
customize the criteria for learner access and mastery of courses.  The
Curriculum Manager also allows learners to work on their individual lesson plans
while other learners are working independently on the system.  Learners are not
required to be assigned a specific workstation on the network since the system
identifies them from their sign-on and password.

The Company has just completed the development of a new, state-of-the-art,
highly sophisticated Windows-based instructional management system,
PLATO-Registered Trademark- Pathways, that will replace the current DOS-based
Curriculum Manager for systems that support the Windows operating environment. 
PLATO Pathways incorporates a new, easy to use graphical user interface allowing
administrators and instructors to create customized learning paths and monitor
student progress.  A new suite of reports, including graphical and comparative
reports, has been designed into the new system. PLATO Pathways includes
step-by-step help sequences to guide administrators and instructors to perform
specific functions easily. Because PLATO Pathways is Windows-based, third-party
programs compatible with MS DOS-TM-, MS Windows 3.x-TM-, or Windows-TM- 95 can
be integrated easily into lesson plans to enhance the learning process.

DELIVERY SYSTEMS:

The PLATO delivery system is configured to use personal computers (PC's) running
MS-DOS-TM-  or MS-Windows/DOS-TM-.  While the PLATO system can run on a
stand-alone PC with a CD-ROM drive, the vast majority of installations use a
local area network (LAN) with a file server computer and 10 to 30 workstation
PC's.  The PLATO system may be physically housed in a single room or laboratory
setting or dispersed among several rooms within a building or buildings in a
campus setting.  Additionally, PLATO LAN-based systems may be configured with 
remote administration software enabling any number of distant learning locations
and workstations to be connected to a central site via telecommunications
software and hardware.  Courseware is stored on the file server on a high speed
hard disk or, for single PC's and CD-ROM server networks, on a CD-ROM.  Students
access the file server through the LAN and the network software accesses the
courseware as needed.  Instructors can monitor the system and the students via
any workstation, or using a dedicated administrator's workstation, printing test
results or other data on a network printer.

A typical Aviation Training System is configured to run on 486 and Pentium-TM-
multimedia PC's.  Aviation Training courseware can run on stand-alone or
networked systems ranging from a few 


                                          16

<PAGE>

                                  TRO LEARNING, INC.
                                      FORM 10-K
                          FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                        PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS, CONTINUED

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES, CONTINUED

DELIVERY SYSTEMS, Continued 

workstations to a company-wide intranet with full administrative and student
monitoring capabilities.  Since many airlines have large information technology
departments, the Company is becoming less involved in the supply and
installation of hardware, but still retains a worldwide customer consultation
and support capability when clients require it.  There are also a growing number
of airlines reviewing the benefits of using laptop computers with courseware to
enable training at any time.

PLATO ON THE INTERNET/INTRANET:

During 1996, the Company initiated a project to develop the capability to
deliver the PLATO courseware library over the Internet. The initial
implementation of the system was piloted in Tennessee in partnership with
Tennessee Tomorrow, Inc., a public private partnership involved with economic
development.  The test included delivery to medium and large businesses and
community training organizations in the state. In addition to delivery via the
Internet, the Company has successfully piloted this system on several client
Intranets. 

Based on the positive results of the Tennessee pilot, the Company has introduced
the production version of PLATO courseware on the Internet. The new platform
includes a Windows-based learning folder that allows seamless access to both
local computer and World Wide Web-based learning resources. The product includes
delivery of the PLATO library over the Internet using the new PLATO Pathways
instructional management system, access to Web links and off line resources, and
discussion groups. Program coordinators, who manage learner activity, have
special access to new Web-based tools for creating and managing learner
activity, managing discussion groups and generating administrative reports on
learner usage and progress. In addition, provisions have been made for adding
third-party Web and non-Web based products to enhance the breadth and scope of
the learning experience.

Currently, TRO is delivering PLATO courseware on the Internet via a network of
PLATO Education Partners (described below), a regional telephone company
(BC-TEL), as well as several charter schools.  In addition, the Company expects
to deliver PLATO courseware on the Internet via another regional telephone
company (Bell South) in 1998.  The Company is currently adding new features such
as the ACT WorkKeys locator tests, a new Windows-based assessment system,
problem-based Web activities, and the Company's new Windows-based courseware
products.


                                          17

<PAGE>

                                  TRO LEARNING, INC.
                                      FORM 10-K
                          FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                        PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS, CONTINUED

PRODUCTS AND SERVICES, CONTINUED

CONSULTING SERVICES:

Pre-sale and post-sale support services provided by the Company's education
consultants assist in the successful implementation of the Company's programs. 
Education consultants help clients prepare the site for installation of computer
hardware and software, monitor the actual installation process, and provide
on-site consultation and training for lab managers, instructors and
administrators in the use and integration of courseware within their programs. 
The Company's education consultants maintain ongoing contact with each client,
providing consultative and support services to ensure the success of their
programs.

SALES AND MARKETING:

The Company's strategy is to use its own sales force in North America and the
U.K.  In Aviation Training, the Company utilizes agents in many foreign
countries to supplement its marketing service and support activities.  The
Company has established exclusive distribution agreements with distributors
experienced in education product distribution in the following countries:
Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, Brunei,  Panama, Costa
Rica and South Africa.  The Company targets potentially large and high growth
market niches to which the Company's existing and future products can be
effectively sold.  The Company's marketing and sales efforts are designed to
increase market penetration and reinforce the Company's reputation for product
quality, customer satisfaction, and service.

As of October 31, 1997, sixty-nine account managers are responsible for sales 
of PLATO Learning Systems and for maintaining an active relationship with both 
current and potential clients.  Sixty-one education consultants are responsible
for training clients and implementing PLATO Learning Systems.

In addition, as a strategy to extend PLATO Education's sales and marketing reach
to businesses and other constituencies served by community colleges, the Company
enters into contracts with PLATO Education Partners (PEP's). Under these
arrangements, the PEP's, principally community colleges, market PLATO courseware
and consulting services to small and medium sized businesses within the local
community to meet the education and training needs of their employees.  Within
this strategy, the Company has also identified other organizations as Internet
Marketing Partners to specifically market licenses for delivery of PLATO over
the Internet. When the PEP commits to a minimum level of purchases of PLATO
licenses or usage over a period of time, the Company expects generally to
recognize revenue ratably over the contract term.


                                          18

<PAGE>

                                  TRO LEARNING, INC.
                                      FORM 10-K
                          FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                        PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS, CONTINUED

SALES AND MARKETING, CONTINUED

The Company is also pursuing marketing relationships with Internet providers to
make available  the PLATO courseware library to consumers and businesses. The
Company expects to recognize revenue from such sales principally as usage
occurs.

The Company reaches potential clients and reinforces its market image by
attending and making presentations at national, regional and state conventions
and conferences, sponsoring instructional and teaching seminars, and publicity
in trade journals.  It conducts extensive direct mail and telemarketing
campaigns to targeted prospects within each market segment to secure leads and
promote increased awareness of the Company and the PLATO courseware. In
addition, the Company has developed and maintains a comprehensive web site on
the Internet's World Wide Web, which allows for the dissemination of news and
information about the Company's products, services, and clients.

The Company has relationships with many industry associations, such as the
American Association of Community and Junior Colleges, the National Alliance of
Business, and the Corrections Education Association.  Additional marketing
activities to promote the effectiveness of PLATO products to potential clients
include the publication of formal evaluation data, program and application
reports, and the distribution of press/news releases to appropriate sources.

The Company's Aviation Training products and services are marketed directly to
airlines and training centers around the world through account managers based in
Minneapolis and in London.  Sales regions for the consolidated U.S. and U.K.
operations include North America, South America, Asia/Pacific, Europe, Africa,
and the Middle East.  The Company participates in the major international air
shows. 

In addition to direct sales activities, the Company markets to its prospective
aviation clients by direct mail, including publication and distribution of its
AVIATION NEWSLETTER and AVIATION PRODUCT UPDATE.  Major trade publications also
include articles about the Company's Aviation Training products and services. 
These publications are effective in reinforcing the Company's position as one of
the leaders in aviation training.

COMPETITION:

In all of its markets, the Company competes primarily against more traditional
methods of education and training, principally live classroom instruction. The
Company has seen increased acceptance of multimedia-based, computer-aided
methods of training and education due to, among other reasons, their
flexibility, cost-efficiency, and demonstrated effectiveness.


                                          19

<PAGE>

                                  TRO LEARNING, INC.
                                      FORM 10-K
                          FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                        PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS, CONTINUED

COMPETITION, CONTINUED

Within the education and training services market, the Company competes
primarily on the basis of the depth and recognized quality of its courseware and
its ability to deliver a flexible, cost-effective, and customized solution to a
client's education and training needs on a timely basis.  Based on recent
competitive situations in which it has  participated, the Company believes that
product depth, quality, and effectiveness are more important competitive factors
than price.

Within the academic computer-based education market, the Company competes most
directly with other learning system providers, including Viacom and Jostens
Learning.  While these companies are focused primarily on the elementary school
market, they compete to some degree with the Company in the adult and young
adult market.  Although Viacom is significantly larger than the Company, PLATO
courseware offers a comprehensive curriculum developed specifically for adult
and young adult learners.  In the post-secondary and training markets there are
many regional and specialized competitors. 

The Company's competition in computer-based aviation training comes from three
distinct sources: airframe manufacturers, airlines' internal training
departments, and other computer-based training companies.  Major airframe
manufacturers such as Airbus, Boeing, and McDonnell-Douglas occasionally provide
their own training programs with the purchase of the aircraft.  Often, airlines
accept these courses because they are included in the purchase price of the
aircraft.  Internal training departments of airlines also compete with the
Company.  The Company believes that airlines have developed their own training
programs because the quality of training provided by airframe manufacturers has
been inconsistent. Large airlines, for example, American Airlines and Delta
Airlines, have significant internal resources to develop courseware.  Internally
developed programs include stand-up instruction, audio and video tape, and
computer-aided training programs. The Company's major external competitor is
Attachematc Corporation.  The majority of this competitor's courseware, which is
principally owned by third parties and marketed by Attachematc, uses older
technology and was developed in a lower resolution than the Company's
courseware.

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND CUSTOMER SUPPORT:

The technological aspects of product development, maintenance, and client
support are in many ways similar for all of the Company's products.

The Company's product development and systems development group develops,
enhances, and maintains the courseware, curriculum management software, and
delivery system platforms employing a rigorous multi-phased product development
methodology and process management system.  While based on both classical
instructional design concepts and models, as well as 


                                          20

<PAGE>

                                  TRO LEARNING, INC.
                                      FORM 10-K
                          FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                        PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS, CONTINUED

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND CUSTOMER SUPPORT, CONTINUED

traditional systems development management techniques, the product development
methodology has been constructed to specifically address the creation of
individualized, learner-controlled, interactive instruction using the full
multimedia capabilities of today's personal computing and other related
technologies.  The integral quality control and assurance mechanisms and
procedures of the development methodology enhance the instructional
effectiveness and content integrity of the resulting product.  They also help to
ensure that the most appropriate and highest quality production values are
achieved in the development of all software graphics, audio, video, and text.

Central to the courseware development process are three proprietary software
tools: the PLATO instructional management system, PLATO PATHWAYS - designed for
system control, the tracking and reporting of student performance and
administration; MICRO PLATO AUTHORING SYSTEM (MPAS) - software used in the
enhancement and maintenance of existing PLATO courseware; and PLATO CURRICULUM
DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY (PCD3) SYSTEM - a proprietary yet flexible
MS-DOS-TM- based development tool. 

The Company recently released its first major new PLATO Education product
specifically developed for Windows. The Advanced Reading Strategies (ARS) course
has been developed with the Company's new WinPLATO architecture using the
Asymetrix ToolBook Author system.  Seven new Windows courses for the education
and workplace environments are currently in development and will be released in
phases during 1998.

The Company's technical support group provides a full range of support services
in an effort to ensure a client's satisfaction with the quality and
effectiveness of its products and services.  In addition, staff engineers
continuously evaluate and recommend new technology that not only improves system
performance and capability, but also reduces cost.  Before release, each
individual product undergoes a series of separate tests before it is approved
and made available for client use.

The Company does not develop any operating system software, as distinct from its
courseware products, nor does it manufacture any hardware components.  The
Company assembles ("integrates") standard hardware components and off-the-shelf
software products into an appropriately configured platform for the Company's
proprietary courseware and management system which is then integrated and fully
tested for 24 to 48 hours under normal operating conditions.

Full-time professionals, with general technical expertise and extensive
operational knowledge of the Company's products, provide pre-sales technical
consultation and support to the Company's field sales organization and are
responsible for the final technical review and approval of all proposed delivery
platforms and installation configurations.  These professionals also consult and

                                          21

<PAGE>

                                  TRO LEARNING, INC.
                                      FORM 10-K
                          FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                        PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS, CONTINUED

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND CUSTOMER SUPPORT, CONTINUED

coordinate with the client, account manager, and installation team regarding
site preparation, schedule system installation and confirm full acceptance. 
They also monitor client satisfaction, maintenance, and other support
requirements.

All manufacturers' warranties are passed through to the Company's clients. 
After the warranty periods are over, the Company offers maintenance contracts
through third-party service  organizations.  The Company contracts with outside
vendors, primarily BancTec Services Corp., for hardware installation and
maintenance services for its client sites.  In addition, the Company distributes
a limited amount of third-party courseware and also purchases various
off-the-shelf software and hardware products from Novell, Microsoft, and other
vendors.

The Company provides its clients with a 24-hour, toll-free, problem 
resolution and support "hotline" service.  Through the use of a remote 
diagnostics tool and on-line access to the Company's "Client Profile" 
database, full-time client support specialists can address client issues and 
successfully resolve most problems during the initial call.  Depending on the 
nature of the problem, the hotline staff may dispatch a service engineer to 
the client site, document the problem and refer it to the appropriate 
specialist for resolution, or call for immediate on-line support from more 
senior technical personnel.

The Company has supplier relationships with several hardware and software
vendors.  Although these relationships are important to the Company, management
believes that, in the event that such products or services were to cease to be
available, alternative sources could be found on terms acceptable to the
Company. 

PROPRIETARY RIGHTS:

The Company regards its courseware and software as proprietary and relies
primarily on a combination of statutory and common law copyright, trademark,
trade secret laws, license and distribution agreements, employee and third-party
non-disclosure agreements, and other methods to protect its proprietary rights. 
The Company owns the federal registration of the PLATO trade-mark.  In addition,
in 1989 Control Data assigned to the Company federally-registered copyrights in
the PLATO courseware.  The Company has not recorded the assignment of these
copyrights because it believes the additional statutory rights resulting from
recordation are not necessary for the protection of the Company's rights
therein.  The Company has federal copyrights in all PLATO and Aviation
courseware produced since 1989.  The Company has not applied for trademark
registration at the state level, but has instead relied on its federal
registrations and state common law rights to protect its proprietary
information.  The Company has registered trademarks in the United States and
overseas for PLATO.  The Company regards these registrations as material to its 

                                          22

<PAGE>

                                  TRO LEARNING, INC.
                                      FORM 10-K
                          FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                        PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS, CONTINUED

PROPRIETARY RIGHTS, CONTINUED

business.  The Company licenses some courseware and software from third-party
developers and incorporates them into the Company's courseware offerings and
integrated learning systems.  

Pursuant to a settlement agreement entered into in October 1992, the Company has
granted certain  limited courseware and software licenses to Drake and Control
Data Systems, Inc. (CDSI).  The licenses will permit Drake and CDSI to market
certain earlier versions of portions of the PLATO courseware in certain
specified situations.  The Company believes that the limited licenses granted to
Drake and CDSI will have no material adverse impact on its future business.

BACKLOG:

The Company's backlog consists of orders for the delivery of goods and services
in future periods.  The total Company backlog was approximately $11.7 million at
October 31, 1997 and $17.5 million at October 31, 1996. The backlog for PLATO
Education and Aviation Training  was $8.5 million and $3.2 million,
respectively, at October 31, 1997.  From time to time, the Company may have
longer-term contracts in its backlog for the delivery of Aviation Training and
PLATO Learning Systems.  At October 31, 1997, approximately $1.6 million of such
orders (included in the foregoing backlog figure) are expected to be delivered
subsequent to fiscal 1998.

CYCLICALITY:

The Company's quarterly operating results fluctuate as a result of a number of
factors including the business and sales cycle, the amount and timing of new
product introductions by the Company, product shipments, client funding issues,
marketing expenditures, product development expenditures, and promotional
programs.  In addition, certain of the Company's PLATO Education and Aviation
Training clients experience cyclical variations in funding which can impact the
Company's revenue patterns.  The Company's quarterly revenues can also fluctuate
based upon spending patterns, budget cycles, and the fiscal year ends of these
clients.  The Company historically has experienced higher levels of revenues in
its fourth fiscal quarter.

EMPLOYEES:

As of October 31, 1997, the Company employed 358 people on a full-time basis, 
including 73 in product development and operations, 209 in sales and 
marketing, 47 in technical support, and 29 in finance and administration. 


                                          23

<PAGE>

                                  TRO LEARNING, INC.
                                      FORM 10-K
                          FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                        PART I
                                           
                                           
ITEM 2.  FACILITIES

The Company leases approximately 50,000 square feet of office and warehouse
space in Edina and Bloomington, Minnesota for its corporate headquarters and
5,400 square feet of office space for its executive offices in Hoffman Estates,
Illinois.  The Company's Canadian subsidiary leases 2,700 square feet for its
principal offices in Toronto, and the United Kingdom subsidiary occupies 8,000
square feet in Berkshire, England.  The Company also maintains sales offices in
Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Texarkana, Texas; Skippack, Pennsylvania;
Alexandria, Virginia; Huntington Beach, California; Ft. Lauderdale, Florida;
Westport, Connecticut; Lenexa, Kansas; Chicago, Illinois; Nashville, Tennessee;
and Charlotte, North Carolina.  In Canada, the Company maintains sales offices
in Vancouver, British Columbia; Bedford, Nova Scotia; Winnipeg, Manitoba; and
Moncton, New Brunswick.

The leases for the Company's offices in Edina and Bloomington, Minnesota expire
March 31, 1999 and March 31, 2001, respectively and the lease for the executive
offices in Hoffman Estates, Illinois expires August 31, 2000.  See Note 6 of
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

The Company's leased facilities are adequate to meet its business requirements.

ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

On December 15, 1997, a securities fraud class action was filed in the 
United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against the 
Company and two of its current and former executive officers. The purported 
class action was filed on behalf of all persons who purchased common stock of 
the Company during the period December 7, 1995 through June 10, 1997, seeking 
damages for alleged violations of the federal securities laws. The complaint 
in the purported class action alleges that throughout this time period, 
defendants knowingly participated in a course of conduct involving 
misrepresentation and concealment of adverse material information about the 
business and finances of the Company. The complaint alleges that the course 
of action followed by the defendants caused the plaintiff and other members 
of the purported class to purchase the Company's securities at artificially 
inflated prices. The complaint seeks damages suffered as a result of the 
actions of the defendants, including costs, expenses and fees incurred in the 
litigation.

The Company cannot predict the outcome of this litigation but believes it has 
meritorious defenses to these allegations and intends to defend itself 
vigorously.

ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders, through the
solicitation of proxies or otherwise, during the fourth quarter ended October
31, 1997.


                                          24

<PAGE>

                                  TRO LEARNING, INC.
                                      FORM 10-K
                          FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                        PART I

ITEM 4A. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

The Executive Officers of the Company are as follows:

    William R. Roach         Chairman of the Board, President and Chief   
                             Executive Officer
    G. Thomas Ahern          Senior Vice President, PLATO Education Sales and  
                             Marketing
    Wellesley R. Foshay      Vice President, Instructional Design and Cognitive
                             Learning
    David H. LePage          Vice President, Systems Development, Client  
                             Support and Operations
    Mary Jo Murphy           Vice President, Corporate Controller and Chief    
                             Accounting Officer
    John Murray              Senior Vice President, Operations
    Andrew N. Peterson       Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer,   
                             Secretary and Treasurer
    Steven R. Schuster       Vice President and Assistant Treasurer
    John C. Super            Vice President, Marketing 
    Carl Thompson            Vice President, Aviation Sales and Operations

Executive officers are appointed by, and serve at the discretion of, the Board
of Directors.

William R. Roach, age 57, has been Chairman of the Board of Directors, President
and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since its founding in 1989.  Prior to
founding the Company, from 1987 to 1988, Mr. Roach was President and Chief
Executive Officer of Applied Learning International, Inc. (ALI), a training and
education company and successor to Advanced Systems, Inc. (ASI), and a Director
and Senior Vice President of ALI's parent, National Education Corporation (NEC).
From 1981 to 1987, Mr. Roach was the Chief Executive Officer of ASI, a New York
Stock Exchange listed training and education company which was acquired by NEC
in 1987.  After leaving ALI in 1988, Mr. Roach led a group of investors in
pursuing an acquisition in the field of training and education.


                                          25
<PAGE>

                                  TRO LEARNING, INC.
                                      FORM 10-K
                          FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                        PART I

ITEM 4A. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT, CONTINUED

G. Thomas Ahern, age 39, was promoted to Senior Vice President, PLATO Education
Sales and Marketing in October 1997.  From January to October 1997, he was Vice
President, PLATO Education Sales, North America, and from December 1992 to
October 1997 he served as Vice President, U.S. Sales, PLATO Education. 
Previously, he was Regional Vice President, Sales for the Company since its
founding in 1989. From January 1989 to September 1989, Mr. Ahern was National
Sales Manager for the training and education group of Control Data Corporation,
a computer hardware, software and data services company.

Wellesley R. Foshay, Ph.D., age 50, has served as Vice President, Instructional
Design and Cognitive Learning since the Company's founding in 1989.  From 1987
to 1989, Dr. Foshay was Senior Director, Quality Assurance, Standards and
Training for ALI.

David H. LePage, age 51, has served in his present capacity, Vice President,
Systems Develop-ment, Client Support and Operations, since the Company's
founding in 1989.  From 1972 to 1989, Mr. LePage was General Manager, Systems
Development and Technical Support for the training and education group of
Control Data Corporation.

Mary Jo Murphy, age 41, joined the Company in August 1993 as Vice President,
Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer.  From 1986 to 1992, she was
Corporate Controller for Krelitz Industries, Inc., a drug distribution company. 
Ms. Murphy, a Certified Public Accountant, was formerly an Audit Supervisor for
Coopers & Lybrand.  

John Murray, age 42, joined the Company in 1989 as Managing Director of the
United Kingdom subsidiary.  He has served in his present capacity, Senior Vice
President, Operations since October 1997.  From April 1996 to October 1997 he
held the position of Vice President, Product Development. From November 1994 to
March 1996, Mr. Murray was Vice President, Aviation Sales and Operations. He
served as Vice President, Eastern Aviation Sales and Operations, from 1991 to
1994. From 1986 to 1989, Mr. Murray was Manager of Training Systems Group for
Control Data Limited.

Andrew N. Peterson, age 45, joined the Company in April 1997 as Senior Vice
President, Chief Financial Officer, Corporate Secretary and Treasurer. From 1995
to 1996 Mr. Peterson was Chief Financial Officer of TSR, Inc., a publishing
company. From 1986-1994 Mr. Peterson held the position of Chief Financial
Officer of Duplex Products, Inc., a business forms manufacturer. Mr. Peterson is
a Certified Public Accountant and holds an MBA from Northern Illinois
University.

Steven R. Schuster, age 37, joined the Company in December 1996 as Vice
President and Assistant Treasurer. From 1993 to 1996, he was Vice President for
Norwest Bank, a financial services company. Mr. Schuster was formerly the
Assistant Treasurer of St. Jude Medical, Inc.


                                          26

<PAGE>

                                  TRO LEARNING, INC.
                                      FORM 10-K
                          FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                        PART I

ITEM 4A. EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT, CONTINUED

John C. Super, age 50, joined the Company in 1990 as a Workplace Account
Manager. He has served in his present capacity as Vice President, Corporate
Marketing, since February 1997. From 1992 through 1996 he served as Vice
President, Strategic Sales and during 1991 as Vice President Sales, Eastern
Region. Prior to joining TRO, Mr. Super served in sales and management
capacities with Wicat Systems and Computer Curriculum Corporation.

Carl E. Thompson, age 35, has served in his present capacity as Vice President,
Aviation Sales and Operations and Managing Director of the United Kingdom
Aviation Training subsidiary since April 1996. From November 1994 to March 1996
has was General Manager of the U.K. subsidiary. From May 1993 to October 1994 he
was Manager - Customer Support, of Aviation Training. Prior to joining TRO, Mr.
Thompson was Business Manager for CSS Limited, a computer services company.


                                          27

<PAGE>

                                  TRO LEARNING, INC.
                                      FORM 10-K
                          FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                       PART II
                                           
                                           
ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON STOCK AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER 
         MATTERS

MARKET INFORMATION:

The Company's common stock is publicly traded on the NASDAQ National Market
System under the symbol, TUTR.

The following table presents the high and low closing prices for the Company's
common stock as reported by NASDAQ for each quarter during the years ended
October 31, 1997 and 1996:

                                       FISCAL 1997
                      ----------------------------------------
                         FIRST    SECOND     THIRD    FOURTH
                      ---------  --------  -------  ----------
              High    $  21.88  $  11.50  $  12.13  $  11.00
              Low        10.00      7.06      7.00      7.25
                                       FISCAL 1996
                      ----------------------------------------
                         FIRST    SECOND     THIRD    FOURTH
                      ---------  --------  -------  ----------
              High    $  16.75  $  17.00  $  19.75  $  19.50
              Low         5.94     10.00     12.38     14.25

HOLDERS:

There were approximately 4,100 stockholders of record as of December 10, 1997
(includes individual participants in security position listings).

DIVIDENDS:

The Company has not declared or paid dividends on its common stock.  The
Company's ability to pay dividends is restricted by its revolving loan agreement
(see Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).  While future
dividend payments are at the discretion of the Board of Directors, the Company
is growth-oriented and there is no present intention to pay a cash dividend 
on its common stock.


                                          28

<PAGE>

                                  TRO LEARNING, INC.
                                      FORM 10-K
                          FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                       PART II

ITEM 6.  SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
         (In thousands, except per share data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                  YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31,
                                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                            1997           1996            1995           1994          1993
                                        -----------   ------------   ------------   ------------   -----------
<S>                                     <C>           <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>      
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:

Revenues by product line:

PLATO Education. . . . . . . . . . . .  $  33,265      $  36,980      $  30,613      $  22,591      $  17,333

Aviation Training. . . . . . . . . . .      3,694          4,425          6,724          5,774          9,200

                                        -----------   ------------   ------------   ------------   -----------
Total revenues . . . . . . . . . . . .     36,959         41,405         37,337         28,365         26,533

Gross profit . . . . . . . . . . . . .     30,484         35,192         29,669         22,587         21,419

Selling, general and  administrative
    expense. . . . . . . . . . . . . .     36,988         27,537         19,027         15,494         11,144

Product development and customer 
    support. . . . . . . . . . . . . .      8,036          5,307          4,487          7,515          4,671

Operating income (loss). . . . . . . .    (14,540)         2,348          6,155         (1,222)         5,604

Interest expense . . . . . . . . . . .     (1,317)          (723)          (300)          (344)          (102)

Provision (credit) for income taxes. .      4,061            564          2,157           (533)         1,950

Income (loss) from continuing
    operations . . . . . . . . . . . .    (20,217)           982          3,752           (889)         3,785

Income (loss) from discontinued
    operations . . . . . . . . . . . .        ---            ---            ---         (1,250)          (738)

PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK 
    (Pro forma basis for 1993):

Income (loss) from continuing
    operations . . . . . . . . . . . .      (3.24)          0.15           0.60          (0.14)          0.63

Loss from discontinued
    operations . . . . . . . . . . . .         --            ---            ---          (0.20)         (0.12)

Net income (loss). . . . . . . . . . .      (3.24)          0.15           0.60           0.53           0.76

BALANCE SHEET DATA:

Total assets . . . . . . . . . . . . .     29,088         42,327         33,660         26,931         21,312

Total liabilities. . . . . . . . . . .     28,341         21,515         14,158         10,990          8,973

Stockholders' equity . . . . . . . . .        747         20,812         19,502         15,941         12,339
</TABLE>

                                                                     29
<PAGE>


                                  TRO LEARNING, INC.
                                      FORM 10-K
                          FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                       PART II
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


ITEM 7.   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
          RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


OVERVIEW:

The Company is a leading developer and marketer of microcomputer-based,
interactive, self-paced instructional systems used in a wide variety of adult
settings.  Offering comprehensive educational courseware specifically designed
for young adult and adult learners, the Company's PLATO-Registered Trademark-
Learning Systems are marketed to middle schools and high schools, community
colleges, job training programs, correctional institutions, government-funded
programs, the military and corporations.  The Company's TRO Aviation Training
Systems are marketed to airlines worldwide for use by commercial airline pilots,
maintenance crews, and cabin personnel.

In November 1997, the Company announced that it had retained BancAmerica
ROBERTSON STEPHENS to advise it regarding strategic alternatives to enhance
shareholder value.

FISCAL 1997 COMPARED TO FISCAL 1996:

REVENUES:

Total revenues of $36,959,000 for 1997 decreased by $4,446,000 or 11% as
compared to $41,405,000 for 1996.  The following table highlights revenues  by
product line (in 000's):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                     PLATO Education       AVIATION TRAINING             TOTAL
                                                  --------------------    -------    -------     -----------------------
                                                    1997        1996        1997       1996        1997           1996
                                                  --------    --------    -------    -------     --------       --------
<S>                                               <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>            <C>
Courseware license and support . . . . . . . .    $27,830      $31,252     $3,390     $4,183      $31,220        $35,435
Hardware, third party courseware and other . .      5,435        5,728        304        242        5,739          5,970
                                                  --------    --------    -------    -------     --------       --------
     Total revenues. . . . . . . . . . . . . .    $33,265      $36,980     $3,694     $4,425      $36,959        $41,405
                                                  --------    --------    -------    -------     --------       --------
                                                  --------    --------    -------    -------     --------       --------

</TABLE>
 
As summarized in the above table, PLATO Education courseware license and support
revenues of $27,830,000 for 1997 decreased by $3,422,000 or 11% as compared to
1996. The majority of this decrease occurred in the fourth quarter of 1997 as
compared to 1996.  The Company does not anticipate that this is a long term
trend.

Aviation Training revenues of $3,694,000 decreased by $731,000 or 17% from the
prior year, reflecting a general weakness in the aviation industry.

The Company's quarterly operating results fluctuate as a result of a number of
factors including the business and sales cycle, the amount and timing of new
product introductions by the Company, product shipments, client funding issues,
marketing expenditures, product development expenditures and promotional
programs.  The Company historically has experienced higher levels
of revenues in its fourth fiscal quarter.



                                          30
<PAGE>

                                  TRO LEARNING, INC.
                                      FORM 10-K
                          FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                       PART II
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


ITEM 7.   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
          RESULTS OF OPERATIONS, CONTINUED


FISCAL 1997 COMPARED TO FISCAL 1996, CONTINUED

GROSS PROFIT:

Gross profit for 1997 decreased by $4,708,000 or 13% to $30,484,000 as compared
to $35,192,000 for 1996.  This decrease was due principally to the decline in
PLATO Education courseware revenues.  The Company's gross margin was 82% for
1997 as compared to 85% for 1996, reflecting the decline in courseware revenues.

PLATO Education gross margin for 1997 was 83% compared to 86% for 1996. Aviation
Training gross margin was 81% for 1997 compared to 76% for 1996.

SELLING, GENERAL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE:

Selling, general, and administrative expense for 1997 increased by $9,451,000 or
34% to $36,988,000 as compared to $27,537,000 for 1996.  This increase was
principally due to the additional provision for doubtful accounts of
approximately $5,132,000 recorded in 1997, when it was determined that payment
for numerous sales contracts would not be received.  The majority of these sales
were to customers which are dependent upon various government funding sources,
and therefore subject to standard non-appropriation of funds. This one time
adjustment is not expected to recur in future years.

In addition, PLATO Education selling expense increased by approximately
$2,736,000, primarily for salaries, fringe benefits and travel due to the
expansion of the sales and service organization.

In late fiscal 1997, the Company initiated plans to restructure its operations
to achieve significant cost reductions and improve operating efficiencies.

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND CUSTOMER SUPPORT:

Product development and customer support expense for 1997 increased by
$2,729,000 or 51% to $8,036,000 as compared to $5,307,000 for 1996. While PLATO
Education product development spending was comparable for 1997 as compared to
1996, product development expense increased principally as a result of
decreased capitalization and the increased effect of amortization of previously
capitalized costs.


                                          31
<PAGE>

                                  TRO LEARNING, INC.
                                      FORM 10-K
                          FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                       PART II
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


ITEM 7.   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
          RESULTS OF OPERATIONS, CONTINUED

FISCAL 1997 COMPARED TO FISCAL 1996, CONTINUED

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS):

Operating loss for 1997 was $(14,540,000) as compared to operating income of
$2,348,000 for 1996.  This decline was due primarily to the decrease in PLATO
Education revenues and gross profit, and the increase in PLATO Education
selling, bad debt and product development expenses.

INTEREST EXPENSE:

Interest expense was $1,317,000 for 1997 as compared to $723,000 for 1996.
Interest expense increased due to the Company's long term debt incurred during
1997.

PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES:

The Company took a non-cash tax charge of $4,061,000 in 1997 to record a
valuation allowance against the deferred tax asset.  Such valuation allowance
has been provided based on the inherent uncertainty of predicting the
sufficiency of the future taxable income necessary to realize the benefit of the
net deferred tax asset in light of the Company's recent loss history and the
competitive nature of the industry in which the Company operates.

FISCAL 1996 COMPARED TO FISCAL 1995:

REVENUES:

Total revenues of $41,405,000 for 1996 increased by $4,068,000 or 11% as
compared to $37,337,000 in 1995.  The following table highlights revenues  by
product line (in 000's):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 

                                                    PLATO Education          AVIATION TRAINING                  TOTAL
                                                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    1996         1995         1996        1995           1996           1995
                                                  ---------   ---------    ---------    --------      ---------       -------
<S>                                               <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>             <C>
Courseware license and support . . . . . . . .    $31,252     $ 25,612     $ 4,183      $ 4,599       $ 35,435        $30,211
Hardware, third party courseware and other . .      5,728        5,001         242        2,125          5,970          7,126
                                                  ---------   ---------    ---------    --------      ---------       -------
     Total revenues. . . . . . . . . . . . . .    $36,980     $ 30,613     $ 4,425      $ 6,724       $ 41,405        $37,337
                                                  ---------   ---------    ---------    --------      ---------       -------
                                                  ---------   ---------    ---------    --------      ---------       -------

</TABLE>
 
As summarized in the above table, PLATO Education revenues of $36,980,000 for
1996 increased by $6,367,000 or 21% as compared to 1995. This increase can be
attributed to increased market penetration resulting from the expansion of the
PLATO Education sales force and new products.


                                          32
<PAGE>

                                  TRO LEARNING, INC.
                                      FORM 10-K
                          FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                       PART II
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


ITEM 7.   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
          RESULTS OF OPERATIONS, CONTINUED

FISCAL 1996 COMPARED TO FISCAL 1995, CONTINUED

REVENUES, CONTINUED:

Aviation Training revenues of $4,425,000 decreased by $2,299,000 or 34% from the
prior year, due principally to a decline in low margin hardware sales,
reflecting the Company's focus on the sale of high margin courseware products.
The decline in Aviation Training courseware revenues reflects a general weakness
in the aviation industry.

The Company's quarterly operating results fluctuate as a result of a number of
factors including the business and sales cycle, the amount and timing of new
product introductions by the Company, product shipments, client funding issues,
marketing expenditures, product development expenditures and promotional
programs.  The Company historically has experienced higher levels of revenues in
its fourth fiscal quarter.

GROSS PROFIT:

Gross profit for 1996 increased by $5,523,000 or 19% to $35,192,000 as compared
to $29,669,000 for 1995.  This increase was due principally to PLATO Education
revenue growth and a favorable mix of courseware revenue.  The Company's gross
margin was 85% for 1996 as compared to 79% for 1995. Increased courseware
revenues and a decline in hardware revenues resulted in a significantly improved
gross margin for 1996.

PLATO Education gross margin for 1996 was 86% compared to 84% for 1995. Aviation
Training gross margin was 76% for 1996 compared to 57% for 1995.

SELLING, GENERAL, AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE:

Selling, general, and administrative expense for 1996 increased by $8,510,000 or
45% to $27,537,000 as compared to $19,027,000 for 1995.  PLATO Education sales
and marketing expenses, including commissions, increased $6,264,000, principally
as a result of the growth in sales volume and the planned expansion of the sales
and service organization. In addition, in the fourth quarter of 1996, the
Company recorded a provision for doubtful accounts of approximately $1,700,000.


                                          33
<PAGE>

                                  TRO LEARNING, INC.
                                      FORM 10-K
                          FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                       PART II
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


ITEM 7.   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
          RESULTS OF OPERATIONS, CONTINUED

FISCAL 1996 COMPARED TO FISCAL 1995, CONTINUED

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND CUSTOMER SUPPORT:

Product development and customer support expense for 1996 increased by $820,000
or 18% to $5,307,000 as compared to $4,487,000 for 1995. Product development
expense of $2,947,000 increased by $366,000, or 14%, as a result of increased
Aviation Training product development spending as well as a slight increase in
PLATO Education spending. During fiscal 1996, the Company developed a new,
state-of-the-art, Windows-based instructional management system that will
replace the current DOS-based curriculum manager for systems that support the
Windows operating system. These costs were offset by a decrease in spending due
to the completion of the PLATO WorkSkills curricula.  Customer support expense
for PLATO Education of $2,097,000 increased by $438,000, or 26%, as a result of
increased revenue levels and the broadening customer base.

OPERATING INCOME:

Operating income for 1996 was $2,348,000 as compared to $6,155,000 for 1995.
This decline was due primarily to PLATO Education increased revenues and gross
profit being more than offset by increased sales and marketing and customer
support expenses.

INTEREST EXPENSE:

Interest expense was $723,000 for 1996 as compared to $300,000 for 1995.
Interest expense increased due to a higher level of borrowings under the
Company's revolving loan agreement during 1996. In addition, the sale of certain
installment receivables at a discount resulted in the recognition of interest
expense in the second quarter of fiscal 1996 (see Note 2 of Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements).

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES:

As of October 31, 1997, the Company's principal sources of liquidity included
cash and cash equivalents of $537,000, net accounts receivable of $18,305,000
and its line of credit.  The Company has total installment receivables of
$6,829,000 at October 31, 1997, of which $6,264,000 are due within one year and
are included in net accounts receivable.

Net cash used in the Company's operating activities was $5,677,000 in 1997,
$4,223,000 in 1996, and $4,782,000 in 1995.  Cash flows from operations were
used principally to fund the Company's working capital requirements.  In
addition to cash flows from operations, the Company has


                                          34
<PAGE>

                                  TRO LEARNING, INC.
                                      FORM 10-K
                          FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                       PART II
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


ITEM 7.   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
          RESULTS OF OPERATIONS, CONTINUED

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES, CONTINUED

resources available under its revolving loan agreement to provide borrowings up
to a maximum of $18,000,000 (see Note 3 of Notes to Consolidated Financial
Statements).  At October 31, 1997, borrowings of $8,908,000 were outstanding at
an interest rate of 10%. The agreement provides for financial covenants which
require a minimum level of operating profit and a minimum liabilities to equity
ratio. The Company did not comply with the financial covenants for the year
ended October 31, 1997.  On December 8, 1997 the loan agreement was amended to
waive compliance with certain covenants for the period ended October 31, 1997,
to reset such covenants, to provide additional borrowings up to a maximum of
$3,500,000 from time to time during certain periods of the term of the loan
agreement and to extend the commitment through August 31, 1998.  Additionally,
the amendment terminated the Company's option to incur LIBOR-based interest
loans and the option to automatically extend the commitment for an additional
two years.

The Company's net cash flow used in investing activities was $762,000 in 1997
and $1,020,000 in 1996 principally for capital expenditures. The Company's net
cash flow provided by investing activities was $1,557,000 in 1995, principally
from the sale of marketable securities to fund working capital needs. The
Company's capital expenditures totaled $762,000, $1,033,000, and $668,000 in
1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.  At October 31, 1997, the Company had no
material commitments for capital expenditures.

The Company's net cash flow provided by financing activities was $6,527,000 in
1997, principally from long term debt issued, and $5,429,000 in 1996 and
$3,319,000 in 1995, principally from borrowings under the line of credit.

The Company took a non-cash tax charge of $4,061,000 in 1997 to record a
valuation allowance against the deferred tax asset.  Such valuation allowance
has been provided based on the inherent uncertainty of predicting the
sufficiency of the future taxable income necessary to realize the benefit of the
net deferred tax asset in light of the Company's recent loss history and the
competitive nature of the industry in which the Company operates.  In prior
years the primary differences between pretax earnings for financial reporting
purposes and taxable income for income tax purposes included revenue
recognition, the capitalization of product development costs and various
reserves.  The Company has net operating loss carryforwards of approximately
$27.5 million which do not start expiring until 2004.




                                          35
<PAGE>


                                  TRO LEARNING, INC.
                                      FORM 10-K
                          FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                       PART II
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


ITEM 7.   MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
          RESULTS OF OPERATIONS, CONTINUED

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES, CONTINUED

From time to time, the Company evaluates making acquisitions of products or
businesses that complement the Company's core business.  The Company has no
present understandings, commitments, or agreements with respect to any material
acquisitions of other businesses, products, or technologies.  However, the
Company may consider and acquire other complementary businesses, products, or
technologies in the future.

The Company is currently reviewing financing alternatives to meet its short and
long-term working capital, capital expenditure, and business investment
requirements.


                                          36
<PAGE>


                                  TRO LEARNING, INC.
                                      FORM 10-K
                          FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                       PART II
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


ITEM 8.   FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

                                                                           Page
(a) (1)   Consolidated Financial Statements:

          Report of Independent Accountants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    38

          Consolidated Balance Sheets as of October 31, 1997 and 1996. .    39

          Consolidated Statements of Income for the years ended
          October 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    40

          Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for the years
          ended October 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995. . . . . . . . . . . . .    41

          Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
          October 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    42

          Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements . . . . . . . . . . 43-53

    (2)   Consolidated Financial Statement Schedule for the years
          ended October 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995:

          Report of Independent Accountants on Consolidated Financial
          Statement Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    57

          Schedule II. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves. .    58

All other schedules called for under Regulation S-X are not submitted because
they are not applicable, or because the required information is not material or
is included in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.


                                          37
<PAGE>


                          REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


To the Stockholders and
Board of Directors of
TRO Learning, Inc.


We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of TRO Learning,
Inc. and Subsidiaries as of October 31, 1997 and 1996, and the related
consolidated statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each
of the three years in the period ended October 31, 1997.  These financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.  Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of TRO
Learning, Inc. and Subsidiaries as of October 31, 1997 and 1996, and the
consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended October 31, 1997 in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.





COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.


Chicago, Illinois
January 12, 1998


                                          38
<PAGE>


                         TRO LEARNING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                             CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                        (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                                                       OCTOBER 31,
                                                                                                -----------------------
                                                                                                   1997          1996
                                                                                                ----------     --------
                                                                   ASSETS

Current assets:
<S>                                                                                              <C>            <C>

  Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $   537       $    475

  Accounts receivable, less allowances of $7,020 and $510, respectively . . . . . . . . . . . .    18,305         24,163

  Inventories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       990          1,097

  Prepaid expenses and other current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       688          1,051

                                                                                                  --------      --------
     Total current assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    20,520         26,786

Equipment and leasehold improvements, less accumulated depreciation
  of $4,092 and $3,250, respectively. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     1,271          1,368

Product development costs, less accumulated amortization of $2,562 and $680, respectively . . .     5,989          5,528

Deferred tax asset. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       ---          5,906

Other assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     1,308          2,739

                                                                                                  --------      --------
                                                                                                  $29,088        $42,327
                                                                                                  --------      --------
                                                                                                  --------      --------


                                                    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY


Current liabilities:

  Accounts payable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $ 3,472        $ 2,588

  Accrued employee salaries and benefits. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     3,199          3,079

  Accrued liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     4,072          3,705

  Revolving loan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    11,908          8,612

  Deferred tax liability. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       ---          1,845

  Deferred revenue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     1,949          1,137
                                                                                                  --------      --------

     Total current liabilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    24,600         20,966

Long term debt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     3,050            ---

Deferred revenue, less current portion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       519            296

Other liabilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       172            253

Stockholders' equity:

  Common stock, $.01 par value, 25,000 shares authorized;
     6,450 shares issued and 6,405 shares outstanding in 1997;
     6,190 shares issued and 6,167 shares outstanding in 1996 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        64             62
  Paid in capital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    22,074         21,634

  Treasury stock at cost, 45 and 23 shares, respectively. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      (469)          (208)

  Accumulated deficit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   (20,660)          (443)

  Foreign currency translation adjustment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      (262)          (233)

                                                                                                  --------       --------
     Total stockholders' equity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       747         20,812
                                                                                                  --------       --------
                                                                                                  $29,088        $42,327
                                                                                                  --------       --------
                                                                                                  --------       --------

</TABLE>
 

                    See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements



                                          39
<PAGE>

                         TRO LEARNING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                          CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                        (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

 
                                                                       YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31,
                                                                 --------------------------------------
                                                                    1997         1996           1995
                                                                 ----------    ---------      ---------
Revenues by product line:

<S>                                                              <C>           <C>            <C>
  PLATO Education..............................................    $33,265     $36,980        $30,613
  Aviation Training............................................      3,694       4,425          6,724
                                                                 ----------    ---------      ---------
    Total revenues.............................................     36,959      41,405         37,337

Cost of revenues...............................................      6,475       6,213          7,668
                                                                 ----------    ---------      ---------
    Gross profit...............................................     30,484      35,192         29,669
                                                                 ----------    ---------      ---------
Operating expenses:

  Selling, general and administrative expense..................     36,988      27,537         19,027

  Product development and customer support.....................      8,036       5,307          4,487
                                                                 ----------    ---------      ---------
    Total operating expenses...................................     45,024      32,844         23,514
                                                                 ----------    ---------      ---------
      Operating income (loss)..................................    (14,540)      2,348          6,155

Interest expense...............................................     (1,317)       (723)          (300)

Interest income and other expense, net.........................       (299)        (79)            54
                                                                 ----------    ---------      ---------
      Income (loss) before income taxes........................    (16,156)      1,546          5,909

Provision for income taxes.....................................      4,061         564          2,157
                                                                 ----------    ---------      ---------
      Net income (loss)........................................   $(20,217)     $  982         $3,752
                                                                 ----------    ---------      ---------
                                                                 ----------    ---------      ---------
Income (loss) per  common and common equivalent share:

    Net income (loss)........................................     $  (3.24)     $ 0.15         $ 0.60
                                                                 ----------    ---------      ---------
                                                                 ----------    ---------      ---------
  Weighted average common and common equivalent shares
    outstanding..............................................        6,233       6,643          6,280
                                                                 ----------    ---------      ---------
                                                                 ----------    ---------      ---------

</TABLE>
 

                    See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


                                          40
<PAGE>

                         TRO LEARNING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                    (IN THOUSANDS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             COMMON STOCK
                                            ----------------------------------------------
                                                                                                            FOREIGN
                                                                                                           CURRENCY        TOTAL
                                                                                  TREASURY   ACCUMULATED  TRANSLATION  STOCKHOLDERS'
                                            SHARES       AMOUNT   PAID IN CAPITAL  STOCK       DEFICIT     ADJUSTMENT     EQUITY
                                            -------      -------  --------------- --------   -----------  ------------ ------------
<S>                                         <C>          <C>      <C>             <C>        <C>          <C>          <C>
Balances, November 1, 1994. . . . . . . .    6,073       $ 61        $ 21,291          ---   $ (5,177)        $(234)     $15,941

  Net income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      ---        ---             ---          ---      3,752           ---        3,752

  Exercise of stock options and shares
     issued under employee stock
     purchase plan. . . . . . . . . . . .       27        ---              54          ---        ---           ---           54

  Repurchase of shares. . . . . . . . . .      (28)       ---             ---         (183)       ---           ---         (183)

  Changes in exchange rates . . . . . . .      ---        ---             ---          ---        ---           (62)         (62)
                                            -------      -------  --------------- --------   -----------  ------------ ------------

Balances, October 31, 1995. . . . . . . .    6,072         61          21,345         (183)    (1,425)         (296)      19,502

  Net income. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      ---        ---             ---          ---        982           ---          982

  Exercise of stock options and shares
     issued under employee stock
     purchase plan. . . . . . . . . . . .       99          1             289           50        ---           ---          340

  Repurchase of shares. . . . . . . . . .       (4)       ---             ---          (75)       ---           ---          (75)

  Changes in exchange rates . . . . . . .      ---        ---             ---          ---        ---            63           63
                                            -------      -------  --------------- --------   -----------  ------------ ------------

Balances, October 31, 1996. . . . . . . .    6,167         62          21,634         (208)      (443)         (233)      20,812

  Net loss. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      ---        ---             ---          ---    (20,217)          ---      (20,217)

  Exercise of options, stock grants and
    shares issued under employee stock
    purchase plan . . . . . . . . . . . .      260          2             440          ---        ---           ---          442

  Repurchase of shares. . . . . . . . . .      (22)       ---             ---         (261)       ---           ---         (261)

  Changes in exchange rates . . . . . . .      ---        ---             ---          ---        ---           (29)         (29)
                                            -------      -------  --------------- --------   -----------  ------------ ------------

Balances, October 31, 1997. . . . . . . .    6,405       $ 64        $ 22,074        $(469)  $(20,660)        $(262)     $   747
                                            -------      -------  --------------- --------   -----------  ------------ ------------
                                            -------      -------  --------------- --------   -----------  ------------ ------------

</TABLE>
 

                    See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


                                          41
<PAGE>


                         TRO LEARNING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                    (IN THOUSANDS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                                       YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31,
                                                                             ----------------------------------------
                                                                                1997           1996           1995
                                                                             ----------      ---------      ---------
Cash flows from operating activities:

<S>                                                                         <C>              <C>           <C>
  Net income (loss). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $(20,217)        $  982         $3,752
                                                                             ----------      ---------      ---------

  Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash used in operating
    activities:
    Deferred income taxes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      4,061            564          2,157

    Depreciation and amortization. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      2,644          1,466            807

    Provision for doubtful accounts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      7,252          2,120            300

    Disposal of fixed assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .          2            180             41

    Amortization of deferred revenue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        ---            ---           (251)

    Changes in assets and liabilities:

      Increase in accounts receivable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     (1,394)        (8,680)        (6,153)

      (Increase) decrease in inventories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        107            (52)           141

      (Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses and other current
        and noncurrent assets. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      1,794          1,255         (1,746)

      Increase in product development costs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     (2,251)        (3,356)        (2,851)

      Increase  in accounts payable. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        884            341            144

      Increase (decrease) in  accrued liabilities, accrued employee
        salaries and benefits and other liabilities. . . . . . . . . . . .        406            742           (522)

      Increase (decrease) in deferred revenue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      1,035            215           (601)
                                                                             ----------      ---------      ---------
        Total adjustments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     14,540         (5,205)        (8,534)
                                                                             ----------      ---------      ---------
        Net cash used in operating activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     (5,677)        (4,223)        (4,782)
                                                                             ----------      ---------      ---------

  Cash flows from investing activities:

    Capital expenditures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       (762)        (1,033)          (668)

    Proceeds from disposal of fixed assets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        ---             13            ---

    Decrease in marketable securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        ---            ---          2,225
                                                                             ----------      ---------      ---------
      Net cash  provided by (used in) investing activities . . . . . . . .       (762)        (1,020)         1,557
                                                                             ----------      ---------      ---------
  Cash flows from financing activities:

    Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      6,050            ---            ---

    Net proceeds from short term borrowings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        296          5,164          3,448

    Net proceeds from the issuance of common stock . . . . . . . . . . . .        442            290             54

    Purchase of treasury stock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       (261)           (25)          (183)
                                                                             ----------      ---------      ---------
      Net cash provided by financing activities. . . . . . . . . . . . . .      6,527          5,429          3,319
                                                                             ----------      ---------      ---------
  Effect of foreign currency on cash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .        (26)            58            (63)
                                                                             ----------      ---------      ---------
  Net increase in cash and cash equivalents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         62            244             31

  Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period . . . . . . . . . . . .        475            231            200
                                                                             ----------      ---------      ---------
  Cash and cash equivalents at end of period . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       $537           $475           $231
                                                                             ----------      ---------      ---------
                                                                             ----------      ---------      ---------
  Cash paid for interest expense . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     $1,234           $829           $293
                                                                             ----------      ---------      ---------
                                                                             ----------      ---------      ---------

</TABLE>
 

                    See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


                                          42
<PAGE>


                         TRO LEARNING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


1.   NATURE OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:


NATURE OF BUSINESS:

TRO Learning, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the Company) develop and market
microcomputer-based, interactive, self-paced instructional systems. The Company
markets such systems primarily to educational institutions and private industry.

The Company's fiscal year is from November 1 to October 31.  Unless otherwise
stated, references to the years 1997, 1996 and 1995 relate to the fiscal years
ended October 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

PRINCIPLE OF CONSOLIDATION:

The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of TRO
Learning, Inc. and its subsidiaries.  All significant intercompany accounts and
transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

USE OF ESTIMATES:

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and
the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.

CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK:

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of
credit risk consist primarily of accounts receivable. Credit risk is minimized
as a result of the large number of the Company's customers.  The Company
performs evaluations of its customers' credit worthiness and generally requires
no collateral from its customers.  Although many of the Company's educational
customers are dependent upon various government funding sources, and are subject
to non-appropriation of funds, the Company does not believe there is a
significant concentration of risk associated with any specific governmental
program or funding source.  Reserves have been established for numerous sales
contracts for which payments were not received in 1997 due to non-appropriation
of funds.  As of October 31, 1997, the Company had no significant concentrations
of credit risk.



                                          43
<PAGE>


                         TRO LEARNING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


1.   NATURE OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES,
     CONTINUED


CASH EQUIVALENTS:

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with a maturity of three
months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents.  Such investments are
carried at cost, which approximates fair value.

INVENTORIES:

Inventories, which consist principally of goods purchased for resale, are
stated at the lower of cost (first in, first out) or market.

EQUIPMENT AND LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS:

Equipment and leasehold improvements are stated at cost, less accumulated
depreciation.  Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the
estimated useful lives of the assets.  Upon retirement or disposition, cost and
related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts, and any gain or
loss is included in the results of operations.  Maintenance and repairs are
expensed as incurred.

OTHER ASSETS:

Other assets include principally intangible assets and installment receivables
with terms greater than one year.

FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS:

The fair value of the Company's debt is estimated to approximate the carrying
value of these liabilities based upon borrowing rates currently available to the
Company for borrowings with similar terms.

REVENUE RECOGNITION:

Revenue from the sale of education and training courseware licenses, computer 
hardware and related support services, principally maintenance, is recognized 
when the courseware, hardware, and related services are delivered.  Upon 
delivery, future service costs, if any, are accrued. Future service costs 
represent the Company's problem resolution and support "hotline" service for 
a one year period.  Deferred revenue represents the portion of billings made 
or payments received in advance of services being performed or products being 
delivered.


                                          44
<PAGE>


                         TRO LEARNING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1.   NATURE OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES,
     CONTINUED


PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT, ENHANCEMENT, AND MAINTENANCE COSTS:

The Company develops education and training products, referred to hereafter 
as courseware products.  Costs incurred in the development of the Company's 
current generation courseware products and related enhancements and routine 
maintenance thereof are expensed as incurred.  All costs incurred by the 
Company in establishing the technical feasibility of new courseware products 
to be sold, leased, or otherwise marketed are expensed as incurred.  Once 
technical feasibility has been established, costs incurred in the development 
of new generation courseware products are capitalized.

Amortization is provided over the estimated useful life of the new courseware
products, generally three years, using the straight-line method.  Amortization
begins when the product is available for general release to customers.
Unamortized capitalized costs determined to be in excess of the net realizable
value of the product are expensed at the date of such determination.

INCOME TAXES:

The Company accounts for income taxes as required under the provisions of
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes"
(SFAS 109).  SFAS 109 requires recognition of deferred tax liabilities and
assets for the expected future tax consequences of events that have been
included in the financial statements or tax returns.  Under this method,
deferred tax liabilities and assets are determined based on the difference
between the financial statement and tax basis of assets and liabilities using
enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected
to reverse.  In addition, the amount of any future tax benefits are reduced by a
valuation allowance to the extent such benefits are not expected to be realized.

COMPUTATION OF INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE:

Income (loss) per share is based upon the weighted average number of shares of
common stock outstanding and, where dilutive, common equivalent shares from
stock options and warrants (using the treasury stock method) and other
potentially dilutive securities.  Fully diluted income (loss) per share is not
presented since the results are equivalent to primary income (loss) per share.

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION:

Results of operations for foreign entities are translated using the average
exchange rates during the period.  Assets and liabilities are translated using
the exchange rate in effect at the balance sheet date.  Resulting translation
adjustments are recorded as a separate component of stockholders' equity.


                                          45
<PAGE>


                         TRO LEARNING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1.   NATURE OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES,
     CONTINUED


NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS:

In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 128, "Earnings Per Share" (SFAS
128), which requires the dual presentation of basic and diluted earnings per
share.  Under SFAS 128, the dilutive effect of stock options is excluded for
calculating basic earnings per share.  The Company will be required to adopt
SFAS 128 beginning in the interim period ending January 31, 1998, and all prior
periods are required to be restated.  There will be no impact on reported
earnings per share for 1997 because the Company incurred a loss for the period.
The impact is expected to result in an increase to reported earnings per share
of $0.01 for 1996.

In June 1997, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 130,
"Reporting Comprehensive Income" (SFAS 130). Under SFAS 130, companies are
required to report comprehensive income as a measure of overall performance.
Comprehensive income includes all changes in equity during a reporting period,
except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.
The Company will adopt SFAS 130 for the fiscal year ending October 31, 1999.

In June 1997, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards 131,
"Disclosure About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information" (SFAS 131).
SFAS 131 redefines how operating segments are determined and requires expanded
quantitative and qualitative disclosures relating to an entity's operating
segments.  The Company will adopt SFAS 131 for the fiscal year ending October
31, 1999.

The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants has issued Statement 
of Position 97-2 "Software Revenue Recognition". SOP 97-2 is effective for 
transactions entered into in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 1997 
and provides guidance on applying generally accepted accounting principles in 
recognizing revenue on software transactions. The Company does not expect the 
application of the SOP to have a material impact on the Company's financial 
condition or results of operations.

2.   ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE:

Accounts receivable include net installment receivables of $6,264,000 and
$13,023,000 at October 31, 1997 and 1996, respectively.  Installment receivables
with terms greater than one year were $565,000 and $1,909,000 at October 31,
1997 and 1996, respectively, and are included in other assets on the
consolidated balance sheets.

The provision for doubtful accounts, included in selling, general and
administrative expenses on the consolidated statements of income, was
$7,252,000, $2,120,000 and $300,000 for 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.

During 1996 and 1995, the Company sold certain installment receivables, on a
non-recourse basis, to financial institutions. Approximately $735,000 and
$1,081,000 of receivables were sold at their discounted present value of
approximately $599,000 and $981,000 in 1996 and 1995, respectively, at an
effective rate of 8.6% and 9.3%, respectively.  The difference between the gross
receivable amount and the proceeds has been recorded as interest expense in the
consolidated statements of income.


                                          46
<PAGE>


                         TRO LEARNING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3.   DEBT:

The components of debt at October 31 are as follows (in thousands):

                                                      1997             1996
                                                     ------           ------
     Current:
          Revolving loan...........................  $ 8,908           $8,612
          15% term loan............................    3,000              ---
                                                     -------           ------
            Total current debt.....................  $11,908           $8,612
                                                     -------           ------
                                                     -------           ------

     Long term:
          10% subordinated convertible debentures..  $ 3,050           $  ---
                                                     -------           ------
                                                     -------           ------

The weighted average interest rate of borrowings outstanding under the revolving
loan was 10% and 8.9% at October 31,1997 and 1996, respectively.

In March 1997, the Company expanded its revolving loan agreement to provide for
a maximum $18 million line of credit.  The agreement has a commitment through
August 2, 1998 with an option to extend for an additional two years.
Substantially all of the Company's assets are pledged as collateral under the
agreement.  Borrowings are limited by the available borrowing base, as defined,
consisting primarily of certain accounts receivable and inventory, and bear
interest at the prime rate plus 1.5% or the LIBOR rate plus 3.25%, as determined
by the Company.  A commitment fee is payable based on the unused portion of the
line of credit.  The agreement provides for restrictions on dividends,
investments, additional indebtedness, and the sale of assets, as defined, and
for financial covenants requiring a minimum level of operating profit and a
minimum liabilities to equity ratio.  The Company did not comply with the
financial covenants for the period ended October 31, 1997. On December 8, 1997,
the loan agreement was amended to waive compliance with certain covenants for
the period ended October 31, 1997, to reset such covenants, to provide
additional borrowings up to a maximum of $3,500,000 from time to time during
certain periods of the term of the loan agreement and to extend the commitment
through August 31, 1998.  Additionally, the amendment terminated the Company's
option to incur LIBOR-based interest loans and the option to automatically
extend the commitment for an additional two years.

In addition, the expanded revolving loan agreement makes available a $3 million
term loan, at an annual interest rate of 15%, during the remaining term of the
agreement.  The funds were borrowed in May 1997 and used to reduce the balance
of the outstanding revolving loan.

Also, in March 1997, the Company issued $3,050,000 of 10% subordinated
convertible debentures with interest payable semiannually.  At the option of the
holder, the debentures are convertible into the Company's common stock at $9.60
per share.  The Company may redeem the debentures at 101% of principal, plus
interest, subject to certain terms and conditions.  The debentures have a
scheduled maturity in 2004 and are subject to mandatory redemption at 25% of
principal annually beginning in 2001.


                                          47
<PAGE>

                         TRO LEARNING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3.   DEBT, CONTINUED

Scheduled maturities of long term debt are as follows (in thousands):


               2001.......................   $    763

               2002.......................        763

               Thereafter.................      1,524
                                             --------
                                             $  3,050
                                             --------
                                             --------


4.   INCOME TAXES:

The components of income (loss) before provision for income taxes are as follows
(in thousands):

                                        1997           1996           1995
                                     ---------       -------        -------
United States . . . . . . . . .      $(13,432)        $2,066         $6,646

Foreign . . . . . . . . . . . .        (2,724)          (520)          (737)
                                     ---------       -------        -------
                                     $(16,156)        $1,546         $5,909
                                     ---------       -------        -------
                                     ---------       -------        -------


The components of the provision for income taxes are as follows (in thousands):

                                        1997           1996           1995
                                     ---------       -------        -------
Federal . . . . . . . . . . . .      $  3,397        $   703        $ 2,260

Foreign . . . . . . . . . . . .           408           (178)          (269)

State and local . . . . . . . .           256             39            166
                                     ---------       -------        -------
                                     $  4,061        $   564        $ 2,157
                                     ---------       -------        -------
                                     ---------       -------        -------

The provision for income taxes differs from the amount computed by applying the
U.S. federal statutory income tax rate to income (loss) before income taxes.
The principal reasons for the differences are as follows (in thousands):

                                        1997           1996           1995
                                     ---------       -------        -------
U.S. federal statutory rate at 34%   $ (5,493)       $   525        $ 2,009
State taxes, net of U.S. federal
   income tax . . . . . . . . .          (565)            52            166
Other . . . . . . . . . . . . .        10,119            (13)           (18)
                                     ---------       -------        -------
                                     $  4,061        $   564        $ 2,157
                                     ---------       -------        -------
                                     ---------       -------        -------


                                          48
<PAGE>


                         TRO LEARNING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

4.   INCOME TAXES, CONTINUED

The components of the deferred tax asset at October 31, are as follows (in
thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                               1997                                1996
                                                    --------------------------         --------------------------
                                                     TEMPORARY                          TEMPORARY
                                                   DIFFERENCE     TAX EFFECTED         DIFFERENCE    TAX EFFECTED
                                                    ----------    ------------         -----------  -------------
<S>                                                 <C>           <C>                  <C>          <C>
Current:
  Revenue recognition . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   $ (3,793)      $ (1,385)            $(8,285)      $ (3,065)
  Accrued liabilities and reserves. . . . . . . .      7,701          2,811               3,297          1,220
                                                    ----------    ------------         -----------  -------------
     Total current deferred tax asset
     (liability). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      3,908          1,426              (4,988)        (1,845)
                                                    ----------    ------------         -----------  -------------
Long-term:
  Net operating loss carryforwards. . . . . . . .     26,498          9,673              18,516          6,851
  Product development expense
     recognition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     (3,133)        (1,144)             (2,668)          (987)
  Discontinued operations reserve . . . . . . . .        500            183               1,000            370
  Equipment basis difference. . . . . . . . . . .        812            296                 646            239
  Revenue recognition . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       (517)          (189)             (1,024)          (379)
  Other . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       (345)          (126)               (356)          (188)

                                                    ----------    ------------         -----------  -------------
     Total long-term deferred tax asset . . . . .     23,815          8,693              16,114          5,906

                                                    ----------    ------------         -----------  -------------
                                                    $ 27,723       $ 10,119             $11,126       $  4,061

                                                    ----------                         -----------
                                                    ----------                         -----------
Less valuation allowance                                            (10,119)                               ---
                                                                  ------------                      -------------
                                                                   $    ---                           $  4,061

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

</TABLE>

 

The Company took a non-cash charge of $4,061,000 in 1997 to record a valuation
allowance against the deferred tax asset.  Such valuation allowance has been
provided based on the inherent uncertainty of predicting the sufficiency of the
future taxable income necessary to realize the benefit of the net deferred tax
asset in light of the Company's recent loss history and the competitive nature
of the industry in which the Company operates.

At October 31, 1997, the Company had a federal net operating loss carryforward
of $21,639,000 and a foreign net operating loss carryforward of $5,854,000.
These net operating loss carryforwards begin to expire in 2004.



                                          49
<PAGE>

                         TRO LEARNING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


5.   STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:

STOCK INCENTIVE AND STOCK OPTION PLANS:

The Company has adopted various stock incentive and stock option plans that
authorize the granting of stock options, stock appreciation rights, and stock
awards to directors, officers and key employees, subject to certain conditions,
including continued employment.  Under these plans, 1,953,540 shares are
reserved for granting.

In September 1997, stock awards totaling 101,000 shares of the Company's common
stock were granted to certain key employees for the purchase price of $1.00 per
share.  These shares vest over a five-year period and they may not be sold or
transferred.

Stock options are granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value
of the Company's common stock on the date of grant.  All options become
exercisable ratably over three years and expire ten years from the grant date.

Effective for 1997, the Company has adopted the disclosure only provisions of 
SFAS 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation".  All stock options are 
granted at an exercise price equal to the fair market value on the grant date 
and, accordingly, no compensation expense has been recognized in the 
accompanying consolidated financial statements.  Had compensation expense 
been recognized based on the fair value of options granted, consistent with 
the provisions of SFAS 123, the Company's net income (loss) and net income 
(loss) per share would have been changed to the pro forma amounts as follows 
(in thousands, except per share amounts):

                                     AS REPORTED              PRO FORMA
                                   -------------            -------------
     Net income (loss):
           1997                    $    (20,217)            $    (20,816)
           1996                             982                      (40)


     Net income (loss) per share:
           1997                    $      (3.24)            $      (3.34)
           1996                            0.15                    (0.01)



The fair value of these options was estimated using the Black-Scholes option
pricing model with the following weighted average assumptions:

     Expected life:  5 years       Interest rate:      5.5 to 6.7%
     Volatility:     70% to 73%    Dividend yield:     None


                                          50
<PAGE>


                         TRO LEARNING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


5.   STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY, CONTINUED

STOCK INCENTIVE AND STOCK OPTION PLANS, Continued

Information regarding stock option plans is as follows (in thousands):

                                         1997           1996           1995
                                        ------         ------         ------
Options at beginning of year            1,016            937            713
Options granted                           151            196            259
Options exercised                        (148)           (96)           (19)
Options forfeited                         (67)           (21)           (16)
                                        ------         ------         ------
Options outstanding at end of year        952          1,016            937
                                        ------         ------         ------
                                        ------         ------         ------
Options exercisable at end of year        646            623            562
                                        ------         ------         ------
                                        ------         ------         ------

Weighted average option prices:
     Outstanding at beginning of year  $ 7.77          $6.12          $5.70
     Granted                             9.85          13.19           6.79
     Exercised                           2.68           2.89           0.77
     Forfeited                          12.88           6.81           4.92
     Outstanding at end of year          8.53           7.77           6.12
     Exercisable at end of year          7.76           6.25           5.34


STOCK WARRANTS AND CONVERTIBLE SECURITIES:


In March 1997, the Company issued subordinated debentures which are convertible
into shares of common stock at $9.60 per share (see Note 3).  Concurrent with
this issuance, the Company issued approximately 51,000 warrants to purchase
common stock at $9.60  per share.  The warrants expire from  2002 to 2007.

6.   COMMITMENTS:

The Company leases its warehouse, sales and administration facilities. Certain
of these leases contain renewal options, escalation clauses and requirements
that the Company pay taxes, insurance and maintenance costs.  Commitments for
future minimum rental payments under noncancelable leases for the next five
years ending October 31, are as follows (in thousands):

               1998......................$1,339
               1999.........................792
               2000.........................244
               2001..........................19
               2002...........................5

Rent expense was $1,616,000, $1,413,000 and $1,251,000 for 1997, 1996 and 1995,
respectively.


                                          51
<PAGE>


                         TRO LEARNING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

6.   COMMITMENTS, CONTINUED

In December 1996, the Company extended an agreement for rights to distribute
certain products. In consideration for this license, the Company agreed to pay
royalties through April 1999.  For each of the two years ended April 30, 1998
and 1999, the guaranteed minimum royalty is $625,000.  Revenue from the sale of
these products is recognized when the products are delivered to the customer, at
which time costs are accrued for the earned royalty.

7.   INDUSTRY SEGMENT AND GEOGRAPHIC AREA INFORMATION:

The Company operates in one industry segment, namely education and training.

Information about the Company's operations in different geographic areas is as
follows (in thousands):

                                               YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31
                                           ---------------------------------
                                             1997         1996        1995
                                           --------     --------    --------
Revenues from unaffiliated customers:
  United States. . . . . . . . . . . . .  $ 30,779     $33,217      $27,471
  Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     1,644       2,955        2,871
  United Kingdom . . . . . . . . . . . .     4,536       5,233        6,995
                                          --------     --------    --------
                                          $ 36,959     $41,405      $37,337
                                          --------     --------    --------
                                          --------     --------    --------

Operating income (loss):
  United States. . . . . . . . . . . . .  $(11,856)     $3,006       $6,546
  Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    (1,444)       (528)        (364)
  United Kingdom . . . . . . . . . . . .    (1,240)       (130)         (27)
                                          --------     --------    --------
                                          $(14,540)     $2,348      $ 6,155
                                          --------     --------    --------
                                          --------     --------    --------

Total assets:
  United States. . . . . . . . . . . .    $ 23,398     $35,497      $27,392
  Canada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .       1,026       2,322        2,052
  United Kingdom . . . . . . . . . . .       4,664       4,508        4,216
                                          --------    --------     --------
                                          $ 29,088     $42,327      $33,660
                                          --------    --------     --------
                                          --------    --------     --------

Revenues from affiliates, while not significant, are recorded at established
intercompany selling prices which are based upon cost plus mark-up.


                                          52
<PAGE>

                         TRO LEARNING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, CONTINUED
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

8.    SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED):
  (In thousands, except per share data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                  JAN 31        APR 30        JUL 31         OCT 31          TOTAL
                                 -------        -------       -------        -------        -------
<S>                               <C>            <C>           <C>           <C>             <C>
1997:
- ----
Revenues by product line:

  PLATO Education. . . . . . .    $4,265         $6,224        $10,674        $12,102        $33,265

  Aviation Training. . . . . .       822          1,376            669            827          3,694
                                  ------         ------        -------        -------        -------

  Total revenues . . . . . . .     5,087          7,600         11,343         12,929         36,959

Gross profit . . . . . . . . .     4,307          6,249          9,582         10,346         30,484

Net loss . . . . . . . . . . .    (2,315)        (2,281)        (1,080)       (14,541)       (20,217)


Net loss per common
  and common equivalent share.     (0.37)         (0.37)         (0.17)         (2.31)         (3.24)


1996:
- ----
Revenues by product line:

  PLATO Education. . . . . . .    $4,545         $6,021        $10,917        $15,497        $36,980

  Aviation Training. . . . . .     1,864            720            484          1,357          4,425
                                  ------         ------        -------        -------        -------

  Total revenues . . . . . . .     6,409          6,741         11,401         16,854         41,405

Gross profit . . . . . . . . .     5,195          6,109          9,422         14,466         35,192

Net income (loss). . . . . . .    (1,049)          (988)           725          2,294            982


Net income (loss) per
  common and common
  equivalent share . . . . . .     (0.17)         (0.16)          0.11           0.34           0.15

</TABLE>

 

9.   SUBSEQUENT EVENTS:

In  November 1997, the Company announced that it had retained BancAmerica
ROBERTSON STEPHENS  to advise it regarding strategic alternatives to enhance
shareholder value.

On December 15, 1997, a securities fraud class action was filed in the United 
States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois against the 
Company and two of its current and former executive officers. The 
purported class action was filed on behalf of all persons who purchased common 
stock of the Company during the period December 7, 1995 through June 10, 
1997, seeking damages for alleged violations of the federal securities laws. 
The complaint in the purported class action alleges that throughout this time 
period, defendants knowingly participated in a course of conduct involving 
misrepresentation and concealment of adverse material information about the 
business and finances of the Company. The complaint alleges that the course 
of action followed by the defendants caused the plaintiff and other members 
of the purported class to purchase the Company's securities at artificially 
inflated prices. The complaint seeks damages suffered as a result of the 
actions of the defendants, including costs, expenses and fees incurred in the 
litigation.

The Company cannot predict the outcome of this litigation but believes it has 
meritorious defenses to these allegations and intends to defend itself 
vigorously.


                                          53
<PAGE>


                                  TRO LEARNING, INC.
                                      FORM 10-K
                          FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                       PART II
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ITEM 9.   CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
          FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

Not applicable.

                                       PART III
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

See the information with respect to the Directors of the Registrant which is set
forth in the section entitled "Election of Directors" of the Company's 1998
Proxy Statement, which is incorporated herein by reference.  See the information
set forth in the section entitled "Compliance with Section 16(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934" in the 1998 Proxy Statement, which is
incorporated herein by reference.  The 1998 Proxy Statement will be filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission within 120 days after the close of the
Company's fiscal year.

For information regarding Executive Officers of the Registrant, see Item 4A of
this Report, which is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

See the information set forth in the sections entitled "Director Compensation",
"Executive Compensation", and "Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation" in the 1998 Proxy Statement, which is incorporated herein by
reference.  Such incorporation by reference shall not be deemed to specifically
incorporate by reference the information referred to in Item 402(a)(8) of
Regulation S-K.

ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

See the information set forth in the section entitled "Security Ownership of
Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" in the 1998 Proxy Statement, which is
incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

See the information set forth in the section entitled "Certain Relationships and
Transactions" in the  1998 Proxy Statement, which is incorporated herein by
reference.


                                          54
<PAGE>

                                  TRO LEARNING, INC.
                                      FORM 10-K
                          FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                       PART IV
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


ITEM 14.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a)  Documents filed as a part of this report:
     1.   Financial Statements - see index on page 37.
     2.   Financial Statement Schedules - see index on page 37.
(b)  Reports on Form 8-K:
          None
(c)  Exhibits:

     The following documents are filed herewith or incorporated herein by
     reference and made a part of this Form 10-K.

EXHIBIT NUMBER      DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
- --------------      -----------------------

     3.01           Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (1)
     3.02           Bylaws of the Company (1)
     4.01           Form of stock certificate of the Company (1)
     10.01          Amended and Restated Revolving Loan and Security Agreement
                    between Sanwa Business Credit Corporation and The Roach
                    Organization, Inc. and TRO Learning (Canada), Inc. dated
                    March 5, 1997
     10.02          Registration Agreement (1)
     10.03          Exchange Agreement (1)
     10.04          1993 Outside Director Stock Option Plan+ (4)
     10.05          Warrants of the Registrant (1)
     10.06          Series B Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, as amended, and
                    agreements relating thereto (1)
     10.08          Lease for Edina, Minnesota office (5)
     10.10          Settlement Agreement with Control Data (1)
     10.11          Form of Indemnification Agreement (1)
     10.12          Stock Purchase Warrant of TRO (1)
     10.13          Certification and Testing Services Agreement between the
                    Company and Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc. dated August 31,
                    1993 (2)
     10.14          1993 Stock Option Plan + (3)
     10.15          Severance and Non Competition Agreement with William R.
                    Roach + (4)
     10.16          Severance and Non Competition Agreement with Andrew N.
                    Peterson+
     10.17          First Amendment to Amended and Restated Revolving Loan and
                    Security Agreement between Sanwa Business Credit Corporation
                    and The Roach Organization, Inc. and TRO Learning (Canada),
                    Inc. dated March 18, 1997
     10.18          Form of Series 1997 10% Subordinated Convertible Debentures
                    due March 27, 2004
     10.19          Form of Common Stock Warrants dated March 27, 1997

                                          55
<PAGE>

                                  TRO LEARNING, INC.
                                      FORM 10-K
                          FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997
                                       PART IV
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ITEM 14.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K, 
          CONTINUED


     10.20          Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Revolving Loan and
                    Security Agreement between Sanwa Business Credit Corporation
                    and The Roach Organization, Inc. and TRO Learning (Canada),
                    Inc. dated December 8, 1997
     11.01          Statement re: computation of per share earnings
     21.01          Subsidiaries of the Registrant (1)
     23.01          Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P. with respect to
                    Registration Statements on Form S-8
     24.01          Powers of Attorney
     27.00          Financial Data Schedule

(1) Incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit to the Company's
    Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 33-54296).
(2) Incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit on the Company's
    Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 1993 (File
    Number 0-20842).
(3) Incorporated by reference to Exhibit A to the Company's 1994 Proxy
    Statement (File Number 0-20842).
(4) Incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit on the Company's
    Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 1994 (File
    Number 0-20842).
(5) Incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit on the Company's
    Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 1995 (File
    Number 0-20842).
(6) Incorporated by reference to the corresponding exhibit on the Company's
    Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 31, 1996 (File
    Number 0-20842).
 +  Management contract or compensatory plan, contract or arrangement.


                                          56
<PAGE>


                          REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


To the Stockholders and
Board of Directors of
TRO Learning, Inc.


Our report on the consolidated financial statements of TRO Learning, Inc. and
Subsidiaries is included on page 38 of this Form 10-K.  In connection with our
audits of such financial statements, we have also audited the related financial
statement schedule listed in the index on page 37 of this Form 10-K.

In our opinion, the financial statement schedule referred to above, when
considered in relation to the basic financial statements taken as a whole,
presents fairly, in all material respects, the information required to be
included therein.



COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.



Chicago, Illinois
January 12, 1998


                                          57
<PAGE>


                         TRO LEARNING, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
             SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES
                 FOR THE YEARS ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1995, 1996 AND 1997
                                    (IN THOUSANDS)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 

                                                 ADDITIONS
                                            ----------------------
                                                        CHARGED TO
                                BALANCE AT  CHARGED TO    OTHER
                                BEGINNING   COSTS AND    ACCOUNTS     DEDUCTIONS   BALANCE AT
DESCRIPTION                      OF PERIOD   EXPENSES    (DESCRIBE)    (DESCRIBE)  END OF PERIOD
- ----------------------------     ----------  ----------  ----------    ----------  -------------
<S>                             <C>         <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>
Deducted in the balance
  sheets from the assets to
  which they apply:

Allowance for doubtful
  accounts:

For the year ended
  October 31, 1995                $  363      $  300       ---      $   (79) (a)    $  584

For the year ended
  October 31, 1996                   584       2,120       264 (b)   (2,458) (a)       510

For the year ended
  October 31, 1997                   510       7,252       ---         (742) (a)     7,020

Allowance for inventory
  obsolescence:

For the year ended
  October 31, 1995                   388         125       ---          (22) (a)       491

For the year ended
  October 31, 1996                   491         150       ---         (185) (a)       456

For the year ended
  October 31, 1997                   456         ---       ---         (140) (a)       316

</TABLE>

 
(a) Amounts written off, net of recoveries.
(b) Amounts reclassified.


                                          58
<PAGE>


                                      SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15 (d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on January 12, 1998.

                                       TRO LEARNING, INC.
                                       By  /s/William R. Roach
                                         ------------------------
                                       William R. Roach
                                       Chairman of the Board, President and
                                       Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and
in the capacities indicated on January 12, 1998.

Signature:                   Title:

/s/ William R. Roach         Chairman of the Board, President and Chief
- -------------------------    Executive Officer (principal executive officer)
William R. Roach

/s/ Andrew N. Peterson       Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer,
- -------------------------    Treasurer and Secretary
Andrew N. Peterson           (principal financial officer)

/s/ Mary Jo Murphy           Vice President, Corporate Controller and Chief
- -------------------------    Accounting Officer
Mary Jo Murphy               (principal accounting officer)

         *
- -------------------------
Jack R. Borsting             Director

         *
- -------------------------
Tony J. Christianson         Director

         *
- -------------------------
John L. Krakauer             Director

         *
- -------------------------
Vernon B. Lewis              Director

         *
- -------------------------
John Patience                Director

*   By /s/ Mary Jo Murphy
    ---------------------
    Mary Jo Murphy
    Attorney-in Fact


                                          59

<PAGE>


                                 AMENDED AND RESTATED

                          REVOLVING LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

                                       BETWEEN

                            SANWA BUSINESS CREDIT CORPORATION

                                         AND

                              THE ROACH ORGANIZATION, INC.
 
                                         AND

                             TRO LEARNING (CANADA), INC.

                                    Co-Borrowers
               
                              Dated as of March 5, 1997

<PAGE>

                   TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                              PAGE
                                                              ----
1.  DEFINITIONS...............................................   1
    1.1.  Account Debtor......................................   1
    1.2.  Accounts............................................   1
    1.3.  Accounts Report.....................................   1
    1.4.  Accumulated Funding Deficiency......................   1
    1.5.  Affiliate...........................................   2
    1.6.  Ancillary Agreements................................   2
    1.7.  and/or..............................................   2
    1.8.  Applicable Borrowing Margin.........................   2
    1.9.  Base Rate...........................................   2
    1.10. Base Rate Revolving Loan............................   2
    1.11. Borrower's Knowledge................................   2
    1.12. Borrowing Base......................................   2
    1.13. Borrowing Base Certificate..........................   2
    1.14. Business Day........................................   2
    1.15. Capital Leases......................................   3
    1.16. Charges.............................................   3
    1.17. Closing Date........................................   3
    1.18. Code................................................   3
    1.19. Collateral..........................................   3
    1.20. Contract Year.......................................   3
    1.21. Default.............................................   3
    1.22. Default Rate........................................   3
    1.23. Depository Bank.....................................   3
    1.24. Designated Rate.....................................   3
    1.25. Eligible Accounts...................................   4
    1.26. Eligible Installment Accounts.......................   4
    1.27. Eligible Inventory..................................   4
    1.28. Employee Benefit Plan...............................   4
    1.29. Environmental Laws..................................   4
    1.30. Environmental Lien..................................   4
    1.31. Equipment...........................................   5
    1.32. ERISA...............................................   5
    1.33. ERISA Affiliate.....................................   5
    1.34. Event of Default....................................   5
    1.35. Excess Interest.....................................   5
    1.36. Financials..........................................   5
    1.37. FISCAL YEAR.........................................   5
    1.38. Fixtures............................................   5
    1.39. General Intangibles.................................   5

                                       i
   
<PAGE>

    1.40. Guarantor...........................................   6
    1.41. Hazardous Materials.................................   6
    1.42. Indebtedness........................................   6
    1.43. Installment Accounts................................   6
    1.44. Interest Period.....................................   6
    1.45. Interest Rate Determination Date....................   6
    1.46. International Accounts..............................   6
    1.47. Inventory...........................................   6
    1.48. Inventory Report....................................   7
    1.49. Liabilities.........................................   7
    1.50. LIBOR Rate..........................................   7
    1.51. LIBOR Rate Revolving Loan...........................   7
    1.52. Lock Box Account....................................   7
    1.53. Lock Box Agreement..................................   7
    1.54. Maturity............................................   8
    1.55. Maximum Amount of the Revolving Loan................   8
    1.56. Multiemployer Plan..................................   8
    1.57. Non-Use Fee.........................................   8
    1.58. Operating Profit....................................   8
    1.59. Origination Date....................................   8
    1.60. Over Advance Facility...............................   8
    1.61. Participant.........................................   8
    1.62. PBGC................................................   8
    1.63. PERMITTED INDEBTEDNESS..............................   8
    1.64. PERMITTED SUBORDINATED INDEBTEDNESS.................   8
    1.65. Person..............................................   8
    1.66. Plan Administrator..................................   8
    1.67. Plan Sponsor........................................   8
    1.68. Prime Rate..........................................   9
    1.69. Prohibited Transaction..............................   9
    1.70. Reportable Event....................................   9
    1.71. Revolving Loan......................................   9
    1.72. Revolving Loan Account..............................   9
    1.73. Revolving Loan Year.................................   9
    1.74. Security Documents..................................   9
    1.75. SLOW MOVING INVENTORY...............................   9
    1.76. Special Collateral..................................  10
    1.77. Special Deposit Account.............................  10
    1.78. Special Deposit Agreement...........................  10
    1.79. Stock...............................................  10
    1.80. Subsidiary..........................................  10
    1.81. Telerate Screen.....................................  10
    1.82. Term Loan...........................................  10
    1.83. Term................................................  10

                                       ii
<PAGE>

    1.84. Term Loan Rate......................................  10
    1.85. Total Facility......................................  10

2.  CREDIT FACILITY: GENERAL TERMS............................  11
    2.1.  Total Facility......................................  11
    2.2.  Revolving Loan......................................  11
    2.3.  Term Loan...........................................  12
    2.4.  Advances to Constitute One Revolving Loan...........  12
    2.5.  Interest Rate.......................................  13
    2.6.  Method of Borrowing; Method of Making Interest and
            Other Payments....................................  16
    2.7.  Term of Agreement...................................  17
    2.8.  Payments Prior to End of Term.......................  17
    2.9.  Closing Fees........................................  18
    2.10. Non-Use Fee.........................................  18
    2.11. Special Provisions Governing LIBOR Rate Revolving 
            Loan..............................................  18
    2.12. Purposes............................................  20

3.  ELIGIBLE ACCOUNTS; ELIGIBLE INVENTORY.....................  21
    3.1.  Eligible Accounts...................................  21
    3.2.  Eligible Installment Accounts.......................  22
    3.3.  Eligible Inventory..................................  22

4.  PAYMENTS..................................................  23
    4.1.  Revolving Loan Account; Method of Making Payments...  23
    4.2.  Payment Terms.......................................  23
    4.3.  Collection of Accounts and Payments.................  24
    4.4.  Application of Payments and Collections.............  25
    4.5.  Statements..........................................  25

5.  COLLATERAL: GENERAL TERMS.................................  25
    5.1.  Security Interest and Mortgage......................  25
    5.2.  Disclosure of Security Interest.....................  26
    5.3.  Special Collateral..................................  26
    5.4.  Further Assurances..................................  26
    5.5.  Inspection and Field Reviews........................  26
    5.6.  Location of Collateral..............................  27
    5.7.  Lender's Payment of Claims Asserted Against 
            Borrower..........................................  27

6.  COLLATERAL: ACCOUNTS......................................  27
    6.1.  Verification of Accounts............................  27
    6.2.  Assignments, Records and Accounts Report............  27
    6.3.  Notice Regarding Disputed Accounts..................  28
    6.4.  Sale or Encumbrance of Accounts.....................  28
  
                                       iii
<PAGE>

7.  COLLATERAL: INVENTORY.....................................  28
    7.1.  Sale of Inventory...................................  28
    7.2.  Safekeeping of Inventory; Inventory Covenants.......  28
    7.3.  Records and Schedules of Inventory..................  28
    7.4.  Returned and Repossessed Inventory..................  29
    7.5.  Evidence of Ownership of Inventory..................  29

8.  COLLATERAL: EQUIPMENT.....................................  29
    8.1.  Maintenance of the Equipment........................  29
    8.2.  Evidence of Ownership of Equipment..................  29
    8.3.  Proceeds of the Equipment...........................  29

9.  WARRANTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS............................  30
    9.1.  General Warranties and Representations..............  30
    9.2.  Account Warranties and Representations..............  33
    9.3.  Inventory Warranties and Representations............  34
    9.4.  ERISA Warranties and Representations................  35
    9.5.  Automatic Warranty and Representation and 
            Reaffirmation of Warranties and Representations...  37
    9.6.  Survival of Warranties and Representations..........  37

10. COVENANTS AND CONTINUING AGREEMENTS.......................  37
    10.1.  Affirmative Covenants..............................  37
    10.2.  Negative Covenants.................................  43
    10.3.  Contesting Charges.................................  46
    10.4.  Payment of Charges.................................  46
    10.5.  Insurance: Payment of Premiums.....................  46
    10.6.  Survival of Obligations Upon Termination of 
             Agreement........................................  47

11. DEFAULT; EVENTS OF DEFAULT: RIGHTS AND REMEDIES...........  47
    11.1.  Defaults...........................................  47
    11.2.  Acceleration of the Liabilities....................  50
    11.3.  Remedies...........................................  50
    11.4.  Notice.............................................  51

12. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO DISBURSEMENT......................  51
    12.1.  Conditions Precedent to Funding on Origination 
             Date.............................................  51
    12.2.  Conditions Precedent to Continued Funding..........  53
    12.3.  Conditions Precedent to Funding on the Closing 
             Date.............................................  55

13. MISCELLANEOUS.............................................  55
    13.1.  Appointment of Lender as Borrower's Lawful 
             Attorney-In-Fact.................................  55
    13.2.  Modification of Agreement: Sale of Interest........  56
    13.3.  Attorneys' Fees and Expenses: Lender's 
             Out-of-Pocket Expenses...........................  56

                                       iv
<PAGE>

    13.4.  Waiver by Lender...................................  57
    13.5.  Severability.......................................  58
    13.6.  Parties; Entire Agreement..........................  58
    13.7.  Conflict of Terms..................................  58
    13.8.  Waiver by Borrower.................................  58

14. GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION.................  58
    14.1.  Notice.............................................  59
    14.2.  Release of Claims .................................  60
    14.3.  Representation by Counse ..........................  60
    14.4.  Counterparts.......................................  60
    14.5.  Lender's Waiver of Jury............................  60

                                       v
 
<PAGE>

                                         EXHIBITS

1.36     Financials

1.39     General Intangibles

1.53     Lock Box Agreement

1.78     Special Deposit Agreement

2.2(A)   Revolving Note

2.3      Term Note

3.3(B)   Location of Collateral

9.1(C)   Corporate or Fictitious Names

9.1(K)   Pending and Threatened Litigation

9.1(M)   Permitted Liens

9.1(S)   Trademarks, Brand Names, Copyrights, Patents and Patent Applications

9.4      Employment Benefit Plans

10.1(H)  Officer's Certificate

10.2(K)  Related Transactions with Affiliates

12.1(M)  Landlord's Waivers


                                      vi


<PAGE>

                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                         LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

     THIS LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT (THIS "AGREEMENT") IS MADE AS OF THE 
5TH DAY OF MARCH, 1997, BY AND BETWEEN SANWA BUSINESS CREDIT CORPORATION, A 
DELAWARE CORPORATION ("LENDER") AND THE ROACH ORGANIZATION, INC., A DELAWARE 
CORPORATION ("ROACH") AND TRO LEARNING (CANADA), INC., A CANADIAN 
CORPORATION ("TRO") (ROACH AND TRO ARE COLLECTIVELY, THE "BORROWER").


                              W I T N E S S E T H:

     WHEREAS, Borrower and Lender entered into a Loan and Security Agreement 
dated August 2, 1995 to make available to Borrower a credit facility in the 
amount of Ten Million Dollars ($10,000,000); and

     WHEREAS, Borrower desires to borrow additional funds and to obtain other 
financial accommodations from Lender, and Lender is willing to make certain 
loans and to provide other financial accommodations to Borrower upon the 
terms and conditions set forth herein;

     NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the terms and conditions contained 
herein, and of any loans or extension of credit heretofore, now or hereafter 
made to or for the benefit of Borrower by Lender, the parties hereto hereby 
agree as follows:

1.  DEFINITIONS.

    A.  GENERAL.

        1.1.  "ACCOUNT DEBTOR" shall mean any Person who is or who may become 
obligated to Borrower under, with respect to, or on account of an Account.

        1.2.  "ACCOUNTS" shall mean all accounts, contract rights, chattel 
paper, instruments and documents, whether now owned or hereafter acquired by 
Borrower.

        1.3.  "ACCOUNTS REPORT" shall mean a report delivered to Lender by 
Borrower, as required by Section 6.2, consisting of an aged trial balance of 
all of Accounts existing as of the date of such Accounts Report, specifying 
for each Account Debtor obligated on the Accounts, such Account Debtor's 
name, address and outstanding balance and the aging of such outstanding 
balance.

        1.4.  "ACCUMULATED FUNDING DEFICIENCY" shall have the meaning 
assigned to that term in Section 302 of ERISA.

        1.5.  "AFFILIATE" shall mean any and all Persons which, in the 
reasonable judgment of Lender, directly or indirectly, own or control, are 
controlled by or are under







<PAGE>

common control with Borrower, and any and all Persons from whom, in the 
reasonable judgment of Lender, Borrower has not or is not likely to exhibit 
independence of decision or action. For the purpose of this definition, 
"control" means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to 
direct or cause the direction of management and policies of a Person, whether 
through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

    1.6. "ANCILLARY AGREEMENTS" shall mean all Security Documents and all 
agreements, instruments and documents, including without limitation, notes, 
guaranties, mortgages, deeds of trust, chattel mortgages, pledges, powers of 
attorney, consents, assignments, contracts, notices, security agreements, 
leases, financing statements, subordination agreements, trust account 
agreements and all other written matter whether heretofore, now, or hereafter 
executed by or on behalf of Borrower, or any other Person or delivered to 
Lender or any Participant with respect to this Agreement.

    1.7. "AND/OR" shall mean one or the other or both, or any one or more of 
all, of the things or Person in connection with which the conjunction is used.

    1.8. "APPLICABLE BORROWING MARGIN" shall mean (i) with respect to the Base 
Rate Revolving Loans, one and one-half percent (1.50%), and (ii) with respect 
to LIBOR Rate Revolving Loans, three and one-quarter percent (3.25%).

    1.9. "BASE RATE" shall mean the fluctuating interest rate equal to the 
Prime Rate plus the Applicable Borrowing Margin then in effect.

   1.10. "BASE RATE REVOLVING LOAN" shall mean the Revolving Loan, to the 
extent that it bears interest at the Base Rate.

   1.11. "BORROWER'S KNOWLEDGE" or words of such import shall mean all 
knowledge, including, actual knowledge and knowledge of matters which any 
reasonable person in such position knew or should have known, of the 
respective officers, directors and managers of Borrower.

   1.12. "BORROWING BASE" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 
2.2.

   1.13. "BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE" shall have the meaning ascribed to it 
in Section 12.2(B)(viii).

   1.14. "BUSINESS DAY" shall mean (i) for all purposes other than as 
specified in clause(b), any day, other than a Saturday or Sunday, on which 
the main lobby of the Depository Bank and Lender are open for business with 
the general public, and (ii) with respect to all notices, determinations, 
findings and payments in connection with the LIBOR Rate, any day that is a 
Business Day described in clause (i) and that is also a day for trading by 
and between banks in dollar deposits in the applicable interbank LIBOR market.



                                       2

<PAGE>

   1.15. "CAPITAL LEASES" shall mean any lease of personal property of any 
Person, as lessee, which, in accordance with generally accepted accounting 
principles, is (or is required to be) accounted for as a capital lease on the 
balance sheet of such Person.

   1.16. "CHARGES" shall mean all national, federal, state, county, city, 
municipal, or other governmental (including, without limitation, the Pension 
Benefit Guaranty Corporation) taxes, levies, assessments, charges, liens, 
claims or encumbrances upon or relating to (i) the Collateral, (ii) the 
Liabilities, (iii) Borrower's employees, payroll, income or gross receipts, 
(iv) Borrower's ownership or use of any of its assets, or (v) any other 
aspect of Borrower's business.

   1.17. "CLOSING DATE" shall mean the date on which the Term Loan initially 
is funded.

   1.18. "CODE" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

   1.19. "COLLATERAL" shall mean all of the property and interests in 
property described in Section 5.1 and all other property and interests in 
property which shall, from time to time, secure any part of the Liabilities.

   1.20. "CONTRACT YEAR" shall mean initially, that period of time commencing 
on the Origination Date and ending one (1) day prior to the first anniversary 
of the Origination Date, and thereafter each period of one (1) year 
commencing on the day after the last day of the immediately preceding 
Contract Year and ending one (1) day prior to the anniversary of such date.

   1.21. "DEFAULT" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 11.1 
herein.

   1.22. "DEFAULT RATE" shall mean a rate per annum equal to two hundred 
(200) basis points in excess of the interest rate then in effect for the 
respective Liabilities.

   1.23. "DEPOSITORY BANK" shall mean the banking institutions which are 
referred to in Section 4.3 and which shall be the signatories to the Special 
Deposit Agreement and the Lock Box Agreement which are attached hereto as 
Exhibits 1.75 and 1.53, respectively.

   1.24. "DESIGNATED RATE" shall mean, with respect to (i) Base Rate 
Revolving Loans, the Base Rate, (ii) LIBOR Rate Revolving Loans, the LIBOR 
Rate, and (iii) the Term Loan, the Term Loan Rate.

   1.25. "ELIGIBLE ACCOUNTS" shall mean those Accounts included in an 
Accounts Report which, as of the date of such Accounts Report and at all 
times thereafter (i) satisfy the requirements for eligibility as described in 
Section 3.1, (ii) do not violate the negative covenants and other provisions 
of this Agreement and do satisfy the affirmative covenants, warranties and 
other provisions of this Agreement and (iii) Lender, it its reasonable credit 
judgment, deems to be Eligible Accounts.

    

                                       3

<PAGE>

     1.26.  "ELIGIBLE INSTALLMENT ACCOUNTS" shall mean those Installment 
Accounts included in an Installment Accounts Report which, as of the date of 
such Account Report and at all times thereafter (i) satisfy the requirements 
for eligibility as described in Section 3.2, (ii) do not violate the negative 
covenants and other provisions of this Agreement and do satisfy the 
affirmative covenants, warranties and other provisions of this Agreement and 
(iii) Lender, in its reasonable credit judgment, deems to be Eligible 
Installment Accounts.

     1.27.  "ELIGIBLE INVENTORY" shall mean those items of Inventory (defined 
in Section 1.47 below) which are included in an Inventory Report and which, 
as of the date of such Inventory Report and, at all times thereafter, (i) 
satisfy the requirements for eligibility as described in Section 3.3, (ii) do 
not violate the negative covenants and other provisions of this Agreement and 
do satisfy the affirmative covenants, warranties and other provisions of this 
Agreement and (iii) Lender, in its reasonable credit judgment, deems to be 
Eligible Inventory.

     1.28.  "EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLAN" shall mean (i) an employee benefit 
plan within the meaning of ERISA Section 3(3) maintained, sponsored, 
participated in or contributed to by Borrower, (ii) a pension plan within the 
meaning of ERISA Section 3(2) which is subject to Title IV of ERISA and which 
is maintained, sponsored, participated in or contributed to by an ERISA 
Affiliate, (iii) solely for purposes of the requirements of Section 601 ET. 
SEQ. of ERISA and 4980B of the Code, a welfare benefit plan within the 
meaning of ERISA Section 3(1) maintained, sponsored, participated in or 
contributed to by an ERISA Affiliate, and (iv) a multiemployer plan within 
the meaning of ERISA Section 3(37) or a multiple employer welfare arrangement 
within the meaning of ERISA Section 3(40) maintained, sponsored, participated 
in or contributed to by an ERISA Affiliate.

     1.29.  "ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS" shall mean the Resource Conservation and 
Recovery Act of 1987, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation 
and Liability Act, any so-called "Superfund" or "Superlien" law, the Toxic 
Substances Control Act, or any other federal state or local statute, law, 
ordinance, code, rule, regulation, order or decree regulating, relating to, 
or imposing liability or standards of conduct concerning, any hazardous, 
toxic or dangerous waste, substance or material, as now or at any time 
hereafter in effect.

     1.30.  "ENVIRONMENTAL LIEN" shall mean a lien in favor of any 
governmental entity for (i) any liability under any Environmental Laws, or 
(ii) damages arising from or costs incurred by such governmental entity in 
response to a release of a Hazardous Material into the environment.

     1.31.  "EQUIPMENT" shall mean all of Borrower's now owned and 
hereafter acquired equipment and Fixtures, including without limitation, 
furniture, machinery, vehicles and trade fixtures, together with any and all 
accessories, parts and appurtenances thereto, substitutions therefor and 
replacements thereof.

     1.32.  "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security 
Act of 1974, as amended.

                                       4
<PAGE>

     1.33.  "ERISA AFFILIATE" shall mean any corporation, trade or 
business that is, along with Borrower, a member of a controlled group of 
trades or businesses, or a member of any group of organizations, within the 
meanings of Sections 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code.

     1.34.  "EVENT OF DEFAULT" shall mean the occurrence or existence of 
any one or more of the events described in Section 11.1 herein.

     1.35.  "EXCESS INTEREST" shall mean have the meaning ascribed to it 
in Section 2.5(A)(iii)(b).

     1.36.  "FINANCIALS" shall mean those financial statements of 
Borrower attached hereto as Exhibit 1.36 or delivered to Lender pursuant to 
Section 10.1(H).

     1.37.   "FISCAL YEAR" shall mean Borrower's fiscal year, which 
commences on November 1 of each calendar year and terminates on October 31 of 
each calendar year.

     1.38.   "FIXTURES" shall mean all "fixtures" as such term is defined 
in the Uniform Commercial Code as adopted and in effect in the State of 
Illinois, now owned or hereafter acquired by Borrower.

     1.39.  "GENERAL INTANGIBLES" shall mean all choses in action, general 
intangibles, causes of action and all other intangible personal property of 
Borrower of every kind and nature (other than Accounts) now owned or 
hereafter acquired by Borrower. Without in any way limiting the generality of 
the foregoing, General Intangibles specifically includes, without limitation, 
those items set forth on Exhibit 1.39 (the "General Intangibles Schedule"), 
all corporate or other business records, security deposits, inventions, 
designs, patents, patent applications, trademarks, trade names, trade 
secrets, goodwill, copyrights, registrations, licenses, franchises, and tax 
refund claims owned by Borrower and all letters of credit, guarantee claims, 
security interests or other security held by or granted to Borrower to secure 
payment by an Account Debtor of any Accounts.

     1.40.  "GUARANTOR" shall mean any Person, other than Borrower, who is 
liable for the payment of any of the Liabilities, either primarily or 
secondarily (as a guarantor or an accommodation party).

     1.41.  "HAZARDOUS MATERIALS" shall mean any hazardous substance or 
pollutant or contaminant defined as such in (or for the purposes of) any 
Environmental Law and shall include, but not be limited to, petroleum, any 
radioactive material, and asbestos in any form or condition.

     1.42.  "INDEBTEDNESS" shall mean all of Borrower's liabilities, 
obligations and indebtedness to any Person of any and every kind and nature, 
whether primary, secondary, direct, indirect, absolute, contingent, fixed, or 
otherwise, heretofore, now or hereafter owing, due, or payable, however 
evidenced, created, incurred, acquired or owing and however arising, whether 
under written or oral agreement, by operation of law, or otherwise. Without 
in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing, Indebtedness 
specifically includes (i) the Liabilities, (ii) all

                                       5
   
<PAGE>

obligations or liabilities of any Person that are secured by any lien, claim, 
encumbrance, or security interest upon property owned by Borrower, even 
though Borrower has not assumed or become liable for the payment thereof, 
(iii) all obligations or liabilities created or arising under any lease of 
real or personal property, or conditional sale or other title retention 
agreement with respect to property used or acquired by Borrower, even though 
the rights and remedies of the lessor, seller or lender thereunder are 
limited to repossession of such property, (iv) all obligations and 
liabilities in respect of unfunded vested benefits under any Employee Benefit 
Plan or in respect of withdrawal liabilities incurred under ERISA by Borrower 
or any ERISA Affiliate to any Multiemployer Plan and (v) deferred taxes.

     1.43.  "INSTALLMENT ACCOUNTS" shall mean those specific Accounts whereby 
the Account Debtors are permitted by contract to make installment payments 
over time against the outstanding Account balance.

     1.44.  "INTEREST PERIOD" means any actual period applicable to a LIBOR 
Rate Revolving Loan as determined pursuant to Section 2.5(A)(iv).

     1.45.  "INTEREST RATE DETERMINATION DATE" means each date for 
calculating the LIBOR Rate for purposes of determining the interest rate 
applicable to any LIBOR Rate Revolving Loan made pursuant to Section 2.5(A). 
The Interest Rate Determination Date shall be the second Business Day prior 
to the first day of an Interest Period for a LIBOR Rate Revolving Loan.

     1.46.  "INTERNATIONAL ACCOUNTS" shall mean Accounts of which the Account 
Debtor is not organized under the laws of and qualified to do business in (i) 
one or more states located in the United States of America or (ii) Canada.

     1.47.  "INVENTORY" shall mean all goods, inventory, merchandise and 
other personal property, including, without limitation, goods in transit, 
wherever located and whether now owned or hereafter acquired by Borrower 
which is or may at any time be held for sale or lease, furnished under any 
contract of service or held as raw materials, work in process, supplies or 
materials used or consumed in Borrower's business, and all such property the 
sale or other disposition of which has given rise to Accounts and which has 
been returned to or repossessed or stopped in transit by Borrower.

     1.48.  "INVENTORY REPORT" shall mean a report delivered to Lender by 
Borrower, as required by Section 7.3, consisting of a detailed listing of all 
Inventory as of the date of such Inventory Report describing the kind, type, 
quality, quantity, location and the lower of cost (computed on the basis of a 
first-in, first-out cost flow assumption) or market value of such Inventory.

     1.49.  "LIABILITIES" shall mean all of Borrower's liabilities, 
obligations and indebtedness to Lender of any and every kind and nature, 
whether primary, secondary, direct, absolute, contingent, fixed, or otherwise 
(including, without limitation, interest, charges, expenses, attorneys' fees 
and other sums chargeable to Borrower by Lender, future advances made to or 
for the benefit of Borrower and obligations of performance), whether arising 
under

                                       6
<PAGE>

this Agreement, under any of the Ancillary Agreements or acquired by Lender 
from any other source, whether heretofore, now or hereafter owing, arising, 
due, or payable from Borrower to Lender, however evidenced, created, 
incurred, acquired or owing and however arising, whether under written or 
oral agreement, operation of law, or otherwise.

     1.50.  "LIBOR RATE" shall mean, for each Interest Period, a rate of 
interest equal to the sum of:

          (i)  the rate of interest determined by Lender at which deposits in
     U.S. Dollars for the relevant Interest Period are offered based on 
     information presented on the Telerate Screen as of 11:00 A.M. (London 
     time) on the applicable Interest Rate Determination Date; PROVIDED, that
     if more than one (1) offered rate appears on the Telerate Screen in 
     respect of such Interest Period, the arithmetic mean of all such rates 
     (as determined by Lender) will be the rate used; PROVIDED, FURTHER, that
     if Telerate ceases to provide LIBOR quotations, such rate shall be the
     average rate of interest determined by Lender at which deposits in U.S.
     Dollars are offered for the relevant Interest Period by The Sanwa Bank, 
     Limited (or its successor) to banks in London interbank markets as of
     11:00 A.M. (London time) on the applicable Interest Rate Determination 
     Date, PLUS

         (ii) the Applicable Borrowing Margin in effect.

     1.51.  "LIBOR RATE REVOLVING LOAN" shall mean the Revolving Loan, to the 
extent that it bears interest at the LIBOR Rate.

     1.52.  "LOCK BOX ACCOUNT" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in 
Section 4.3.

     1.53.  "LOCK BOX AGREEMENT" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in 
Section 4.3.

     1.54.  "MATURITY" shall mean the last day of the Term.

     1.55.  "MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF THE REVOLVING LOAN" shall mean an amount equal 
to $18,000,000.

     1.56.  "MULTIEMPLOYER PLAN" shall mean any plan described in Section 
3(37) or 4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which contributions are or have been made by
Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate.

     1.57.  "NON-USE FEE" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 
2.10.

     1.58.  "OPERATING PROFIT" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in 
Section 10.1(B).

     1.59.  "ORIGINATION DATE" shall mean August 2, 1995, the date on which 
the Revolving Loan initially was funded.

                                       7



<PAGE>

     1.60.  "OVER ADVANCE FACILITY" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in 
Section 2.2(B).

     1.61.  "PARTICIPANT" shall mean any Person, now or at any time or times 
hereafter, participating with Lender in the loans made by Lender to Borrower 
pursuant to this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements.

     1.62.  "PBGC" shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or 
any governmental body succeeding to its functions.

     1.63.  "PERMITTED INDEBTEDNESS" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in 
Section 10.2(J).

     1.64.  "PERMITTED SUBORDINATED INDEBTEDNESS" shall have the meaning 
ascribed to it in Section 10.2(J).

     1.65.  "PERSON" shall mean any individual, sole proprietorship, 
partnership, joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization, association, 
corporation, limited liability company, institution, entity, party, or 
government (whether national, federal, state, county, city, municipal or 
otherwise, including, without limitation, any instrumentality, division, 
agency, body or department thereof).

     1.66.  "PLAN ADMINISTRATOR" shall have the meaning assigned to it in 
Section 3(16)(A) of ERISA.

     1.67.  "PLAN SPONSOR" shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section 
3(16)(B) of ERISA.

     1.68.  "PRIME RATE" shall mean, on any day, the highest "prime rate" of 
interest in the United States of America quoted by THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, 
Midwest Edition, on such day, or if THE WALL STREET JOURNAL is not published 
on such day, then on the most recent day of publication; provided, however, 
that in the event that THE WALL STREET JOURNAL ceases quoting a "prime rate" 
of the type described, "Prime Rate" shall mean, on any day, the highest per 
annum rate of interest quoted as the "Bank Prime Revolving Loan" rate for 
"This week" in Federal Reserve Report H.15. The "Prime Rate" shall change 
effective on the date of the publication of any change in the applicable 
index by which such "Prime Rate" is determined.

     1.69.  "PROHIBITED TRANSACTION" shall mean a transaction with respect to 
an Employee Benefit Plan that is prohibited under Code Section 4975 or ERISA 
Section 406 and not exempt under Code Section 4975 or ERISA Section 408.

     1.70.  "REPORTABLE EVENT" shall mean with respect to an Employee Benefit 
Plan, (i) an event described in Sections 4043(c), 4068(a) or 4063(a) of ERISA 
or in the regulations thereunder, (ii) receipt of a notice of withdrawal 
liability with respect to a Multiemployer Plan pursuant to Section 4202 of 
ERISA, (iii) an event requiring Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to provide 
security for an Employee Benefit Plan under Code Section 401(a)(29), (iv) any 
failure to

                                       8
<PAGE>

make payment required under Code Section 412(m), the withdrawal of Borrower 
or any ERISA Affiliate from an Employee Benefit Plan in which it is a 
"substantial employer," as defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA, (v) the 
institution of proceedings to terminate an Employee Benefit Plan by the PBGC, 
or (vi) the filing of a notice to terminate an Employee Benefit Plan as a 
termination under Section 4041 of ERISA.

     1.71.  "REVOLVING LOAN" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 
2.2.

     1.72.  "REVOLVING LOAN ACCOUNT" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in 
Section 4.1.

     1.73.  "REVOLVING LOAN YEAR" shall mean the period of twelve (12) 
consecutive months commencing on the date hereof and each succeeding period 
of twelve (12) months.

     1.74.  "SECURITY DOCUMENTS" shall mean this Agreement and all other 
agreements, instruments, documents, financing statements, warehouse receipts, 
bills of lading, notices of assignment, schedules, assignments, mortgages and 
other written matter necessary or requested by Lender to create, perfect and 
maintain perfected Lender's security interest in, and/or lien on, the 
Collateral.

     1.75.  "SLOW MOVING INVENTORY" shall mean Inventory which has not been 
sold by Borrower within the preceding twelve (12) month period.

     1.76.  "SPECIAL COLLATERAL" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in 
Section 5.3.

     1.77.  "SPECIAL DEPOSIT ACCOUNT" shall have the meaning ascribed to it 
in Section 4.3.

     1.78.  "SPECIAL DEPOSIT AGREEMENT" shall have the meaning ascribed to it 
in Section 4.3.

     1.79.  "STOCK" shall mean all shares, options, interests, 
participations or other equivalents (however designated) of or in a 
corporation, whether voting or non-voting, including, without limitation, all 
agreements, instruments and documents convertible, in whole or in part, into 
any one or more or all of the foregoing.

     1.80.  "SUBSIDIARY" when used to determine the relationship of a Person 
to Borrower, means any Person of which (i) securities having ordinary voting 
power to elect a majority of the board of directors (or other persons having 
similar functions), or (ii) other ownership interests ordinarily constituting 
a majority voting interest, are at the time, directly or indirectly, owned or 
controlled by Borrower, or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by Borrower 
and one or more Subsidiaries.

     1.81.  "TELERATE SCREEN" means the display designated as Screen 3750 on 
the Telerate System or such other screen on the Telerate System as shall 
display the London interbank offered rates for deposits in U.S. dollars 
quoted by selected banks.

                                       9
<PAGE>

     1.82.  "TERM LOAN" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.3.

     1.83.  "TERM" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2.7.

     1.84.  "TERM LOAN RATE" shall be a fixed rate of interest equal to 
fifteen percent (15%) per annum.

     1.85.  "TOTAL FACILITY" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Section 
2.1.

     A.  ACCOUNTING TERMS.  Any accounting terms used in this Agreement which 
are not specifically defined shall have the meanings customarily given them 
in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

     B.  OTHER TERMS.  All other terms contained in this Agreement which are 
not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall, unless the context indicates 
otherwise, have the meanings provided for by the Uniform Commercial Code of 
the State of Illinois to the extent the same are used or defined therein.

2.  CREDIT FACILITY; GENERAL TERMS.

     2.1.  TOTAL FACILITY.  Provided there does not then exist an Event of 
Default or Default, and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this 
Agreement, Lender agrees to make available for Borrower's use from time to 
time during the term of this Agreement, upon Borrower's request therefor, 
certain loans and other financial accommodations (the "Total Facility") 
consisting of the Revolving Loan and the Term Loan, as set forth more fully 
in Sections 2.2 and 2.3, respectively.

     2.2.  REVOLVING LOAN.

          A.  The Total Facility shall include a revolving line of credit 
consisting of advances against Eligible Accounts, Eligible Installment 
Accounts and Eligible Inventory (the "Revolving Loan") evidenced by an 
Amended and Restated Revolving Note, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit 
2.2(A), in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed, at any time 
outstanding, the lesser of (i) Eighteen Million Dollars ($18,000,000) or (ii) 
the Borrowing Base as reflected in a Borrowing Base Certificate. As used in 
this Agreement for this period of time, the "Borrowing Base" shall mean and, 
at any particular time and from time to time, be equal to the sum of (a) 
eighty five (85%) (or such lesser percentage as the Lender may, at any time 
and from time to time, determined in the exercise of its reasonable credit 
judgment) of Eligible Accounts as determined by Lender plus (b) seventy 
percent (70%) (or such lesser percentage as the Lender may, at any time and 
from time to time, determined in the exercise of its reasonable credit 
judgment) of Eligible Installment Accounts as determined by Lender plus (c) 
sixty percent (60%) (or such lesser percentage as Lender may at any time and 
from time to time, determine in the exercise of its reasonable credit 
judgment) of Eligible Inventory. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following 
limitations shall apply: (1) the aggregate amount of advances against 
Eligible Installment Accounts shall not exceed, at any time, the lesser of 
(x) Nine Million Dollars

                                       10
<PAGE>

($9,000,000) or (y) fifty percent (50%) of the Maximum Amount of the 
Revolving Loan then in effect; and (2) the aggregate amount of advances 
against Eligible Inventory shall not exceed, at any time, the lesser of (x) 
One Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($1,500,000) or (y) fifteen percent 
(15%) of the Maximum Amount of the Revolving Loan then in effect.

     In the event Lender decreases the advance percentages to be applied to 
Eligible Accounts, Eligible Installment Accounts and Eligible Inventory which 
are contained in this Section 2.2, such decrease shall become effective 
immediately for the purpose of calculating the amount which Lender agrees to 
advance, or allow to remain outstanding, against Eligible Accounts, Eligible 
Installment Accounts and Eligible Inventory.

          B.  Subject to the provisions of Section 2.2(A), in addition to the 
foregoing, Lender shall make available to Borrower an over advance facility 
(the "Over Advance Facility") in an amount not to exceed One Million Two 
Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars ($1,250,000), provided that there shall be no 
outstanding Indebtedness under the Over Advance Facility for a period of not 
less than thirty (30) consecutive days during each Contract Year.

     2.3.  TERM LOAN.

     On the Closing Date, subject to the fulfillment or waiver of all 
conditions precedent set forth in Section 12.3 herein, Lender shall make a 
secured term loan (the "Term Loan") to Borrower in the principal amount equal 
to Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000). The Term Loan shall be evidenced by a 
promissory note to be executed and delivered by Borrower to Lender on the 
Closing Date, the form of which is attached hereto and made a part hereof as 
Exhibit 2.3 (the "Term Note"), shall bear interest as specified in Section 
2.5(B) and shall be paid in accordance with the terms of the Term Note. The 
Term Loan shall be funded on the Closing Date, which shall be no later than 
June 30, 1997. In the event that the Term Loan shall not have been funded in 
full on or before June 30, 1997, Lender's obligation to fund the Term Loan 
shall be permanently eliminated. The proceeds of the Term Loan shall be used 
by Borrower solely for the purposes enumerated in Section 2.12 herein. The 
Term Loan shall be a part of the Total Facility. Lender acknowledges that 
Borrower's failure to fulfill any condition precedent to the funding of the 
Term Loan or Borrower's election to forego having Lender fund the Term Loan 
shall not constitute a Default hereunder.

     2.4.  ADVANCES TO CONSTITUTE ONE REVOLVING LOAN.  All loans and advances 
by Lender to Borrower under this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements 
(whether made as a Revolving Loan, a Term Loan or otherwise), shall 
constitute one loan and all indebtedness and obligations of Borrower to 
Lender under this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements shall constitute one 
general obligation secured by the Collateral.

                                       11
<PAGE>

   2.5. INTEREST RATE.

      (A) Revolving Loan.
               
         (i)   (a)  So long as no Event of Default has occurred and is 
continuing, Borrower shall pay to Lender interest on the Revolving Loan as 
follows: (x) Borrower shall pay interest on the principal balance of the 
amount outstanding under the Over Advance Facility equal to two hundred (200) 
basis points in excess of the Prime Rate; and (y) Borrower shall pay interest 
at the applicable Designated Rate on the outstanding principal balance of the 
Revolving Loan; provided, however, that upon the occurrence and during the 
continuation of an Event of Default, Lender may, at its option, raise the 
interest rate charges on the Liabilities to the Default Rate with respect to 
the Liabilities from the date of the occurrence of the Default until the 
earlier of (1) the Default is cured or waived by Lender or (2) the 
Liabilities are paid in full. Notwithstanding the provisions of the previous 
sentences, Borrower shall receive a ten (10) day period (commencing on the 
date of the occurrence of such application of the Default) to cure any 
non-monetary Default before Lender shall have the right to raise the interest 
rate charged on the Liabilities to the Default Rate. The applicable basis for 
determining the rate of interest with respect to the Revolving Loan shall be 
selected by Borrower initially at the time a request for an advance is given 
pursuant to Section 12.2(B)(vii). The basis for determining the interest rate 
with respect to the Revolving Loan may be changed from time to time by 
Borrower pursuant to Section 2.5(A)(v).

               (b)  Interest on the Revolving Loan shall be computed by 
multiplying the closing daily balance of the Revolving Loan as reflected in 
Borrower's Revolving Loan Account for each day during the preceding month by 
the interest rate determined to be applicable hereunder on each such day.

               (c)  Interest and all fees hereunder (other than prepayment 
fees) shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual number 
of days elapsed. In computing interest on the Revolving Loan, the date of 
funding of the Revolving Loan or the first day of an Interest Period 
applicable to such Revolving Loan if it is a LIBOR Rate Revolving Loan, or 
with respect to a Base Rate Revolving Loan being converted from LIBOR Rate 
Revolving Loan, the date of conversion of such LIBOR Rate Revolving Loan to 
such Base Rate Revolving Loan, shall be included and the date of payment of 
such Revolving Loan or the expiration date of an Interest Period applicable 
to such Revolving Loan if it is a LIBOR Rate Revolving Loan, or with respect 
to a Base Rate Revolving Loan being converted to a LIBOR Rate Revolving Loan, 
the date of conversion of such Base Rate Revolving Loan to such LIBOR Rate 
Revolving Loan, shall be excluded; provided, that if a Revolving Loan is 
repaid on the same day on which it is made, one day's interest shall be paid 
on that Revolving Loan.

            (ii)  Following the occurrence of an Event of Default, Borrower 
shall pay to Lender interest from the date of the Default to and including the 
date of cure of such Default on the outstanding principal balance of the 
Liabilities at the Default Rate applicable to such Liabilities; provided, 
however, that in the case of LIBOR Rate Revolving Loan, upon the expiration 
of the Interest Period in effect at the time any Default shall have occurred 
and be 

                                      12

<PAGE>

continuing, such LIBOR Rate Revolving Loan shall become Base Rate Revolving 
Loan and thereafter bear interest at the Default Rate applicable to Base Rate 
Revolving Loan.
                    
            (iii)   (a)  Interest shall be due at the Designated Rate as 
provided herein, after as well as before demand, default and judgment, 
notwithstanding any judgment rate of interest provided for in any statute. 
If any interest payment or other charge or fee payable hereunder exceeds the 
maximum amount then permitted by applicable law, then to the extent permitted 
by law and subject to the provisions of subparagraph (b) below, Borrower 
shall be obligated to pay the maximum amount then permitted by applicable law 
and Borrower shall continue to pay the maximum amount from time to time 
permitted by applicable law until all such interest payments and other charges 
and fees otherwise due hereunder (in the absence of such restraint imposed by 
applicable law) have been paid in full.

                    (b)  It is the intention of Lender and Borrower to comply 
with the laws of the State of Illinois, and notwithstanding any provision to 
the contrary contained herein or in the other Ancillary Agreements, Borrower 
shall not be required to pay and Lender shall not be permitted to collect any 
amount in excess of the maximum amount of interest permitted by law ("Excess 
Interest"). If any Excess Interest is provided for or determined to have been 
provided for by a court of competent jurisdiction in this Agreement or in any 
of the other Ancillary Agreements, then in such event: (a) the provisions of 
this subparagraph shall govern and control; (b) neither Borrower nor any 
guarantor or endorser shall be obligated to pay any Excess Interest; (c) any 
Excess Interest that Lender may have received hereunder shall be, at Lender's 
option (1) applied as a credit against the outstanding principal balance of 
the Liabilities or accrued and unpaid interest (not to exceed the maximum 
amount permitted by law), (2) refunded to the payor thereof, or (3) any 
combination of the foregoing; (d) the interest rate(s) provided for herein 
shall be automatically reduced to the maximum lawful rate allowed under 
applicable law, and this Agreement and the other Ancillary Agreements shall be 
deemed to have been, and shall be, reformed and modified to reflect such 
reduction; and (e) neither Borrower nor any guarantor or endorser shall have 
any action against Lender for any damages arising out of the payment or 
collection of any Excess Interest.

            (iv)  Subject to the provisions of Section 2.11(G), in connection 
with each LIBOR Rate Revolving Loan, Borrower shall elect an interest period 
(each an "Interest Period") to be applicable to such Revolving Loan, which 
Interest Period shall be either a 30, 60 or 90 period; PROVIDED, that:

                    (a) the initial Interest Period for any Revolving Loan 
shall commence on the date of funding of such Revolving Loan;

                    (b) in the case of immediately successive Interest 
Periods, each successive Interest Period shall commence on the day on which 
the immediately preceding Interest Period expires;

                    (c) if an Interest Period otherwise would expire on a day 
that is not a Business Day, such Interest Period shall expire on the next 
succeeding Business Day;

                                      13
<PAGE>

provided, that if such next succeeding Business Day falls in a new calendar 
month, then such Interest Period shall expire on the immediately preceding 
Business Day;

                    (d) any Interest Period that begins on the last Business 
Day of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically 
corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest Period) 
shall, subject to paragraph (v) below, end on the last Business Day of a 
calendar month;

                    (e) no Interest Period shall extend beyond the last day 
of the Term;

                    (f) no Interest Period may extend beyond a date on which 
Borrower is required to make a required payment or prepayment of principal of 
the Revolving Loan (including prepayments pursuant to Section 2.8); and

                    (g) there shall be no more than two (2) Interest Periods 
relating to LIBOR Rate Revolving Loans outstanding at any time.

               (v) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.5(A)(iv) and 
Section 2.11(G), Borrower shall have the option to:

                    (a) convert at any time all or any part of any 
outstanding Base Rate Revolving Loan (except for loans pursuant to the Over 
Advance Facility which bear interest at the Prime Rate plus Two Hundred (200) 
basis points, and may not be converted to LIBOR Rate Loans) equal to Five 
Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000) and integral multiples of One Hundred 
Thousand Dollars ($100,000) in excess of that amount from a Base Rate 
Revolving Loan to a LIBOR Rate Revolving Loan or to convert a LIBOR Rate 
Revolving Loan in amounts equal to Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000) 
and integral multiples of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) in excess 
of that amount from a LIBOR Rate Revolving Loan to a Base Rate Revolving 
Loan; or

                    (b) upon the expiration of any Interest Period applicable 
to a LIBOR Rate Revolving Loan, to continue all, or any portion of such 
Revolving Loan equal to any multiple of One Hundred Thousand Dollars 
($100,000) in excess of or below that amount (but in no event less than 
$500,000) as a LIBOR Rate Revolving Loan and the succeeding Interest 
Period(s) of such continued Revolving Loan shall commence on the last day of 
the Interest Period of the Revolving Loan to be continued; PROVIDED, that 
LIBOR Rate Revolving Loan may only be converted into Base Rate Revolving Loan 
on the expiration date of an Interest Period applicable thereto; PROVIDED, 
FURTHER, that no outstanding Revolving Loan may be continued as, or be 
converted into, a LIBOR Rate Revolving Loan when any Default with respect to 
the payment of money or any Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.

               (vi) Subject to the provisions of Sections 2.5(A)(v) and 
2.11(G):

                    (a) Borrower shall deliver a Notice of Conversion 
Continuation to Lender no later than 1:00 P.M. (Chicago, Illinois time) at 
least two (2) Business Days in


                                      14

<PAGE>

advance of the proposed conversion/continuation date. A Notice of Conversion/ 
Continuation shall certify: (1) the proposed conversion/continuation date 
(which shall be a Business Day); (2) the amount of the Revolving Loan to be 
converted/continued; (3) the nature of the proposed conversion/continuation; 
(4) in the case of a conversion to, or a continuation of, a LIBOR Rate 
Revolving Loan, the requested Interest Period; and (5) in the case of a 
conversion to, or a continuation of, a LIBOR Rate Revolving Loan, that no 
Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result 
from the proposed conversion/continuation. In lieu of delivering the 
above-described Notice of Conversion/Continuation, Borrower may give Lender 
telephonic notice by the required time of any proposed conversion/continuation 
under Section 2.5(A)(v); provided, that such notice shall be promptly 
confirmed in writing by delivery of a Notice of Conversion/Continuation to 
Lender on or before the proposed conversion/continuation date. If on any day 
a Revolving Loan is outstanding with respect to which notice has not been 
delivered to Lender in accordance with the terms of this Agreement specifying 
the basis for determining the rate of interest, then for that day that 
Revolving Loan shall be deemed to be a reference to the Base Rate.

                    (b) Lender shall not incur any liability to Borrower in 
acting upon any telephonic notice referred to above that Lender believes in 
good faith to have been given by or at the direction of an officer of 
Borrower or for otherwise acting in good faith under this Section 2.5(A)(vi) 
and, upon conversion/continuation by Lender in accordance with this 
Agreement pursuant to any telephonic notice, Borrower shall have effected 
such conversion or continuation, as the case may be, hereunder.

                    (c) A Notice of Conversion/Continuation for conversion to, 
or continuation of, a LIBOR Rate Revolving Loan (or telephonic notice in lieu 
thereof) shall be irrevocable once given, and Borrower shall be bound to 
convert or continue in accordance therewith.

               (vii) Subject to the additional provisions of Section 2.5(A), 
each LIBOR Rate Revolving Loan requested must equal at least Five Hundred 
Thousand Dollars ($500,000) and may only be in additional integral multiples 
of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000).

          (B) Term Loan.

               (i) Prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default or 
Maturity, all outstanding amounts due to Lender under the Term Loan shall 
bear interest at a fixed rate of fifteen percent (15%) per annum, payable 
monthly in arrears. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default or Maturity, 
the interest rate then in effect for the Term Loan shall increase by two 
percent (2%).

               (ii) Interest and all fees hereunder (other than prepayment 
fees) shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual number 
of days elapsed.

     2.6. METHOD OF BORROWING: METHOD OF MAKING INTEREST AND OTHER PAYMENTS. 
In its sole discretion, Lender may deem interest and other amounts payable 
hereunder (other than the principal balance of the Revolving Loan) to be paid 
by causing such amounts to be added to the


                                      15       
<PAGE>

principal balance of the Revolving Loan, all as set forth on Lender's books 
and records. Unless otherwise directed by Lender, all payments to Lender 
hereunder shall be made by delivery thereof to Lender at its address set 
forth above or by delivery to Lender for deposit in the Depository Bank of 
all proceeds of Accounts or other Collateral in accordance with Section 4.3 
hereof. If Lender elects to bill Borrower for any amount due hereunder, such 
amount shall be immediately due and payable with interest thereon as provided 
herein. Solely for the purpose of calculating interest earned by Lender with 
respect to the Revolving Loan, any check, draft, wire transfer or similar 
item of payment by or for the account of Borrower delivered to Lender or 
deposited in the Depository Bank in accordance with Section 4.3 hereof shall 
be applied by Lender on account of Borrower's Revolving Loan obligations on 
the second Business Day after Lender has received immediately available funds 
as a result of the deposit thereof in accordance with Section 4.3 hereof. 
Immediately available funds received by Lender after 2:00 p.m. (Chicago, 
Illinois time) shall be deemed to have been received on the following 
Business Day.

     2.7.  TERM OF AGREEMENT. This Agreement shall be in effect from the 
Origination Date, through and including August 2, 1998 (the "Term"), 
provided, however, that Borrower and Lender agree that Lender's commitment to 
lend with respect to the Total Facility shall be automatically extended for 
an additional two (2) year period, commencing on August 2, 1998 and 
terminating on August 2, 2000 unless and until by the sixtieth (60th) day 
prior to the end of any Contract Year, Lender or Borrower shall have notified 
the other in writing of that party's intention to terminate the Total 
Facility effective on the last day of said Contract Year, subject to earlier 
termination by Lender upon the occurrence of a Default as provided in Section 
11.1. Upon the effective date of termination, all of the Liabilities shall 
become immediately due and payable without presentment, notice or demand, 
except as otherwise provided herein. Notwithstanding any termination, until 
all of the Liabilities shall have been fully paid and satisfied, Lender shall 
be entitled to retain its security interest in the Collateral, Borrower shall 
continue to remit collections of Accounts and proceeds of Collateral as 
provided in this Agreement, and Lender shall retain all of its rights and 
remedies under this Agreement.

     2.8.  PAYMENTS PRIOR TO END OF TERM.

          (A)  In consideration of Lender's allowance of the voluntary 
prepayment or termination of the Revolving Loan prior to the end of the Term, 
in addition to all other sums due Lender hereunder, Borrower shall pay to 
Lender a prepayment penalty equal to the lesser of Eighteen Million Dollars 
($18,000,000) or the amount of the Maximum Amount of the Revolving Loan in 
effect at the time of such voluntary prepayment TIMES (i) two percent (2%) if 
the voluntary prepayment and termination occurs in the first Contract Year; 
(ii) one percent (1%) if the voluntary prepayment occurs in the second 
Contract Year; or (iii) one-half percent (0.50%) of the voluntary prepayment 
occurs in the third Contract Year.

          (B)  Borrower may, at any time, pre-pay the Term Loan, in whole or 
in part, in amounts of at least Two Hundred Fifty Thousand Dollars 
($250,000). Such prepayments shall be applied to the scheduled installments 
of principal in the inverse order of maturity. In consideration of Lender's 
allowance of the voluntary prepayment or termination of the Term Loan prior 
to the end of the Term, in addition to all other sums due Lender hereunder, 
Borrower

                                       16

<PAGE>

shall pay Lender a prepayment premium of (i) one and one-half percent (1.5%) 
of principal prepaid, if such prepayment is made within one (1) year of the 
Closing Date, and (ii) one percent (1%) of principal prepaid, if such 
prepayment is made thereafter. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the prepayment 
premium for voluntary prepayments of the Term Loan shall be waived by Lender 
if the proceeds for the prepayment are derived from the secondary offering of 
Borrower's Stock.

           (C)  Borrower shall make mandatory prepayments on the Term Loan in 
amounts equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the net cash proceeds received 
by Borrower from (i) the sale, transfer or other disposition of Borrower's 
fixed assets in excess of Fifty Thousand Dollars ($50,000) in any Fiscal 
Year, or (ii) the incurrence of any Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness 
subsequent to June 30, 1997. All such mandatory prepayments shall be applied 
to the scheduled installments of principal on the Term Loan in the inverse 
order of maturity. No mandatory prepayment shall be subject to a prepayment 
penalty or premium.

     2.9.   CLOSING FEES.  Borrower shall pay to Lender the following closing 
fees, which shall be deemed earned and which shall be payable in full on the 
date hereof:

           (A)  on account of the Revolving Loan, Fifty-Five Thousand Dollars 
($55,000); and

           (B)  on account of the Term Loan, Seventy-Five Thousand Dollars 
($75,000).

     2.10.  NON-USE FEE.  Borrower shall pay to Lender a Non-Use Fee equal to 
one-half of one percent (0.50%) per annum of the amount, if any, by which 
Eighteen Million Dollars ($18,000,000) has exceeded the average daily closing 
balance of the Revolving Loan during each calendar quarter or partial 
quarter during said period. The Non-Use Fee shall be payable in arrears on 
the first day of each calendar quarter and shall be calculated on the basis 
of a 360-day year for actual days elapsed.

     2.11.  SPECIAL PROVISIONS GOVERNING LIBOR RATE REVOLVING LOAN. 
Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the following 
provisions shall govern with respect to LIBOR Rate Revolving Loan as to the 
matters covered:

           (A) As soon a practicable after 1:00 p.m. (Chicago, Illinois time) 
on each Interest Rate Determination Date, Lender shall determine (which 
determination shall, absent manifest error, be final, conclusive and binding 
upon all parties) the interest rate that shall apply to the LIBOR Rate 
Revolving Loan for which an interest rate is then being determined for the 
applicable Interest Period and shall promptly give notice thereof (in 
writing or by telephone confirmed in writing) to Borrower.

           (B) If on any Interest Rate Determination Date Lender shall have 
determined (which determination shall be final and conclusive and binding 
upon Borrower) that:

               (i)  by reason of any changes arising after the date of this 
Agreement affecting the LIBOR market or affecting the position of Lender in 
such market, adequate and fair means do not exist for ascertaining the 
applicable interest rate by reference to the LIBOR Rate


                                      17


<PAGE>

with respect to the LIBOR Rate Revolving Loan as to which an interest rate 
determination is then being made; or

              (ii)  by reasons of (a) any change after the date hereof in any 
applicable law or governmental rule, regulation or order (or any 
interpretation thereof and including the introduction of any new law or 
governmental rule, regulation or order) or (b) other circumstances affecting 
Lender or the LIBOR market or the position of Lender in such market (such as 
for example, but not limited to, official reserve requirements required by 
Regulation D to the extent not given effect in the Libor Rate), the LIBOR 
Rate shall not represent the effective pricing to Lender for dollar deposits 
of comparable amounts for the relevant period; then, and in any such event, 
Lender shall, promptly after being notified of a borrowing, conversion or 
continuation, give notice (by telephone confirmed in writing) to Borrower of 
such determination. Thereafter, Borrower shall pay to Lender, upon written 
demand therefor, such additional amounts (in the form of an increased rate 
of, or a different method of calculating, interest or otherwise as Lender in 
its reasonable credit judgment shall determine) as shall be required to cause 
Lender to receive interest with respect to the LIBOR Rate Revolving Loan for 
the Interest Period following that Interest Rate Determination Date at a 
rate per annum equal to two (2%) percent per annum in excess of the effective 
pricing to Lender for dollar deposits to make or maintain the LIBOR Rate 
Revolving Loan. A certificate as to additional amounts owed Lender, showing 
in reasonable detail the basis for the calculation thereof, submitted in good 
faith to Borrower shall, absent manifest error, be final and conclusive and 
binding upon Borrower.

     (C)  If on any date Lender shall have reasonably determined (which 
determination shall be final and conclusive and binding upon Borrower) that 
the making or continuation of any LIBOR Rate Revolving Loan has become 
unlawful or impossible by compliance by Lender in good faith with any law, 
governmental rule, regulation or order (whether or not having the force of law 
and whether or not failure to comply therewith would be unlawful), then, and 
in any such event, Lender shall promptly give notice (by telephone confirmed 
in writing) to Borrower of that determination. The obligation of Lender to 
make or maintain such LIBOR Rate Revolving Loan during any such period shall 
be terminated at the earlier of the termination of the Interest Period then 
in effect or when required by law and Borrower shall no later than the 
termination of the Interest Period in effect at the time any such 
determination pursuant to this Section is made or, earlier, when required by 
law, repay or prepay such LIBOR Rate Revolving Loan, together with all 
interest accrued thereon.

     (D)  Borrower shall compensate Lender, upon written request by Lender 
(which request shall set forth in reasonable detail the basis for requesting 
such amounts and which shall, absent manifest error, be conclusive and 
binding upon Borrower), for all reasonable losses, expenses and liabilities 
(including, without limitation, any loss (including interest paid) sustained 
by Lender in connection with the re-employment of such funds) Lender may 
sustain: (1) if for any reason (other than a default by Lender or the failure 
of a borrowing to occur due to the occurrence of any event described in 
Section 2.11(C)) a borrowing of any LIBOR Rate Revolving Loan does not occur 
on a date specified therefor in a request for an advance, a Notice of 
Conversion/Continuation or a telephonic request for borrowing or 
conversion/continuation or a successive Interest period does not commence 
after notice therefor is given pursuant to Section

                                      18

<PAGE>

2.5(A)(vi); or (2) as consequence of any other default by Borrower to repay 
any LIBOR Rate Revolving Loan when required by the terms of this Agreement; 
provided, that during the period while any such amounts have not been paid, 
Lender shall reserve an equal amount from amounts otherwise available to be 
borrowed under the Revolving Loan. The provisions of this Section 2.11(D) 
shall survive the termination of this Agreement, the repayment of the 
Revolving Loan and the discharge of Borrower's other obligations hereunder.

           (E)  Lender may make, carry or transfer LIBOR Rate Revolving 
Loan at, to, or for the account of, any of its branch offices or the office 
of an affiliate of Lender.

           (F)  Calculation of all amounts payable to Lender under 
Section 2.11 shall be made though Lender had actually funded the relevant 
LIBOR Rate Revolving Loan through the purchase of a LIBOR deposit bearing 
interest at the LIBOR Rate in an amount equal to the amount of that LIBOR 
Rate Revolving Loan and having a maturity comparable to the relevant Interest 
Period and through the transfer of such LIBOR deposit from an offshore office 
to a domestic office in the United States of America; provided, however, that 
Lender may fund each of the LIBOR Rate Revolving Loan in any manner it sees 
fit and the foregoing assumption shall be utilized only for the calculation 
of amounts payable under Section 2.11.

           (G)  Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, Borrower shall not 
be entitled to exercise its option to convert any portion of the Revolving 
Loan to a LIBOR Rate Revolving Loan until the earlier of (i) January 31, 1998 
or (ii) receipt of TRO Leaning, Inc.'s audited annual financial statements 
for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1997 containing the unqualified opinion 
of its auditors.

     2.12  PURPOSES.

           (A)  The purpose of the Revolving Loan is to provide Borrower with 
(i) working capital financing and (ii) the funds necessary on the Origination 
Date to have refinanced Borrower's existing loan facility with Harris Trust 
and Savings Bank.

           (B)  The purpose of the Term Loan is to provide Borrower with (i) 
funds to reduce the principal amount of the Revolving Loan, and (ii) funds to 
satisfy certain of its fees and expenses.

3.   ELIGIBLE ACCOUNTS; ELIGIBLE INVENTORY.

     3.1  ELIGIBLE ACCOUNTS.  Eligible Accounts shall mean all Accounts other 
than the following:

          (A)  Accounts which remain due one hundred and fifty (150) days past 
the invoice date;

          (B)  International Accounts (except those International Accounts 
which Lender deems to be eligible, in Lenders role and absolute discretion);


                                      19







<PAGE>

              (C)  Accounts owing by a single Account Debtor, including a 
currently scheduled Account, if fifty percent (50%) or more of the balance 
owning by such Account Debtor is ineligible by reason of the criterion set 
forth in clause (A) or (B) above;

              (D)  Accounts with respect to which the Account Debtor is an 
Affiliate of Borrower or a director, officer or employee of Borrower or its 
Affiliates;

              (E)  Accounts with respect to which the Account Debtor is the 
United States of America or any department, agency or instrumentality thereof 
unless Borrower has complied with the Federal Assignment of Claims Act of 
1940, as amended;

              (F)  Accounts arising with respect to goods which have not been 
shipped and delivered to the Account Debtor or arising with respect to 
services which have not been fully performed and accepted by the Account 
Debtor;

              (G)  Accounts with respect to which the Account Debtor is the 
subject of bankruptcy or a similar insolvency proceeding or has made an 
assignment for the benefit of creditors or whose assets have been conveyed to 
a receiver or trustee;

              (H)  Accounts with respect to which the Account Debtor's 
obligations to pay the Account is conditional upon the Account Debtor's 
approval or is otherwise subject to any repurchase obligation or return 
right, as with sales made on a guaranteed sale, sale-and-return, sale on 
approval, or consignment basis (except with respect to Accounts in connection 
with which Account Debtors are entitled to return Inventory solely on the 
basis of the quality of such Inventory);

              (I)  Accounts which are not evidenced by chattel paper or an 
instrument of any kind;

              (J)  Accounts where the Account Debtor has an outstanding 
credit for the prior account period or has asserted any offset, counterclaim 
or defense denying liability thereunder; provided, however, that if such 
credit, offset, counterclaim or defense has been asserted, such Account shall 
be ineligible only to the extent of such asserted credit, offset, 
counterclaim or defense;

             (K)  Accounts which are not subject to and covered by Lender's 
first priority perfected security interest and which are subject to any other 
lien, claim, encumbrance or security interest;

             (L)  Accounts which are not evidenced by an invoice or other 
documentation in form acceptable to Lender;

             (M)  If the Account Debtor is located in the State of New 
Jersey, all Accounts of such Account Debtor unless Borrower has filed a 
Notice of Business Activities Report with the New Jersey Division of Taxation 
for the then current year;

                                      20

<PAGE>

          (N)  If the Account Debtor is located in the State of Minnesota, all 
Accounts of such Account Debtor unless Borrower has filed a Business Activity 
Report with the Minnesota Department of Revenue;

          (O)  Any Account unless each of the warranties and representations 
set forth in Section 9.2 has been reaffirmed with respect to such individual 
Account at the time that the most recent Accounts Report was delivered to 
Lender;

          (P)  Accounts against which Lender is not legally permitted to make 
loans and advances; and

          (Q)  Accounts which are not a valid, legally enforceable obligation 
of the relevant Account Debtor.

     3.2  ELIGIBLE INSTALLMENT ACCOUNTS.  Eligible Installment Accounts shall 
means all Installment Accounts other than the following:

          (A)  Installment Accounts which remain due one hundred fifty (150) 
days past the invoice date;

          (B)  Installment Accounts which remain due ninety (90) days past 
the invoice date of any invoice issued subsequent to the initial invoice;

          (C)  Installment Accounts which would not be deemed Eligible 
Accounts under the provisions of Sections 3.1(B) through 3.1(Q) inclusive, of 
this Agreement. 

     In the event that any Eligible Installment Account shall become 
ineligible due to the existence of a condition(s) set forth in this 
Section 3.2, the entire Installment Account (including future installment 
payments that are not yet due and payable) shall become ineligible.

     3.3  ELIGIBLE INVENTORY.  Eligible Inventory shall mean all Inventory 
other than the following:

          (A)  Any item of Inventory which is not in good condition, or does 
not meet all standards imposed by any governmental agency, or department or 
division thereof, having regulatory authority over such goods, its use or 
sale, or is either currently unusable or currently unsalable in the ordinary 
course of Borrower's business, or is not otherwise acceptable to Lender due 
to age, type, category or quantity;

          (B)  Any item of Inventory which is not located at one of the 
locations listed on Exhibit 3.3(B) attached hereto, is not subject to and 
covered by Lender's perfected security interest and is subject to any other 
lien, claim, encumbrance or security interest;

          (C)  Any item of Inventory which has been consigned, sold or leased 
to any Person;

                                       21


<PAGE>

      (D)  Any item of Inventory unless each of the warranties and 
representations set forth in Section 9.3 has been reaffirmed with respect 
such item of Inventory at the date that the most recent Inventory Report was 
delivered to Lender; and

      (E)  Any item of Inventory which is work in-process;

      (F)  Any item of Inventory located in Canada or the United Kingdom;

      (G)  Any item of Inventory which is Slow Moving Inventory;

      (H)  Any item of Inventory which is courseware;

      (I)  Any item of Inventory which is a sort of the FMST Simulator; and

      (J)  Any item of Inventory which was purchased by Borrower in or as 
part of a "bulk" transfer or sale of assets unless Borrower, and the seller 
of such item, have complied with all applicable bulk sales or bulk transfer 
laws.

4. PAYMENTS.

   4.1.  REVOLVING LOAN ACCOUNT: METHOD OF MAKING PAYMENTS. Lender shall 
maintain a loan account (the "Revolving Loan Account") on its books in which 
shall be recorded (i) all loans and advances made by Lender to Borrower 
pursuant to this Agreement, (ii) all payments made by Borrower on all such 
loans and advances and (iii) all other appropriate debits and credits as 
provided in this Agreement, including, without limitation, all fees, charges, 
expenses and interest. All entries in the Revolving Loan Account shall be 
made in accordance with Lender's customary accounting practices as in effect 
from time to time. Unless otherwise agreed to in writing from time to time 
hereafter, all payments which Borrower is required to make to Lender under 
this Agreement or under any of the Ancillary Agreements shall be made by 
appropriate debits to the Revolving Loan Account. Lender may, in its sole and 
absolute discretion, elect to bill Borrower for such amounts in which case 
the amount shall be immediately due and payable with interest thereon at the 
rate set forth at the Base Rate.

   4.2.  PAYMENT TERMS. All of the Liabilities shall be payable to Lender at 
the address set forth in Section 13.10. The Liabilities will be repayable as 
follows: (i) interest shall be payable on the first day of each month (for 
the immediately preceding month), (ii) fees, costs, expenses and similar 
charges shall be payable as and when provided for in this Agreement or the 
Ancillary Agreements and (iii) the principal balance of the Liabilities shall 
be payable as and when provided for in this Agreement or the Ancillary 
Agreements, including without limitation, collections received with respect 
to any proceeds of Collateral as such proceeds are received; provided, 
however, that if at any time the (i) outstanding principal balance of the 
Revolving Loan exceeds the lesser of $18,000,000 (or such lesser amount of 
the Maximum Amount of the Revolving Loan then in effect) or the Borrowing Base 
or (ii) the outstanding principal balance of all of the Liabilities exceeds 
the Total Facility, Borrower shall immediately pay to Lender without demand 
such amount as is necessary to eliminate such excess.

                             22

<PAGE>

   4.3.  COLLECTION OF ACCOUNTS AND PAYMENTS. Borrower shall establish: (i) a 
lock box account (the "Lock Box Account") in Lender's name with Harris Trust 
and Savings Bank and (ii) a special deposit account (the "Special Deposit 
Account") in Lender's name with a depository bank reasonably satisfactory to 
Lender (collectively, the "Depository Banks") into which Borrower and/or 
Borrower's Account Debtors will immediately deposit all remittances and 
proceeds of the Collateral in the identical form in which such payment was 
made; provided, however, if such remittance was made in the form of cash, 
Borrower may deposit said remittance with the Depository Banks in the form of 
a check. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Borrower may only deposit into the 
Special Deposit Account wire transfers Borrower receives from foreign Account 
Debtors; all other deposits to be made into the Lock Box Account. Depository 
Banks shall acknowledge and agree, in a manner satisfactory to Lender, that 
all payments made to the Lock Box Account and the Special Deposit Account are 
the sole and exclusive property of Lender, that Depository Banks have no 
rights of setoff against the funds in the Lock Box Account and that 
Depository Banks will wire, or otherwise transfer deposited funds in a manner 
satisfactory to Lender, funds deposited in the Lock Box Account and in the 
Special Deposit Account to Lender on a daily basis as soon as such funds are 
collected, all pursuant to the Lock Box Agreement in the form of Exhibit 1.53 
attached hereto and the Special Deposit Agreement in the form of Exhibit 1.78 
attached hereto. Borrower hereby agrees that all payments made to the Lock 
Box Account and the Special Deposit Account or otherwise received by Lender, 
whether on the Accounts or as proceeds of other Collateral or otherwise, will 
be the sole and exclusive property of Lender and will be applied on account 
of the Liabilities. After allowing two (2) Business Days for collection after 
such funds are received by Lender, Lender will credit (conditional upon final 
collection) all payments received through the Lock Box Account and the 
Special Deposit Account to the Revolving Loan Account. Borrower and any 
Affiliates, shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents of Borrower 
and all Persons acting for or in concert with Borrower shall, acting as 
trustee for Lender, receive, as the sole and exclusive property of Lender, any 
monies, checks, notes, drafts or any other payments relating to or proceeds 
of Accounts or other Collateral which come into their possession or under 
their control and immediately upon receipt thereof, shall remit the same or 
cause the same to be remitted, in kind, to Lender, to the Lock Box Account or 
the Special Deposit Account or at Lender's address set forth in Section 
13.10. Borrower agrees to pay to Lender any and all fees, costs and expenses 
(if any) which Lender incurs in connection with opening and maintaining the 
Lock Box Account and the Special Deposit Account and depositing for 
collection by Lender any check or item of payment received or delivered to 
Depository Banks or Lender on account of the Liabilities and Borrower further 
agrees to reimburse Lender for any claims asserted by Depository Banks in 
connection with the Lock Box Account and the Special Deposit Account or any 
returned or uncollected checks received by Depository Bank for deposit in the 
Lock Box Account and the Special Deposit Account, except claims relating to 
or caused by the malfeasance, recklessness or negligence of Lender.

   4.4.  APPLICATION OF PAYMENTS AND COLLECTIONS. Borrower irrevocably waives 
the right to direct the application of payments and collections received by 
Lender from or on behalf of Borrower, and Borrower agrees that Lender shall 
have the continuing exclusive right to apply and reapply any and all such 
payments and collections against the Liabilities in such manner as Lender may 
deem appropriate, notwithstanding any entry by Lender upon any of its books 
and

                                 23


<PAGE>

records. To the extent that Borrower makes a payment or payments to Lender or 
Lender receives any payment or proceeds of the Collateral for Borrower's 
benefit, which payment(s) or proceeds or any part thereof are subsequently 
invalidated, declared to be fraudulent or preferential, set aside or required 
to be repaid to a trustee, receiver or any other party under any bankruptcy 
act, state or federal law, common law or equitable cause, then, to the extent 
of such payment or proceeds received, the obligations to make such payments 
shall continue in full force and effect, as if such payments or proceeds had 
not been received by Lender.

    4.5.  STATEMENTS.  All advances to Borrower, and all other debits and 
credits provided for in this Agreement, shall be evidenced by entries made by 
Lender in its internal data control systems showing the date, amount and 
reason for each such debit or credit. Until such time as Lender shall have 
rendered to Borrower written statements of account as provided herein, the 
balance in the Revolving Loan Account, as set forth on Lender's most recent 
statement, shall be rebuttably presumptive evidence of the amounts due and 
owing to Lender by Borrower. Not less than ten (10) days after the final day 
of each calendar month, Lender shall render to Borrower a statement setting 
forth the balance of the Revolving Loan Account, including principal, 
interest, expenses and fees. Each such statement shall be subject to 
subsequent adjustment by Lender and Lender's right to reapply payments in 
accordance with Section 4.4, but shall, absent manifest errors or omissions, 
be presumed correct and binding upon Borrower and shall constitute an account 
stated unless, within thirty (30) days after receipt of any statement from 
Lender, Borrower shall deliver to Lender written objection thereto specifying 
the error or errors, if any, contained in such statement.

5.  COLLATERAL: GENERAL TERMS.

    5.1.  SECURITY INTEREST AND MORTGAGE.  To secure the prompt payment to 
Lender of the Liabilities, Borrower hereby grants to Lender a continuing 
security interest in and to all of the following property and interest in 
property of Borrower, whether now owned or existing or hereafter acquired or 
arising and wherever located: (i) all Accounts, Inventory, Equipment, 
vehicles, contract rights, General Intangibles, tax refunds, chattel paper, 
instruments, letters of credit, documents and documents of title; (ii) all of 
Borrower's deposit accounts (general or special) with and credits and other 
claims against Depository Bank or Lender, or any other financial institutions 
with which Borrower maintains deposits; (iii) all of Borrower's now owned or 
hereafter acquired monies, and any and all other property of Borrower now or 
hereafter coming into the actual possession, custody or control of Lender or 
any agent or affiliate of Lender in any way or for any purpose (whether for 
safekeeping, deposit, custody, pledge, transmission, collection or 
otherwise); (iv) all insurance and condemnation proceeds of or relating to 
any of the foregoing; (v) all of Borrower's books and records relating to any 
of the foregoing; and (vi) all accessions and additions to, substitutions for, 
and replacements, products and proceeds of any of the foregoing.

    5.2.  DISCLOSURE OF SECURITY INTEREST.  Borrower shall make appropriate 
entries upon its financial statements and books and records disclosing 
Lender's security interest in the Collateral.

                                      24

<PAGE>

    5.3.  SPECIAL COLLATERAL. Immediately upon Borrower's receipt of any 
Collateral which is evidenced or secured by an agreement, chattel paper, 
letter of credit, instrument or document, including, without limitation, 
promissory notes, documents of title and warehouse receipts (the "Special 
Collateral"), Borrower shall deliver the original thereof to Lender or to 
such agent of Lender as Lender shall designate, together with appropriate 
endorsements, the documents required to draw thereunder (as may be relevant 
to letters of credit) or other specific evidence (in form and substance 
acceptable to Lender) of assignment thereof to Lender.

    5.4.  FURTHER ASSURANCES.  At Lender's request, Borrower shall, from time 
to time, (i) execute and deliver to Lender all Security Documents that Lender 
may reasonably request, in form and substance acceptable to Lender, and pay 
the costs of any recording or filing of the same and (ii) take such other 
actions as Lender may reasonably request in order to fully effect the 
purposes of this Agreement and to protect Lender's interest in the 
Collateral. Upon the occurrence of any Default, Borrower hereby irrevocably 
makes, constitutes and appoints Lender (and all Persons designated by Lender 
for that purpose) as Borrower's true and lawful attorney and agent-in-fact to 
sign the name of Borrower on any of the Security Documents and to deliver any 
of the Security Documents to such Persons as Lender, in its sole discretion, 
may elect. Borrower agrees that a carbon, photographic, photostatic, or other 
reproduction of this Agreement or of a financing statement is sufficient as a 
financing statement.

    5.5.  INSPECTION AND FIELD REVIEWS.  Lender (by any of its officers, 
employees or agents) shall have the right, at any time or times during 
Borrower's usual business hours, without prior notice, to inspect and perform 
field reviews with regard to the Collateral, the Borrowing Base and all books 
and records related thereto (and to make extracts from such records) and the 
premises upon which any of the Collateral is located, to discuss Borrower's 
affairs and finances with any Person (including Borrower's independent 
certified public accountants) and to verify the amount, quality, value and 
condition of, or any other matter relating to, the Collateral. 
Notwithstanding the foregoing, provided that there does not then exist a 
Default or an Event of Default, Lender shall limit its inspections and field 
reviews to not more than four (4) times during each Contract Year. Borrower 
agrees to pay all of Lender's out-of-pocket costs and expenses plus a sum 
equal to $500.00 per person, per day, for each person participating in such 
field review/inspection.

    5.6.  LOCATION OF COLLATERAL.  Borrower's chief executive office, 
principal place of business and all other offices and locations of the 
Collateral and books and records related thereto (including, without 
limitation, computer programs, printouts and other computer materials and 
records concerning the Collateral) are set forth on Exhibit 3.3(B) attached 
hereto. Borrower shall not remove its books and records or the Collateral 
from any such locations (except for removal of items of Inventory upon its 
sale in accordance with the terms of this Agreement) and shall not open any 
new offices or relocate any of its books and records or the Collateral except 
within the continental United States of America with at least thirty (30) 
days prior notice thereof to Lender.

    5.7.  LENDER'S PAYMENT OF CLAIMS ASSERTED AGAINST BORROWER.  Lender may, 
but shall not be obligated to, at any time or times hereafter, in its 
reasonable discretion, and without

                                       25




<PAGE>

waiving any Default or waiving or releasing any obligation, liability or duty 
of Borrower under this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements, pay, acquire or 
accept an assignment of any security interest, lien, claim or other 
encumbrance asserted by any Person against the Collateral. All sums paid by 
Lender under this Section 5.7, including all costs, fees (including without 
limitation reasonable attorneys' fees and paralegals' fees and court costs), 
expenses and other charges relating thereto, shall be payable by Borrower to 
Lender on demand and shall be additional Liabilities secured by the 
Collateral.

6. COLLATERAL: ACCOUNTS.

     6.1.  VERIFICATION OF ACCOUNTS. Any of Lender's officers, employees or 
agents shall have the right, at any time or times hereafter, in Lender's or 
Borrower's name or in the name of a firm of independent certified public 
accountants acceptable to Lender, to verify the validity, amount or any other 
matters relating to any Accounts by mail, telephone, telegraph or otherwise.

     6.2.  ASSIGNMENTS, RECORDS AND ACCOUNTS REPORT. Borrower shall keep 
accurate and complete records of its Accounts and as frequently as Lender 
shall require, but not less frequently than: (a) once per week (on or before 
the following Tuesday), Borrower shall deliver to Lender an Accounts Report 
regarding its Accounts for the preceding week, together with, upon Lender's 
request, copies of the invoices related thereto; and (b) once per month (on 
or before the twentieth (20th) day of each said calendar month), Borrower 
shall deliver to Lender an Accounts Report regarding its Installment Accounts 
for the preceding month, together with, upon Lender's request, copies of the 
invoices related thereto. Borrower shall also deliver to Lender, upon demand, 
the original copy of all documents, including, without limitation, repayment 
histories, present status reports and shipment reports, relating to the 
Accounts included in any Accounts Report and such other matters and 
information relating to the status of then existing Accounts as Lender shall 
reasonably request.

     6.3.  NOTICE REGARDING DISPUTED ACCOUNTS. Borrower shall give Lender 
prompt notice of any Accounts individually or in the aggregate in excess of 
$50,000 at any time or from time to time which are in dispute between any 
Account Debtor and Borrower. Each Accounts Report shall identify all disputed 
Accounts and disclose with respect thereto, in reasonable detail, the reason 
for the dispute, all claims related thereto and the amount in controversy.

     6.4.  SALE OR ENCUMBRANCE OF ACCOUNTS. Borrower shall not, without the 
prior written consent of Lender, sell, transfer, grant a security interest in
or otherwise dispose of or encumber any of its Accounts to any Person other 
than Lender.

7. COLLATERAL: INVENTORY.

     7.1.  SALE OF INVENTORY. Unless a Default occurs, and Lender directs 
otherwise, Borrower may sell Inventory in the ordinary course of its business 
(which does not include a transfer in partial or total satisfaction of 
Indebtedness, sales in bulk, sale on consignment or sales on an approval or 
sale or return basis). All proceeds of such sales shall be part of the 
Collateral


                                      26

<PAGE>

and remitted to the Special Deposit Account. Borrower shall not rent, lease 
or otherwise transfer or dispose of any of the Inventory without Lender's 
prior written consent, except as set forth in this Section 7.1.

     7.2.  SAFEKEEPING OF INVENTORY: INVENTORY COVENANTS. Borrower shall 
maintain all Inventory in good and salable condition at all times. Lender 
shall not be responsible for (i) the safekeeping of the Inventory; (ii) any 
loss or damage thereto or destruction thereof occurring or arising in any 
manner or fashion, except when caused by the failure of Lender or its agents 
to exercise reasonable care with respect to the Inventory during any period 
of time during which Lender has foreclosed upon and owns good title to such 
Inventory; (iii) any diminution in the value of Inventory or (iv) any act or 
default of any carrier, warehouseman, bailee or forwarding agency or any 
other Person in any way dealing with or handling the Inventory. All risk of 
loss, damage, distribution or diminution in value of the Inventory shall be 
borne, as between Borrower and Lender, by Borrower, except as provided 
in clause (ii) above.

     7.3.  RECORDS AND SCHEDULES OF INVENTORY. Borrower shall keep correct and
accurate records on a first-in, first-out basis, itemizing and describing the 
kind, type, quality and quantity of Inventory, Borrower's cost therefor and 
selling price thereof, and the withdrawals therefrom and additions thereto 
and Inventory then on consignment (if any, provided that Lender's prior 
written consent to such consignment must be obtained), and shall furnish to 
Lender, monthly on or before the twentieth (20th) day of each month, a 
current updated Inventory Report for the preceding month, based on the FIFO 
cost assumption. A complete physical count of the Inventory shall be 
conducted no less than annually and a report based on such count of the 
Inventory shall promptly thereafter be provided to Lender together with such 
supporting information as Lender shall request, including, without 
limitation, invoices relating to Borrower's purchase of goods listed in said 
report, as Lender shall, in its reasonable discretion, request.

     7.4.  RETURNED AND REPOSSESSED INVENTORY. If at any time prior to the 
occurrence of a Default, any Account Debtor returns any of the Inventory to 
Borrower, Borrower shall promptly determine the reason for such return and, 
if Borrower accepts such return, issue a credit memorandum (with a copy to be 
immediately sent to Lender) in the appropriate amount to such Account Debtor; 
provided, however, that Borrower shall not, without the prior consent of 
Lender, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld when such consent is 
not inconsistent with protecting Lender's security interest in the 
Collateral, accept on any single day, returned Inventory the sale price of 
which was in excess of $75,000 in the aggregate or a total amount aggregating 
in excess of $150,000 in any thirty (30) day period. After the occurrence of 
a Default, and if Lender so directs, Borrower shall hold all returned 
Inventory in trust for Lender, shall segregate all returned Inventory from 
all other property of Borrower or in Borrower's possession and shall 
conspicuously label such returned Inventory as the property of Lender. 
Borrower shall, in all cases, immediately notify Lender of the return of any 
Inventory with a value in excess of $75,000, specifying the reason for such 
return and the location and condition of the returned Inventory.

     7.5.  EVIDENCE OF OWNERSHIP OF INVENTORY. Borrower shall, upon Lender's 
request, deliver to Lender all evidence of ownership of the Inventory.


                                      27

<PAGE>

8.   COLLATERAL: EQUIPMENT.

     8.1.  MAINTENANCE OF THE EQUIPMENT. Borrower shall keep and maintain the 
Equipment in good operating condition and repair, ordinary wear and tear 
excepted, and shall make all necessary replacements thereof so that the 
value, utility and operating efficiency thereof shall at all times be 
maintained and preserved, ordinary wear and tear excepted, and shall promptly 
inform Lender of any additions to or deletions from the Equipment. Borrower 
shall not permit any such items to become affixed to real estate in such 
manner that such items of Equipment will become a fixture or an accession to 
other personal property.

     8.2.  EVIDENCE OF OWNERSHIP OF EQUIPMENT. Borrower shall, upon Lender's 
request, deliver to Lender all evidence of ownership of the Equipment 
(including, without limitation, bills of sale, invoices, certificates of 
title and applications for title).

     8.3.  PROCEEDS OF THE EQUIPMENT. Borrower shall not sell, transfer, 
lease, grant a security interest in or otherwise dispose of or encumber the 
Equipment or any part thereof to any Person other than Lender except for 
purchase money liens (including capitalized leases and other forms of 
installment purchase financing) granted to the Person financing a purchase 
of Equipment so long as the lien granted is limited to the specific fixed 
assets so acquired, the aggregate amount of indebtedness secured by all such 
liens as a result of purchases shall not exceed One Hundred Thousand Dollars 
($100,000) at any time during the term hereof, and the transaction does not 
violate any other provision of this Agreement (notification of such purchase 
money lien to be provided within ten (10) days of acquisition of such fixed 
asset); provided, however, that in any Fiscal Year of Borrower, Borrower may 
sell or otherwise dispose of any single piece of Equipment with a net book 
value not to exceed $150,000 so long as all Equipment disposed of in any 
Fiscal Year of Borrower does not have a net book value in excess of $300,000 
in the aggregate. In the event any Equipment is sold, transferred or 
otherwise disposed of as permitted in this Section 8.3, Borrower shall 
promptly notify Lender of such fact and deliver all of the cash proceeds of 
such sale, transfer or disposition to Lender, which proceeds shall be applied 
in accordance with Section 2.8(C) hereof, provided, however, that with 
Lender's prior written consent Borrower may use the proceeds of such sale, 
transfer or disposition to finance the purchase of replacement Equipment in 
which Lender has a first perfected security interest documented to the 
satisfaction of Lender and its counsel. Borrower shall deliver to Lender 
written evidence of the use of the proceeds for such purchase. All 
replacement Equipment purchased by Borrower shall be free and clear of all 
liens, claims, security interests and other encumbrances, except for the 
security interest granted to Lender or purchase money security interests 
consented to in writing by Lender.

9.   WARRANTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS.

     9.1.  GENERAL WARRANTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS. Borrower warrants and 
represents that:

          (A)  Roach is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in 
good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, and is qualified or 
licensed as a foreign entity


                                      28

<PAGE>

to do business in all other countries, states and provinces in which the laws 
thereof require Borrower to be so qualified or licensed;

          (B)  TRO is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in 
good standing under the laws of Canada, and is qualified or licensed as a 
foreign entity to do business in all other countries, states and provinces in 
which the laws thereof require Borrower to be so qualified or licensed;

          (C)  Roach and TRO have not used, during the five (5) year period 
preceding the date of this Agreement, and do not intend to use, any other 
corporate or fictitious name, except as disclosed in Exhibit 9.1(C) attached 
hereto;

          (D)  Borrower has the right and power and is duly authorized and 
empowered to enter into, execute, deliver and perform this Agreement and the 
Ancillary Agreements;

          (E)  The execution, delivery and performance by Borrower of this 
Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements shall not, by their execution or 
performance, the lapse of time, the giving of notice or otherwise, constitute 
a violation of any applicable law, rule, regulation, judgment, order or 
decree or a breach of any provision contained in Borrower's articles of 
incorporation or by-laws, or contained in any agreement, instrument, 
indenture or other document to which Borrower is now a party or by which it 
is bound which violation would have a material adverse affect on Borrower;

          (F)  This Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements are and will be 
the legal, valid and binding agreements of Borrower enforceable in accordance 
with their terms, except as enforcement thereof may be subject to the effect 
of applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar 
laws affecting creditors' rights generally and to general principles of 
equity (regardless of whether such enforcement is sought in a proceeding in 
equity or at law);

          (G)  Borrower's use of the proceeds of any advances made by Lender 
are, and will continue to be, legal and proper uses (duly authorized by its 
board of directors), in accordance with applicable laws, rules and 
regulations, as in effect as of the date hereof;

          (H)  Borrower has, and is current and in good standing with respect 
to, all governmental approvals, permits, certificates, inspections, consents 
and franchises necessary to conduct and to continue to conduct its present 
and intended business as heretofore conducted by it or by Persons engaged in 
the same or similar business and to own or lease and operate its properties 
as now owned or leased and operated by it;

          (I)  None of said approvals, permits, certificates, consents or 
franchises contain any term, provision, condition or limitation more 
burdensome than such as are generally applicable to Persons engaged in the 
same or similar business as Borrower;

          (J)  Borrower now has capital sufficient to carry on its business 
and transactions and all businesses and transactions in which it is about to 
engage and is now solvent


                                      29

<PAGE>

and able to pay its debts as they mature and Borrower now owns property the 
fair salable value of which is greater than the amount required to pay 
Borrower's debts as they mature;

         (K)  Except as disclosed on Exhibit 9.1(K) attached hereto and in 
the Financials, Borrower has no litigation pending, or to the best of its 
knowledge, threatened, and no Indebtedness (except for trade payables arising 
in the ordinary course of its business since the dates reflected in the 
Financials) and has not guaranteed the obligations of any other Person;

         (L)  Borrower is not a party to any contract or agreement or subject 
to any charge, restriction, judgment, decree or order materially and 
adversely affecting its business, property, assets, operations or condition, 
financial or other, and is not a party to any labor dispute; there are no 
lockouts, strikes or walkouts relating to any labor contracts and no such 
contract is scheduled to expire during the Term;

         (M)  Borrower has good, indefeasible and merchantable title to and 
ownership of the Collateral, free and clear of all liens, claims, security 
interests and other encumbrances, except those of Lender and those, if any, 
described on Exhibit 9.1(M) attached hereto;

         (N)  Borrower is not in violation of any applicable statute, rule, 
regulation or ordinance of any governmental entity, including, without 
limitation, the United States of America or Canada, any state, city, town, 
province, municipality, county or of any other jurisdiction, or of any agency 
thereof, in any respect materially and adversely affecting the Collateral or 
Borrower's business, property, assets, operations or condition, financial or 
other;

         (O)  Borrower is not in default under any indenture, loan agreement, 
mortgage, lease, trust deed, deed of trust or other similar agreement 
relating to the borrowing of monies to which it is a party or by which it is 
bound;

         (P)  The Financials fairly present the assets, liabilities and 
financial condition and results of operations of Borrower and such other 
Persons described therein as of the dates thereof; there are no omissions or 
other facts or circumstances which are or may be material and there has been 
no material and adverse change in the assets, liabilities or financial or 
other condition of Borrower since the date of the Financials; there exist no 
equity or long term investments in or outstanding advances to any Person not 
reflected in the Financials; there are no actions or proceedings which are 
pending or, to the best of Borrower's knowledge, threatened, against Borrower 
or any other Person which might result in any material adverse change in 
Borrower's financial condition or materially and adversely affect Borrower's 
operations, its assets or the Collateral;

         (Q)  Borrower has filed all federal, state and local tax returns and 
other reports, or has been included in consolidated returns or reports filed 
by an Affiliate, which Borrower is required by law, rule or regulation to 
file and all Charges that are due and payable have been paid;

         (R)  Borrower's execution and delivery of this Agreement and of the 
Ancillary Agreements does not directly or indirectly violate or result in a 
violation of any applicable laws,

                                      30

<PAGE>

rules or regulations, including without limitation, the Securities Exchange 
Act of 1934, as amended, and Regulations U, G, T and X of the Board of 
Governors of the Federal Reserve System (12 CFR 221, 207, 220, and 224, 
respectively), and Borrower does not own or intend to purchase or carry any 
"margin security," as defined in such Regulations;

         (S)  Exhibit 9.1(S) contains a true and complete list of all 
trademarks, brand-names, copyrights, patents, patent applications in which 
Borrower has an interest;

         (T)  Borrower's Fiscal Year does and will continue to commence on 
the first day of November and terminate on the last day of October of each 
calendar year, unless such Fiscal Year is modified with the prior written 
consent of Lender, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld;

         (U)  (i) the operations of Borrower, any other obligor and each of 
Borrower's subsidiaries, if any, comply in all material respects with all 
applicable Environmental Laws; (ii) none of the operations of Borrower, any 
other obligor or any Subsidiary are subject to any judicial or administrative 
proceeding alleging the violation of any Environmental Laws; (iii) none of 
the operations of Borrower, any other obligor or any subsidiary are the 
subject of any federal or state investigation evaluating whether any remedial 
action is needed to respond to a release of any Hazardous Material into the 
environment; (iv) none of Borrower, any other obligor or any Subsidiary has 
filed any notice under any federal or state law indicating past or present 
treatment, storage or disposal of a Hazardous Material or reporting a spill 
or release of a Hazardous Material into the environment; and (v) none of 
Borrower, any other obligor or any Subsidiary has any known material 
contingent liability in connection with any release of any Hazardous Material 
into the environment. The materiality standard used in this Section 9.1(V) 
shall be exceeded if the facts giving rise to a breach or breaches of the 
representations or warranties contained herein might result in liability in 
excess of $50,000 in the aggregate.

         Borrower hereby indemnifies Lender, its successors and assignees, 
and agrees to hold Lender harmless from and against any and all losses, 
liabilities, damages, injuries, costs, expenses and claims of any and every 
kind whatsoever (including, without limitation, court costs and attorneys' 
fees) which at any time or from time to time may be paid, incurred or suffered 
by, or asserted against, Lender for, with respect to, or as a direct or 
indirect result of the violation by Borrower, any other obligor or any of 
Borrower's subsidiaries, of any laws, including but not limited to, the 
Environmental Laws or any laws or regulations relating to Hazardous Material, 
treatment, storage, disposal, generation and transportation, air, water and 
noise pollution, soil or ground or water contamination, the handling, storage 
or release into the environmental of Hazardous Materials; or with respect to, 
or as a direct or indirect result of the presence on or under, or the escape, 
seepage, leakage, spillage, discharge, emission or release from, properties 
utilized by Borrower, any other obligor or any of Borrower's subsidiaries in 
the conduct of their respective business into or upon any land, the 
atmosphere, or any watercourse, body of water or wetlands, of any Hazardous 
Material (including, without limitation, any losses, liabilities, damages, 
injuries, costs, expenses or claims asserted or arising under the 
Environmental Laws); and the provisions of and undertakings and 
indemnification set out in this Section 9.1(U) shall survive the satisfaction 
and payment of the Liabilities and the termination of this Agreement.

                                      31

<PAGE>

    9.2.  ACCOUNT WARRANTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS. Borrower warrants and 
represents that Lender may rely, in determining which Accounts listed on any 
Accounts Report are Eligible Accounts, without independent investigation, 
on all statements, warranties and representations made by Borrower on or with 
respect to any such Accounts Report and, unless otherwise indicated in 
writing by Borrower, that:

          (A)  Such Accounts are genuine, are in all respects what they 
purport to be, are not reduced to a judgment and, if evidenced by any 
instrument, item of chattel paper, agreement, contract or documents, are 
evidenced by only one executed original instrument, item of chattel paper, 
agreement, contract, or document, which original has been endorsed and, upon 
Lender's request, will be delivered to Lender;

          (B)  Such Accounts represent undisputed, bona fide transactions 
completed in accordance with the terms and provisions contained in any 
documents related thereto;

          (C)  Except for credits issued to any Account Debtor in the ordinary 
course of Borrower's business for Inventory returned pursuant to Section 7.4, 
the amounts shown on the Accounts Report, and all invoices and statements 
delivered to Lender with respect to any Account, are actually and absolutely 
owing to Borrower and are not subject to any material contingencies;

          (D)  To the best of Borrower's Knowledge, except as may be disclosed 
on such Accounts Report, there are no setoffs, counterclaims or disputes 
existing or asserted with respect to any Accounts included on an Accounts 
Report, and Borrower has not made any agreement with any Account Debtor for 
any deduction from such Account, except for discounts or allowances allowed 
by Borrower in the ordinary course of its business for prompt payment, which 
discounts and allowances have been disclosed to Lender and are reflected in 
the calculation of the invoice related to such Account;

          (E)  To the best of Borrower's Knowledge, there are no facts, events 
or occurrences which in any way impair the validity or enforcement of any of 
the Accounts or tend to reduce the amount payable thereunder from the amount 
of the invoice shown an any Accounts Report, and on all contracts, invoices 
and statements delivered to Lender with respect thereto;

          (F)  To the best of Borrower's Knowledge, all Account Debtors are 
solvent and had the capacity to contract at the time any contract or other 
document giving rise to or evidencing the Accounts was executed;

          (G)  The goods, the sale of which gave rise to the Accounts, 
(i) were produced in full compliance with the Federal Labor Standards Act, 
29 U.S.C. Sections 207 ET SEQ. as amended from time to time, and (ii) are not, 
and were not at the time of the sale thereof, subject to any lien, claim, 
security interest or other encumbrance, except those of Lender, and those 
removed or terminated prior to the date hereof;

          (H)  Borrower has no knowledge of any fact or circumstances which 
would impair the validity or collectability of any of the Accounts;


                                     32

<PAGE>

          (I)  To the best of Borrower's knowledge, there are no proceedings 
or actions which are threatened or pending against any Account Debtor which 
might result in any material adverse change in its financial or other 
condition; and

          (J)  The Accounts have not been pledged or sold to any Person or 
otherwise encumbered and Borrower is the owner of the Accounts free of all 
liens and encumbrances except those of Lender.

    9.3.  INVENTORY WARRANTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS. Borrower warrants and 
represents that Lender may rely, in determining which items of Inventory 
listed on any Inventory Report are Eligible Inventory, without independent 
investigation, on all statements, warranties and representations made by 
Borrower on or with respect to any such Inventory Report and, unless 
otherwise indicated in writing by Borrower, that:

          (A)  All Inventory is located on premises listed on Exhibit 3.3(B) 
or is Inventory which is in transit and is so identified on the relevant 
Inventory Report;

          (B)  The Inventory has been produced in full compliance with all 
requirements of the Federal Labor Standards Act, 29 U.S.C. Sections 207 ET 
SEQ., as amended from time to time;

          (C)  Except as specified on Exhibit 3.3(B), no Inventory is now, and 
shall not at any time or times hereafter be, stored with a bailee, 
warehouseman or similar party without Lender's prior written consent and, if 
Lender gives such consent, Borrower will concurrently therewith cause any 
such bailee, warehouseman or similar party to issue and deliver to Lender, in 
form and substance acceptable to Lender, warehouse receipts therefor in 
Lender's name; and

          (D)  Borrower is the owner of all of the Inventory free and clear of 
all claims, liens and encumbrances except those of Lender and none of the 
Inventory has been leased, rented, transferred or sold, either on 
consignment, on a sale or return basis, on approval, or otherwise.

    9.4.  ERISA WARRANTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS. Borrower warrants and 
represents that:

          (A)  Exhibit 9.4 hereto lists all the Employee Benefit Plans.

          (B)  Each Employee Benefit Plan is in compliance in all material 
respects with its terms and with the applicable provisions of ERISA and the 
Code, except where the failure to so comply would not have a material (in the 
reasonable opinion of Lender) adverse effect on the financial condition or 
results or operations of Borrower, and each such Employee Benefit Plan that 
is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code has been 
determined by the Internal Revenue Service to be so qualified (or, consistent 
with Section 1140 of the Tax Reform Act of 1986, has been submitted to the 
Internal Revenue Service for such a determination within the applicable 
remedial amendment period), and each trust related to any such Employee 
Benefit Plan has been determined to be exempt from federal income tax under 
Section 501(a) of the Code or submitted to the Internal Revenue Service for 
such a determination;


                                     33


<PAGE>

           (C) Except as set forth in Exhibit 9.4, no Employee Benefit Plan 
has an actuarial present value of projected benefit obligations that exceeds 
the fair market value of the net assets available for such benefits, 
calculated on the basis of the actuarial assumptions specified in the most 
recent actuarial valuation for such Employee Benefit Plan, and no such 
Employee Benefit Plan provides for subsidized early retirement benefits that, 
in the event of a reduction in force or plant closing, would have a material 
(in the reasonable opinion of Lender) adverse effect on the financial 
condition or results or operations of Borrower;

           (D) Except as set forth on Exhibit 9.4, no Employee Benefit Plan 
is an employee welfare benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(1) of 
ERISA that provides benefits to employees after termination of employment 
other than as required by Section 601 of ERISA;

           (E) Neither Borrower nor any of its ERISA Affiliates has breached 
in any material respect any of the responsibilities, obligations, or duties 
imposed on them by ERISA or the regulations promulgated thereunder with 
respect to any Employee Benefit Plan, which breach would have a material (in 
the reasonable opinion of Lender) adverse effect on the financial condition 
or results or operations of Borrower;

           (F) Neither Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has (i) failed to 
make a required contribution or payment to a Multiemployer Plan or (ii) made 
a complete or partial withdrawal under Sections 4203 or 4205 of ERISA from a 
Multiemployer Plan, where such failure or complete or partial withdrawal 
would have a material (in the reasonable opinion of Lender) adverse effect on 
the financial condition or results or operations of Borrower;

           (G) At the date hereof, the aggregate potential withdrawal 
liability, as determined in accordance with Title IV of ERISA, of Borrower 
and any ERISA Affiliates with respect to all Employee Benefit Plans that are 
Multiemployer Plans would not have a material (in the reasonable opinion of 
Lender) adverse effect on the financial condition or results or operations of 
Borrower and, to the best of Borrower's and its ERISA Affiliates' knowledge, 
no Multiemployer Plan is in reorganization or insolvent within the meaning of 
Section 4241 or 4245 of ERISA;

           (H) Neither Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate has failed to make a 
required installment or any other required payment under Section 412 of the 
Code on or before the due date for such installment or other payment;

           (I) Neither Borrower nor any ERISA Affiliate is required to 
provide security to an Employee Benefit Plan under Section 401(a)(29) of the 
Code due to an Employee Benefit Plan amendment that results in an increase in 
current liability for the plan year;

           (J) No liability to the PBGC has been, or is expected by Borrower 
or any ERISA Affiliate to be, incurred by Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate, 
which liability would have a material (in the reasonable opinion of Lender) 
adverse effect on the financial condition or results or operations of 
Borrower, and there are no premium payments that have become due and which 
are unpaid;

                                   34

<PAGE>

           (K) No events have occurred in connection with any Employee Benefit 
Plan that might constitute grounds for the termination of any such Employee 
Benefit Plan by the PBGC or for the appointment by any United States District 
Court of a trustee to administer any such Employee Benefit Plan;

           (L) Except as set forth in Exhibit 9.4, no Reportable Event has, 
in the case of any Employee Benefit Plan other than a Multiemployer Plan, 
occurred and is continuing, or to the best of Borrower's knowledge, has 
occurred and is continuing in the case of any such Employee Benefit Plan that 
is a Multiemployer Plan;

           (M) No Employee Benefit Plan had an Accumulated Funding 
Deficiency, whether or not waived, as of the last day of the most recent 
fiscal year of such Employee Benefit Plan or, in the case of any 
Multiemployer Plan, as of the most recent fiscal year of such Multiemployer 
Plan for which the annual reports of such Multiemployer Plan's actuaries and 
auditors have been received; and

           (N) Borrower has not engaged in a Prohibited Transaction, which 
Prohibited Transaction would have a material (in the reasonable opinion of 
Lender) adverse effect on the financial condition or results or operations of 
Borrower.

     9.5.  AUTOMATIC WARRANTY AND REPRESENTATION AND REAFFIRMATION OF 
WARRANTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS. Each request for an advance made by Borrower 
pursuant to this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements shall constitute (i) 
an automatic warranty and representation by Borrower to Lender that there 
does not then exist a Default or an Event of Default and (ii) a reaffirmation 
as of the date of said request of all of the warranties and representations 
of Borrower contained in this Agreement and in the Ancillary Agreements.

     9.6   SURVIVAL OF WARRANTIES AND REPRESENTATIONS. Borrower covenants, 
warrants and represents to Lender that all representations and warranties of 
Borrower contained in this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements shall be 
true at the time of Borrower's execution of this Agreement and the Ancillary 
Agreements, and shall survive the execution, delivery and acceptance hereof 
and thereof by the parties thereto and the closing of the transactions 
described herein and therein or related hereto or thereto.

10.  COVENANTS AND CONTINUING AGREEMENTS.

     10.1. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS. Borrower covenants that it shall, unless 
Lender consents in writing otherwise:

           (A) On the last day of each Fiscal Year of Borrower, Borrower 
shall have Leverage of less than 1:1. For purposes hereof, the term 
"Leverage" shall be defined as the ratio of Total Liabilities to 
Shareholder's Equity. For purposes hereof, the term "Total Liabilities" shall 
be defined as, at any date, all liabilities of Borrower and its subsidiaries 
that, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, should be 
classified as liabilities on the balance sheet of Borrower and its 
subsidiaries, whether or not so classified. For purposes hereof, the

                                 35


<PAGE>

term "Shareholder's Equity" shall be defined as, at any date, the 
shareholder's equity of Borrower and its subsidiaries that, in accordance 
with generally accepted accounting principles, should be classified as 
shareholder's equity on the balance sheet of Borrower and its subsidiaries, 
whether or not so classified. Lender agrees that this financial covenant 
shall be measured only on the last day of each Fiscal Year of Borrower.

         (B)  Borrower shall maintain Operating Profit, measured quarterly on 
the last day of each fiscal quarter of Borrower, on a cumulative, 
year-to-date basis.

                -------------------------------------------------  
                        Third Quarter: 1995       ($1,475,000)  
                -------------------------------------------------  
                        Fourth Quarter: 1995        $3,725,000   
                -------------------------------------------------  
                        First Quarter: 1996        ($2,375,000)  
                -------------------------------------------------  
                        Second Quarter: 1996       ($3,400,000)  
                -------------------------------------------------  
                        Third Quarter: 1996       ($1,225,000)  
                -------------------------------------------------  
                        Fourth Quarter: 1996        $5,200,000   
                -------------------------------------------------  
                        First Quarter: 1997        ($4,221,000)  
                -------------------------------------------------  
                        Second Quarter: 1997       ($6,938,000)  
                -------------------------------------------------  
                        Third Quarter: 1997       ($3,721,000)  
                -------------------------------------------------  
                        Fourth Quarter: 1997        $7,875,000   
                -------------------------------------------------  
                        First Quarter: 1998        ($4,221,000)  
                -------------------------------------------------  
                        Second Quarter: 1998       ($6,938,000)  
                -------------------------------------------------  
                        Third Quarter: 1998       ($3,721,000)  
                -------------------------------------------------  
                        Fourth Quarter: 1998        $7,875,000   
                -------------------------------------------------  

                                       36

<PAGE>


         For purposes hereof, the term "Operating Profit" shall be defined as 
for any fiscal period, Borrower's (a) Net Income for such period, PLUS (b) 
all income taxes included as an expense of Borrower in determining Net Income 
for such period, PLUS (c) interest deducted as an expense of Borrower in the 
determination of Net Income for such period, determined in accordance with 
generally accepted accounting principles. For purposes hereof, the term "Net 
Income" shall be defined as, Borrower's consolidated net income (or loss) 
after income and franchise taxes and shall have the meaning given such term 
by generally accepted accounting principles, provided that there shall be 
specifically excluded therefrom tax-adjusted (i) gains or losses from the 
sale of capital assets, (ii) net income of any Person in which Borrower has 
an ownership interest, unless received by Borrower in a cash distribution, 
and (iii) any gains arising from extraordinary items, as determined in 
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

         (C)  Pay to Lender, on demand, any and all fees, costs or expenses 
which Lender or any Participant pays to a bank or other similar institution 
arising out of or in connection with (i) the forwarding to Borrower or any 
other Person on behalf of Borrower, by Lender or any Participant, of proceeds 
of loans made by Lender to Borrower pursuant to this Agreement and (ii) the 
depositing for collection, by Lender or any Participant, of any check or item 
of payment received or delivered to Lender or any participant on account of 
the Liabilities;

         (D)  At its sole cost and expense, keep and maintain the Collateral 
insured for its full insurable value against loss or damage by fire, theft, 
explosion, sprinklers, flood, business interruption, boiler and all other 
hazards and risks which are specified by Lender from time to time by 
obtaining policies naming Lender as Lender's loss payee, mortgagee and 
additional insured (none of which shall be cancelable or subject to 
modification without at least thirty (30) days notice to Lender) in coverage, 
form and amount and with companies satisfactory to Lender and at Lender's 
request will deliver each policy or certificate or insurance together with 
the applicable Lender's loss payee endorsement to Lender. In addition, 
Borrower will deliver renewals for all of such policies at least thirty (30) 
days prior to the expiration date of the subject policy. Without limiting the 
generality of the foregoing, unless otherwise agreed in writing by Lender, 
all of such policies shall (i) provide that no act of any person other than 
Lender will affect Lender's right to recover under such policies; (ii) be in 
amount at least equal to the greater of (a) original cost or (b) replacement 
value of the Collateral covered thereby; and (iii) contain an agreed value 
clause sufficient to eliminate any risk of co-insurance;

         (E)  Notify Lender promptly and in no event later than ten (10) days 
of any event of occurrence causing a material loss or decline in value of the 
Collateral and the estimated (or actual, if available) amount of such loss 
or decline;

         (F)  Maintain (a) product liability insurance in an amount customary 
for the business conducted by Borrower; and (b) general public liability 
insurance in an amount reasonably satisfactory to Lender but in no event less 
than $1,000,000 per occurrence, for bodily injury and property damage, by 
obtaining policies (none of which shall be cancelable or subject to 
modification without at least thirty (30) days notice to Lender) in coverage 
and form and with companies satisfactory to Lender with Lender's loss payable 
and additional endorsements in

                                      37



<PAGE>

favor of Lender and at Lender's request will deliver each policy or 
certificate of insurance to Lender. In addition, Borrower will deliver 
renewals for all of such policies at least thirty (30) days prior to the 
expiration date of the subject policy;

     (G) Upon Borrower's learning thereof, notify Lender promptly and in no 
event later than ten (10) days of (i) any material delay in Borrower's 
performance of any of its obligations to any Account Debtor and of any 
assertion of any claims, offsets, defenses or counterclaims by any Account 
Debtor and of any allowances or credits granted (including all credits issued 
for returned or repossessed Inventory) or other monies advanced by Borrower 
to any Account Debtor and (ii) all material adverse information relating to 
the financial or other conditions of any Account Debtor;

     (H) Keep books of account and prepare financial statements and furnish 
to Lender the following (all of the foregoing and following to be kept and 
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles applied 
on a basis consistent with the Financials, unless Borrower's independent 
certified public accountants concur in any changes therein and such changes 
are disclosed to Lender and are consistent with then generally accepted 
accounting principles):

          (i)   as soon as available, but not later than one hundred twenty 
(120) days after the close of each Fiscal Year of Borrower, financial 
statements of Borrower (including: (a) a balance sheet; (b) a profit and loss 
statement; (c) a statement of cash flows; and (d) a reconciliation of 
Borrower's capital account with supporting footnotes) as at the end of such 
year and for the year then ended all in reasonable detail as requested by 
Lender and audited by Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P. or another firm of 
independent certified public accountants of recognized national standing 
selected by Borrower and acceptable to Lender and containing the unqualified 
opinion of such independent certified public accountants with respect to the 
financial statements;

          (ii)  as soon as available, but not later than thirty (30) days 
after the end of each month, an unaudited financial statement of Borrower 
(including a statement of profit and loss and of surplus for the month of the 
portion of Borrower's Fiscal Year then elapsed), all in reasonable detail as 
requested by Lender and certified by Borrower's principal financial officer 
as prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and 
fairly presenting the financial position and results of operations of 
Borrower for such period;

          (iii) as soon as available, but not later than forty-five (45) days 
after the end of each fiscal quarter of Borrower, a copy of Borrower's most 
recent Form 10-Q which was filed with the Securities Exchange Commission 
pursuant to the Securities Exchange of 1934, certified by an officer of 
Borrower;

          (iv)  as soon as available, but not later than thirty (30) days 
after the end of each month, an officer's certificate in the form of 
Exhibit 10.1(H) attached hereto in which the chief financial officer of the 
Company certifies that, to the best of such officer's knowledge, no Default or 
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or, if any Default or Event of 
Default has occurred and is continuing, specifying the nature and extent 
thereof, which certificate shall


                                      38

<PAGE>

set forth the calculations required to establish whether Borrower was in 
compliance with the covenants contained herein;

          (v)   as soon as available, but not later than ninety (90) days 
after the end of each Fiscal Year of Borrower, projections certified by the 
chief financial officer of Borrower for each quarter of Borrower's next 
Fiscal Year, including, but not limited to a pro forma balance sheet and a 
pro forma statement of profits and losses and cash flow projections; and

          (vi)  such other data and information (financial and other) as 
Lender, from time to time, may reasonably request, bearing upon or related to 
the Collateral, Borrower's financial condition or results of its operations, 
or the financial condition of any Person who is a guarantor of any of the 
Liabilities, including without limitation, to Accounts agings, Accounts 
Payable report and detailed inventory reports;

     (I) Notify Lender promptly upon, but in no event later than ten (10) 
Business Days after, Borrower's learning thereof, that any Eligible Account 
or Eligible Inventory which individually or in the aggregate exceeds $100,000 
has ceased to be an Eligible Account or Eligible Inventory, respectively, and 
the reason(s) for such ineligibility;

     (J) Notify Lender, promptly upon, but no later than ten (10) days after, 
Borrower's learning of (i) any litigation affecting Borrower, whether or not 
the claim is considered by Borrower to be covered by insurance; or (ii) the 
institution of any suit or administrative proceeding which may materially and 
adversely affect the operations, financial condition or business of Borrower 
or which may affect Lender's security interest in the Collateral;

     (K) Provide Lender with copies of all agreements between Borrower and 
any warehouse at which Inventory may, from time to time, be kept and all 
leases or similar agreements between Borrower and any Person, whether 
Borrower is lessor or lessee thereunder; and

     (L) As to the following ERISA reports:

          (i)   As soon as possible, and in any event within ten (10) Business
Days, after Borrower knows or has reason to know that a Prohibited 
Transaction or a Reportable Event has occurred (whether or not the 
requirement for notice of such Reportable Event has been waived by the PBGC), 
which could have a material (in the reasonable opinion of Lender) adverse 
effect on the financial condition or results or operations of Borrower, 
deliver to Lender a certificate of a responsible officer of Borrower setting 
forth the details of such Prohibited Transaction or Reportable Event, the 
action that Borrower proposes to take with respect thereto, and, when known, 
any action taken or threatened by the Internal Revenue Service, Department of 
Labor, or PBGC;


                                      39

<PAGE>

               (ii)   Upon reasonable request of Lender made from time to 
time, deliver to Lender a copy of the most recent actuarial report, funding 
waiver request, and annual report filed with respect to any Employee Benefit 
Plan;

               (iii) Upon reasonable request of Lender made from time to 
time, deliver to Lender a copy of any Employee Benefit Plan;

               (iv)  As soon as possible, and in any event within ten (10) 
Business Days, after it knows or has reason to know that any of the following 
have occurred with respect to any Employee Benefit Plan, deliver to Lender a 
certificate of a responsible officer of Borrower setting forth the details of 
the events described in (a) through (l) and the action that Borrower or any 
ERISA Affiliate proposes to take with respect thereto, together with a copy 
of any notice or filing from the PBGC or other agency of the United States 
government with respect to such of the events described in (a) through (l): 
(a) any Employee Benefit Plan has been terminated; (b) the Plan Sponsor 
intends to terminate any Employee Benefit Plan; (c) the PBGC has instituted 
or will institute proceedings under Section 4042 of ERISA to terminate any 
Employee Benefit Plan or to appoint a trustee to administer such Employee 
Benefit Plan, or Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate receives a notice from a 
Multiemployer Plan that such action has been taken by the PBGC with respect 
to such Multiemployer Plan; (d) Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate withdraws 
from any Employee Benefit Plan, or notice of any withdrawal liability is 
received by Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate; (e) any Employee Benefit Plan 
has received an unfavorable determination letter from the Internal Revenue 
Service regarding the qualification of the Employee Benefit Plan under 
Section 401(a) of the Code; (f) Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate fails to make 
a required installment or any other required payment under Section 412 of the 
Code on or before the due date for such installment or payment or has applied 
for a waiver of the minimum funding standard under Section 412 of the Code; 
(g) the imposition of any tax under Code Section 4980B(a) or the assessment 
by the Secretary of Labor of a civil penalty under Section 502(c) or 502(l) 
of ERISA; (h) there is a partial or complete withdrawal (as described in 
ERISA Section 4203 or 4205) by Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate from a 
Multiemployer Plan; (i) Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate is in "default" (as 
defined in ERISA Section 4219(c)(5)) with respect to payments to a 
Multiemployer Plan required by reason of its complete or partial withdrawal 
from such Employee Benefit Plan; (j) a Multiemployer Plan is in 
"reorganization" or "insolvent" (as described in Title IV of ERISA) or such 
Multiemployer Plan intends to terminate or has terminated under Section 4041A 
of ERISA; (k) the institution of a proceeding by a fiduciary of a 
Multiemployer Plan against Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to enforce 
Section 515 of ERISA; or (l) Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has increased 
benefits under any existing Employee Benefit Plan or commenced contributions to 
an Employee Benefit Plan to which Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate was not 
previously contributing. For purposes of this Section, Borrower shall be 
deemed (i) to have knowledge of all facts known by the Plan Administrator of 
any Employee Benefit Plan of which Borrower is the Plan Sponsor or in which 
Borrower participates or to which Borrower contributes, and (ii) to have 
knowledge of all facts known by the Plan Administrator of any Employee 
Benefit Plan of which any ERISA Affiliate is the Plan Sponsor or in which any 
ERISA Affiliate participates or to which any ERISA Affiliate contributes and 
which facts could lead to an event or condition that could have a material 
(in the reasonable opinion of Lender) adverse effect on the financial 
condition or results or operations of Borrower.

                                      40

<PAGE>

          (M)  Give written notice to Lender within ten (10) days of receipt 
of any notice that (i) the operations of Borrower, any other obligor or any 
Subsidiary are not in full compliance with requirements of applicable 
Environmental Laws; (ii) Borrower, any other obligor or any Subsidiary is 
subject to any Federal or state investigation evaluating whether any remedial 
action is needed to respond to the release of any Hazardous Material into the 
environment; or (iii) any properties or assets of Borrower, any other obligor 
or any Subsidiary are subject to any Environmental Lien;

          (N)  Without limiting the generality of any of Borrower's other 
covenants and agreements, the operations of Borrower, any other obligor and 
each of Borrower's Subsidiaries shall at all times comply in all material 
respects with all applicable Environmental Laws. The materiality standard 
used in this Section 10.1(N) shall be exceeded if the facts giving rise to a 
breach or breaches of the covenant contained herein might result in liability 
in excess of $50,000 in the aggregate, whether or not such liability may be 
covered by insurance; and

          (O)  Promptly provide Lender with all documents requested by Lender 
which are required from time to time by federal regulations and/or regulators.

     10.2 NEGATIVE COVENANTS. Borrower covenants that it shall not, without 
the prior written consent of Lender, which consent shall not be unreasonably 
withheld where granting such consent is not inconsistent with protecting 
Lender's security interest in the Collateral:

          (A)  Merge or consolidate with, purchase, lease or otherwise 
acquire all or substantially all of the assets or properties of, or acquire 
any capital stock, equity interests, debt or other securities of, any Person 
or sell all or substantially all of its assets to any Person;

          (B)  Other than in the ordinary course of its business, acquire, 
purchase or make any investment in the obligations, stock securities or equity 
of any Person;

          (C)  Declare or pay dividends upon any of Borrower's Stock or make 
any distribution of Borrower's property or assets or make any loans, advances 
or extensions of credit to any Person including, without limitation, to any 
Affiliate, officer or employee of Borrower, other than with respect to the 
ordinary course of Borrower's business;

          (D)  Except as specifically permitted herein, make any material 
change in Borrower's capital structure or materially change the nature of 
Borrower's business in which it is presently engaged, or purchase or invest, 
directly or indirectly, in any assets or property (other than in the ordinary 
course of business) which are useful in, necessary for and are to be used in 
its business as presently conducted, except: (i) the contemplated sale of the 
Aviation Training Systems for an amount not less than Two Million Dollars 
($2,000,000) to which Lender expressly consents on the condition that all 
sale proceeds are paid to Lender and that such sale would not otherwise cause 
a Default hereunder; and (ii) the raising of additional equity through a public 
offering or private placement of Borrower's common stock;

          (E)  Enter into, or be a party to, any transaction or agreement, 
whether oral or in writing, with any Affiliate, director, officer or 
Stockholder of Borrower, except


                                      41

<PAGE>

agreements to pay salary and similar compensation to Borrower's employees in 
the ordinary course of and pursuant to the reasonable requirements of 
Borrower's business and upon fair and reasonable terms which are fully 
disclosed to Lender and are no less favorable to Borrower than would obtain 
in a comparable arm's length transaction with a Person not an Affiliate, 
director, officer or Stockholder of Borrower;

      (F)  Enter into any transaction which materially and adversely affects 
the Collateral or Borrower's ability to repay the Indebtedness or permit a 
modification of any kind or nature with respect to any Account which 
materially and adversely affects the Collateral, including any of the terms 
relating thereto, except for credits given for Inventory returned pursuant to 
Section 7.4;

      (G)  Guarantee or otherwise, in any way, become liable with respect to 
the obligations or liabilities of any Person, except (i) its Affiliates' 
obligations to Lender, and (ii) by endorsement of instruments or items of 
payment for deposit to the general account of Borrower or for deliver to 
Lender on account of the Liabilities;

      (H)  Make deposits to or withdrawals from any of its deposit accounts 
for the benefit of any Affiliate;

      (I)  Except as otherwise expressly permitted herein or in the Ancillary 
Agreements, encumber, pledge, mortgage, grant a security interest in, assign, 
sell, lease or otherwise dispose of or transfer, whether by sale, merger, 
consolidation, liquidation, dissolution, or otherwise, any of Borrower's 
properties, assets, rights or businesses or the Collateral, except sales of 
Installment Accounts for cash on a non-recourse basis or, with the written 
consent of Lender, on a recourse basis to Borrower if: (i) sales proceeds 
thereof are paid to Lender and are in an amount sufficient to pay all of the 
Liabilities relating to such Installment Accounts, and (ii) such sale would 
not otherwise cause a Default hereunder;

      (J)  Incur or otherwise acquire any Indebtedness (other than the 
Liabilities), except for (i) trade payables arising in the ordinary course of 
Borrower's business, (ii) Indebtedness for borrowed money upon terms and 
conditions reasonably acceptable to Lender which is unsecured or secured by 
assets other than the Collateral and in each case is to Persons who execute 
and deliver to Lender (in form and substance acceptable to Lender and its 
counsel) subordination agreements subordinating their claims against Borrower 
to the payment of the Liabilities ("Permitted Subordinated Indebtedness"), 
and (iii) purchase money financing, to the extent that it is permitted herein 
(collectively, the "Permitted Indebtedness");

      (K)  Permit any Accounts owing to Borrower from any Affiliate to be 
payable on terms which would not allow Borrower to demand payment upon the 
occurrence of a default or permit the aggregate amount of all Accounts owing 
from its Affiliates at any time to exceed the amount set forth on Exhibit 
10.2(K) unless a Default has occurred in which case Borrower shall permit no 
Accounts to be owing from its Affiliates;

      (L)  Materially modify, amend or supplement Borrower's Articles of 
Incorporation or similar document;



                                      42

<PAGE>

      (M)  Enter into any agreement (other than employment agreements) with 
any Person that confers upon such Person the right or authority to control or 
direct a major portion of the business or assets of Borrower;

      (N)  Alter or amend the commencement date or termination date of any 
Fiscal Year without the prior written consent of Lender, which shall not be 
unreasonably withheld;

      (O)  Do any of the following:

           (i)  Establish, maintain, or operate any Employee Benefit Plan 
that is not in compliance in all material respects with the provisions of 
ERISA, the Code, and all other applicable laws, and the regulations and 
interpretations thereunder, except where the failure to so comply would not 
have a material (in the reasonable opinion of Lender) adverse effect on the 
financial condition or results or operations of Borrower;

           (ii)  Allow to exist any Accumulated Funding Deficiency with 
respect to any Employee Benefit Plan, which would have a material (in the 
reasonable opinion of Lender) adverse effect on the financial condition or 
results or operations of Borrower;

           (iii)  Terminate any Employee Benefit Plan, or withdraw or effect 
a partial withdrawal from any Multiemployer Plan, if such termination, 
withdrawal, or partial withdrawal would have a material (in the reasonable 
opinion of Lender) adverse effect on the financial condition or results or 
operations of Borrower;

           (iv)  Fail to make any contribution or payment to any 
Multiemployer Plan which Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate may be required to 
make under any agreement relating to such Multiemployer Plan, which failure 
would have a material (in the reasonable opinion of Lender) adverse effect 
on the financial condition or results or operations of Borrower;

           (v)  Fail to make any required installment or any other payment 
required under Section 412 of the Code on or before the due date for such 
installment or other payment, which failure would have a material (in the 
reasonable opinion of Lender) adverse effect on the financial condition or 
results or operations of Borrower;

           (vi)  Amend any Employee Benefit Plan so as to result in an 
increase in current liability for the plan year such that Borrower or any 
ERISA Affiliate is required to provide security to such Employee Benefit Plan 
under Section 401(a)(29) of the Code;

           (vii)  Enter into any Prohibited Transaction, which Prohibited 
Transaction would have a material (in the reasonable opinion of Lender) 
adverse effect on the financial condition or results or operations of 
Borrower;


                                      43
<PAGE>

                  (viii)  Permit the occurrence of any Reportable Event, 
which would have a material (in the reasonable opinion of Lender) adverse 
effect on the financial condition or results or operation of Borrower; or

                  (ix)    Allow or permit to exist with respect to any 
Employee Benefit Plan any other event or condition known or which reasonably 
should be known to Borrower and which would have a material (in the 
reasonable opinion of Lender) adverse effect on the financial condition or 
results or operations of Borrower; or

             (P)  Issue any Stock, other than common Stock, without Lender's 
prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld.

      10.3  CONTESTING CHARGES. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary 
herein, Borrower may dispute any Charges without prior payment thereof, even 
if such non-payment may cause a lien to attach to Borrower's assets, provided 
that Borrower shall give Lender prompt notice of such dispute and shall be 
diligently contesting the same in good faith and by an appropriate proceeding 
and there is no danger of a loss or forfeiture of any of the Collateral and 
provided further that, if the same are potentially or actually in excess of 
$50,000 in the aggregate at any time hereafter, Borrower shall give Lender 
such additional collateral and assurances as Lender, in its reasonable 
discretion, deems necessary under the circumstances, immediately upon demand 
by Lender.

      10.4  PAYMENT OF CHARGES. Subject to the provisions of Section 10.3, 
Borrower shall pay promptly when due all of the Charges. In the event 
Borrower, at any time or times hereafter, shall fail to pay the Charges or to 
promptly obtain the satisfaction of such Charges, Borrower shall promptly so 
notify Lender thereof and Lender may, without waiving or releasing any 
obligation or liability of Borrower hereunder or any Default, in its sole 
discretion, at any time or times thereafter, make such payment or any part 
thereof, (but shall not be obligated so to do) or obtain such satisfaction 
and take any other action with respect thereto which Lender deems advisable. 
All sums so paid by Lender and any expenses, including reasonable attorneys' 
fees, court costs, expenses and other charges relating thereto, shall be 
payable by Borrower to Lender upon demand and shall be additional Liabilities.

      10.5 INSURANCE: PAYMENT OF PREMIUMS. All policies of insurance on the 
Collateral or otherwise required hereunder shall be in form and amount 
satisfactory to Lender and with insurers reasonably recognized as adequate by 
Lender. Borrower shall deliver to Lender the original (or certified copy) of 
each policy of insurance and evidence of payment of all premiums therefor and 
shall deliver renewals of all such policies to Lender at least thirty (30) 
days prior to their expiration dates. Such endorsement shall provide that the 
insurance companies will give Lender at least thirty (30) days' prior notice 
before any such policy shall be altered or canceled and that no act or 
default of Borrower or any other person shall affect the right of Lender to 
all insurers under such policies to pay all proceeds payable thereunder 
directly to Lender for application against the Liabilities in the inverse 
order of maturity. Borrower irrevocably makes, constitutes and appoints 
Lender (and all officers, employees or agents designated by Lender) as 
Borrower's true and lawful attorney and agent-in-fact for the purpose of 
making, settling and

                                       44

<PAGE>

adjusting claims under such policies, endorsing the name of Borrower in 
writing or by stamp on any check, draft, instrument or other item of payment 
for the proceeds of such policies and for making all determinations and 
decisions with respect to such policies. If Borrower shall fail to obtain or 
to maintain any of the policies required by this Agreement or to pay any 
premium relating thereto, then Lender, without waiving or releasing any 
obligation or default by Borrower hereunder, may (but shall be under no 
obligation to do so) obtain and maintain such policies of insurance and pay 
such premiums and take any other action with respect thereto which Lender 
deems advisable. All sums so disbursed by Lender, including reasonable 
attorneys' fees, court costs, expenses and other charges relating thereto, 
shall be payable by Borrower to Lender upon demand and shall be additional 
Liabilities.

      10.6 SURVIVAL OF OBLIGATIONS UPON TERMINATION OF AGREEMENT. Except as 
otherwise expressly provided for in this Agreement and in the Ancillary 
Agreements, no termination or cancellation (regardless of cause or procedure) 
of this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements shall in any way affect or 
impair the powers, obligations, duties, rights, and liabilities of Borrower 
or Lender in any way or respect relating to any transaction or event 
occurring prior to such termination or cancellation, the Collateral, or any 
of the undertakings, agreements, covenants, warranties and representations of 
Borrower or Lender contained in this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements. 
All such undertakings, agreements, covenants, warranties and representations 
shall survive such termination or cancellation.

11.  DEFAULT; EVENTS OF DEFAULT; RIGHTS AND REMEDIES

      11.1  DEFAULTS. The occurrence of any one or more of the following events 
shall constitute a Default which, if not cured within the applicable grace 
period or waived by Lender, shall constitute an Event of Default:

             (A)  Borrower fails to pay any part of the Liabilities when due 
and payable or declared due and payable and the same is not cured within five 
(5) days after Lender gives Borrower notice of such Default;

             (B)  Borrower or any Affiliate fails or neglects to perform, 
keep or observe any other term, provision, condition or covenant contained in 
this Agreement or in the Ancillary Agreements, which is required to be 
performed, kept or observed by Borrower or such Affiliate and the same is not 
cured to Lender's satisfaction within fifteen (15) days after Lender gives 
Borrower notice identifying such default; provided, however, that breach of 
any of the provisions, conditions or covenants contained in Sections 10.1(A), 
10.1(B), 10.1(D), 10.1(E), 10.1(F), 10.1(G), 10.1(I), 10.1(J), 10.1(M) and 
Section 10.2 shall without notice or time to cure be an immediate Event of 
Default.

             (C)  A default shall occur and is not cured prior to the 
expiration of any applicable grace and/or cure period under any agreement, 
document or instrument, other than this Agreement or any of the Ancillary 
Agreements, now or hereafter existing, to which Borrower is a party or (ii) a 
default shall occur and is not cured prior to the expiration of any 
applicable grace and/or cure period;

                                       45


<PAGE>

         (D)  Any statement, warranty, representation, report, financial 
statement, or certificate made or delivered by Borrower, or any of its 
officers, employees or agents, to Lender is not true and correct in any 
material respect;

         (E)  There shall occur any material uninsured damage to or loss, 
theft, or destruction of any of the Collateral in an amount in excess of 
$50,000;

         (F)  The Collateral or any of Borrower's or any Guarantor's other 
assets are attached, seized, levied upon or subjected to a writ or distress 
warrant, or come within the possession of any receiver, trustee, custodian or 
assignee for the benefit of creditors and the same is not cured within thirty 
(30) days thereafter; an application of a receiver, trustee, or custodian for 
any of the Collateral or any of Borrower's or any Guarantor's other assets 
and the same is not dismissed within thirty (30) days after the application 
therefor;

         (G)  An application is made by Borrower or any Guarantor for the 
appointment of a receiver, trustee or custodian for any of the Collateral or 
any of Borrower's or any Guarantor's other assets; a petition under any 
section or chapter of the Bankruptcy Code or any similar law or regulation is 
filed by or against Borrower or any Guarantor and is not dismissed within 
thirty (30) days after filing; Borrower or any Guarantor makes an assignment 
for the benefit of its creditors or any case or proceeding is filed by or 
against Borrower or any Guarantor for its dissolution, liquidation, or 
termination; Borrower or any Guarantor ceases to conduct its business as now 
conducted or is enjoined, restrained or in any way prevented by court order 
from conducting all or any material part of its business affairs; provided, 
however, notwithstanding anything stated to the contrary in this paragraph no 
cure time is allowed or permitted Borrower upon the happening of any of the 
foregoing events or occurrences stated in this Section 11.1(G) if the same 
are the voluntary actions taken by Borrower;

         (H)  Except as permitted in Section 10.3, a notice of lien, levy or 
assessment is filed of record with respect all or any substantial portion of 
Borrower's or any Guarantor's assets by the United States, or any department, 
agency or instrumentality thereof, or by any state, county, municipal or 
other governmental agency including, without limitation, the Pension Benefit 
Guaranty Corporation, or any taxes or debts owing to any of the foregoing 
becomes a lien or encumbrance upon the Collateral or any of Borrower's or any 
Guarantor's other assets and such lien or encumbrance is not released within 
thirty (30) days after its creation;

         (I)  Judgment(s) is or are rendered against Borrower in excess of 
$250,000 and Borrower fails to commence appropriate proceedings to appeal 
such judgment within the applicable appeal period or, after such appeal is 
filed, Borrower fails to diligently prosecute such appeal or such appeal is 
denied;

         (J)  Borrower or any Guarantor becomes insolvent or fails generally 
to pay its debts as they become due;

         (K)  Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate:

                                      46

<PAGE>

              (i)    Shall fail to pay when due an amount that is payable by it 
to the PBGC or to any Employee Benefit Plan and which failure has a material 
(in the reasonable opinion of Lender) adverse effect on the financial 
condition or results or operations of Borrower;

              (ii)   Has imposed against it any tax under Code Section 
4980B(a) that has a material (in the reasonable opinion of Lender) adverse 
effect on the financial condition or results or operations of Borrower;

              (iii) Has assessed against it by the Secretary of Labor a civil 
penalty with respect to any Employee Benefit Plan under ERISA Section 502(c) 
or 502(l) that has a material (in the reasonable opinion of Lender) adverse 
effect of the financial condition or results or operations of Borrower;

              (iv)  Is in "default" (as defined in ERISA Section 4219(c)(5)) 
with respect to payments to a Multiemployer Plan resulting from Borrower's or 
any ERISA Affiliate's complete or partial withdrawal (as described in ERISA 
Sections 4203 or 4205) from such Multiemployer Plan, where such default would 
have a material (in the reasonable opinion of Lender) adverse effect on the 
financial condition or results or operations of Borrower;

              (v)   Has instituted against it by a fiduciary of any 
Multiemployer Plan an action to enforce ERISA Section 515 and such 
proceedings shall not have been dismissed within thirty (30) days thereafter, 
where such proceedings could have a material (in the reasonable opinion of 
Lender) adverse effect on the financial condition or results or operations of 
Borrower; or

              (vi)  Permits any other event or condition to occur or exist 
with respect to an Employee Benefit Plan that has a material (in the 
reasonable opinion of Lender) adverse effect on the financial conditions or 
results or operation of Borrower;

         (L)  If a default occurs under any agreement, instrument or document 
relating to any of the Liabilities and heretofore, now or at any time or 
times hereafter executed by, or delivered to Lender by Borrower or by any 
Guarantor and such default shall remain uncured through any applicable grace 
and/or cure period;

         (M)  Borrower has not established a fully operational lock box in 
accordance with Section 4.3 hereof on or before May 15, 1997; or

         (N)  If any material adverse change in the business or financial 
condition of Borrower occurs, or if any event that materially increases 
Lender's risk or materially impairs the Collateral occurs.

    11.2 ACCELERATION OF THE LIABILITIES.  Upon and after the occurrence of a 
Default, all or any portion of the Liabilities may, at the option of Lender 
and without demand, notice, or legal process of any kind, be declared, and 
immediately shall become, due and payable.

                                      47

<PAGE>

     11.3  REMEDIES.  Upon and after the occurrence of a Default, Lender 
shall have all of the following rights and remedies:

           (A)  All of the rights and remedies of a secured party under the 
Illinois Uniform Commercial Code or other applicable law, all of which rights 
and remedies shall be cumulative, and none exclusive, to the extent 
permitted by law, and in addition to any other rights and remedies 
contained in this Agreement and in any of the Ancillary Agreements;

           (B)  The right to (i) peacefully enter upon the premises of 
Borrower or any other place or places where the Collateral is located and 
kept, without any obligation to pay rent to Borrower or any other person, 
through self-help and without judicial process or first obtaining a final 
judgment or giving Borrower notice and opportunity for a hearing on the 
validity of Lender's claim, and remove the Collateral from such premises and 
places to the premises of Lender or any agent of Lender, for such time as 
Lender may require to collect or liquidate the Collateral, and/or (ii) require 
Borrower to assemble and deliver the Collateral to Lender at a place to be 
designated by Lender;

           (C)  The right to (i) open Borrower's mail and collect any and all 
amounts due from Account Debtors provided that Lender forwards such mail to 
Borrower, (ii) notify Account Debtors that the Accounts have been assigned to 
Lender and that Lender has a security interest therein, and (iii) direct such 
Account Debtors to make all payments due from them upon the Accounts, 
including the Special Collateral, directly to Lender or to a lock box 
designated by Lender. Lender shall promptly furnish Borrower with a copy of 
any such notice sent and Borrower hereby agrees that any such notice in 
Lender's sole discretion, may be sent on Lender's stationery, in which event, 
Borrower shall, upon demand, co-sign such notice with Lender; and

           (D)  The right to sell, lease or to otherwise dispose of all or any 
Collateral in its then condition, or after any further manufacturing or 
processing thereof, at public or private sale or sales, with such notice as 
provided in Section 11.4, in lots or in bulk, for cash or on credit, all as 
Lender, in its sole discretion, may deem advisable. At any such sale or sales 
of the Collateral, the Collateral need not be in view of those present and 
attending the sale, nor at the same location at which the sale is being 
conducted. Lender shall have the right to conduct such sales on Borrower's 
premises or elsewhere and shall have the right to use Borrower's premises 
without charge for such sales for such time or times as Lender may see fit. 
Lender is hereby granted a license or other right to use, without charge, 
Borrower's labels, patents, copyrights, rights of use of any name, trade 
secrets, trade names, trademarks and advertising matter, or any property of a 
similar nature, as it pertains to the Collateral, in advertising for sale and 
selling any Collateral and Borrower's rights under all licenses and all 
franchise agreements shall inure to Lender's benefit but Lender shall have no 
obligations thereunder. Lender may purchase all or any part of the Collateral 
at public or, if permitted by law, private sale and, in lieu of actual 
payment of such purchase price, may setoff the amount of such price against 
the Liabilities. The proceeds realized from the sale of any Collateral shall 
be applied first to the reasonable costs, expenses and attorneys' and 
paralegals' fees and expenses incurred by Lender for collection and for 
acquisition, completion, protection, removal, storage, sale and delivery of 
the Collateral; second to interest due upon any of the Liabilities; and third 
to the principal of the Liabilities. Lender shall account

                                       48

<PAGE>


to Borrower for any surplus. If any deficiency shall arise, Borrower shall 
remain liable to Lender therefor.

     11.4  NOTICE. Borrower agrees that any notice required to be given by 
Lender of a sale, lease, other disposition of any of the Collateral or any 
other intended action by Lender, which is delivered to Borrower by: 
(i) confirmed facsimile transmission along with a copy which is deposited in 
the United States mail, postage prepaid and duly addressed to Borrower at the 
address set forth in Section 13.10, (ii) personal service, or (iii) overnight 
mail to Borrower at the address set forth in Section 13.10, at least fifteen 
(15) days prior to any such public sale, lease or other disposition or other 
action being taken, or the time after which any private sale of the 
Collateral is to be held, shall constitute commercially reasonable and fair 
notice thereof to Borrower.


12.  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO DISBURSEMENT

     12.1  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO FUNDING ON ORIGINATION DATE.  The 
obligation of Lender to make the loans on the Origination Date to Borrower 
pursuant to the Total Facility were subject to the condition precedent that 
Lender had received, prior to the first disbursement of the proceeds of any 
of the loans hereunder, the following, duly executed in the form and 
substance satisfactory to Lender:

           (A)  A duly executed copy of this Agreement;

           (B)  A secured Promissory Note representing the Revolving Loan, 
duly executed by Borrower, payable to the order of Lender;

           (C)  A Special Deposit Agreement (executed by TRO and the 
Depository Bank) and a Lock Box Agreement (executed by Roach and the 
Depository Bank);

           (D)  UCC-1 and UCC-2 Financing Statements, as appropriate, duly 
executed by Borrower, as Debtor, in favor of Lender, as secured party, in the 
jurisdiction in which Borrower maintains its chief executive office and in 
each other jurisdiction in which Borrower conducts its business operations 
and/or maintains Collateral;

           (E)  UCC/Tax/Judgment Lien Search Reports with respect to 
Borrower, together with duly executed releases and/or termination statements 
as Lender may request;

           (F)  Certificate of the President of Borrower as to Officers and 
Directors, Directors' Resolutions and miscellaneous matters;

           (G)  Certificate of Officer of Borrower as to the correctness of 
certain representations and warranties and as to no Events of Default;

           (H)  Certified copies of the Articles of Incorporation and 
By-laws of Borrower;


                                      49





<PAGE>

          (I)  Certificates of Good Standing of recent date from the 
Secretary of State of the states of Minnesota, Delaware, Illinois and of each 
jurisdiction where the nature of any of Borrower's business operations 
requires qualification as a foreign corporation;

          (J)  Warranty of Validity of Accounts duly executed by the Chief 
Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of Borrower;

          (K)  Warranty of Validity of Inventory duly executed by the Chief 
Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer of Borrower;

          (L)  Favorable opinions of counsel for Borrower as to such matters 
as Lender may reasonably request;

          (M)  Landlord's Waivers duly executed by the lessors of the real 
property leased by Borrower which is set forth on Exhibit 12.1(M) attached 
hereto;

          (N)  Guaranty of TRO Learning, Inc.;

          (O)  Negative Pledge Agreement of TRO Learning, Inc.;

          (P)  Tax Identification Form;

          (Q)  Certified copies of all insurance policies (unless Lender is 
willing to accept Certificate(s) of Insurance) in respect of all property, 
casualty, liability and other insurance maintained by Borrower in respect to 
the Collateral or otherwise in respect to its business, together with loss 
payable, mortgagee and other endorsements acceptable as to form and substance 
to Lender;

          (R)  A letter from Borrower's auditor in compliance with Section 
30.1 of the Illinois Public Accounting Act;

          (S)  Such filings as Lender shall reasonably request in order to 
perfect its security interest in Borrower's General Intangibles;

          (T)  Satisfaction that Borrower shall have not less than Six 
Hundred Thousand Dollars ($600,000) in availability under the Revolving Loan 
on the Origination Date; and

          (U)  Such other opinions, documents, assignments, certificates or 
approvals as Lender reasonably may request.

          (V)  The obligation of Lender to make the loans pursuant to the 
Total Facility to Borrower on the Origination Date was subject to the further 
condition precedent (which was satisfied by Borrower) that all proceedings 
taken in connection with the transaction contemplated by this Agreement, and 
all instruments, authorizations and other documents applicable thereto, were 
satisfactory in form and substance to Lender and its counsel.


                                       50

<PAGE>

     12.2  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO CONTINUED FUNDING.  (A) The obligation of 
Lender to make Revolving Loans to Borrower pursuant to the Total Facility is 
subject to the condition precedent that Lender shall have received, prior to 
the disbursement of any additional proceeds of the Revolving Loan, the 
following, duly executed in the form and substance satisfactory to Lender:

     (i)    A duly executed copy of this Agreement;

     (ii)   A secured Amended and Restated Promissory Note representing the 
            Revolving Loan, duly executed by Borrower, payable to the order of 
            Lender;

     (iii)  UCC/Tax/Judgment Lien Search Reports with respect to Borrower, 
            together with duly executed releases and/or termination statements 
            as Lender may request;

     (iv)   An Amended and Restated Certificate of an Officer of Borrower as 
            to Officers and Directors, Directors' Resolutions and miscellaneous
            matters;

      (v)   An Amended and Restated Certificate of Officer of Borrower as 
            to the correctness of certain representations and warranties and as
            to no Events of Default;

     (vi)   Favorable opinions of counsel for Borrower as to such matters as 
            Lender may reasonably request;

     (vii)  An Amended and Restated Guaranty of TRO Learning, Inc.;

     (viii) An Amended and Restated Negative Pledge Agreement of TRO 
            Learning, Inc.;

     (ix)   An update to Borrower's auditors advising them of this Agreement;

     (x)    Certificates of Insurance;

     (xi)   Such filings as Lender shall reasonably request in order to 
            perfect its security interest in Borrower's General Intangibles;

     (xii)  Such other opinions, documents, assignments, certificates or 
            approvals as Lender reasonably may request; 

     (xiii) Borrower shall have established and made operational certain lock 
            box and special deposit accounts, upon terms and conditions 
            acceptable to Lender, in Lender's sole and absolute discretion; and

     (xiv)  The obligation of Lender to make additional Revolving Loans 
            pursuant to the Total Facility to Borrower on the date hereof is 
            subject to the further condition precedent that all proceedings 
            taken in connection with the transaction contemplated by this 
            Agreement, and all instruments, authorizations and other documents 
            applicable thereto, shall be satisfactory in form and substance to 
            Lender and its counsel.


                                       51


<PAGE>

          (B)   In addition to the foregoing, prior to Lender making of any 
and all loans hereunder, all of the following shall have been satisfied in a 
manner satisfactory to Lender:

          (i)   No change in the condition or operations, financial or 
                otherwise, of Borrower or any Affiliate, shall have occurred 
                which change, in the reasonable credit judgment of Lender, may 
                have a material adverse effect on Borrower or such Affiliate or
                on any of the Collateral;

          (ii)  No litigation shall be outstanding or have been instituted or 
                threatened which Lender determines to be material against 
                Borrower or any Affiliate or any of the Collateral;

          (iii) All of the representations and warranties of Borrower set 
                forth in this Agreement and each of the other Agreements to 
                which Borrower is a party shall be true and correct on the 
                date of the contemplated loan to the same extent as originally 
                made on such date;

          (iv)  No Event of Default or Default shall exist or be continuing;

          (v)   Lender shall be satisfied that the transactions contemplated 
                by this Agreement are in compliance with all applicable laws, 
                regulations, orders, and contractual obligations deemed 
                relevant by Lender;

          (vi)  Lender's liens and security interests securing the Liabilities 
                shall have been duly created and perfected and be of first 
                priority, except as otherwise expressly permitted by this 
                Agreement;

          (vii) Lender shall have received, on or prior to 1:00 P.M. 
                (Chicago, Illinois time) no later than the day a Base Rate 
                Revolving Loan is to be made and at least two (2) Business 
                Days prior to the day a LIBOR Rate Revolving Loan is to be 
                made, (i) a telephonic request (which telephonic request, in 
                the case of LIBOR Rate Revolving Loan, shall be promptly 
                confirmed in writing) from Borrower for an advance in a 
                specific amount, and (ii) a current daily certificate 
                identifying the current Borrowing Base and all other 
                documents required to have been delivered to Lender hereunder 
                prior to such date. In the case of LIBOR Rate Revolving Loan, 
                advances may be made with respect to the Revolving Loan no 
                more than twice each week and only in minimum amounts of Five 
                Hundred Thousand Dollars ($500,000) or integral multiples of 
                One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) in excess thereof. 
                Each request for an advance for a Base Rate Revolving Loan or 
                a LIBOR Rate Revolving Loan shall specify:  (1) the proposed 
                date of funding (which shall be a Business Day); (2) the 
                amount and type of advance requested; (3) that the aggregate 
                amount of the Revolving Loan (including the advance then 
                noticed) will not exceed the unused loan availability; (4) 
                whether such advance shall consist of a Base


                                       52

<PAGE>

                    Rate Revolving Loan or a LIBOR Rate Revolving Loan; and (5) 
                    if such advance, or a portion thereof is a LIBOR Rate 
                    Revolving Loan, the amount thereof and the initial Interest 
                    Period therefor; and
    
            (viii)  Lender shall have received a certificate reconciling 
                    Borrower's Accounts Report and Inventory Report and setting 
                    forth Borrower's Borrowing Base (the "Borrowing Base 
                    Certificate") executed by a duly authorized officer of 
                    Borrower and delivered to Lender on the Origination Date 
                    (for the initial advance) and monthly on the twentieth 
                    (20th) day of each month thereafter during the Term.


     12.3   CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO FUNDING THE TERM LOAN ON THE CLOSING DATE.
The obligation of Lender to fund the Term Loan to Borrower on the Closing 
Date pursuant to the Total Facility is subject to the condition precedent 
that, in addition to satisfaction of the additional conditions set forth in 
Section 12.2(B)(i) through (vi) hereof, Lender shall have received, prior to 
the Term Loan disbursement the following, duly executed in the form and 
substance satisfactory to Lender:

            (A)  Satisfaction that Borrower has raised, subsequent to the 
date hereof and prior to the Closing Date, Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000) 
through the issuance of Stock and/or the incurrence of Permitted Subordinated 
Indebtedness;

            (B)  A secured Promissory Note representing the Term Loan, duly 
executed by Borrower, payable to the order of Lender; and

            (C)  Borrower's compliance with all of the terms and conditions 
of this Agreement.

            The obligation of Lender to make the Term Loan pursuant to the 
Total Facility to Borrower on the Closing Date is subject to the further 
condition precedent that all proceedings taken in connection with the 
transaction contemplated by this Agreement, and all instruments, 
authorizations and other documents applicable thereto, shall be satisfactory 
in form and substance to Lender and its counsel.

13.  MISCELLANEOUS

     13.1   APPOINTMENT OF LENDER AS BORROWER'S LAWFUL ATTORNEY-IN-FACT.  
Borrower, irrevocably designates, makes, constitutes and appoints Lender (and 
all persons designated by Lender) as Borrower's true and lawful attorney and 
agent in-fact and Lender, or Lender's agent, may, without notice to Borrower:

            (A)  At any time hereafter, endorse by writing or stamp 
Borrower's name on any checks, notes, drafts or any other payment relating 
to and/or proceeds of the Collateral which come into the possession of 
Lender or under Lender's control and deposit the same to the account


                                       53






<PAGE>


of Lender for application to the Liabilities in order to preserve or protect 
Lender's security interest in the Collateral;

          (B)  At any time after the occurrence of a Default, in Borrower's 
or Lender's name: (i) demand payment of the Collateral; (ii) enforce payment 
of the Collateral, by legal proceedings or otherwise; (iii) exercise all of 
Borrower's rights and remedies with respect to the collection of the 
Collateral; (iv) settle, adjust, compromise, extend or renew the Accounts and 
the Special Collateral; (v) settle, adjust or compromise any legal 
proceedings brought to collect the Collateral; (vi) if permitted by 
applicable law, sell or assign the Collateral upon such terms, for such 
amounts and at such time or times as Lender deems advisable; (vii) satisfy 
and release the Accounts and Special Collateral; (viii) take control, in any 
manner, of any item of payment or proceeds referred to in Section 4.3; (ix) 
prepare, file and sign Borrower's name on any proof of claim in Bankruptcy or 
similar document against any Account Debtor; (x) prepare, file and sign 
Borrower's name on any notice of lien, assignment or satisfaction of lien or 
similar document in connection with the Collateral; (xi) do all acts and 
things necessary, in Lender's reasonable discretion, to fulfill Borrower's 
obligations under this Agreement; and (xii) endorse by writing or stamp the 
name of Borrower upon any chattel paper, document, instrument, invoice, 
freight bill, bill of lading or similar information recorded on or contained 
in any data processing equipment and computer hardware and software relating 
to the Collateral to which Borrower has access; and

          (C) Notify the post office authorities to change the address for 
delivery of Borrower's mail to an address designated by Lender and receive, 
open and dispose of all mail addressed to Borrower in order to preserve or 
protect Lender's security interest in the Collateral;

    13.2  MODIFICATION OF AGREEMENT: SALE OF INTEREST.  This Agreement and 
the Ancillary Agreements may not be modified, altered or amended, except by 
an agreement in writing signed by Borrower and Lender. Borrower may not sell, 
assign or transfer this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements or any portion 
hereof or thereof, including, without limitation, Borrower's right, title, 
interest, remedies, powers, or duties hereunder or thereunder. Borrower 
hereby consents to Lender's participation, sale, assignment, transfer or 
other disposition, at any time or times hereafter, of this Agreement or the 
Ancillary Agreements or of any portion hereof or thereof, including, without 
limitation, Lender's right, title interest, remedies, powers, or duties 
hereunder or thereunder.

   13.3  ATTORNEYS' FEES AND EXPENSES: LENDER'S OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES.  If, 
at any time or times, whether prior to or subsequent to the date hereof and 
regardless of the existence of a Default or an Event of Default, Lender 
incurs reasonable legal or other costs and expenses or employs counsel, 
accountants or other professionals for advice or other representation or 
services in connection with:

         (A)  The preparation, negotiation and execution of this Agreement, 
all Ancillary Agreements, any amendment of or modification of this Agreement 
or the Ancillary Agreements or any sale or attempted sale of any interest 
herein to a Participant;


                                       54


<PAGE>


         (B)  Any litigation, contest, dispute, suit, proceeding or action 
(whether instituted by Lender, Borrower or any other Person) in any way 
relating to the Collateral, this Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements or 
Borrower's affairs;

         (C)  Any attempt to enforce any rights of Lender or any Participant 
against Borrower or any other Person which may be obligated to Lender or such 
Participant by virtue of this Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements, 
including, without limitation, the Account Debtors;

         (D)  Any attempt to inspect, verify, protect, collect, sell, 
liquidate or otherwise dispose of any of the Collateral; or

         (E)  Any inspection, verification, protection, collection, sale, 
liquidation or other disposition of any of the Collateral, including without 
limitation, Lender's periodic or special audits of Borrower's books and 
records; then in any such event, the reasonable attorneys' and paralegals' 
fees and expenses arising from such services and all reasonably incurred 
expenses, costs, charges and other fees of or paid by Lender in any way or 
respect arising in connection with or relating to any of the events or 
actions described in this Section 13.3 shall be payable by Borrower to Lender 
upon demand and shall be additional Liabilities. Without limiting the 
generality of the foregoing, such expenses, costs, charges and fees may 
include accountants' fees, costs and expenses; court costs, fees and 
expenses; photocopying and duplicating expenses; court reporter fees, costs 
and expenses; long distance telephone charges; air express charges; telegram 
charges; secretarial over-time charges; and expenses for travel, lodging and 
food paid or incurred in connection with the performance of all such services.

     13.4  WAIVER BY LENDER.  Lender's failure, at any time or times 
hereafter, to require strict performance by Borrower of any provision of this 
Agreement or of any Ancillary Agreement shall not constitute a waiver, or 
affect or diminish any rights of Lender thereafter to demand strict 
compliance and performance therewith. Any suspension or waiver by Lender of a 
Default under this Agreement or any Ancillary Agreement shall not suspend, 
waive or affect any other Default under this Agreement or the Ancillary 
Agreements, whether the same is prior or subsequent thereto and whether of 
the same or of a different type. None of the undertakings, agreements, 
warranties, covenants and representations of Borrower contained in this 
Agreement or the Ancillary Agreements and no Default under this Agreement or 
the Ancillary Agreements shall be deemed to have been suspended or waived by 
Lender, unless such suspension or waiver is by an instrument in writing 
signed by an officer of Lender and directed to Borrower specifying such 
suspension or waiver. Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, any and all 
written waivers by Lender of any requirements in this Agreement subsequent to 
the Origination Date but prior to date hereof, including but not limited to 
Lender's waiver of Borrower's failure to maintain its quarterly Operating 
Profit for the fourth quarter of 1996, as reflected in the Third Amendment to 
Loan and Security Agreement dated January 6, 1997, shall be restated hereby.

     13.5  SEVERABILITY.  Wherever possible, each provision of this Agreement 
shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under 
applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement shall be prohibited by 
or invalid under applicable law, such provision shall be


                                      55



<PAGE>

in effective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without 
invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of 
this Agreement.

     13.6  PARTIES; ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  This Agreement and the Ancillary 
Agreements shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the respective 
successors and assigns of Borrower and Lender. Borrower's successors and 
assigns shall include, without limitation, a trustee, receiver or 
debtor-in-possession of or for Borrower. Nothing contained in this 
Section 13.6 shall be deemed to modify Section 13.2. This Agreement is the 
complete statement of the agreement by and between Borrower and Lender and 
supersedes all prior negotiations, understandings and representations between 
them with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement.

     13.7  CONFLICT OF TERMS.  The provisions of the Ancillary Agreements 
are incorporated in this Agreement by this reference. Except as otherwise 
provided in this Agreement and except as otherwise provided in the Ancillary 
Agreements by specific reference to the applicable provision of this 
Agreement, if any provision contained in this Agreement is in conflict with, 
or inconsistent with, any provision in any Ancillary Agreement, the provision 
contained in this Agreement shall govern and control.

    13.8  WAIVER BY BORROWER.  Except as otherwise provided for in this 
Agreement, Borrower waives (i) presentment, demand and protest, notice of 
protest, notice of presentment, default, non-payment, maturity, release, 
compromise, settlement, extension or renewal of any or all commercial paper, 
accounts, contract rights, documents, instruments, chattel paper and 
guaranties at any time held by Lender on which Borrower may in any way be 
liable and hereby ratifies and confirms whatever Lender may do in this 
regard; (ii) all rights to notice and a hearing prior to Lender's taking 
possession or control of, or to Lender's replevy, attachment or levy upon the 
Collateral or any bond or security which might be required by any court prior 
to allowing Lender to exercise any of Lender's remedies; and (iii) the 
benefit of all valuation, appraisement, extension and exemption laws. 
Borrower acknowledges that is has been advised by its own counsel with 
respect to this Agreement and the transactions evidenced by this Agreement.

     13.9  GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION.  THIS AGREEMENT HAS 
BEEN DELIVERED FOR ACCEPTANCE BY LENDER IN CHICAGO, ILLINOIS AND SHALL BE 
GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS (AS OPPOSED TO 
THE CONFLICTS OF LAW PROVISIONS) OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. BORROWER HEREBY 
(I) WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION TO ENFORCE OR DEFEND 
ANY MATTER ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT; (II) IRREVOCABLY 
SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT LOCATED IN COOK 
COUNTY, ILLINOIS, OVER ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING TO ENFORCE OR DEFEND ANY 
MATTER ARISING FROM OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT; (III) WAIVES PERSONAL 
SERVICE OF ANY AND ALL PROCESS UPON BORROWER, AND (IV) IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, 
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT BORROWER MAY EFFECTIVELY DO SO, THE DEFENSE OF AN 
INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING; (V) 
AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH


                                      56


<PAGE>

ACTION OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN ANY OTHER 
JURISDICTIONS BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW; 
AND (VI) AGREES NOT TO INSTITUTE ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING AGAINST 
LENDER OR ANY OF LENDER'S DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR PROPERTY, 
CONCERNING ANY MATTER ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT IN ANY 
COURT OTHER THAN ONE LOCATED IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. NOTHING IN THIS 
SECTION 13.9 SHALL AFFECT OR IMPAIR LENDER'S RIGHT TO SERVE LEGAL PROCESS IN 
ANY MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW OR LENDER'S RIGHT TO BRING ANY ACTION OR 
PROCEEDING AGAINST BORROWER OR BORROWER'S PROPERTY IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER 
JURISDICTION.

     13.10  NOTICE.  Except as otherwise provided herein, any notice 
required hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been 
validly served, given or delivered upon deposit in the United States 
certified or registered mails, with proper postage prepaid, or delivered by 
overnight courier or messenger delivery, addressed to the party to be 
notified as follows:

   
       If to Lender, at:             Sanwa Business Credit Corporation
                                     One South Wacker Drive
                                     Chicago, Illinois  60606
                                     Attn:  Executive Vice President -
                                            Commercial Finance Division

       with a copy to:               Sachnoff & Weaver, Ltd.
                                     30 South Wacker Drive
                                     Suite 2900
                                     Chicago, Illinois 60606
                                     Attn: Richard G. Smolev

       If to Borrower, at:           The Roach Organization, Inc.
                                     c/o TRO Learning, Inc.
                                     Poplar Creek Office Building
                                     1721 Moon Lake Boulevard
                                     Suite 555
                                     Hoffman Estates, IL  60194
                                     Attn:  William R. Roach

       with a copy to:               Winston & Strawn
                                     35 West Wacker Drive
                                     Chicago, Illinois 60601
                                     Attn: Leland Hutchinson


or to such other address as each party may designate for itself by like 
notice. Such notices shall be deemed delivered two days after being deposited 
in the United States mail, if mailed, one


                                      57

















<PAGE>

business day after deposit with the overnight delivery service, if sent by 
overnight delivery, or upon actual receipt.

    The section titles and table of contents, if any, contained in this 
Agreement are and shall be without substantive meaning or content of any kind 
whatsoever and are not a part of the agreement between the parties hereto. 
All references herein to Sections, paragraphs, clauses and other subdivisions 
refer to the corresponding Sections, paragraphs, clauses and other 
subdivisions of this Agreement; and the words "herein", "hereof", "hereby", 
"hereto", "hereunder", and words of similar import refer to this Agreement as 
a whole and not to any particular Section, paragraph, clause or subdivision 
hereof. All Exhibits which are referred to herein or attached hereto are 
hereby incorporated by reference.

     13.11  RELEASE OF CLAIMS.  Borrower releases Lender from any and all 
causes of action or claims which Borrower may now or hereafter have for any 
asserted loss or damage to Borrower claimed to be caused by or arising from: 
(i) any failure of Lender to protect, enforce or collect in whole or in part 
any of the Collateral; (ii) Lender's notification to any Account Debtor of 
Lender's security interests in the Accounts and Special Collateral; (iii) 
Lender's directing any Account Debtor to pay any sums owing to Borrower 
directly to Lender; and (iv) any other act or omission to act on the part of 
Lender, its officers, agents or employees, except for gross negligence or 
willful misconduct.

     13.12  REPRESENTATION BY COUNSEL.  Borrower hereby represents that it 
has been represented by competent counsel of its choice in the negotiation 
and execution of this Agreement and the Ancillary Agreements; that it has read 
and fully understood the terms hereof and intends to be bound hereby. This 
Agreement has been thoroughly reviewed by counsel for Borrower and in the 
event of an ambiguity or conflict in the terms hereof, there shall be no 
presumption against Lender as the drafter hereof.

     13.13  COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more 
counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original agreement, but all 
of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

     13.14  LENDER'S WAIVER OF JURY.  LENDER HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL 
BY JURY IN ANY ACTION TO ENFORCE OR PROSECUTE ANY MATTER ARISING FROM OR 
RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT.


                                      58

<PAGE>


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed as of the date 
specified at the beginning hereof.


                                     THE ROACH ORGANIZATION, INC.
                                   
                                   
                                     By:      /s/  SHARON  FIERRO
                                           ------------------------------------
                                     Name: 
                                           ------------------------------------
                                     Title: 
                                           ------------------------------------
                                   
                                   
                                   
                                     TRO LEARNING (CANADA), INC.
                                   
                                   
                                     By:       /s/  SHARON  FIERRO
                                           ------------------------------------
                                     Name: 
                                           ------------------------------------
                                     Title: 
                                           ------------------------------------
                                     
                                   
                                   
                                   
                                     SANWA BUSINESS CREDIT CORPORATION
                                   
                                   
                                     By:       /s/  CHESTER R. ZARA
                                           ------------------------------------
                                     Name:   CHESTER R. ZARA
                                           ------------------------------------
                                     Title:  VICE PRESIDENT
                                           ------------------------------------



                                       59



<PAGE>

                    SEVERANCE AND NONCOMPETITION AGREEMENT


          This Agreement, dated as of April 23, 1997, is made by and between 
TRO Learning, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), The Roach 
Organization, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, (hereinafter 
referred to as "TRO") and Andrew N. Peterson, an officer of TRO (the 
"Officer").

          The parties hereto agree as follows:

          1.  SEVERANCE.  If the Officer's employment by the Company and TRO 
terminates because (a) the Company terminates the Officer's employment with 
the Company and TRO without Cause or (b) the Officer resigns from his 
employment with the Company and TRO with Good Reason, then the company shall 
pay to the Officer his salary, and continue the Officer's employee benefits, for
a period of one year following the date on which the Company or the Officer 
gives written notice of termination.

          2.  NON-COMPETITION.  The Officer shall not, while employed by the 
Company or TRO in any capacity (including as a consultant) and for a period 
of one (1) year thereafter (such one year period being referred to herein as 
the "Non-Compete Period"), on behalf of any person or entity other than the 
Company or TRO, engage or be interested, directly or indirectly, for himself 
or for any other person, as principal, agent, employer, employee, officer, 
director, partner, salesman, supervisor, consultant or otherwise, in any 
business or activity which is competitive with the principal businesses
conducted by the Company on the date on which the Officer's employment with 
the Company and TRO terminates. The Non-Compete Period shall begin on the 
date of termination of the officer's employment with the Company and TRO, 
whether or not the Officer is entitled to continue to receive [his/her] 
salary and benefits from the Company pursuant to Section 1 above. Ownership 
by the Officer, as a passive investment, of less than five percent (5%) of 
the outstanding shares of the capital stock of any corporation with one or 
more classes of its capital stock listed on a national securities exchange or 
publicly traded in the over-the-counter market shall not constitute a breach 
of this Section 2.

          3.  NON-SOLICITATION.  The Officer shall not, while employed by the 
Company as an employee or consultant and for a period of one (1) year 
thereafter, either directly or indirectly, on the officer's own behalf or in 
the services of or on behalf of others, divert, solicit or hire away, or 
attempt to divert, solicit or hire away to any person, concern or entity any 
person employed by the Company, whether or not such person is a full-time 
employee or a part-time employee of the Company and whether or not such 
employment is pursuant to written agreement or whether or not such 
employment is for a determined period or is at will.

          4.  SEVERABILITY.  To the extent any provision of this Agreement 
shall be invalid or unenforceable, it shall be considered deleted herefrom 
and the remainder of such provisions of this Agreement shall be unaffected. 
In furtherance and not in limitation to the foregoing, should the duration 
or geographical extent of, or business activities covered by, any provision 
of this Agreement be in excess of that which is valid and enforceable under 
applicable law, then such


                                      1

<PAGE>

provision shall be construed to cover only the duration, extent or activities 
which may validly and enforceably be covered.

          5.  CONFIDENTIALITY.  Officer agrees that Officer will not divulge 
to anyone (other than the Company, TRO or any persons employed or designated 
by the Company) any knowledge or information of any type whatsoever of a 
confidential nature relating to the business of the Company or TRO, including 
without limitation any of the Company's or TRO's trade secrets (unless 
readily ascertainable from public or published information or trade sources). 
Officer further agrees not to disclose, publish or make use of any such 
knowledge or information of a confidential nature without the prior written 
consent of the Company.

          6.  DEFINITIONS.

          "Cause" means (a) conviction of a felony or crime involving moral 
turpitude, (b) material dishonesty or material fraud with respect to the 
Company or TRO, or (c) repeated and substantial failure to perform the 
Officer's employment duties after reasonable notice of such failure.

          "Good Reason" means:

          (a)  without Officer's express written consent, the assignment to 
Officer of any duties materially inconsistent with Officer's positions, 
duties, responsibilities and status with the Company and TRO as of the date 
of this Agreement or a material change in reporting responsibilities, titles 
or offices as presently in effect (other than as a result of termination);

          (b)  without Officer's express written consent, a direct or 
indirect reduction in any substantial respect in rank or responsibilities, 
limitation or interference in any substantial respect with the performance of 
Officer's duties or responsibilities, or withdrawal in any substantial 
respect from the Officer of duties or responsibilities which are necessary or 
customary as an incident of officer's present position and status with the 
Company and TRO; or

          (c)  except for generally proportionate reductions for all 
executives of the Company, a reduction by the Company in Officer's salary as 
in effect on the date hereof or as the same may be increased from time to 
time.

          7.  MISCELLANEOUS.

          (a)  This Agreement is made under and shall be governed by and 
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Illinois.

          (b)  This Agreement contains the entire agreement of the parties 
relating to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and 
understandings with respect to such subject matter, and the parties hereto 
have made no agreements, representations or warranties relating to the 
subject matter of this Agreement which are not set forth herein.


                                      2

<PAGE>

          (c)  This Agreement shall extend to and be binding upon the 
officer, his legal representatives, heirs and distributees, and upon the 
Company, its successors and assigns. For purposes of this Agreement, unless 
the context otherwise requires, references herein to the Company shall 
include its subsidiaries and affiliated persons.

          (d)  This Agreement may only be amended or modified with a writing 
signed by the parties hereto.

          (e)  No term or condition of this Agreement shall be deemed to have 
been waived, nor shall there by any estoppel to enforce any provision of this 
Agreement, except by a statement in writing signed by the party against whom 
enforcement of the waiver or estoppel is sought. Any written waiver shall not 
be deemed a continuing waiver unless specifically stated, shall operate only 
as to the specific term or condition waived and shall not constitute a waiver 
of such term or condition for the future or as to act other than that 
specifically waived.

          (f)  The headings of paragraphs in this Agreement are solely for 
convenience of reference and shall not control the meaning or interpretation 
of any provision of this Agreement.



                                     3

<PAGE>

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been executed by the Parties 
hereto as of the date first set forth above.


                                  TRO Learning, Inc.


                                  By: /s/ William R. Roach
                                     -----------------------------------------
                                        William R. Roach
                                  Its:  Chairman of the Board,
                                        President and Chief Executive Officer



                                  The Roach Organization, Inc.


                                  By: /s/ William R. Roach
                                     -----------------------------------------
                                        William R. Roach
                                  Its:  Chairman of the Board,
                                        President and Chief Executive Officer





                                      /s/ Andrew N. Peterson
                                     -----------------------------------------
                                        Andrew N. Peterson




                                  4



<PAGE>



                      FIRST AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED

                      REVOLVING LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

    THIS FIRST AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED REVOLVING LOAN AND SECURITY 
AGREEMENT (together with all appendices, exhibits, schedules and attachments 
hereto, collectively this "AMENDMENT") is made and entered into as of March 
18, 1997, by and between THE ROACH ORGANIZATION, INC., a Delaware corporation 
and TRO LEARNING (CANADA), INC., a corporation organized under the laws of 
Canada (collectively, the "BORROWER") and SANWA BUSINESS CREDIT CORPORATION, a 
Delaware corporation with its principal place of business at One South Wacker 
Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606 ("LENDER").

                                       RECITALS

    WHEREAS, Borrower and Lender entered into that certain Amended and 
Restated Revolving Loan and Security Agreement dated as of March 5, 1997 (the 
"LOAN AGREEMENT"), together with documents ancillary thereto, including, 
without limitation that certain Amended and Restated Guaranty of Payment and 
Performance dated as of March 5, 1997 made by TRO Learning, Inc. 
("GUARANTOR") in favor of Lender;

    WHEREAS, Guarantor has requested that Lender consent to Guarantor 
incurring certain subordinated indebtedness pursuant to a private placement 
offering of series 1997 10% subordinated convertible debentures (the 
"DEBENTURES") in an aggregate amount of up to $7,000,000 (the "OFFERING");

    WHEREAS, Lender's consent to the Offering is subject to, in part, 
Borrower agreeing to amend the Loan Agreement to provide that an "Event of 
Default" under the Debentures constitutes an Event of Default under the Loan 
Agreement;

    NOW THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises, the mutual 
covenants hereinafter set forth and other good and valuable consideration, 
the receipt and sufficiency of which the parties hereby acknowledge, the 
parties hereby agree as follows:

<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE 
                                     1.
                          RECITALS AND DEFINITIONS

    1.1. Borrower represents and warrants that the foregoing recitals are 
true and correct and constitute an integral part of this Amendment and 
Borrower and Lender hereby agree that all of the recitals of this Amendment 
are hereby incorporated herein and made a part hereof.

    1.2. Unless otherwise defined herein or the context otherwise requires, 
all capitalized terms used herein shall have the same meanings as ascribed to 
them in the Loan Agreement.

                                ARTICLE 
                                   2.
                    AMENDMENT OF THE LOAN AGREEMENT

    2.1. The following subsection shall be added as new subsection 11.1(O) 
to the Loan Agreement:


         (O)  AN EVENT OF DEFAULT SHALL OCCUR OR EXIST PURSUANT TO ANY OF 
     THOSE CERTAIN SERIES 1997 10% SUBORDINATED CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES ISSUED 
     BY TRO LEARNING, INC. IN AN AGGREGATE AMOUNT UP TO $7,000,000, AS THE 
     SAME MAY BE AMENDED, MODIFIED, REPLACED OR SUBSTITUTED FROM TIME TO TIME 
     (THE "DEBENTURES").

                                 ARTICLE
                                    3.
                      REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

    3.1. Borrower hereby makes the following representations and warranties 
to Lender, which representations and warranties shall constitute the 
continuing covenants of Borrower and shall remain true and correct until all 
of Borrower's liabilities are paid and performed in full:

         a.  The representations and warranties of Borrower contained in the 
Loan Agreement are true and correct on and as of the date hereof as though 
made on and as of such date;

         b.  No Event of Default or event which, but for the lapse of time or 
the giving of notice, or both, would constitute an Event of Default under the 
Loan Agreement has occurred and is continuing or would result from the 
execution and delivery of this Amendment;

         c.  Borrower is in full compliance with all of the terms, conditions 
and all provisions of the Loan Agreement and the other agreements;

                                     2

<PAGE>

         d.  This Amendment and all other agreements required hereunder to be 
executed by Borrower and delivered to Lender, have been duly authorized, 
executed and delivered on Borrower's behalf pursuant to all requisite 
corporate authority and this Amendment and each of the other agreements 
required hereunder to be executed and delivered by Borrower to Lender 
constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of Borrower enforceable 
in accordance with their terms, except as enforceability thereof may be 
limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar 
laws relating to creditors' rights; and

        e.  Borrower hereby acknowledges and agrees that Borrower has no 
defense, offset or counterclaim to the payment of said principal, interest, 
fees or other liabilities and hereby waives and relinquishes any such 
defense, offset or counterclaim and Borrower hereby releases Lender and its 
respective officers, directors, agents, affiliates, successors and assigns 
from any claim, demand or cause of action, known or unknown, contingent or 
liquidated, which may exist or hereafter be known to exist relating to any 
matter prior to the date hereof.

                                        ARTICLE 
                                           4.
                                     RATIFICATION

    Except as expressly amended hereby, the Loan Agreement and all other 
agreements executed in connection therewith shall remain in full force and 
effect. The Loan Agreement, as amended hereby, and all rights and powers 
created thereby and thereunder or under such other agreements, are in all 
respects ratified and confirmed. From and after the date hereof, the Loan 
Agreement shall be deemed amended and modified as herein provided but, except 
as so amended and modified, the Loan Agreement shall continue in full force 
and effect and the Loan Agreement and this Amendment shall be read, taken and 
construed as one and the same instrument. On and after the date hereof, the 
term "Agreement" as used in the Loan Agreement and all other references to 
the Loan Agreement therein, in any other instrument, document or writing 
executed by Borrower or any guarantor or furnished to Lender by Borrower or 
any guarantor in connection therewith or herewith shall mean the Loan 
Agreement as amended by this Amendment.

                                 ARTICLE
                                    5.
                               MISCELLANEOUS

    5.1.  This Amendment may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of 
which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall 
constitute one and the same instrument.

    5.2.  Except as set forth in that certain letter to Lender from Sharon 
Fierro dated March 18, 1997 and as otherwise specified herein, this Amendment 
embodies the entire

                                  3

<PAGE>

agreement and understanding between Lender and Borrower with respect to the 
subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, consents and 
understandings relating to such subject matter.

    5.3.  The headings in this Amendment have been inserted for convenience 
only and shall be given no substantive meaning or significance in construing 
the terms of this Amendment.

    5.4.  This Amendment shall inure to the benefit of Lender and its 
successors and assigns and shall be binding upon and inure to the successors 
and assigns of Borrower, except that Borrower may not assign any of its 
rights in and to this Amendment. 

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Borrower and Lender have caused this First Amendment 
to Amended and Restated Revolving Loan and Security Agreement to be executed 
and delivered as of the day and year written above.

                              THE ROACH ORGANIZATION, INC.

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

                              TRO LEARNING CANADA, INC.

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

                              SANWA BUSINESS CREDIT CORPORATION

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


                        AMENDMENT IS CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

                                      4

<PAGE>

                           REAFFIRMATION OF AMENDED AND RESTATED
                           GUARANTY OF PAYMENT AND PERFORMANCE

    THE UNDERSIGNED PARTY, as guarantor ("GUARANTOR") of the above Borrowers 
pursuant to its Amended and Restated Guaranty of Payment and Performance (the 
"GUARANTY") identified below, acknowledges the terms and conditions set forth 
in this First Amendment to Amended and Restated Revolving Loan and Security 
Agreement and ratifies and reaffirms its guaranty obligations as set forth in 
the Guaranty, as reaffirmed. To further induce Lender to enter into this 
Amendment, Guarantor hereby represents and warrants to Lender that it 
possesses no claims, defenses, offsets, recoupment or counterclaims of any 
kind or nature against or with respect to the enforcement of the Loan 
Agreement or any other Ancillary Agreement, each as amended by this 
Amendment, or to the Guaranty (collectively, the "CLAIMS"), nor does 
Guarantor have any knowledge of any facts that would or might give rise to 
any Claims. If facts now exist which would or could give rise to any Claim 
against or with respect to the enforcement of the Loan Agreement, any 
Ancillary Agreement, or the Guaranty, Guarantor hereby unconditionally, 
irrevocably and unequivocally waives and fully releases any and all such 
Claims as if such Claims where the subject of a lawsuit, adjudicated to final 
judgment from which no appeal could be taken and therein dismissed with 
prejudice.

    DATED: As of March 18, 1997

                               TRO LEARNING, INC.

                               By:
                                  -----------------------------------
                               Name:
                                    ---------------------------------
                               Its:
                                   ----------------------------------

                               (Amended and Restated Guaranty of Payment and
                               Performance dated as of March 5, 1997)


                                      5



<PAGE>

THE PAYMENT OF THIS INSTRUMENT, BOTH PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST, AND ALL OTHER 
INDEBTEDNESS EVIDENCED HEREBY, IS SUBJECT TO THE PRIOR RIGHTS OF THE 
COMPANY'S SENIOR LENDERS (AS DEFINED HEREIN).

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS DEBENTURE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER 
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND MAY NOT 
BE SOLD, ASSIGNED, OFFERED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED FOR VALUE EXCEPT 
PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH ACT AND SUCH LAWS 
COVERING SUCH SECURITIES OR UNLESS THE ISSUER RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL 
ACCEPTABLE TO THE ISSUER STATING THAT SUCH SALE, ASSIGNMENT, PLEDGE OR 
TRANSFER IS EXEMPT FROM THE REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH ACT AND SUCH LAWS.

            Series 1997 10% Subordinated Convertible Debenture
                          Due ____________, 2004




No. 1997/10-______________                                   $________________
Chicago, Illinois                                        _______________, 1997



      KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS that TRO Learning Inc., a Delaware 
corporation (the "Issuer"), for value received, promises to pay to 
___________________________, or registered assignee (the "Holder"), the 
principal sum of ____________________Dollars ($_____________) on 
______________, 2004 (or at an earlier redemption date as provided for 
herein), together with interest on said principal amount from the date hereof 
until the principal amount is paid at the rate of ten percent (10%) per 
annum, compounded annually (this "Debenture"). Interest will be paid on
July 1, and January 1 of each year, commencing July 1, 1997. Principal shall be 
payable at the office of the Issuer upon representation and surrender of this 
Debenture. Interest shall be paid by Issuer's check payable to the person 
listed as the registered owner of the Debenture on any interest payment date 
on the Debenture register maintained by the Issuer, and mailed on each 
interest payment date (other than a date which is a principal payment date) 
to said registered owner at the address shown on said Debenture register.

      1.  DEFINITIONS.

      Certain terms used herein and not otherwise defined (including 
capitalized terms used in the foregoing Recitals) shall have the following 
meanings:

      "CONVERSION PRICE" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(b) 
hereof.

 

<PAGE>

      "ISSUER OBLIGATION" means the Senior Secured Obligations or the 
Subordinate Obligations, as the context requires.

      "PAYMENT IN FULL" or "PAID IN FULL" or any similar term(s) with respect 
to any Issuer Obligation means (a) the satisfaction and final payment in full 
of such Issuer Obligation in cash or cash equivalents reasonably acceptable 
to the payee, the termination of any obligation on the part of the holder of 
such Issuer Obligation to make any future loans or to afford any further 
financial accommodation to Issuer, and the full and timely performance of all 
obligations, or (b) in the case of any Issuer Obligation consisting of 
contingent obligations (including without limitation contingent obligations 
in respect of letters of credit or other indemnifications under the Senior 
Loan Documents), the setting apart of cash sufficient to discharge such 
portion of such Issuer Obligation in an account for the exclusive benefit of 
the holders thereof, in which account such holders shall be granted by Issuer 
a first priority perfected security interest in a manner acceptable to such 
holders, which payment or perfected security interest shall have been 
retained by the holders, in the case of each of (a) and (b) above, for a 
period of time in excess of all applicable preference or other similar 
periods under applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or creditors' rights law.

      "SENIOR LENDER" means Sanwa Business Credit Corporation and its 
successors and assigns and/or any other lender under a Senior Loan Agreement.

      "SENIOR LOAN AGREEMENT" means that certain Amended and Restated Loan 
and Security Agreement dated effective as of March 5, 1997, among the Senior 
Lender, The Roach Organization, Inc. and TRO Learning (Canada), Inc., as the 
same may hereafter be amended, supplemented, modified, replaced or refinanced 
from time to time and/or any other agreement for secured indebtedness 
refinancing or replacing such credit agreement in whole or in part.

      "SENIOR LOAN DOCUMENTS" means the Senior Loan Agreement and all other 
instruments, agreements and documents which create, evidence or secure the 
Senior Secured Obligations from time to time (including but not limited to 
any promissory notes, security agreements, guarantees, pledge agreements, 
hypothecation agreements, mortgages, financing statements, and all other 
agreements of any type whatsoever), delivered by Issuer, any guarantor or any 
other person or entity, as any of the same may be amended, supplemented, 
modified, replaced or refinanced by the Senior Lender from time to time.

      "SENIOR SECURED OBLIGATIONS" means all "Liabilities" as that term is 
defined in the Senior Loan Documents owing to the Senior Lender, including 
but not limited to principal, interest, fees and all other amounts owing to 
the Senior Lender under the Senior Loan Documents, from time to time. There 
is no limitation on the amount of Senior Secured Obligations that Issuer can 
incur.

      "SUBORDINATE CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES" means those debentures of the 
Issuer designated as its Series 1997 10% Subordinated Convertible Debentures 
in the aggregate amount up to $7,000,000, also referred to herein as 
"Debentures".


                                     2



<PAGE>


    "SUBORDINATE OBLIGATIONS"  means all principal, interest, fees and all 
other amounts owing to the Holder under the Subordinate Convertible Debentures 
from time to time, whether in respect of principal, interest or otherwise.

    2.  SERIES.

    This Debenture is one of the Subordinate Convertible Debentures. All 
payments with respect to the Debentures shall be made to all holders of the 
Debentures PRO RATA, based upon amounts then due or owing.

    3.  REDEMPTION.

        (a)  Except as set forth herein, this Debenture may not be prepaid or 
    redeemed.

        (b)  This Debenture may be redeemed by the Issuer, at its option, in 
    whole or in part, if (i) the closing bid price of a single share of the 
    Issuer's Common Stock, as reported in the principal market upon which the 
    Issuer's public registered Common Stock is traded, is at least 200% of the 
    Conversion Price for twenty consecutive trading days; (ii) the average 
    daily trading volume of the Issuer's Common Stock for such twenty day 
    period is not less than 40,000 shares; and (iii) the shares into which the 
    Debentures are convertible are subject to an effective registration 
    statement under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act") or are 
    saleable under Rule 144(k) thereunder. In the event of a redemption 
    pursuant to this Section 3(b), the Issuer shall redeem this Debenture at 
    101% of the principal sum stated herein, together with all interest accrued
    and unpaid on said principal sum to the date of redemption.

        (c)  The Issuer shall redeem Debentures representing at least 25% of 
    the total principal amount of this Series, on a pro rata basis, on each of
    March ___, 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2004.

        (d)  In the event of any redemption under Section 3(b) or Section 3(c),
    the Issuer shall provide a notice of redemption (the "Redemption Notice") to
    the registered Holder of this Debenture, at the address shown on the
    Issuer's Debenture register. If conversion is not elected in accordance with
    Section 4, the redemption shall take place on the date specified in the
    Redemption Notice, which shall not be earlier than 30 days subsequent to the
    date of the Redemption Notice (a "Redemption Date"). On a Redemption Date,
    this Debenture, if redeemed in whole, shall be deemed cancelled, null and
    void and of no further force and effect, provided that the Issuer pays to
    the holder hereof the redemption price. In the event of a partial
    redemption of this Debenture, the holder of this Debenture shall submit this
    Debenture to the Issuer, which shall make a notation on the face of this
    Debenture as to the amount which has been redeemed and, with respect to such
    amount redeemed, this Debenture shall be cancelled, null and void and of no
    further force and effect, provided that the Issuer pays the redemption
    price for the amount of this Debenture so redeemed.

                                      3

<PAGE>

4.  CONVERSION.

    (a)  This Debenture may be converted into shares of the Issuer's Common 
Stock, at the option of the holder, in whole but not in part, at the 
Conversion Price. No fractional shares of Common Stock shall be issued. Upon 
conversion of this Debenture, fractional shares, if applicable, shall be paid 
in cash based on the Conversion Price.

    (b)  For purposes hereof, the term "Conversion Price" shall mean 
initially $_______per share. [120% of the average closing bid price for the 
twenty days prior to closing], and shall be subject to adjustment, as follows:

         (i)   In case the Issuer shall at anytime hereafter subdivide or 
    combine the outstanding shares of Common Stock or declare a dividend 
    payable in Common Stock, the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior
    to the subdivision, combination or record date for such dividend payable in
    Common Stock shall forthwith be proportionately increased, in the case of 
    combination, or decreased, in the case of subdivision or dividend payable 
    in Common Stock, and each share of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of
    this Debenture shall be changed to the number determined by dividing the 
    then current Conversion Price by the Conversion Price as adjusted after the
    subdivision, combination, or dividend payable in Common Stock.

         (ii)  If any capital reorganization or reclassification of the 
    capital stock of the Issuer, or consolidation or merger of the Issuer with
    another corporation, or the sale of all or substantially all of its 
    assets to another corporation shall be effected in such a way that holders
    of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive stock, securities or assets
    with respect to or in exchange for Common Stock, then, as a condition of
    such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger or sale, lawful
    and adequate provision shall be made whereby the holder hereof shall
    hereafter have the right to receive upon the basis and upon the terms and
    conditions specified in this Debenture and in lieu of the shares of the
    Common Stock of the Issuer into which this Debenture was immediately
    theretofore convertible, such shares of stock, securities or assets as may
    be issued or payable with respect to or in exchange for a number of
    outstanding shares of such Common Stock equal to the number of shares of
    such stock into which this Debenture was immediately theretofore convertible
    had such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger or sale not
    taken place, and in any such case appropriate provisions shall be made with 
    respect to the rights and interests of Holder to the end that the 
    provisions hereof (including without limitation provisions for adjustments 
    of the Conversion Price and of the number of shares into which this 
    Debenture may be converted) shall thereafter be applicable, as nearly as 
    may be, in relation to any shares of stock, securities or assets thereafter
    deliverable upon the conversion hereof. The Issuer shall not effect any 
    such

                                       4






<PAGE>

          consolidation, merger or sale, unless prior to the consummation 
          thereof the successor corporation (if other than the Issuer) 
          resulting from such consolidation or merger or the corporation 
          purchasing such assets shall assume by written instrument executed 
          and mailed to the registered holder hereof at the last address of 
          such holder appearing on the books of the Issuer, the obligation to 
          deliver to such holder such shares of stock, securities or assets 
          into which, in accordance with the foregoing provisions, such 
          holder may be entitled to convert this Debenture.

               (iii) If the Issuer distributes to all holders of Common Stock 
          any assets (excluding ordinary cash dividends) or debt securities or 
          any rights or warrants to purchase debt securities, assets or other 
          securities (including Common Stock), the Conversion Price shall be 
          adjusted in accordance with the formula:

          C(1) = C x (O x M) - F
                 ---------------
                    O x M

where:

          C(1) = the adjusted Conversion Price.

          C    = the current Conversion Price.

          M    = the average market price of 
                 Common Stock for the 30
                 consecutive trading days
                 commencing 45 trading days before
                 the record date mentioned below.

          O    = the number of shares of Common
                 Stock outstanding on the record
                 date mentioned below.

          F    = the fair market value on the record
                 date of the aggregate of all assets,
                 securities, rights or warrants
                 distributed. The Issuer's Board of 
                 Directors shall determine the fair
                 market value in the exercise of its 
                 reasonable judgment.

     The adjustment shall be made successively whenever any such distribution 
is made and shall become effective immediately after the record date for the 
determination of stockholders entitled to receive the distribution.


                                      5

<PAGE>

               (iv)  If the Issuer issues or sells any shares of Common Stock 
          for a consideration per share less than the Conversion Price then in 
          effect (other than dividends payable in shares of Common Stock), or 
          issues any options, warrants, or other rights to purchase Common 
          Stock at a consideration per share less than the Conversion Price 
          then in effect, or issues securities convertible into Common Stock 
          at a conversion price per share of less than the Conversion Price 
          then in effect, then the Conversion Price in effect immediately 
          prior to such issuance or sale shall be adjusted by multiplying 
          such Conversion Price by a fraction, (a) the numerator of which 
          shall be an amount equal to the sum of (A) the aggregate number of 
          shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to such issuance
          or sale multiplied by the applicable Conversion Price in effect 
          immediately prior to such issuance or sale, and (B) the total 
          consideration payable to the Issuer upon such issuance or sale of 
          such Common Stock and/or such purchase rights or convertible 
          securities, plus the consideration payable to the Issuer upon the 
          exercise of such purchase rights or upon conversion of such 
          convertible securities, and (b) the denominator of which shall be 
          an amount equal to the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock 
          outstanding immediately after such issuance or sale plus the number 
          of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of any purchase
          rights and/or upon the conversion of convertible securities issued 
          in such issuance. If the Conversion Price is adjusted as the result 
          of the issuance of any options, warrants or other purchase rights or 
          upon the issuance of convertible securities, no further adjustments 
          of such Conversion Price shall be made at the time of the exercise 
          of such options, warrants or other purchase rights or convertible 
          securities. If securities are sold for a consideration other than 
          cash, the amount of the consideration other than cash received by 
          the Issuer shall be deemed to be the fair value of such 
          consideration as determined by the Board of Directors of the Issuer.

               (v)  Upon any adjustment of the Conversion Price, then and in 
          each such case, the Issuer shall give written notice thereof, by 
          first class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the registered 
          holder of this Debenture at the address of such holder as shown on 
          the books of the Issuer, which notice shall state the Conversion 
          Price resulting from such adjustment and the increase or decrease, 
          if any, in the number of shares into which this Debenture may be 
          converted, setting forth in reasonable detail the method of 
          calculation and the facts upon which such calculation is based.

          (c)  The number of shares of Common Stock to be received upon 
     conversion of this Debenture shall be equal to (x) the principal amount 
     of this Debenture, divided by (y) the per share Conversion Price. 
     Conversion shall be effected by the Holder completing and duly executing 
     the conversion election form attached hereto (the "Conversion Election") 
     and surrendering this Debenture, together with such Conversion Election, 
     to the Issuer at its


                                      6

<PAGE>

      principal office on or before the date for such conversion stated in 
      the Conversion Election or before the Redemption Date stated in the 
      Redemption Notice. This Debenture, or any part thereof called for 
      redemption, must be covered in whole and not in part.

           (d)  As soon as practicable after the receipt of the Conversion 
      Election, the Company will cause to be issued in the name of and 
      delivered to the Holder hereof, or as such Holder may direct, a 
      certificate or certificates representing the shares of Common Stock 
      acquired upon such exercise. No fractional shares of Common Stock 
      shall be issued; in lieu of any fractional shares to which the Holder 
      would otherwise be entitled, the Company shall pay cash equal to such 
      fraction multiplied by the then effective Conversion Price. The 
      Company shall also pay the Holder an amount equal to the interest 
      accrued on the Debenture to the date of conversion.

           (e)  Any shares of Common Stock issued upon conversion shall not 
      be freely tradeable and shall be "restricted shares," shall be subject 
      to the same restrictions on transfer as are the Debentures, and the 
      certificate therefor shall contain a legend in substantially the form 
      set forth on the face of this Debenture. In addition, all shares of 
      Common Stock so issued shall be entitled to certain registration 
      rights, as set forth herein and limited hereby.

           (f)  A number of shares of Common Stock sufficient to provide for 
      the exercise of the conversion rights upon the basis herein set forth 
      shall at all items be reserved for the exercise thereof, subject to 
      any required action of the shareholders. If any such shareholder 
      action is required, the Issuer shall use its best efforts to cause 
      such action to be taken.

     5.  SUBORDINATION.

     This Debenture is not, nor shall it ever be, secured by any collateral 
and is not, nor shall it ever be, the subject of any guaranty. The 
Subordinate Obligations are and shall be expressly subordinate and junior in 
right of payment to all Senior Secured Obligations until the Senior Secured 
Obligations have been Paid In Full. Holder's interest in and to the payment 
of principal, interest and premium or any other amounts due hereunder, is 
subordinate to the interest of the Senior Lender and subject to the terms of 
this Agreement. The Senior Lender has advanced funds and may from time to 
time advance additional funds in reliance upon the subordination of the 
Subordinate Obligations to the Senior Secured Obligations. Holder agrees to 
be fully unsecured with respect to the Subordinate Obligations and, to that 
end, Holder agrees to execute, file and/or record all such releases, 
termination statements and satisfactions as are requested by the Senior 
Lender in order to cause the Subordinate Obligations to be fully unsecured.

     6.  DEFAULT.

     Each of the following events shall be an Event of Default ("Event of 
Default") for purposes of this Debenture:


                                       7

<PAGE>

      (a)  The Issuer fails to pay when due any installment of interest on 
this Debenture within fifteen (15) days of the due date.

      (b)  The Issuer fails to pay when due any principal or premium within 
30 days of the due date.

      (c)  The Issuer defaults in the due and punctual performance or 
observance of any material term contained in this Debenture, and such default 
continues for a period of sixty (60) days after written notice thereof to the 
Issuer; provided, however, that if such default cannot be cured within 60 
days, corrective action must be instituted within such period, and such 
default must be cured as promptly as practicable, but in any event within 120 
days.

      (d)  Any representation or warranty made by or on behalf of the Issuer 
in this Debenture or in any certificate or other instrument delivered under 
or pursuant to any term hereof shall prove to have been untrue or incorrect 
in any material respect as of the date such representation or warranty was 
made or if any certificate, financial statement or financial schedule or 
other instrument prepared by the Issuer or any executive officer of the 
Issuer furnished or delivered under or pursuant to this Debenture after the 
date hereof shall prove to be untrue or incorrect in any material respect as 
of the date it was made, furnished or delivered.

      (e) The Issuer shall fail to deliver the appropriate number of shares of 
Common Stock in satisfaction of a Conversion Election by a Holder as provided 
herein and such default shall continue for a period of ten (10) days after 
written notice of such default to the Issuer.

      (f)  The Issuer or any subsidiary shall default in any material respect 
in the due and punctual performance of any covenant or agreement in any note, 
bond, indenture, loan agreement, note agreement, mortgaged security agreement 
or other instrument evidencing indebtedness for borrowed money, excluding the 
Senior Loan Documents, in the principal amount of at least $250,000, and such 
default shall continue uncured or unwaived for more than 60 days after 
written notice to the Issuer thereof; the parties hereto agreeing that an 
event of default under the Senior Loan Documents shall not constitute an 
Event of Default hereunder.

      (g)  The Issuer makes an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or 
admits in writing its inability to pay its debts as they become due, or files 
a voluntary petition in bankruptcy, or is adjudicated as bankrupt or 
insolvent, or files any petition or answer seeking for itself a 
reorganization arrangement composition readjustment, liquidation, dissolution 
or similar relief under any present or future statute, law or regulation, or 
files any answer admitting the material allegations of a petition filed 
against the Issuer for any such relief, or a petition is filed against the 
Issuer and the petition is not dismissed within 60 days after the filing 
thereof, or if a trustee, receiver or similar officer is appointed for the 
Issuer for the


                                       8
<PAGE>

     Issuer's property and such appointment is not dismissed within 60 days 
     after such appointment.

     Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, then not fewer than three 
Holders holding not less than an aggregate of twenty-five percent (25%) of 
the principal amount of the Debentures then outstanding may declare 
immediately due and payable the outstanding amounts under all the Debentures, 
and the same shall thereupon be immediately due and payable, and, subject to 
the terms contained in Sections 7 and 8 hereof, may exercise any and all 
remedies available under Illinois law or in equity.

     Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default as described in Section 6(e) 
hereof, the Holder hereof shall have the option to declare the principal 
amount hereof, and all accrued but unpaid interest thereon, to be immediately 
due and payable upon written notice from the Holder to the Issuer and, 
subject to the terms contained in Sections 7 and 8 hereof, to exercise any 
and all remedies available to it under Illinois law or at equity.

     7. STANDBY; NON-INTERFERENCE.

          (a) At any time prior to the date the Senior Secured Obligations 
      are Paid in Full, Holder shall not, except as expressly provided in 
      Sections 7(d) and 7(f) hereof or with respect to the Issuer's 
      obligations in Sections 4 and 14 hereof, (i) exercise any rights or 
      remedies Holder may have under the Subordinate Convertible Debentures 
      or otherwise; (ii) commence or join with any other creditors of Issuer 
      (except the Senior Lender) in commencing any bankruptcy, 
      reorganization, receivership or insolvency proceeding against Issuer; 
      (iii) commence any action or proceeding against Issuer to enforce or 
      collect any Subordinate Obligation; (iv) commence any action to obtain 
      possession of property of Issuer, to exercise control over property of 
      Issuer or to create, perfect or enforce any lien against property of 
      Issuer; (v) exercise any control over or power to direct the use or 
      distribution of insurance proceeds, condemnation proceeds, proceeds of 
      sale of any property of Issuer; or (vi) take any action which 
      interferes with or impairs Senior Lender's rights and remedies, in any 
      manner whatsoever.

          (b) In the event Issuer defaults on its obligations to Senior 
      Lender and, as a result, Senior Lender undertakes to enforce Senior 
      Lender's security interests and liens in Issuer's assets, Holder agrees 
      that Holder will not hinder, delay or otherwise prevent Senior Lender 
      from taking any and all action which Senior Lender deems necessary to 
      enforce Senior Lender's security interests and liens in Issuer's assets 
      and to realize thereon or to take any action which interferes with or 
      impairs Senior Lender's rights and remedies, in any manner whatsoever.

          (c) If any insolvency, bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation, 
      reorganization or other similar proceedings are commenced by or against 
      Issuer or its property, or if any proceedings for involuntary 
      liquidation, dissolution or other winding up of Issuer whether or not 
      involving insolvency or bankruptcy are commenced by or against Issuer, 
      then

                                       9

<PAGE>

      Senior Lender shall be entitled in any such proceeding to receive 
      Payment in Full of all Senior Secured Obligations before Holder is 
      entitled in any such proceedings to receive any payment on account of 
      the Subordinate Obligations, and to that end, in any such proceedings, 
      any payment or distribution of any kind or character, (whether in cash, 
      cash equivalents, property (excluding the Issuer's Common Stock), by 
      set-off or otherwise) to which Holder would be entitled but for the 
      provisions hereof, shall be delivered to Senior Lender to the extent 
      necessary to make Payment in Full of all Senior Secured Obligations 
      remaining unpaid, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or 
      distribution to or for Senior Lender in respect thereof.

          (d) At any time prior to the date the Senior Secured Obligations 
      are Paid in Full, upon the occurrence of an Event of Default under the 
      terms of the Subordinate Convertible Debentures, Holder may subject to 
      the limitations on remedies contained in Section 6, on a date not 
      earlier than two hundred seventy (270) days from the date an Event of 
      Default occurs hereunder, (i) accelerate payments due pursuant to the 
      Subordinate Convertible Debentures; (ii) demand payment from Issuer; 
      (iii) bring suit against Issuer; and (iv) obtain a judgement against 
      Issuer. Until the Senior Secured Obligations are Paid in Full, Holder 
      may not record, register, or file such judgement or take any further 
      actions to enforce its judgement against the assets of Issuer or do any 
      of the other acts or exercise any other of the rights described in 
      Section 7(a); provided, however, that this Section 7(d) shall not limit 
      or impair Holder's rights to enforce the provisions of Sections 4 and 
      14 hereof.

          (e) Holder shall have no right to receive any payments or monies 
      resulting from such action or proceeding until the Senior Secured 
      Obligations are Paid in Full and Holder shall not take any action which 
      interferes with or impairs Senior Lender's rights and remedies, in any 
      manner whatsoever.

          (f) Subject to the provisions of Section 7(e), Holder may, in any 
      proceeding described in Section 7(c) hereof, in the name of Holder, 
      file claims, proofs of claims and other instruments of similar 
      character necessary to enforce the obligations of Issuer in respect of 
      the Subordinate Obligations. Neither this Section 7(f) nor any other 
      provision hereof shall be construed to give Holder any right to vote 
      any Issuer Obligation held by Senior Lender, any related claim or any 
      portion of such claim, whether in connection with any resolution, 
      arrangement, plan or reorganization, compromise, settlement, election 
      of trustees or otherwise.

          (g) Nothing in this Agreement shall restrict the ability of the 
      Senior Lender to declare a default, accelerate all or any portion of 
      the Senior Secured Obligations and/or exercise any and all rights and 
      remedies contained in the Senior Loan Documents.

                                   10

<PAGE>

8.  PERMITTED PAYMENTS; RIGHT TO RETAIN PAYMENTS.

    (a)  Holder shall not be entitled to receive or retain any direct or 
indirect payment (in cash, cash equivalents, property (excluding the Issuer's 
Common Stock), by set-off or otherwise) from Issuer of or on account of any 
Subordinate Obligations: (i) if the payment from Issuer to Holder would 
create a Default or an Event of Default under the terms of the Senior Loan 
Documents, or (ii) if there has occurred and is continuing an Event of 
Default under the terms of the Senior Loan Documents. Provided that no Event 
of Default or Default (as defined in the Senior Loan Agreement) shall have 
occurred and is continuing under the terms of the Senior Loan Agreement, 
Issuer shall be entitled to make to, and Holder shall be entitled to receive 
and retain (i) semi-annual installments of interest at the interest rate set 
forth in the Subordinated Loan Documents, commencing on July 1, 1997 and 
thereafter until Paid in Full and (ii) the redemption payments pursuant to 
Section 3(c) hereof. Nothing herein shall limit or impair Holder's rights to 
enforce the provisions of Sections 4 and 14 hereof.

    (b)  Except as expressly provided in Section 8(a), at any time that any 
Senior Secured Obligation is outstanding, Issuer shall not make and Holder 
shall not receive or accept any payment (in cash, cash-equivalents, property, 
by set-off or otherwise) of any kind or nature with respect to the 
Subordinate Obligations, including but not limited to any prepayment of 
principal or interest.

    (c)  If Issuer shall make any payments which the Holder is not permitted 
to receive and retain pursuant to this Agreement, then such payment shall be 
held in trust by Holder for the benefit of, and shall be paid over promptly 
to the Senior Lender, for application to the payment of the Senior Secured 
Obligations, in such order of priority as Senior Lender shall determine, in 
its sole and exclusive discretion. If Holder pays over any payment or 
distribution as provided above, then such payment or distribution shall be 
deemed to have been made by Issuer directly to Senior Lender and not to 
Holder and no Subordinate Obligation shall be discharged by reason of its 
receipt of any payment or distribution which is so paid over to Senior Lender.

9.  COVENANTS.

    (a)  The Issuer agrees that until this Debenture is paid in full, the 
Issuer will:

         (1)  Do or cause to be done all things necessary to preserve and 
    keep in full force and effect its corporate existence, rights (charter 
    and statutory) and franchises and those of its subsidiaries.

         (2)  Deliver to the Holder hereof:

              (i) as soon as practicable, but in any event within 45 days 
         after the close of each of the Issuer's first three fiscal quarters, 
         unaudited summary

                                               11

<PAGE>

         consolidated operating results, balance sheets and cash flow 
         statements and cash flow statements of the Company and its subsidiaries
         as of the end of such fiscal quarter, and in comparative form figures 
         for the corresponding fiscal quarter of the previous fiscal year, all 
         in reasonable detail, and certified by an authorized accounting officer
         of the Company, subject to year-end adjustments;

              (ii)  as soon as practicable, but in any event within 90 days 
         after the end of each fiscal year, a consolidated balance sheet of 
         the Issuer and its subsidiaries, as of the end of such fiscal year, 
         together with the related consolidated statements of operations, 
         shareholders' equity and cash flow for such fiscal year, setting 
         forth in comparative form figures for the previous fiscal year, all 
         in reasonable detail, and duly certified by the Issuer's independent 
         public accountants;

              (iii) concurrently with the delivery of the financial 
         statements referred to in paragraphs (i) and (ii) above, a 
         certificate of the Issuer signed by the President or Chief Financial 
         Officer, stating that, to the best of such officer's knowledge after 
         due inquiry, the Issuer has performed and observed each and every 
         covenant contained in this Debenture to be performed by it and that 
         no event has occurred and no condition then exists which constitutes 
         an Event of Default or would constitute each an Event of Default 
         upon the lapse of time or upon the giving of notice and the lapse of 
         time; or, if any such event has occurred or any such condition 
         exists, specifying the nature thereof; and

              (iv)  provided that, if the Issuer is subject to the reporting 
         requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the 
         "Exchange Act"), delivery to the Holder of annual and quarterly 
         reports, proxy statements and registration statements filed with the 
         Securities and Exchange Commission as and when delivered to the 
         public security holders of the Issuer shall be sufficient to satisfy 
         the Issuer's obligations under this Section 9(a)(2).

         (3)  Pay, and cause each subsidiary to pay, all taxes, assessments 
    and other governmental charges imposed upon it or any of its properties 
    or assets, except where the failure to so pay such taxes would not have a 
    material adverse effect on the business or financial condition of the 
    Issuer and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or where the Issuer is in 
    good faith contesting the imposition of a tax or the amount due 
    thereunder.

         (4)  Conduct, and cause its subsidiaries to conduct, their 
    respective businesses in substantial compliance with all laws and 
    regulations governing the operation of such businesses, except where the 
    failure to so conduct such businesses

                                        12

      

<PAGE>


          would not have a material adverse effect on the business or 
          financial condition of the Issuer and its subsidiaries, taken as a 
          whole.

              (5)  Maintain, and cause its subsidiaries to maintain, their 
          respective properties and assets in generally good repair, working 
          order and condition and maintain, with financially sound and reputable
          insurers, insurance with respect to such properties and assets 
          against such losses, hazards, liabilities and risks, and in 
          amounts, to the extent and in the manner customary for companies in 
          similar businesses similarly situated, except where the failure to 
          so maintain properties and assets or to so maintain insurance would
          not have a material adverse effect on the business or financial
          condition of the Issuer and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

          (b)  The Issuer agrees that until this Debenture is paid in full, 
     the Issuer will not declare or pay any dividend or make any other 
     distribution on (i) the Common Stock or (ii) any class of preferred 
     stock, unless (x) such dividend or distribution is permitted under the 
     terms of the Senior Loan Documents AND (y) there is no Event of Default 
     existing AND (z) the shareholders' equity of the Issuer, determined on a 
     consistent basis in accordance with GAAP, after payment of the dividend, 
     shall not be less than $20,812,000.

     10.  MODIFICATION OF DOCUMENTS

          (a)  Senior Lender may amend, modify, extend, restate, replace or 
     otherwise alter any Senior Loan Document in any manner whatsoever, 
     without notice to or consent of Holder, including, but not limited to 
     granting additional financial accommodations to Issuer, extending the 
     term thereof, modifying the payment terms, increasing the principal 
     amount of the loans, and interest rate thereof, and events of default. 
     Any such amendment, modification, supplement, restatement or replacement 
     shall not affect or impair the obligations of Holder and the Subordinate 
     Obligations shall be subordinated to the Senior Secured Obligations as 
     evidenced by the Senior Loan Documents, as amended, modified, 
     supplemented, restated or replaced. Senior Lender shall have the right 
     to exercise any and all rights and remedies granted to Senior Lender 
     pursuant to the Senior Loan Documents, without notice to or consent of 
     Holder.

          (b)  At any time prior to the time the Senior Secured Obligations 
     are Paid in Full, neither the Holder nor the Issuer shall, without the 
     prior written consent of the Senior Lender, which consent may be 
     withheld in Senior Lender's sole and absolute discretion, (i) amend, 
     modify or otherwise alter the Subordinated Convertible Debentures in any 
     manner whatsoever, including but not limited to modifications of the 
     interest rate, payment terms, time for payments, or events of default, 
     (ii) accept, retain, request or take any collateral for the Subordinated 
     Obligations, (iii) increase the Subordinated Debt, or (v) except as 
     expressly permitted pursuant to Section 8(a), accept payment of, demand 
     payment of, sue for or receive all or any part of the Subordinated Debt.

                                     13
<PAGE>


     11.  REVIVAL OF SUBORDINATION.  Notwithstanding the Payment in Full of 
any Issuer Obligation, if any payment on account of any Issuer Obligation or 
any proceeds of collateral thereunder which are received by Senior Lender or 
Holder are subsequently rescinded or otherwise required to be repaid to 
issuer or any other person for any reason, then, to the extent such 
payment(s) and/or proceeds are repaid to Issuer or such other person, the 
subordination effected hereby with respect to such Issuer Obligation shall be 
revived and continued in full force and effect as if such payment(s) and/or 
proceeds had not been received by the original recipient thereof.

     12.  MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

     The Issuer will not, by amendment of its Articles of Incorporation or 
through reorganization consolidation, merger, dissolution or sale of assets, 
or by any other voluntary act or deed, avoid or seek to avoid the observance 
or performance of any of the covenants, stipulations or conditions to be 
observed or performed hereunder by the Issuer, but will, at all times in good 
faith, assist, insofar as it is able, in the carrying out of all provisions 
hereof.

     This Debenture is issued in fully registered form without interest 
coupons. Transfer of this Debenture is restricted. The Issuer shall be 
entitled to treat the person or entity listed as the registered owner on its 
Debenture Register as the owner of this Debenture for all purposes.

     Upon receipt of evidence satisfactory to the Issuer of the loss, theft, 
destruction or mutilation of this Debenture and in the case of any such loss, 
theft or destruction, upon delivery of a bond of indemnity satisfactory to the 
Issuer if requested by the Issuer, or in the case of any such mutilation, 
upon surrender and cancellation of such Debenture, the Issuer shall issue a 
new Debenture identical in form to the lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated 
Debenture.

     13.  NOTICES: ETC.

          (a)  Any notice to a holder shall be in writing addressed to the 
     Holder at the address last shown on the Issuer's Debenture register, shall
     be deemed given when delivered in person or three (3) days after deposit in
     the United States mail, postage prepaid and addressed in accordance with 
     this section. Any notice to the Issuer shall be deemed given when delivered
     in person or three (3) days after deposit in the United States mail, 
     postage prepaid and addressed as follows:

          If to Issuer:      TRO Learning, Inc.
                             1721 Moon Lake Boulevard
                             Suite 555
                             Hoffman Estates, IL 60194
                             Attn: Chief Financial Officer

     A party may change its address by notice given in conformity with this 
section.

                                     14

<PAGE>

         (b)  This Debenture shall be governed and interpreted under the laws 
     of the State of Illinois, without regard to the conflicts of laws 
     provision thereof.

         (c)  Whenever reference is made herein to the issue or sale of 
     shares of Common Stock, the term "Common Stock" shall include any stock 
     of any class of the Company other than preferred stock with a fixed 
     limit on dividends and a fixed amount payable in the event of any 
     voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the 
     Company.

         (d)  All shares of Common Stock or other securities issued upon the 
     exercise of the Conversion Right shall be validly issued, fully paid and 
     non-assessable, and the Company will pay all taxes in respect of the 
     issuance thereof, if any.

         (e)  Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary, the 
     Holder of this Debenture shall not be deemed a shareholder of the 
     Company for any purpose whatsoever until and unless this Debenture has 
     been converted pursuant to Section 3 hereof.

    14.  REGISTRATION RIGHTS.

    The Holder acknowledges and understands that the shares of Common 
Stock to be issued hereunder are not required to be registered under any 
securities laws except as set forth below. If such shares are not so 
registered, they will be "restricted securities" as that term is used 
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and 
the transferability and liquidity will be substantially restricted by 
federal and state securities laws and will bear a legend comparable to 
that set forth on the first page hereof.

         (a)  On or before the nine-month anniversary of the date hereof, 
     the Company shall file a registration statement under the Securities Act 
     covering the sale of the Shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion 
     of the Debentures. The Company shall use its best efforts to have such 
     registration statement declared effective by the Securities and Exchange 
     Commission (the "Commission") by the twelve-month anniversary of the 
     date hereof. The costs and expenses directly related to such 
     registration, including but not limited to legal fees of the Company's 
     counsel, audit fees, printing expense, filing fees and fees and expenses 
     relating to qualifications under state securities or blue sky laws 
     incurred by the Company shall be borne entirely by the Company; 
     provided, however, that the persons for whose account the securities 
     covered by such registration are sold shall bear the underwriting 
     commissions, if any, applicable to their shares and fees of their legal 
     counsel. If the holders of shares of Common Stock underlying the 
     Debentures are the only persons whose shares are included in the 
     registration pursuant to this section, such holders shall bear the 
     expense of inclusion of audited financial statements in the registration 
     statement which are not dated as of the Company's normal fiscal year or 
     are not otherwise prepared by the Company for its own business purposes. 
     The Company shall keep effective and maintain such registration 
     statement for such period as may be necessary for the holders of such 
     common stock to dispose of such securities and, from time to time shall 
     amend or supplement, at the holder's expense, the prospectus or offering 
     circular used in connection

                                     15

<PAGE>

     therewith to the extent necessary in order to comply with applicable 
     law; provided, that the Company shall not be required to maintain the 
     effectiveness of such registration statement once holders of the 
     Debentures can sell the shares underlying the Debentures under Rule 
     144(k) or any successor thereto under the Securities Act.

         (b)  The managing underwriter of an offering registered pursuant to 
     Section 14(a), if any, shall be selected by the holders of a majority of 
     the shares issued or issuable upon the conversion of the Debentures for 
     which registration has been requested and shall be reasonably acceptable 
     to the Company. Without the written consent of the holders of a majority 
     of the shares issued or issuable upon the exercise of the Debentures for 
     which registration has been requested pursuant to this Section 14(b), 
     neither the Company nor any other holder of securities of the Company 
     may include securities in such registration if in the good faith 
     judgment of the managing underwriter of such public offering the 
     inclusion of such securities would interfere with the successful 
     marketing of the share issued upon the conversion of the Debentures or 
     require the exclusion of any portion of the shares issued upon the 
     exercise of the Debentures to be registered.

         (c)  If the Company proposes to claim an exemption under Section 
     3(b) of the Securities Act for a public offering of any of its 
     securities or to register under the Securities Act (except by a claim of 
     exemption or registration statement on a form that does not permit the 
     inclusion of shares by its security holders) any of its securities, it 
     will give written notice to all registered holders of the Debentures, 
     and all registered holders of shares of Common Stock acquired upon the 
     conversion of Debentures, of its intention to do so and, on the written 
     request of any such registered holders given within twenty (20) days 
     after receipt of any such notice (which request must be made within 
     seven (7) years from the date of this Debenture), the Company will use 
     its best efforts to cause all such shares, the registered holders of 
     which shall have requested the registration or qualification thereof, to 
     be included in such notification or registration statement proposed to 
     be filed by the Company; provided, however, that (i) the Company shall 
     not be required to include any such shares of Common Stock in any such 
     registration for any holder who is able to sell all shares of Common 
     Stock owned by such holder (or issuable to such holder upon conversion 
     of this Debenture), and which benefit from the registration rights 
     granted hereunder, during the three-month period beginning on the date 
     such notice is received by such holder, without compliance with the 
     registration requirements of the Securities Act pursuant to Rule 144(k) 
     or any successor thereto under the Securities Act; (ii) the Company 
     shall not be required to give such notice with respect to, or to include 
     such Common Stock in, any such registration which is primarily (A) a 
     registration of a stock option plan or other employee benefit plan or of 
     securities issued or issuable pursuant to any such plan such as a 
     registration on Form S-8, or (B) a registration of securities proposed 
     to be issued in exchange for securities or assets of, or in connection 
     with a merger or consolidation with, another corporation such as a 
     registration on Form S-4; (iii) the Company shall not be required to 
     include in any such registration any shares of Common Stock previously 
     duly registered under the Securities Act; (iv) the Company may, in its 
     sole discretion, withdraw any such registration statement and abandon 
     the proposed offering in which any such holder had requested to 
     participate;

                                     16


<PAGE>

(v) if the offering to which the registration statement relates is to be 
distributed by or through an underwriter, each such holder shall agree, as a 
condition to the inclusion of such holder's securities in such registration, 
to sell the securities held by such holder through such underwriter on the 
same terms and conditions as the underwriter agrees to sell securities on 
behalf of the Company and not to sell, transfer, pledge, assign or otherwise 
dispose of any shares of Common Stock not sold by such holder in such 
offering for such period (up to (90) days after the effective date of the 
registration statement) as may be required by the underwriter; and (vi) if 
the offering to which the registration statement relates is to be distributed 
by or through an underwriter and a greater number of securities is offered 
for participation in the proposed underwriting than, in the opinion of the 
Company's underwriter, can be accommodated without significantly adversely 
affecting the proposed underwriting, the amount of such securities otherwise 
to be included in the underwritten offering on behalf of all persons other 
than the Company may be reduced pro rata, in accordance with the number of 
shares of Common Stock proposed to be sold by each such holder, or may be 
eliminated entirely from such underwritten public offering. The costs and 
expenses of such offering, including but not limited to legal fees, special 
audit fees, printing expenses, filing fees, fees and expenses relating to 
qualifications under state securities or blue sky laws and the premiums for 
insurance, if any, incurred by the Company in connection with any 
registration made pursuant to this Section 14(c) shall be borne entirely by 
the Company; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any holders participating in such 
registration shall bear their own underwriting discounts and commissions and 
the fees and expenses of their own counsel or accountants in connection with 
any such registration.

    (d)  In connection with the filing of a registration statement under 
Sections 14(a) and (c) hereof, the Company shall:

         (i)    prepare and file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange 
    Commission (the "Commission") such amendments to such registration 
    statement and supplements to the prospectus contained therein as may 
    be necessary to keep such registration statement effective until holders 
    of the Debentures can sell the shares underlying the Debentures without 
    restriction under Rule 144(k) or any successor thereto under the 
    Securities Act;

         (ii)   furnish to the security holders participating in such 
    registration and to the underwriters of the securities being registered 
    such reasonable number of copies of the registration statement, preliminary
    prospectus, final prospectus and such other documents as such underwriters 
    may reasonably request in order to facilitate the public offering of such 
    securities;

         (iii)  use its best efforts to register or qualify the securities 
    covered by such registration statement under such state securities or blue 
    sky laws of such jurisdictions as such participating holders may reasonably 
    request in writing within thirty (30) days following the original filing of 
    such registration statement, except that the Company shall not for any 
    purpose be required to execute a general consent

                                      17

<PAGE>

    to service of process or to qualify to do business as a foreign 
    corporation in any jurisdiction wherein it is not so qualified;

         (iv)   notify the security holders participating in such 
    registration, promptly after it shall receive notice thereof, of the time 
    when such registration statement has become effective or a supplement to any
    prospectus forming a part of such registration statement has been filed;

         (v)    notify such holders promptly of any request by the Commission 
    for the amending or supplementing of such registration statement or 
    prospectus or for additional information;

         (vi)   prepare and file with the Commission, promptly upon the 
    request of any such holders, any amendments or supplements to such 
    registration statement or prospectus which, in the opinion of counsel for
    such holders (and concurred in by counsel for the Company), is required 
    under the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder in 
    connection with the distribution of the shares by such holder;

         (vii)  prepare and promptly file with the Commission and promptly 
    notify such holders of the filing of such amendment or supplement to 
    such registration statement or prospectus as may be necessary to 
    correct any statements or omissions if, at the time when a prospectus 
    relating to such securities is required to be delivered under the 
    Securities Act, any event shall have occurred as the result of which 
    any such prospectus or any other prospectus as then in effect would 
    include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any 
    material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light 
    of the circumstances in which they were made, not misleading;

         (viii) advise such holders, promptly after it shall receive notice 
    or obtain knowledge thereof, of the issuance of any stop order by the 
    Commission suspending the effectiveness of such registration statement or 
    the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for that purpose and 
    promptly use its best efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or 
    to obtain its withdrawal if such stop order should be issued;

         (ix)   not file any amendment or supplement to such registration 
    statement or prospectus to which a majority in interest of such holders 
    shall have reasonably objected on the grounds that such amendment or 
    supplement does not comply in all material respects with the requirements 
    of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder, after having 
    been furnished with a copy thereof at least five (5) business days prior to 
    the filing thereof, unless in the opinion of counsel for the Company the 
    filing of such amendment or supplement is reasonably necessary to protect 
    the Company from any liabilities under any applicable federal or state law 
    and such filing will not violate applicable law; and

                                      18


<PAGE>

               (x)  at the request of any such holder, furnish on the 
          effective date of the registration statement and, if such registration
          includes an underwritten public offering, at the closing provided for 
          in the underwriting agreement: (i) opinions, dated such respective 
          dates, of the counsel representing the Company for the purposes of 
          such registration, addressed to the underwriters, if any, and to 
          the holder or holders making such request, covering such matters as 
          such underwriters and holder or holders may reasonably request; and 
          (ii) letters, dated such respective dates, from the independent 
          certified public accountants of the Company, addressed to the 
          underwriters, if any, and to the holder or holders making such 
          request, covering such matters as such underwriters and holder or 
          holders may reasonably request, in which letter such accountants 
          shall state (without limiting the generality of the foregoing) that 
          they are independent certified public accountants within the meaning 
          of the Securities Act and that in the opinion of such accountants 
          the financial statements and other financial data of the Company 
          included in the registration statement or the prospectus or any 
          amendment or supplement thereto comply in all material respects with 
          the applicable accounting requirements of the Securities Act.

          (e)  The Company hereby indemnifies the holder of this Debenture and
     of any common stock issued or issuable hereunder, its officers and 
     directors, and any person who controls such Debenture holder or such 
     holder of common stock within the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities 
     Act, against all losses, claims, damages and liabilities caused by any 
     untrue statement of a material fact contained in any registration 
     statement, prospectus, notification or offering circular (and as amended 
     or supplemented if the Company shall have furnished any amendments or 
     supplements thereto) or any preliminary prospectus or caused by any 
     omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein 
     or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading except insofar 
     as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities are caused by any untrue 
     statement or omission contained in information furnished in writing to the
     Company by such holder or such holder of Common Stock expressly for use 
     therein, and each such holder by its acceptance hereof severally agrees 
     that it will indemnify and hold harmless the Company and each of its 
     officers who signs such registration statement and each of its directors 
     and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of 
     Section 15 of the Securities Act with respect to losses, claims, damages 
     or liabilities which are caused by any untrue statement or omission 
     contained in information furnished in writing to the Company by such 
     holder expressly for use therein.



                                            TRO LEARNING, INC.


                                            By
                                              --------------------------------
                                              Its Chief Financial Officer


                                      19

<PAGE>

                              TRO LEARNING, INC.
             SERIES 1997 10% SUBORDINATED CONVERTIBLE DEBENTURES
               DUE          , 2004, CONVERSION ELECTION NOTICE
                   ---------
                               **************


     The original Debenture and this completed Conversion Election Notice 
shall be delivered to the Issuer.

     The undersigned hereby elects to exercise the conversion right contained 
in the attached Debenture and to purchase

$               in shares of Common Stock of the Issuer at the applicable per 
 --------------
share Conversion Price, to be determined as defined in the Debenture.



Dated:
      ---------, ----          ----------------------------------------------
                               Notice: The signature must correspond with the
                               name(s) as it appears on this Debenture in every
                               particular without any change whatsoever.


(Address)
         ------------------------------------------------------------

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

(Tax identification number
or Social Security Number)
                          -------------------------------------------

Signature Guaranty:
                   --------------------------------------------------


                                      20




<PAGE>

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS WARRANT HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE 
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, AND MAY NOT BE 
SOLD, ASSIGNED, OFFERED, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED FOR VALUE EXCEPT 
PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER SUCH ACT AND SUCH LAWS 
COVERING SUCH SECURITIES OR UNLESS THE ISSUER RECEIVES AN OPINION OF COUNSEL 
ACCEPTABLE TO THE ISSUER STATING THAT SUCH SALE, ASSIGNMENT, PLEDGE OR 
TRANSFER IS EXEMPT FROM THE REQUIREMENTS OF SUCH ACT AND SUCH LAWS.

                                       
                            COMMON STOCK WARRANT

                              To Purchase ______
                          Shares of Common Stock of

                               TRO Learning, Inc.

                              ______________, 1997


    THIS CERTIFIES THAT, for good and valuable consideration ________________
or registered assigns is entitled to subscribe for and purchase from TRO 
Learning, Inc. (the "Company") at any time after the date hereof to and 
including ___________, 2002, ________________________(_____) fully paid and 
nonassessable shares of the Company's Common Stock, $.01 par value, at a 
price of $ ______ per share (the "Exercise Price"):*

    This Warrant is subject to the following provisions, terms and conditions:

    1.  EXERCISE; TRANSFERABILITY.  The rights represented by this Warrant 
may be exercised by the holder hereof, in whole or in part (but not as to a 
fractional share of Common Stock), by written notice of exercise delivered to 
the Company twenty (20) days prior to the intended date of exercise and by 
the surrender of this Warrant (properly endorsed if required) at the principal 
office of the Company and upon payment to it by certified or bank check or 
wire transfer of the purchase price for such shares.

    2.  ISSUANCE OF SHARES. The Company agrees that the shares purchased 
hereby shall be and are deemed to be issued to the record holder hereof as of 
the close of business on the date on which this Warrant shall have been 
exercised by surrender of the Warrant and payment for the shares. Subject to 
the provisions of the next succeeding paragraph, certificates for the shares 
of stock so purchased shall be delivered to the holder hereof within a 
reasonable time, not exceeding ten (10) days after the rights represented by 
this Warrant shall have been so exercised, and, unless this Warrant has 
expired, a new Warrant representing the number of shares, if any, with 
respect to

_______________________________

* The Exercise Price shall be equal to the conversion price of the debentures.


<PAGE>


which this Warrant shall not then have been exercised shall also be delivered 
to the holder hereof within such time.

    Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, the Company shall not be required 
to deliver any certificate for shares of stock upon exercise of this Warrant, 
except in accordance with the provisions, and subject to the limitations, of 
paragraph 7 hereof.

    3.  COVENANTS OF COMPANY.  The Company covenants and agrees that all 
shares which may be issued upon the exercise of the rights represented by 
this Warrant will, upon issuance, be duly authorized and issued, fully paid, 
nonassessable and free from all taxes, liens and charges with respect to the 
issue thereof, and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the 
Company covenants and agrees that it will from time to time take all such 
action as may be required to assure that the par value per share of Common 
Stock is at all times equal to or less than the then effective purchase price 
per share of the Common Stock issuable pursuant to this Warrant. The Company 
further covenants and agrees that, during the period within which the rights 
represented by this Warrant may be exercised, the Company will at all times 
have authorized, and reserved for the purpose of issue or transfer upon 
exercise of the subscription rights evidenced by this Warrant, a sufficient 
number of shares of its Common Stock to provide for the exercise of the rights 
represented by this Warrant.

    4.  ANTI-DILUTION ADJUSTMENTS.  The above provisions are, however, 
subject to the following:

        (a) In case the Company shall at any time hereafter subdivide or 
combine the outstanding shares of Common Stock or declare a dividend payable 
in Common Stock, the Exercise Price of this Warrant in effect immediately 
prior to the subdivision, combination or record date for such dividend 
payable in Common Stock shall forthwith be proportionately increased, in the 
case of combination, or decreased, in the case of subdivision or dividend 
payable in Common Stock. Upon each adjustment of the Exercise Price, the 
holder of this Warrant shall thereafter be entitled to purchase, at the 
Exercise Price resulting from such adjustment, the number of shares obtained 
by multiplying the Exercise Price immediately prior to such adjustment by the 
number of shares purchasable pursuant hereto immediately prior to such 
adjustment and dividing the product thereof by the Exercise Price resulting 
from such adjustment.

        (b)  No fractional shares of Common Stock are to be issued upon the 
exercise of this Warrant, but the Company shall pay a cash adjustment in 
respect of any fraction of a share which would otherwise be issuable in an 
amount equal to the same fraction of the market price per share of Common 
Stock on the day of exercise as determined in good faith by the Company.

        (c) If any capital reorganization or reclassification of the capital 
stock of the Company, or consolidation or merger of the Company with another 
corporation, or the sale of all or substantially all of its assets to another 
corporation shall be effected in such a way that holders of Common Stock 
shall be entitled to receive stock, securities or assets with respect to or 
in exchange for Common Stock, then, as a condition of such reorganization, 
reclassification, consolidation,

                                       2














<PAGE>

merger or sale, lawful and adequate provision shall be made whereby the 
holder hereof shall thereafter have the right to purchase and receive, upon 
the basis and upon the terms and conditions specified in this Warrant and in 
lieu of the shares of Common Stock of the Company immediately theretofore 
purchasable and receivable upon the exercise of the rights represented 
hereby, such stock, securities or assets as may be issued or payable with 
respect to or in exchange for a number of outstanding shares of such Common 
Stock equal to the number of shares of such stock immediately theretofore 
purchasable and receivable upon the exercise of the rights represented hereby 
had such reorganization, reclassification, consolidation, merger or sale not 
taken place, and in any such case appropriate provisions shall be made with 
respect to the rights and interest of the holder of this Warrant to the end 
that the provisions hereof (including without limitation provisions for 
adjustments of the Warrant purchase price and of the number of shares 
purchasable upon the exercise of this Warrant) shall thereafter be 
applicable, as nearly as may be, in relation to any shares of stock, 
securities or assets thereafter deliverable, as nearly as may be, in relation 
to any shares of stock, securities or assets thereafter deliverable upon the 
exercise hereof. The Company shall not effect any such consolidation, merger 
or sale unless prior to the consummation thereof the successor corporation 
(if other than the Company) resulting from such consolidation or merger, or 
the corporation purchasing such assets, shall assume by operation of law or 
written instrument, the obligation to deliver to such holder such shares of 
stock, securities or assets as, in accordance with the foregoing provisions, 
such holder may be entitled to purchase. Notice of such assumption shall be 
promptly mailed to the registered holder hereof at the least address of such 
holder appearing on the books of the Company.

         Notwithstanding any language to the contrary set forth in this 
paragraph 4(c), if an occurrence or event described herein shall take place 
in which the shareholders of the Company receive cash for their shares of 
Common Stock of the Company and a successor corporation or corporation 
purchasing assets shall receive the transaction then, at the election of the 
record holder hereof, such corporation shall be obligated to purchase this 
Warrant (or the unexercised part hereof) from the record holder without 
requiring the holder to exercise all or part of the Warrant. If such 
corporation refuses to so purchase this Warrant the the Company shall 
purchase the Warrant for cash. In either case the purchase price shall be the 
amount per share that shareholders of the outstanding Common Stock of the 
Company shall receive as a result of the transaction multiplied by the number 
of shares covered by the Warrant, minus the aggregate Exercise Price of the 
Warrant. Such purchase shall be closed within 60 days following the election 
of the holder to sell this Warrant.

         (d)

            
                  (i) If the Company issues or sells any shares of 
      Common Stock for a consideration per share less than the 
      Exercise Price then in effect (other than dividends payable in 
      shares of Common Stock), or issues any options, warrants, or 
      other rights to purchase Common Stock at a consideration per 
      share less than the Exercise Price then in effect, or issues 
      securities convertible into Common Stock at a Exercise Price 
      per share of less than the Exercise Price then in effect, then 
      the Exercise Price in effect immediately prior to such 
      issuance or sale shall be adjusted by multiplying the Exercise 
      Price by a fraction, the numerator of which shall be an amount 
      equal to the sum of (A) the aggregate



                                 3
                             
<PAGE>

      number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately prior 
      to such issuance or sale multiplied by the applicable Exercise 
      Price in effect immediately prior to such issuance or sale, 
      and (B) the total consideration payable to the Company upon 
      such issuance or sale of such Common Stock and/or such 
      purchase rights or convertible securities, plus the 
      consideration payable to the Company upon the exercise of such 
      purchase rights or upon conversion of such convertible 
      securities, and the denominator of which shall be an amount 
      equal to the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock 
      outstanding immediately after such issuance or sale plus the 
      number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of 
      any purchase rights and/or upon the conversion of convertible 
      securities issued in such issuance. If the Exercise Price is 
      adjusted as the result of the issuance of any options, 
      warrants or other purchase rights or upon the issuance of 
      convertible securities, no further adjustments of such 
      Exercise Price shall be made at the time of the exercise of 
      such options, warrants or other purchase rights or convertible 
      securities. If securities are issued for a consideration other 
      than cash, the amount of the consideration other than cash 
      received by the Company shall be deemed to be the fair value 
      of such consideration as determined by the Board of Directors 
      of the Issuer.
      
                  (ii)  Upon any adjustment of the Exercise Price 
      pursuant to subsection 4(d)(i) hereof, the holder of this 
      Warrant shall thereafter (until another such adjustment) be 
      entitled to purchase, at the new Exercise Price, the number of 
      shares of Common Stock determined by multiplying the number of 
      shares as to which this Warrant was exercisable immediately 
      prior to such adjustment by the Exercise Price which would 
      have been in effect but for subsection 4(d) hereof and 
      dividing the product so obtained by the Exercise Price as 
      adjusted pursuant to subsection 4(d)(i) hereof.

                  (iii)  ISSUANCE OF CASH. In case of the issuance 
      of additional shares of Common Stock entirely for cash, the 
      consideration received by the Company therefor shall be deemed 
      to be an amount of cash received by the Company for such 
      shares, without deducting therefrom any commissions or other 
      expenses paid or incurred by the Company for any underwriting 
      of, or otherwise in connection with, the issuance of such 
      shares of Common Stock.
      
                  (iv)  ISSUANCE FOR PROPERTY. In case of the 
      issuance of additional shares of Common Stock for a 
      consideration other than cash, or for a consideration a part 
      of which shall be other than cash, the amount of per share 
      consideration other than cash received by the Company for such 
      shares shall be deemed to be the fair market value of such 
      consideration as determined in good faith by the Board of 
      Directors.
      
            (e) Upon any adjustment of the Warrant purchase price, then, and 
in each such case, the Company shall give written notice thereof, by first 
class mail, postage prepaid, addressed to the registered holder of this 
Warrant at the address of such holder as shown on the books of the Company, 
which notice shall state the Warrant purchase price resulting from such 
adjustment and the increase or decrease, if any, in the number of shares 
purchasable at such price upon the exercise

                                 4




<PAGE>

of this Warrant, setting forth in reasonable detail the method of calculation 
and the facts upon which such calculation is based.

          (f)  If any event occurs as to which in the good faith determination 
of the Board of Directors of the Company the other provisions of this 
paragraph 4 are not strictly applicable or if strictly applicable would not 
fairly protect the purchase rights of the holder of this Warrant or of Common 
Stock in accordance with the essential intent and principles of such 
provisions, then the Board of Directors shall make an adjustment in the 
application of such provisions, in accordance with such essential intent and 
principles, so as to protect such purchase rights as aforesaid.

     5. COMMON STOCK. As used herein, the term "Common Stock" shall mean and 
include the Company's presently authorized shares of Common Stock and shall 
also include any capital stock of any class of the Company hereafter 
authorized which shall not be limited to fixed sum or percentage in respect 
of the rights of the holders thereof to participate in dividends or in the 
distribution, dissolution or winding up of the Company; provided that the 
shares purchasable pursuant to this Warrant shall include shares designated 
as Common Stock of the Company on the date of original issue of this Warrant 
or, in the case of any reclassification of the outstanding shares thereof, the 
stock, securities or assets provided for in Section 4 above.

     6. NO VOTING RIGHTS. This Warrant shall not entitle the holder hereof to 
any voting rights or other rights as a stockholder of the Company.

     7. TRANSFER OF WARRANT OR RESALE OF SHARES. In the event the holder of 
this Warrant desires to transfer this Warrant, or any Common Stock issued 
upon the exercise hereof, the holder shall provide the Company with a written 
notice describing the manner of such transfer and an opinion of counsel 
(reasonably acceptable to the Company) that the proposed transfer may be 
effected without registration or qualification (under any Federal or State 
law), whereupon such holder shall be entitled to transfer this Warrant or to 
dispose of shares of Common Stock received upon the previous exercise hereof 
in accordance with the notice delivered by such holder to the Company; 
PROVIDED, that an appropriate legend may be endorsed on this Warrant or the 
certificates for such shares respecting restrictions upon transfer thereof 
necessary or advisable in the opinion of counsel satisfactory to the Company 
to prevent further transfers which would be in violation of Section 5 of the 
Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act"); and PROVIDED, FURTHER, that 
the holder shall not be entitled to transfer this Warrant in part if such 
transfer would result in a Warrant for less than one thousand (1,000) shares 
(unless such amount represents the residual balance of the number of shares 
subject to this Warrant); and PROVIDED, FURTHER that the prospective 
transferee or purchaser shall execute such documents and make such 
representations, warranties and agreements as may be required solely to 
comply with the registration exemptions relied upon by the Company for the 
transfer or disposition of the Warrant or shares issuable upon exercise of 
the Warrant.

          If, in the opinion of either of the counsel referred to in this 
paragraph 7, the proposed transfer or disposition described in the written 
notice given pursuant to this paragraph 7 may not be effected without 
registration or qualification of this Warrant or the shares of Common Stock 
issued upon the exercise hereof, the Company shall promptly give written 
notice thereof to

 
                                      5

<PAGE>

the holder hereof, and such holder will limit its activities in respect to 
such proposed transfer or disposition as, in the opinion of both such 
counsel, are permitted by law.

     8. REGISTRATION RIGHTS. (a) If the Company proposes to claim an 
exemption under Section 3(b) for a public offering of any of its securities 
or to register under the Securities Act (the "Securities Act") (except by a 
claim of exemption or registration statement on a form that does not permit 
the inclusion of shares by its security holders) any of its securities, it 
will give written notice to all registered holders of Warrants, and all 
registered holders of shares of Common Stock acquired upon the exercise of 
Warrants, of its intention to do so and, on the written request of any such 
registered holders given within twenty (20) days after receipt of any such 
notice (which request must be made within five (5) years from the date of 
this Warrant), the Company will use its best efforts to cause all such 
shares, the registered holders of which shall have requested the registration 
or qualification thereof, to be included in such notification or registration 
statement proposed to be filed by the Company; provided, however, that (i) 
the Company shall not be required to include any such shares of Common Stock 
in any such registration for any holder who is able to sell all shares of 
Common Stock owned by such holder (or issuable to such holder upon exercise 
of this Warrant), and which benefit from the registration rights granted 
hereunder, during the three-month period beginning on the date such notice is 
received by such holder, without compliance with the registration 
requirements of the Securities Act pursuant to Rule 144(k) (or any successor 
thereto) under the Securities Act; (ii) the Company shall only be required to 
include this Warrant in any such registration where (A) the Common Stock 
issuable upon the exercise of such Warrant is also included in such 
registration and (B) it is contemplated that such Warrant will be exercised 
and such Common Stock will be offered in connection with such registration; 
(iii) the Company shall not be required to give such notice with respect to, 
or to include such Warrant or Common Stock in, any such registration which is 
primarily (A) a registration of a stock option plan or other employee benefit 
plan or of securities issued or issuable pursuant to any such plan such as a 
registration on Form S-8, or (B) a registration of securities proposed to be 
issued in exchange for securities or assets of, or in connection with a 
merger or consolidation with, another corporation such as a registration on 
Form S-4; (iv) the Company shall not be required to include in any such 
registration any shares of Common Stock previously duly registered under the 
Securities Act; (v) the Company may, in its sole discretion, withdraw any 
such registration statement and abandon the proposed offering in which any 
such holder had requested to participate; (vi) if the offering to which the 
registration statement relates is to be distributed by or through an 
underwriter, each such holder shall agree, as a condition to the inclusion of 
such holder's securities in such registration, to sell the securities held by 
such holder through such underwriter on the same terms and conditions as the 
underwriter agrees to sell securities on behalf of the Company and not to 
sell, transfer, pledge, assign or otherwise dispose of any shares of Common 
Stock not sold by such holder in such offering for such period (up to ninety 
(90) days after the effective date of the registration statement) as may be 
required by the underwriter; and (vii) if the offering to which the 
registration statement relates is to be distributed by or through an 
underwriter and a greater number of securities is offered for participation 
in the proposed underwriting than, in the opinion of the Company's 
underwriter, can be accommodated without significantly adversely affecting 
the proposed underwriting, the amount of such securities otherwise to be 
included in the underwritten offering on behalf of all persons other than the 
Company may be reduced pro rata, in accordance with the number of shares


                                      6

<PAGE>

of Common Stock proposed to be sold by each such holder, or may be eliminated 
entirely from such underwritten public offering. The costs and expenses of 
such offering, including but not limited to legal fees, special audit fees, 
printing expenses, filing fees, fees and expenses relating to qualifications 
under state securities or blue sky laws and the premiums for insurance, if 
any, incurred by the Company in connection with any registration made 
pursuant to this Section 8(a) shall be borne entirely by the Company; 
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that any holders participating in such registration shall 
bear their own underwriting discounts and commissions and the fees and 
expenses of their own counsel or accountants in connection with any such 
registration.

          (b) On two occasions only, at any time during the period commencing 
one (1) year from the date hereof and ending five (5) years from the date 
hereof, upon request by the holders of Warrants and/or the holders of shares 
issued upon the exercise of the Warrants who collectively (i) have the right 
to purchase at least 20% of the shares subject to the Warrants, (ii) hold 
directly at least 20% of the shares purchased hereunder, or (iii) have the 
right to purchase or hold directly an aggregate of at least 20% of the shares 
purchasable or purchased hereunder, the Company will promptly take all 
necessary steps to register the sale of such shares by the holders thereof, 
on Form S-3 under the Securities Act (and, upon the request of such 
holders,under Rule 415 thereunder) and such state laws as such holders may 
reasonably request; provided, however, that (i) the Company shall not be 
required to include any such shares of Common Stock in any such registration 
for any holder who is able to sell all shares of Common Stock owned by such 
holder (or issuable to such holder upon exercise of this Warrant), and which 
benefit from the registration rights granted hereunder, during the 
three-month period beginning on the date such registration is requested by 
such holder, without compliance with the registration requirements of the 
Securities Act pursuant to Rule 144(k) (or any successor thereto) under the 
Securities Act; (ii) the Company shall only be required to include this 
Warrant in any such registration where (A) the Common Stock issuable upon the 
exercise of such Warrant is also included in such registration and (B) it is 
contemplated that such Warrant will be exercised and such Common Stock will 
be offered in connection with such registration; (iii) the Company shall not 
be required to include in any such registration any shares of Common Stock 
duly registered under the Securities Act and registered or qualified under 
all applicable state securities or blue sky laws upon original issuance; and 
(iv) the Company may, on not more than one occasion, delay the filing of any 
registration statement requested pursuant to this Section 8(b) to a date not 
more than 90 days following the date of such request if in the reasonable 
opinion of the Company at the time of such request such a delay is necessary 
in order not to significantly adversely affect financing efforts then 
underway at the Company (in which case the expiration date of this Section 
8(b) shall be extended by a period equal to the period of such delay). The 
costs and expenses directly related to any registration requested pursuant to 
this Section 8(b), including but not limited to legal fees of the Company's 
counsel, audit fees, printing expense, filing fees and fees and expenses 
relating to qualifications under state securities or blue sky laws incurred 
by the Company shall be borne entirely by the Company; provided, however, 
that the persons for whose account the securities covered by such 
registration are sold shall bear the underwriting commissions applicable to 
their shares and fees of their legal counsel. If the holders of Warrants and 
the holders of shares of Common Stock underlying the Warrants are the only 
persons whose shares are included in the registration pursuant to this 
Section 8(b), such holders shall bear the expense of inclusion of audited 
financial statements in the registration statement


                                      7

<PAGE>

which are not dated as of the Company's normal fiscal year or are not 
otherwise prepared by the Company for its own business purposes. The Company 
shall keep effective and maintain any registration, qualification, 
notification or approval specified in this Section 8(b) for such period as may 
be necessary for the holders of the Warrants and such Common Stock to dispose 
of such securities and, from time to time shall amend or supplement, at the 
holder's expense, the prospectus or offering circular used in connection 
therewith to the extent necessary in order to comply with applicable law.

          If, at the time any written request for registration is received by 
the Company pursuant to this Section 8(b), the Company has determined to 
proceed with the actual preparation and filing of a registration statement 
under the Securities Act in connection with the proposed offer and sale for 
cash of any of its securities by it or any of its security holders, such 
written request shall be deemed to have been given pursuant to Section 8(a) 
hereof rather than this Section 8(b), and the rights of the holders of 
Warrants and or shares issued upon the exercise of the Warrants covered by 
such written request shall be governed by Section 8(a) hereof.

          The managing underwriter of an offering registered pursuant to this 
Section 8(b), if any, shall be selected by the holders of a majority of the 
Warrants and/or shares issued upon the exercise of the Warrants for which 
registration has been requested and shall be reasonably acceptable to the 
Company. Without the written consent of the holders of a majority of the 
Warrants and/or shares issued upon the exercise of the Warrants for which 
registration has been requested pursuant to this Section 8(b), neither the 
Company nor any other holder of securities of the Company may include 
securities in such registration if in the good faith judgment of the managing 
underwriter of such public offering the inclusion of such securities would 
interfere with the successful marketing of the Warrants and/or shares issued 
upon the exercise of the Warrants or require the exclusion of any portion of 
the Warrants and/or shares issued upon the exercise of the Warrants to be 
registered. Subject to the preceding sentence, shares to be excluded from an 
underwritten public offering shall be selected in the manner provided in 
Section 8(a) hereof.

          (c) If and whenever the Company is required by the provisions of 
Sections 8(a) or 8(b) hereof to effect the registration of Warrants and/or 
shares issued upon the exercise of the Warrants under the Securities Act, the 
Company will:

               (i)    Prepare and file with the U.S. Securities and 
          Exchange Commission (the "Commission") a registration statement 
          with respect to such securities, and use its best efforts to cause 
          such registration statement to become and remain effective for such 
          period as may be reasonably necessary to effect the sale of such 
          securities;

               (ii)   prepare and file with the Commission such 
          amendments to such registration statement and supplements to the 
          prospectus contained therein as may be necessary to keep such 
          registration statement effective for such period as may be 
          reasonably necessary to effect the sale of such securities;


                                      8


<PAGE>

         (iii)  furnish to the security holders participating in such 
    registration and to the underwriters of the securities being registered 
    such reasonable number of copies of the registration statement, 
    preliminary prospectus, final prospectus and such other documents as such 
    underwriters may reasonably request in order to facilitate the public 
    offering of such securities;

         (iv)   use its best efforts to register or qualify the securities 
    covered by such registration statement under such state securities or 
    blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as such participating holders may 
    reasonably request in writing within 30 days following the original filing 
    of such registration statement, except that the Company shall not for any 
    purpose be required to execute a general consent to service of process or 
    to qualify to do business as a foreign corporation in any jurisdiction 
    wherein it is not so qualified;

         (v)    notify the security holders participating in such registration,
    promptly after it shall receive notice thereof, of the time when such 
    registration statement has become effective or a supplement to any 
    prospectus forming a part of such registration statement has been filed;

         (vi)   notify such holders promptly of any request by the Commission 
    for the amending or supplementing of such registration statement or 
    prospectus or for additional information;

         (vii)  prepare and file with the Commission, promptly upon the request
    of any such holders, any amendments or supplements to such registration 
    statement or prospectus which, in the opinion of counsel for such holders 
    (and concurred in by counsel for the Company), is required under the 
    Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder in connection with 
    the distribution of the Warrants or shares by such holder;

         (viii) prepare and promptly file with the Commission and promptly 
    notify such holders of the filing of such amendment or supplement to such 
    registration statement or prospectus as may be necessary to correct any 
    statements or omissions if, at the time when a prospectus relating to 
    such securities is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, any 
    event shall have occurred as the result of which any such prospectus or 
    any other prospectus as then in effect would include an untrue statement 
    of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to make 
    the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances in which they 
    were made, not misleading;

         (ix)   advise such holders, promptly after it shall receive notice 
    or obtain knowledge thereof, of the issuance of any stop order by the 
    Commission suspending the effectiveness of such registration statement or 
    the initiation or threatening of any

                                      9

<PAGE>

    proceeding for that purpose and promptly use its best efforts to prevent 
    the issuance of any stop order or to obtain its withdrawal if such stop 
    order should be issued;

         (x)    not file any amendment or supplement to such registration 
    statement or prospectus to which a majority in interest of such holders 
    shall have reasonably objected on the grounds that such amendment or 
    supplement does not comply in all material respects with the requirements 
    of the Securities Act or the rules and regulations thereunder, after 
    having been furnished with a copy thereof at least five business days 
    prior to the filing thereof, unless in the opinion of counsel for the 
    Company the filing of such amendment or supplement is reasonably 
    necessary to protect the Company from any liabilities under any 
    applicable federal or state law and such filing will not violate 
    applicable law; and

         (xi)   at the request of any such holder, furnish on the effective 
    date of the registration statement and, if such registration includes an 
    underwritten public offering, at the closing provided for in the 
    underwriting agreement: (i) opinions, dated such respective dates, of the 
    counsel representing the Company for the purposes of such registration, 
    addressed to the underwriters, if any, and to the holder or holders 
    making such request, covering such matters as such underwriters and 
    holder or holders may reasonably request; and (ii) letters, dated such 
    respective dates, from the independent certified public accountants of 
    the Company, addressed to the underwriters, if any, and to the holder or 
    holders making such request, covering such matters as such underwriters 
    and holder or holders may reasonably request, in which letter such 
    accountants shall state (without limiting the generality of the 
    foregoing) that they are independent certified public accountants within 
    the meaning of the Securities Act and that in the opinion of such 
    accountants the financial statements and other financial data of the 
    Company included in the registration statement or the prospectus or any 
    amendment or supplement thereto comply in all material respects with the 
    applicable accounting requirements of the Securities Act.

    (d)  The Company hereby indemnifies the holder of this Warrant and of any 
Common Stock issued or issuable hereunder, its officers and directors, and any 
person who controls such Warrant holder or such holder of Common Stock within 
the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act, against all losses, claims, 
damages and liabilities caused by any untrue statement of a material fact 
contained in any registration statement, prospectus, notification or offering 
circular (and as amended or supplemented if the Company shall have furnished 
any amendments or supplements thereto) or any preliminary prospectus or 
caused by any omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated 
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading except 
insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities are caused by any 
untrue statement or omission contained in information furnished in writing to 
the Company by such Warrant holder or such holder of Common Stock expressly 
for use therein, and each such holder by its acceptance hereof severally 
agrees that it will indemnify and hold harmless the Company and each of its 
officers who signs such registration statement and each of its directors and 
each person,

                                      10

<PAGE>

if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of Section 15 of the 
Securities Act of 1933 with respect to losses, claims, damages or liabilities 
which are caused by any untrue statement or omission contained in information 
furnished in writing to the Company by such holder expressly for use therein. 

    9.   ADDITIONAL RIGHT TO CONVERT WARRANT.

         (a)  Subject to the provisions of Section 7 hereof, the holder of 
this Warrant shall have the right to require the Company to convert this 
Warrant (the "Conversion Right") at any time prior to its expiration into 
shares of Common Stock as provided for in this Section 9. Upon exercise of 
the Conversion Right, the Company shall deliver to the holder (without 
payment by the holder of any Exercise Price) that number of shares of Common 
Stock equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the value of the Warrant 
at the time the Conversion Right is exercised (determined by subtracting the 
aggregate Exercise Price for the Warrant Shares in effect immediately prior 
to the exercise of the Conversion Right from the aggregate Fair Market Value 
for the Warrant Shares immediately prior to the exercise of the Conversion 
Right) by (y) the Fair Market Value of one share of Common Stock immediately 
prior to the exercise of the Conversion Right.

         (b)  The Conversion Right may be exercised by the holder, at any 
time or from time to time, prior to its expiration, on any business day by 
delivering a written notice in the form attached hereto (the "Conversion 
Notice") to the Company at the offices of the Company exercising the 
Conversion Right and specifying (i) the total number of shares of Stock the 
Warrantholder will purchase pursuant to such conversion and (ii) a place and 
date not less than one nor more than 20 business days from the date of the 
Conversion Notice for the closing of such purchase.

         (c)  At any closing under Section 9(b) hereof, (i) the holder will 
surrender the Warrant and (ii) the Company will deliver to the holder a 
certificate or certificates for the number of shares of Common Stock issuable 
upon such conversion, together with cash, in lieu of any fraction of a share, 
and (iii) the Company will deliver to the holder a new warrant representing 
the number of shares, if any, with respect to which the warrant shall not 
have been exercised.

         (d)  "FAIR MARKET VALUE" means, with respect to the Company's Common 
Stock, as of any date:

              (i)  if the Common Stock is listed or admitted to unlisted 
trading privileges on any national securities exchange or is not so listed or 
admitted by transactions in the Common Stock are reported on the NASDAQ 
National Market System, the reported closing price of the Common Stock on 
such exchange or by the NASDAQ National Market System as of such date (or, if 
no shares were traded on such day, as of the next preceding day on which 
there was such a trade); or

              (ii) if the Common Stock is not so listed or admitted to 
unlisted trading privileges or reported on the NASDAQ National Market System, 
and bid and asked prices therefor

                                     11

<PAGE>

in the over-the-counter market are reported by the NASDAQ system or National 
Quotation Bureau, Inc. (or any comparable reporting service), the mean of the 
closing bid and asked prices as of such date, as so reported by the NASDAQ 
System, or, if not so reported thereon, as reported by National Quotation 
Bureau, Inc. (or such comparable reporting service); or

              (iii) if the Common Stock is not so listed or admitted to 
unlisted trading privileges, or reported on the NASDAQ National Market 
System, and such bid and asked prices are not so reported by the NASDAQ 
system or National Quotation Bureau, Inc. (or any comparable reporting 
service), such price as the Company's Board of Directors determines in good 
faith in the exercise of its reasonable discretion.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, TRO Learning, Inc. has caused this Warrant to be 
executed by its duly authorized officers and this Warrant to be dated as of 
________, 1997.

                                  TRO LEARNING, INC.

                                  By
                                     ---------------------------------------
                                                      ,  President
                                  --------------------

                                  By
                                     ---------------------------------------
                                                      ,  Secretary
                                  --------------------

                                         12


<PAGE>

                                 EXERCISE FORM
                  (TO BE SIGNED ONLY UPON EXERCISE OF WARRANT)


TRO LEARNING, INC.

    The undersigned, the holder of the within warrant, hereby irrevocably 
elects to exercise the purchase right represented by such warrant for, and to 
purchase thereunder _____________________ shares of the Common Stock, $.01 
par value, of TRO Learning, Inc. and herewith makes payment of 
$____________ therefor, and requests that the certificates for such shares 
be issued in the name of _____________________________ and be delivered to 
_________________________ whose address is __________________________________.





Dated:
      -------------                ------------------------------------------
                                   (Signature must conform in all respects to
                                   the name of holder as specified on the face
                                   of the warrant)




                                   (Address)




                                   (City - State - Zip)


















                                      13

<PAGE>


                               ASSIGNMENT FORM
               (TO BE SIGNED ONLY UPON TRANSFER OF THE WARRANT)



     For value received, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers 
unto ________________________________ the right represented by the within 
warrant to purchase ________________ of the shares of Common Stock, $.01 par 
value, of TRO Learning, Inc. to which the within warrant relates, and 
appoints ______________________________ attorney to transfer said right on 
the books of TRO Learning, Inc., with full power of substitution in the 
premises.





Dated:
      -------------                ------------------------------------------
                                   (Signature must conform in all respects to
                                   the name of holder as specified on the face
                                   of the warrant)




                                   (Address)




                                   (City - State - Zip)



In the presence of:














                                      14

<PAGE>

                              CONVERSION NOTICE
            (TO BE SIGNED ONLY UPON EXERCISE OF CONVERSION RIGHT
                   SET FORTH IN SECTION 9 OF THE WARRANT)



TO TRO LEARNING, INC.:

     The undersigned, the holder of the within Warrant, hereby irrevocably 
elects to exercise the Conversion Right set forth in Section 9 of such 
Warrant and to purchase __________________________ shares of the Common 
Stock, $.01 par value, of TRO Learning, Inc. The closing of this conversion 
shall take place at the offices of the Company on ___________________. 
Certificates for the shares to be delivered at the closing shall be issued in 
the name of _________________________________, whose address is ______________
____________________________.





Dated:
      -------------                ------------------------------------------
                                   (Signature must conform in all respects to
                                   the name of holder as specified on the face
                                   of the warrant)




                                   (Address)























                                      15



<PAGE>




                   SECOND AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED 

                    REVOLVING LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

    THIS SECOND AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED REVOLVING LOAN AND SECURITY 
AGREEMENT (together with all appendices, exhibits, schedules and attachments 
hereto, collectively this "AMENDMENT") is made and entered into as of December 
8, 1997, by and between THE ROACH ORGANIZATION, INC., a Delaware corporation 
and TRO LEARNING (CANADA), INC., a corporation organized under the laws of 
Canada (collectively, the "BORROWER") and SANWA BUSINESS CREDIT CORPORATION, 
a Delaware corporation with its principal place of business at One South 
Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois 60606 ("LENDER").

                                  RECITALS

    WHEREAS, Borrower and Lender entered into that certain Amended and 
Restated Revolving Loan and Security Agreement dated as of March 5, 1997 by 
and between Borrower and Lenders, as amended by that certain First Amendment 
to Amended and Restated Revolving Loan and Security Agreement dated as of 
March 18, 1997 (as so amended the "LOAN AGREEMENT") together with documents 
ancillary thereto, including, without limitation that certain Amended and 
Restated Guaranty of Payment and Performance dated as of March 5, 1997 made 
by TRO Learning, Inc. ("GUARANTOR") in favor of Lender;

    WHEREAS, there now exists Events of Default under the Loan Agreement due 
to Borrower's failure to comply with the financial covenants set forth in 
Sections 10.1(A) and (B) therein as of the last day of Borrower's 1997 fiscal 
fourth (4th) quarter (the "COVENANT DEFAULTS"); and

    WHEREAS, Borrower has requested that Lender waive the Covenant Defaults 
and further amend the Loan Agreement as provided herein and Guarantor has 
consented to such amendment.;

    NOW THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the premises, the mutual 
covenants hereinafter set forth and other good and valuable consideration, 
the receipt and sufficiency of which the parties hereby acknowledge, the 
parties hereby agree as follows:
                                       
                                    ARTICLE
                                       1.
                          RECITALS AND DEFINITIONS


    1.1  Borrower represents and warrants that the foregoing recitals are 
true and correct and constitute an integral part of this Amendment and 
Borrower and Lender hereby agree that all of the recitals of this Amendment 
are hereby incorporated herein and made a part hereof.

<PAGE>

    1.2  Unless otherwise defined herein or the context otherwise requires, 
all capitalized terms used herein shall have the same meanings as ascribed to 
them in the Loan Agreement.

                                    ARTICLE
                                       2.
                               WAIVER OF DEFAULTS

    Subject to the compliance by Borrower with the terms contained herein, 
Lender hereby unconditionally waives each of the Covenant Defaults and all of 
Lender's remedies that would have been available to Lender had it not waived 
the Covenant Defaults. Lender's waiver of the Covenant Defaults shall in no 
way be deemed a waiver of forebearance of any other default, whether now 
existing or hereafter arising or any other Event of Default under the Loan 
Agreement or any related document or agreement executed in connection 
therewith (including, without limitation, future breaches by the Borrower of 
the operating profit covenant set forth in Section 10.1(B) of the Loan 
Agreement).

                                    ARTICLE
                                       3.
                        AMENDMENT OF THE LOAN AGREEMENT             

    3.1.  Borrower and Lender agree that, as of the date hereof and for so 
long as any Liabilities remain outstanding, Borrower may no longer elect to 
use the LIBOR Rate with respect to any Revolving Loans and, as such, the 
Designated Rate for all Revolving Loans shall be the Base Rate. Accordingly, 
all provisions in the Loan Agreement permitting Borrower's election of a 
LIBOR Rate are hereby stricken. All other Loan Documents hereby are modified 
accordingly.

    3.2.  Section 1.24 of the Loan Agreement hereby is deleted and the 
following substituted therefor:

          1.24  "DESIGNATED RATE" SHALL MEAN, WITH RESPECT TO (i) REVOLVING 
    LOANS NOT CONSTITUTING ADVANCES MADE PURSUANT TO THE OVER ADVANCE FACILITY
    OR SUPPLEMENTAL OVER ADVANCES, THE BASE RATE: (ii) REVOLVING LOANS 
    CONSTITUTING ADVANCES MADE PURSUANT TO THE OVER ADVANCE FACILITY, THE 
    FLUCTUATING RATE OF INTEREST EQUAL TO THE PRIME RATE PLUS TWO PERCENT (2%);
    (iii) REVOLVING LOANS CONSTITUTING THE SUPPLEMENTAL OVER ADVANCES, A FIXED
    RATE OF INTEREST EQUAL TO FIFTEEN PERCENT (15%) PER ANNUM; AND (iv) THE 
    TERM LOAN, THE TERM LOAN RATE.

    3.3.  The following subsection shall be added as new subsection 2.2(C) 
to the Loan Agreement:

          (C)  SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 2.2(A) AND IN ADDITION TO 
    THE OVER ADVANCE FACILITY, LENDER SHALL MAKE AVAILABLE TO BORROWER A 
    SUPPLEMENTAL OVER


                                       2







<PAGE>

     ADVANCE FACILITY (THE "SUPPLEMENTAL OVER ADVANCE FACILITY," EACH 
     SUPPLEMENTAL OVER ADVANCE BEING A "SUPPLEMENTAL OVER ADVANCE") AS FOLLOWS:


               -----------------------------------------------
                                             AGGREGATE
                    MONTH             OVER ADVANCE AVAILABLE
               -----------------------------------------------
                DECEMBER, 1997               $1,000,000
               -----------------------------------------------
                 JANUARY, 1998               $1,500,000
               -----------------------------------------------
                FEBRUARY, 1998               $2,500,000
               -----------------------------------------------
                 MARCH, 1998                 $3,500,000
               -----------------------------------------------
                 APRIL, 1998                 $3,500,000
               -----------------------------------------------
                  MAY, 1998                  $1,500,000
               -----------------------------------------------
                  JUNE, 1998                 $2,000,000
               -----------------------------------------------
                  JULY, 1998                 $2,000,000
               -----------------------------------------------
                 AUGUST, 1998                $1,000,000
               -----------------------------------------------

               BORROWER AGREES THAT THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF SUPPLEMENTAL OVER 
     ADVANCES MADE BY LENDER SHALL NEVER BE GREATER THAN THE DOLLAR AMOUNT SET 
     FORTH IN THE ABOVE TABLE DURING EACH RESPECTIVE MONTH. THERE SHALL OCCUR 
     AN IMMEDIATE EVENT OF DEFAULT IN THE EVENT THAT THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF 
     SUPPLEMENTAL OVER ADVANCES EVER EXCEEDS THE RESPECTIVE DOLLAR AMOUNT SET 
     FORTH IN THE ABOVE TABLE. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT OF 
     SUPPLEMENTAL OVER ADVANCES EVER EXCEED $3,500,000.

          (D)  ALL ADVANCES MADE PURSUANT TO THE OVER ADVANCE FACILITY AND/OR 
     THE SUPPLEMENTAL OVER ADVANCE FACILITY SHALL CONSTITUTE REVOLVING LOANS 
     HEREUNDER.

     3.3  Subsection 2.5(A)(i)(a) is hereby deleted in its entirety and the 
following is substituted therefor:

          (i)  (a)  SO LONG AS NO EVENT OF DEFAULT HAS OCCURRED AND IS 
     CONTINUING, BORROWER SHALL PAY TO LENDER INTEREST ON ALL REVOLVING LOANS AT
     THE APPLICABLE DESIGNATED RATE BASED ON THE OUTSTANDING PRINCIPAL BALANCE 
     OF THE REVOLVING LOANS; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT UPON THE OCCURRENCE AND 
     DURING THE CONTINUATION OF AN EVENT OF DEFAULT, LENDER MAY, AT ITS OPTION,
     RAISE THE INTEREST RATE CHARGES ON THE LIABILITIES TO THE DEFAULT RATE 
     WITH RESPECT TO THE LIABILITIES FROM THE DATE OF THE OCCURRENCE OF THE 
     DEFAULT UNTIL THE EARLIER OF (1) THE DEFAULT IS CURED OR WAIVED BY LENDER 
     OR (2) THE LIABILITIES ARE PAID IN FULL. NOTWITHSTANDING THE PROVISIONS OF 
     THE PREVIOUS SENTENCES, BORROWER SHALL RECEIVE A TEN (10) DAY PERIOD 
     (COMMENCING ON THE DATE OF THE OCCURRENCE OF SUCH APPLICATION OF THE 
     DEFAULT) TO CURE ANY NON-MONETARY DEFAULT BEFORE LENDER SHALL HAVE THE 
     RIGHT TO RAISE THE INTEREST RATE CHARGED ON THE LIABILITIES TO THE DEFAULT
     RATE.

     3.4  Section 2.7 of the Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and 
the following is substituted therefor:


                                      3

<PAGE>

          2.7  TERM OF AGREEMENT. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE IN EFFECT FROM 
     THE ORIGINATION DATE, THROUGH AND INCLUDING AUGUST 31, 1998 (THE "TERM"), 
     SUBJECT TO EARLIER TERMINATION BY LENDER UPON THE OCCURRENCE OF A DEFAULT 
     AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 11.1. UPON THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF TERMINATION, ALL 
     OF THE LIABILITIES SHALL BECOME IMMEDIATELY DUE AND PAYABLE WITHOUT 
     PRESENTMENT, NOTICE OR DEMAND, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED HEREIN. 
     NOTWITHSTANDING ANY TERMINATION, UNTIL ALL OF THE LIABILITIES SHALL HAVE 
     BEEN FULLY PAID AND SATISFIED, LENDER SHALL BE ENTITLED TO RETAIN ITS 
     SECURITY INTEREST IN THE COLLATERAL, BORROWER SHALL CONTINUE TO REMIT 
     COLLECTIONS OF ACCOUNTS AND PROCEEDS OF COLLATERAL AS PROVIDED IN THIS 
     AGREEMENT, AND LENDER SHALL RETAIN ALL OF ITS RIGHTS AND REMEDIES UNDER 
     THIS AGREEMENT.

     3.5  Subsections 10.1(A) and (B) are hereby deleted in their entirety 
and the following are substituted therefor:

          (A)  RESERVED

          (B)  BORROWER SHALL MAINTAIN OPERATING PROFIT, MEASURED QUARTERLY 
     ON THE LAST DAY OF EACH FISCAL QUARTER OF BORROWER, AS FOLLOWS:


               ------------------------------------------------
               ------------------------------------------------
                         FIRST QUARTER: 1998     ($2,900,000)
               ------------------------------------------------
                         SECOND QUARTER: 1998     ($450,000)
               ------------------------------------------------
                         THIRD QUARTER: 1998      $2,550,000
               ------------------------------------------------
                         FOURTH QUARTER: 1998     $4,850,000
               ------------------------------------------------
               ------------------------------------------------



                                    ARTICLE
                                       4.
                                      FEES

     4.1. FACILITY FEE. Borrower shall pay to Lender a facility fee in the 
amount of One Hundred Five Thousand and no/100 Dollars ($105,000.00), which 
fee shall be deemed fully earned and nonrefundable at the execution by 
Borrower of this Amendment and shall be paid concurrently with Borrower's 
execution of this Amendment. Such fee shall compensate Lender for the 
reasonable costs associated with the origination, structuring, processing, 
approving and closing of the Supplemental Over Advance Facility and the 
transactions contemplated by this Amendment, including, but not limited to, 
administrative, out-of-pocket, general overhead and lost opportunity costs, 
but not including any expenses for which Borrower has agreed to


                                      4

<PAGE>

reimburse Agent pursuant to any other provisions of this Amendment or any 
other related agreement or document, such as, by way of example, reasonable 
legal fees and expenses.

     4.2.  AMENDMENT FEE.  Borrower shall pay to Lender an amendment fee in 
the amount of Fifty Thousand and no/100 Dollars ($50,000.00), which fee shall 
be deemed fully earned and nonrefundable at the execution by Borrower of this 
Amendment and shall be paid concurrently therewith. Such fee shall compensate 
Lender for the reasonable costs associated with this Amendment and 
documentation of the Supplemental Over Advance Facility. Such fee shall be 
separate and distinct from the facility fee identified in Section 4.1 above.

      4.3.  SUCCESS FEES.  Upon the occurrence of a "Sale Event" (defined 
herein), Borrower shall pay to Lender a sales success fee (a "SALES SUCCESS 
FEE") in an amount equal to the greater of (i) Two Hundred Thousand and 
no/100 Dollars ($200,000) and (ii) the product of (x) 100,000 MULTIPLIED BY 
(y) the excess, if any, of the "Market Price" (defined herein) of a share of 
Guarantor's common stock as of the date of any Sale Event over the Market 
Price of a share of common stock of Guarantor as of the date of this 
Amendment. For purposes of this Section, the term "Market Price" for any day 
shall mean the last sale price quoted in the NASDAQ system on such day the 
term "Sale Event" shall mean: (A) the closing of any sale of securities of 
Guarantor to a person if, after such sale, such person, other than the 
persons who were Shareholders of Guarantor immediately prior to the 
effectiveness of such transaction, would own or control securities which 
possess in the aggregate the ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the 
directors of Guarantor; or (B) the effectiveness of a merger, consolidation 
or similar transaction involving Guarantor if, after such transaction, a 
person in the aggregate, other than the persons who were shareholders of 
Guarantor immediately prior to the effectiveness of such transaction, would 
own or control securities which possess in the aggregate the ordinary voting 
power to elect a majority of the surviving entity's directors; or (C) the 
sale of all or substantially all of the assets of Guarantor to another entity 
or person. Borrower shall pay to Lender a non-sales success fee (a "NON-SALES 
SUCCESS FEE") in an amount equal to Two Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars 
($200,000) in the event that a Sales Event has not occurred prior to the 
earlier of (a) August 31, 1998, or (b) the date on which Lender accelerates 
the Liabilities pursuant to Section 11.2 of the Loan Agreement. Each of the 
Sales Success Fee and the Non-sales Success Fee shall be a Liability secured 
by the Collateral and shall be payable within three days of its determination 
and shall be separate and distinct from the fees identified in Sections 4.1 
and 4.2 above.

                                    ARTICLE
                                       5.
                       REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

      5.1.  Borrower hereby makes the following representations and 
warranties to Lender, which representations and warranties shall constitute 
the continuing covenants of Borrower and shall remain true and correct until 
all of Borrower's liabilities are paid and performed in full:



                                      5


<PAGE>

            a.  The representations and warranties of Borrower contained in the 
Loan Agreement are true and correct on and as of the date hereof as though 
made on and as of such date:

            b.  Except for the Covenant Defaults, no Event of Default or 
event which, but for the lapse of time or the giving of notice, or both, 
would constitute an Event of Default under the Loan Agreement has occurred 
and is continuing or would result from the execution and delivery of this 
Amendment;

            c.  Borrower is in full compliance with all of the terms, 
conditions and all provisions of the Loan Agreement and the other agreements;

            d.  This Amendment and all other agreements required hereunder to 
be executed by Borrower and delivered to Lender, have been duly authorized, 
executed and delivered on Borrower's behalf pursuant to all requisite 
corporate authority and this Amendment and each of the other agreements 
required hereunder to be executed and delivered by Borrower to Lender 
constitute the legal, valid and binding obligations of Borrower enforceable 
in accordance with their terms, except as enforceability thereof may be 
limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other 
similar laws relating to creditors' rights; and

            e.  Borrower hereby acknowledges and agrees that Borrower has no 
defense, offset or counterclaim to the payment of said principal, interest, 
fees or other liabilities and hereby waives and relinquishes any such 
defense, offset or counterclaim and Borrower hereby releases Lender and its 
respective officers, directors, agents, affiliates, successors and assigns 
from any claim, demand or cause of action, known or unknown, contingent or 
liquidated, which may exist or hereafter be known to exist relating to any 
matter prior to the date hereof.

                                    ARTICLE
                                       6.
                                  RATIFICATION

      Except as expressly amended hereby, the Loan Agreement and all other 
agreements executed in connection therewith shall remain in full force and 
effect. The Loan Agreement, as amended hereby, and all rights and powers 
created thereby and thereunder or under such other agreements, are in all 
respects ratified and confirmed. From and after the date hereof, the Loan 
Agreement shall be deemed amended and modified as herein provided but, except 
as so amended and modified, the Loan Agreement shall continue in full force 
and effect and the Loan Agreement and this Amendment shall be read, taken and 
construed as one and the same instrument. On and after the date hereof, the 
term "Agreement" as used in the Loan Agreement and all other references to 
the Loan Agreement therein, in any other instrument, document or writing 
executed by Borrower or any guarantor or furnished to Lender by Borrower or 
any guarantor in connection therewith or herewith shall mean the Loan Agreement
as amended by this Amendment.

                                       6

<PAGE>

                                    ARTICLE 
                                       7.
                                 MISCELLANEOUS

    7.1  This Amendment may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of 
which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall 
constitute one and the same instrument.

    7.2  Except as otherwise specified herein, this Amendment embodies the 
entire agreement and understanding between Lender and Borrower with respect 
to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, consents 
and understandings relating to such subject matter.

    7.3  The headings in this Amendment have been inserted for convenience 
only and shall be given no substantive meaning or significance in construing 
the terms of this Amendment.

    7.4  This Amendment shall inure to the benefit of Lender and its 
successors and assigns and shall be binding upon and inure to the successors 
and assigns of Borrower, except that Borrower may not assign any of its 
rights in and to this Amendment.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Borrower and Lender have caused this Second Amendment 
to Amended and Restated Revolving Loan and Security Agreement to be executed 
and delivered as of the day and year written above.


                                       THE ROACH ORGANIZATION, INC.

                                       By: /s/ Andrew N. Peterson
                                          -------------------------------------
                                       Name: Andrew N. Peterson
                                            -----------------------------------
                                       Title: Senior Vice President
                                             ----------------------------------


                                       TRO LEARNING CANADA, INC.

                                       By: /s/ Andrew N. Peterson
                                          -------------------------------------
                                       Name: Andrew N. Peterson
                                            -----------------------------------
                                       Title: Senior Vice President
                                             ----------------------------------


                                       7

<PAGE>

                                       SANWA BUSINESS CREDIT CORPORATION

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


                     REAFFIRMATION OF AMENDED AND RESTATED
                      GUARANTY OF PAYMENT AND PERFORMANCE

    THE UNDERSIGNED PARTY, as guarantor ("GUARANTOR") of the above Borrowers 
pursuant to its Amended and Restated Guaranty of Payment and Performance (the 
"GUARANTY") identified below, acknowledges the terms and conditions set forth 
in this Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Revolving Loan and Security 
Agreement and ratifies and reaffirms its guaranty obligations as set forth in 
the Guaranty, as reaffirmed. To further induce Lender to enter into this 
Amendment, Guarantor hereby represents and warrants to Lender that it 
possesses no claims, defenses, offsets, recoupment or counterclaims of any 
kind or nature against or with respect to the enforcement of the Loan 
Agreement or any other Ancillary Agreement, each as amended by this 
Amendment, or to the Guaranty (collectively, the "CLAIMS"), nor does 
Guarantor have any knowledge of any facts that would or might give rise to 
any Claims. If facts now exist which would or could give rise to any Claim 
against or with respect to the enforcement of the Loan Agreement, any 
Ancillary Agreement, or the Guaranty, Guarantor hereby unconditionally, 
irrevocably and unequivocally waives and fully releases any and all such 
Claims as if such Claims where the subject of a lawsuit, adjudicated to final 
judgement from which no appeal could be taken and therein dismissed with 
prejudice.

    DATED:  As of December 8, 1997

                                      TRO LEARNING, INC.

                                      By: /s/ Andrew N. Peterson
                                          -------------------------------------
                                      Name: Andrew N. Peterson
                                            -----------------------------------
                                      Its:  Senior Vice President
                                            -----------------------------------

                                      (Amended and Restated Guaranty of Payment
                                      and Performance dated as of March 5, 1997)


                                       8

<PAGE>

                         THE ROACH ORGANIZATION, INC.
                                     AND
                         TRO LEARNING (CANADA), INC.

                   SUBSTITUTED PROMISSORY NOTE (TERM LOAN)

$3,000,000.00                                               December 8, 1997
                                                            Chicago, Illinois

    FOR VALUE RECEIVED, THE ROACH ORGANIZATION, INC., a corporation organized 
under the laws of the State of Delaware, and TRO LEARNING (CANADA), INC., a 
corporation organized under the laws of Canada (collectively, "BORROWERS"), 
promise to pay to the order of SANWA BUSINESS CREDIT CORPORATION, its 
successors, designees or assigns ("LENDER"), at its offices at One South 
Wacker Drive, Chicago, Illinois, or at such other place or places as Lender 
may from time to time designate in writing, the principal sum of Three 
Million and no/100 Dollars ($3,000,000.00), payable as follows: payments of 
interest only for six (6) months, commencing on the first day of June, 1997 
and continuing on the first day of each month thereafter through and 
including November 1, 1997, followed by consecutive monthly principal 
payments of $50,000 each plus accrued and unpaid interest commencing on the 
first day of December, 1997 and continuing on the first day of each month 
thereafter and ending on the Maturity Date (as hereinafter defined). The 
principal balance hereunder shall bear interest at the fixed rate of fifteen 
percent (15%) per annum. The entire principal balance of this Note then 
outstanding, plus all accrued and unpaid interest thereon, shall be due and 
payable on August 31, 1998 (the "MATURITY DATE"), or such earlier date on 
which said amount shall be due and payable on account of acceleration by 
Lender. Notwithstanding the foregoing amortization schedule, all outstanding 
principal, interest costs and expenses due hereunder shall be paid to Lender 
upon termination of the Loan Agreement referred to below.

     This Note was executed and delivered pursuant to that certain Second 
Amendment to Amended And Restated Revolving Loan and Security Agreement dated 
as the date hereof amending that certain Amended and Restated Loan and 
Security Agreement dated as of March 18, 1997 between Borrower and Lender (as 
amended, restated supplemented or modified from time to time, the "LOAN 
AGREEMENT"), to which reference is hereby made for a statement of the terms 
and conditions under which the loans evidenced hereby are to be repaid and 
for a statement of remedies upon the occurrence of an "EVENT OF DEFAULT" as 
defined therein. The Loan Agreement is incorporated herein by reference in 
its entirety. All terms which are capitalized and used herein (which are not 
otherwise specifically defined herein) and which are defined in the Loan 
Agreement shall be used in this Note as defined in the Loan Agreement.

     Borrowers further promise to pay to Lender interest on the outstanding 
unpaid principal amount hereof, as provided in the Loan Agreement, from the 
date hereof until payment in full hereof as determined in accordance with the 
Loan Agreement; provided, however, that, upon the occurrence and during the 
continuance of an Event of Default, Borrowers promise to pay to Lender 
interest on the unpaid principal amount hereof at to the Default Rate 
applicable to the Liabilities evidenced by this Note as determined in 
accordance with the Loan Agreement. Interest shall be computed on the basis 
of a 360-day year for the actual number of days elapsed.

<PAGE>

In no contingency or event whatsoever shall the rate of interest paid by 
Borrowers under this Note exceed the maximum amount permissible under any law 
which a court of competent jurisdiction shall, in a final determination, deem 
applicable hereto. In the event that such a court determines that Lender has 
received interest hereunder in excess of the maximum amount permitted by such 
law, (i) Lender shall apply such excess to any unpaid principal owed by 
Borrowers to Lender or, if the amount of such excess exceeds the unpaid 
balance of such principal, Lender shall promptly refund such excess interest 
to Borrowers and (ii) the provisions hereof shall be deemed amended to 
provide for such permissible rate. All sums paid, or agreed to be paid, by 
Borrowers which are, or hereafter may be construed to be, compensation for 
the use, forbearance or detention of money shall, to the extent permitted by 
applicable law, be amortized, prorated, spread and allocated throughout the 
full term of all such indebtedness until the indebtedness is paid in full.

     This Note is secured by (i) the Loan Agreement and certain Ancillary 
Agreements and Security Documents (as such terms are defined in the Loan 
Agreement), and (ii) all security interests, liens and encumbrances 
heretofore, now or hereafter granted to Lender by Borrowers.

     Except as otherwise provided in the Loan Agreement, Borrowers waive 
presentment, demand and protest, notice of protest, notice of presentment and 
all other notices and demands in connection with the enforcement of Lender's 
rights hereunder, except as specifically provided and called for by this Note 
or the Loan Agreement, and hereby consents to, and waives notice of the 
release, addition, or substitution, with or without consideration, of any 
collateral or of any person liable for payment of this Note. Any failure of 
Lender to exercise any right available hereunder or otherwise shall not be 
construed as a waiver of the right to exercise the same or as a waiver of any 
other right at any other time.

     Whenever in this Note reference is made to Lender or Borrowers, such 
reference shall be deemed to include, as applicable, a reference to their 
respective successors and assigns and, in the case of Lender, any 
Participants to which it has sold or assigned its commitment to make the Term 
Loan pursuant hereto. The provisions of this Note shall be binding upon and 
shall inure to the benefit of such successors, assigns and Participants. 
Borrowers' successors and assigns shall include without limitation, a 
receiver, trustee or debtor in possession of or for Borrowers.

     The loan evidenced hereby has been made, and this Note has been 
delivered, at Chicago, Illinois and shall be governed by and construed in 
accordance with the internal laws (as opposed to the conflicts of laws 
provisions) of the State of Illinois. BORROWERS HEREBY (i) WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO 
A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION TO ENFORCE OR DEFEND ANY MATTER ARISING FROM OR 
RELATED TO THIS NOTE, THE LOAN AGREEMENT, THE ANCILLARY AGREEMENTS OR THE 
SECURITY DOCUMENTS; (ii) IRREVOCABLY SUBMIT TO THE JURISDICTION OF ANY STATE 
OR FEDERAL COURT LOCATED IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, OVER ANY ACTION OR 
PROCEEDING TO ENFORCE OR DEFEND ANY MATTER ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO THIS 
NOTE, THE LOAN AGREEMENT, THE ANCILLARY AGREEMENTS OR THE SECURITY DOCUMENTS; 
(iii) IRREVOCABLY WAIVE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT BORROWERS MAY EFFECTIVELY DO 
SO, THE DEFENSE OF AN INCONVENIENT FORUM TO THE MAINTENANCE OF ANY SUCH ACTION

                                      2

<PAGE>

OR PROCEEDING; (iv) AGREE THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR 
PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN ANY OTHER JURISDICTION 
BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER MANNER PROVIDED BY LAW; AND (v) AGREE 
NOT TO INSTITUTE ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING AGAINST LENDER OR ANY OF 
LENDER'S DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR PROPERTY, CONCERNING ANY 
MATTER ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS NOTE, THE LOAN AGREEMENT, THE 
ANCILLARY AGREEMENTS OR THE SECURITY DOCUMENTS IN ANY COURT OTHER THAN ONE 
LOCATED IN COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS. NOTHING IN THIS PARAGRAPH SHALL AFFECT OR 
IMPAIR LENDER'S RIGHT TO SERVE LEGAL PROCESS IN ANY MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW 
OR LENDER'S RIGHT TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING AGAINST BORROWERS OR 
THEIR PROPERTY IN THE COURTS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTION.

     Wherever possible each provision of this Note shall be interpreted in 
such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any 
provision of this Note shall be prohibited by or invalid under such law, such 
provision shall be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or provision 
invalidity, without invalidating the remainder of or the remaining such 
provisions of this Note.

     This Note amends and restates in its entirety and shall be substituted 
for that certain Promissory Note dated as of May 9, 1997 in the original 
principal amount of $3,000,000.00 made by Borrower to the order of Lender. 
This Note represents a continuation of obligations evidenced by said note and 
shall not be deemed to be a novation of the indebtedness evidenced thereby 
for a payment of such indebtedness and the making of a new loan by Lender.

                                       THE ROACH ORGANIZATION, INC.



                                       By: /s/ Andrew N. Peterson
                                           ------------------------
                                       Name: Andrew N. Peterson
                                             ----------------------
                                       Title: Senior Vice President
                                              ---------------------


                                       TRO LEARNING (CANADA), INC.



                                       By: /s/ Andrew N. Peterson
                                           ------------------------
                                       Name: Andrew N. Peterson
                                             ----------------------
                                       Title: Senior Vice President
                                              ---------------------


                                      3


<PAGE>


                                                          EXHIBIT 11.01


                            TRO LEARNING, INC.
                  COMPUTATION OF INCOME (LOSS) PER SHARE
                   AND EQUIVALENT SHARE OF COMMON STOCK
                   (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


                                                       YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31,
                                                    ----------------------------
                                                       1997      1996     1995
                                                    ---------  --------  -------

AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING:                          
1. Weighted average number of shares of              
   common stock outstanding during the period.......   6,233     6,120    6,066

2. Net additional shares assuming stock options
   and warrants exercised...........................     --        523      214
                                                    ---------  --------  -------


3. Weighted average number of shares and 
   equivalent shares of common stock outstanding 
   during the period..............................     6,233     6,643    6,280
                                                    ---------  --------  -------
                                                    ---------  --------  -------

INCOME (LOSS):
4. Net income (loss)..............................  $(20,217)   $  982   $3,752
                                                    ---------  --------  -------
                                                    ---------  --------  -------

PER SHARE AMOUNTS:
Net income (loss)(line 4/line 3)..................  $  (3.24)   $ 0.15   $ 0.60
                                                    ---------  --------  -------
                                                    ---------  --------  -------

<PAGE>

                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statement of 
TRO Learning, Inc., on Form S-8 (File No. 333-30963) of our report dated 
January 12, 1998, on our audits of the consolidated financial statements and 
financial statement schedule of TRO Learning, Inc., as of October 31, 1997 
and 1996, and for the years ended October 31, 1997, 1996, and 1995, which 
report is included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.



COOPERS & LYBRAND, L.L.P.

Chicago, Illinois
January 12, 1998




<PAGE>

                                                                Exhibit 24.01

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

The undersigned, a Director and/or Officer of TRO Learning, Inc., a Delaware 
corporation (the "Company"), does hereby constitute and appoint William R. 
Roach, Andrew N. Peterson and Mary Jo Murphy, his or her true and lawful 
attorneys and agents, each with full power and authority (acting alone and 
without the other) to execute in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as 
such Director and/or Officer, the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and 
related amendments, if any. The undersigned hereby grants unto such attorneys 
and agents, and each of them, full power of substitution and revocation in 
the premises and hereby ratifies and confirms all that such attorneys and 
agents may do or cause to be done by virtue of these presents.

Dated this 11 day of December, 1997.


/s/ William R. Roach
- -----------------------------
William R. Roach

<PAGE>


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

The undersigned, a Director and/or Officer of TRO Learning, Inc., a Delaware 
corporation (the "Company"), does hereby constitute and appoint William R. 
Roach, Andrew N. Peterson and Mary Jo Murphy, his or her true and lawful 
attorneys and agents, each with full power and authority (acting alone and 
without the other) to execute in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as 
such Director and/or Officer, the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and 
related amendments, if any. The undersigned hereby grants unto such attorneys 
and agents, and each of them, full power of substitution and revocation in 
the premises and hereby ratifies and confirms all that such attorneys and 
agents may do or cause to be done by virtue of these presents.

Dated this 11 day of December, 1997.


/s/ Jack R. Borsting
- -----------------------------
Jack R. Borsting

<PAGE>


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

The undersigned, a Director and/or Officer of TRO Learning, Inc., a Delaware 
corporation (the "Company"), does hereby constitute and appoint William R. 
Roach, Andrew N. Peterson and Mary Jo Murphy, his or her true and lawful 
attorneys and agents, each with full power and authority (acting alone and 
without the other) to execute in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as 
such Director and/or Officer, the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and 
related amendments, if any. The undersigned hereby grants unto such attorneys 
and agents, and each of them, full power of substitution and revocation in 
the premises and hereby ratifies and confirms all that such attorneys and 
agents may do or cause to be done by virtue of these presents.

Dated this 11 day of December, 1997.


/s/ Tony Christianson
- -----------------------------
Tony Christianson

<PAGE>


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

The undersigned, a Director and/or Officer of TRO Learning, Inc., a Delaware 
corporation (the "Company"), does hereby constitute and appoint William R. 
Roach, Andrew N. Peterson and Mary Jo Murphy, his or her true and lawful 
attorneys and agents, each with full power and authority (acting alone and 
without the other) to execute in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as 
such Director and/or Officer, the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and 
related amendments, if any. The undersigned hereby grants unto such attorneys 
and agents, and each of them, full power of substitution and revocation in 
the premises and hereby ratifies and confirms all that such attorneys and 
agents may do or cause to be done by virtue of these presents.

Dated this 11th day of December, 1997.


/s/ John L. Krakauer
- -----------------------------
John L. Krakauer

<PAGE>


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

The undersigned, a Director and/or Officer of TRO Learning, Inc., a Delaware 
corporation (the "Company"), does hereby constitute and appoint William R. 
Roach, Andrew N. Peterson and Mary Jo Murphy, his or her true and lawful 
attorneys and agents, each with full power and authority (acting alone and 
without the other) to execute in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as 
such Director and/or Officer, the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and 
related amendments, if any. The undersigned hereby grants unto such attorneys 
and agents, and each of them, full power of substitution and revocation in 
the premises and hereby ratifies and confirms all that such attorneys and 
agents may do or cause to be done by virtue of these presents.

Dated this 11th day of December, 1997.


/s/ Vernon B. Lewis, Jr.
- -----------------------------
Vernon B. Lewis, Jr.

<PAGE>


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

The undersigned, a Director and/or Officer of TRO Learning, Inc., a Delaware 
corporation (the "Company"), does hereby constitute and appoint William R. 
Roach, Andrew N. Peterson and Mary Jo Murphy, his or her true and lawful 
attorneys and agents, each with full power and authority (acting alone and 
without the other) to execute in the name and on behalf of the undersigned as 
such Director and/or Officer, the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K and 
related amendments, if any. The undersigned hereby grants unto such attorneys 
and agents, and each of them, full power of substitution and revocation in 
the premises and hereby ratifies and confirms all that such attorneys and 
agents may do or cause to be done by virtue of these presents.

Dated this 11 day of December, 1997.


/s/ John Patience
- -----------------------------
John Patience


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOUND IN 
THE COMPANY'S FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1997, AND IS QUALIFIED 
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          OCT-31-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               OCT-31-1997
<CASH>                                             537
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    18305
<ALLOWANCES>                                      7020
<INVENTORY>                                        990
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                 20520
<PP&E>                                            1271
<DEPRECIATION>                                    4092
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                   29088
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            24600
<BONDS>                                           3050
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                            64
<OTHER-SE>                                         683
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                     29088
<SALES>                                          36959
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                 36959
<CGS>                                             6475
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                     6475
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 45323
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                  7252
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                1317
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (16156)
<INCOME-TAX>                                      4061
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (20217)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (20217)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (3.24)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (3.24)
        

</TABLE>


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