PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH & INCOME FUND VII
10-K, 1997-03-24
EQUIPMENT RENTAL & LEASING, NEC
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 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
                  December 31, 1996.

         [  ]     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 33-55796
                            -----------------------


                     PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH & INCOME FUND VII
                 (Exact name of registrant as specified in its
                                    charter)


      California                                            94-3168838
(State or other jurisdiction of                          (I.R.S. Employer
 incorporation or organization)                         Identification No.)

One Market, Steuart Street Tower
  Suite 800, San Francisco, CA                             94105-1301
   (Address of principal                                   (Zip code)
    executive offices)

        Registrant's telephone number, including area code (415) 974-1399
                             -----------------------



         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  12 months  (or for such  shorter  period  that the
registrant was required to file such reports),  and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No ______

Aggregate Market Value of Voting Stock:  N/A

An index of exhibits filed with this Form 10-K is located at page 40.

Total number of pages in this report:  43.


<PAGE>


                                     PART I
ITEM 1.    BUSINESS

(A)  Background

In December 1992, PLM Financial Services,  Inc. (FSI or the General Partner),  a
wholly-owned subsidiary of PLM International, Inc. (PLM International),  filed a
Registration  Statement on Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange  Commission
with respect to a proposed offering of 7,500,000 limited  partnership units (the
Units)  in PLM  Equipment  Growth  &  Income  Fund  VII,  a  California  limited
partnership  (the  Partnership,  the Registrant or EGF VII).  The  Partnership's
offering became  effective on May 25, 1993. FSI, as General  Partner,  owns a 5%
interest  in  the  Partnership.  The  Partnership  engages  in the  business  of
investing in a diversified  equipment  portfolio  consisting  primarily of used,
long-lived,  low-obsolescence  capital equipment that is easily transportable by
and among prospective users.

The Partnership's primary objectives are:

     (i)  Investment  in  equipment:  to invest in a  diversified  portfolio  of
low-obsolescence equipment having long lives and high residual values, at prices
that the General Partner believes to be below inherent values,  and to place the
equipment on lease or under other  contractual  arrangements  with  creditworthy
lessees and operators of equipment;

     (ii)Cash  distributions:  to  generate  cash  distributions,  which  may be
substantially  tax-deferred (i.e., distributions that are not subject to current
taxation) during the early years of the Partnership,  to investors  beginning in
the quarter following the month in which the minimum number of Units are sold, a
portion of which may represent a return of an investor's investment;

     (iii) Safety:  to create a significant  degree of safety  relative to other
equipment leasing  investments  through the purchase of a diversified  equipment
portfolio.  This diversification  reduces the exposure to market fluctuations in
any one sector. The purchase of used,  long-lived,  low-obsolescence  equipment,
typically at prices that are substantially below the cost of new equipment, also
reduces the impact of economic  depreciation  and can create the opportunity for
appreciation  in certain  market  situations,  where supply and demand return to
balance from oversupply conditions; and

     (iv)Growth:  to increase the  Partnership's  revenue base by  reinvesting a
portion  of  its  operating  cash  flow  during  the  first  six  years  of  the
Partnership's operation in additional equipment in order to grow the size of its
portfolio.  Since net  income and  distributions  are  affected  by a variety of
factors,  including purchase prices, lease rates, and costs and expenses, growth
in the size of the  Partnership's  portfolio does not mean that in all cases the
Partnership's  aggregate  net income and  distributions  will  increase upon the
reinvestment of operating cash flow.

     The  offering of Units of the  Partnership  closed on April 25,  1995.  The
Partnership  admitted  Limited  Partners at 24 interim closing dates during 1993
through 1995. As of December 31, 1996,  there were 5,370,297 Units  outstanding.
The General Partner  contributed $100 for its 5% General Partner interest in the
Partnership.

     In the ninth year of operations of the Partnership, which commences January
1, 2004, the General Partner intends to begin the dissolution and liquidation of
the  Partnership  in an orderly  fashion,  unless the  Partnership is terminated
earlier upon sale of all of the equipment or by certain  other events.  However,
under certain circumstances,  the term of the Partnership may be extended. In no
event will the Partnership extend beyond December 31, 2013.


<PAGE>


     Table 1, below, lists cumulative  offering proceeds,  the cost of equipment
in the Partnership's portfolio, and fees paid at December 31, 1996 (in thousands
of dollars):
<TABLE>

                                                      TABLE 1

<CAPTION>
Units                 Type                                             Manufacturer                      Cost
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Owned equipment held for operating leases:

  <S>     <C>                                           <C>                                          <C>        
     2    Bulk carrier marine vessels                   Ishikawa Jima                                $    22,212
     1    737-200 commercial aircraft                   Boeing                                             5,483
     2    DHC-8 commuter aircraft                       DeHavilland                                        7,628
     3    DC9 commercial aircraft                       McDonnell Douglas                                  2,822
   111    Refrigerated trailers                         Various                                            2,586
   600    Dry trailers                                  Trailmobile/Stoughton                              7,594
    62    Flatbed trailers                              Great Dane                                           532
   250    Dry piggyback trailers                        Various                                            3,835
    68    Woodchip gondola railcars                     National Steel                                     1,044
   347    Pressurized tank railcars                     Various                                            9,009
   214    Modular buildings                             Various                                            4,696
                                                                                                     ------------
          Total owned equipment held for operating leases                                            $    67,441<F1>
                                                                                                     ============

Investment in equipment owned by unconsolidated special purpose entities:

  0.80    Bulk carrier marine vessel                    Tsuneishi Zosen                                   14,212<F2>
  0.44    Bulk carrier marine vessel                    Naikai Ship Building & Engineering Co.             5,628<F3>
  0.25    Trust comprised of four 737-200
            Stage II commercial aircraft                Boeing                                             5,862<F4>
  0.33    Two trusts consisting of:
            Three 737-200A Stage II commercial
                 aircraft                               Boeing                                             9,408<F5>
            Two aircraft Stage II engines               Pratt & Whitney                                      390<F5>
            Portfolio of rotable components             Various                                              650<F5>
  0.29    Trust consisting of six 737-200A
            Stage II commercial aircraft                Boeing                                             8,987<F6>
  0.24    767-200ER Stage III Commercial
            aircraft                                    Boeing                                            10,251<F7>
  0.10    Mobile offshore drilling unit                 AT & CH de France                                  2,090<F8>
                                                                                                     ------------
          Total investments in unconsolidated special purpose entities                               $    57,478<F1>
                                                                                                     ============
<FN>

<F1> Includes proceeds from capital contributions,  undistributed cash flow from
     operations,  and  Partnership  borrowings  invested in equipment.  Includes
     costs  capitalized,  subsequent  to the  date of  purchase,  and  equipment
     acquisition fees paid to PLM Transportation  Equipment Corporation (TEC), a
     wholly-owned subsidiary of FSI, or PLM Worldwide Management Services (WMS),
     a wholly owned subsidiary of PLM International.

<F2> Jointly owned:  EGF VII and an affiliated partnership.

<F3> Jointly owned:  EGF VII and an affiliated partnership.

<F4> Jointly owned:  EGF VII and two affiliated partnerships.

<F5> Jointly owned:  EGF VII and three affiliated partnerships.

<F6> Jointly owned:  EGF VII and five affiliated partnerships.

<F7> Jointly owned:  EGF VII and two affiliated partnerships.

<F8> Jointly  owned:  EGF  VII,  two  affiliated  partnerships  (65%),  and  TEC
     Acquisub, Inc. (25%), an affiliate of PLM International.

</FN>

</TABLE>


The equipment is generally  leased under  operating  leases for a term of one to
six years.

     At  December  31,  1996,  approximately  76% of the  Partnership's  trailer
equipment operated in rental yards owned and maintained by PLM Rental, Inc., the
short-term  trailer rental subsidiary of PLM  International.  Revenues collected
under short-term rental agreements with the rental yards' customers are credited
to the owners of the related equipment as received.  Direct expenses  associated
with the equipment  are charged  directly to the  Partnership.  An allocation of
other  direct  expenses  of  the  rental  yard  operations  are  billed  to  the
Partnership monthly.

     The lessees of the  equipment  include,  but are not  limited to:  Hongkong
Mingwah Shipping Co., Ltd., Wah Yuen Shipping, Inc., Pacific Carriers, Ltd., SWR
Brazil 767, Inc., and Action  Carriers,  Incorporated.  As of December 31, 1996,
all of the  equipment  was on lease or  operating in  PLM-affiliated  short-term
trailer rental yards.

(B)  Management of Partnership Equipment

The  Partnership  has entered into an equipment  management  agreement  with PLM
Investment  Management,  Inc.  (IMI), a wholly-owned  subsidiary of FSI, for the
management of equipment.  IMI agreed to perform all services necessary to manage
the  transportation  equipment  on behalf of the  Partnership  and to perform or
contract  for  the  performance  of all  obligations  of the  lessor  under  the
Partnership's  leases.  In  consideration  for its  services and pursuant to the
Partnership  Agreement,  IMI  is  entitled  to a  monthly  management  fee  (see
financial statements, Notes 1 and 3).

(C)  Competition

(1)  Operating Leases versus. Full Payout Leases

Generally,  the equipment  owned or invested in by the Partnership is leased out
on an operating lease basis wherein rents owed during the initial  noncancelable
term of the  lease  are  insufficient  to  recover  the  purchase  price  of the
equipment.  The short- to mid-term nature of operating leases generally commands
a higher rental rate than longer-term,  full-payout  leases,  and offers lessees
relative  flexibility in their  equipment  commitment.  In addition,  the rental
obligation  under an  operating  lease need not be  capitalized  on the lessee's
balance sheet.

     The Partnership encounters considerable  competition from lessors utilizing
full-payout  leases on new equipment,  i.e., leases that have terms equal to the
expected  economic  life of the  equipment.  Full payout  leases are written for
longer terms and for lower monthly rates than the Partnership offers. While some
lessees prefer the flexibility offered by a shorter-term  operating lease, other
lessees  prefer  the  rate  advantages   possible  with  a  full-payout   lease.
Competitors of the  Partnership  may write  full-payout  leases at  considerably
lower  rates,  or larger  competitors  with a lower  cost of  capital  may offer
operating leases at lower rates,  and, as a result,  the Partnership may be at a
competitive disadvantage.

(2)  Manufacturers and Equipment Lessors

The Partnership also competes with equipment  manufacturers that offer operating
leases and full-payout leases. Manufacturers may provide ancillary services that
the  Partnership  cannot  offer,  such  as  specialized   maintenance   services
(including possible substitution of equipment), training, warranty services, and
trade-in privileges.

     The  Partnership  competes  with  many  equipment  lessors,  including  ACF
Industries, Inc. (Shippers Car Line Division), General Electric Railcar Services
Corporation,  Greenbrier  Leasing Company,  General Electric  Aviation  Services
Corporation,  and other  limited  partnerships  that may lease the same types of
equipment.

(D)  Demand

The  Partnership  invests in  transportation-related  capital  equipment  and in
"relocatable   environments."   "Relocatable  environments"  refers  to  capital
equipment  constructed  to be  self-contained  in  function  but  transportable,
examples of which include mobile  offshore  drilling units,  storage units,  and
relocatable buildings. A general distinction can be drawn between equipment used
for the  transport  of either  materials  and  commodities  or people.  With the
exception  of aircraft  leased to  passenger  air  carriers,  the  Partnership's
equipment is used primarily for the transport of materials.





The following describes the markets for the Partnership's equipment:

(1)  Commercial Aircraft

The market for commercial  aircraft  continued to improve in 1996,  representing
two consecutive  years of growth and profits in the airline  industry.  The $5.7
billion in net profits  recorded by the world's top 100 airlines in 1995 grew to
over $6.0 billion in 1996. The profits are a result of the continued  management
emphasis on costs.  The demand for ever-lower unit costs by airline  managements
has  caused a  significant  reduction  of  surplus  used  Stage II and Stage III
commercial aircraft. The result is a return to supply/demand equilibrium. On the
demand side,  passenger  traffic is  improving,  cargo  movement is up, and load
factors are generally higher across the major markets.

     These  changes are  reflected  in the  performance  of the world's 62 major
airlines  that  operate 60% of the world  airline  fleet but handle 78% of world
passenger traffic. Focusing on the supply/demand for Partnership-type narrowbody
commercial  aircraft,  213 used  narrowbody  aircraft were available at year end
1995. In the first 10 months of 1996,  this supply was reduced to 119 narrowbody
aircraft  available  for sale or  lease.  Forecasts  for  1997 see a  continuing
supply/demand equilibrium due to air travel growth and balanced aircraft supply.

     The  Partnership's  narrowbody  fleet  are  late-model  (post-1974)  Boeing
737-200 Advanced  aircraft.  There are a total of 939 Boeing 737-200 aircraft in
service,  with 219 built prior to 1974.  Independent forecasts estimate that 250
Boeing 737-200s will be retired,  leaving  approximately 700 aircraft in service
after 2003.  The  forecasts  regarding  hushkits  estimate  that half of the 700
Boeing 737-200s will be hushed to meet Stage III noise levels. The Partnership's
aircraft  are all  prospects  for Stage III  hushkits  due to their age,  hours,
cycles, engine configurations, and operating weights.

     The  Partnership  has an  investment  in an entity  that  owns a  widebody,
twin-engine,  twin-aisle Boeing 767-200ER. The aircraft is a late-model aircraft
with  high  gross  operating  weights  and the most  advanced-technology  engine
powerplants  available on the market.  The aircraft  carries 216 passengers in a
mixed  class over 6,800  nautical  miles.  There are  currently  99  aircraft in
service with 26  different  operators  worldwide.  The  aircraft  competes  with
three-engine, older-generation widebody aircraft, such as the Lockheed L1011 and
the McDonnell Douglas DC-10. This fleet  (L1011/DC-10)  totals over 500 aircraft
today. These older aircraft will continue to be phased out of service,  with 140
retired before 2003.

(2)  Commuter/Regional Aircraft

Independent  forecasts  show that the regional  aircraft  market is growing at a
rate of 5.5% per year through 2013.  This is slightly higher than the comparable
growth rate in commercial aircraft of 4.7% over the same period. Currently there
are 4,390 regional aircraft in service in the 15- to 70-seat class.  Independent
forecasts  show that this will grow to over  5,000  aircraft  during the next 17
years.  The  highest  growth  markets  are the 30- to  50-seat  turboprops.  The
emphasis on the larger  aircraft in the future is a result of growing  passenger
numbers,  airport  congestion,  and the  extension  of  regional  airline  route
networks requiring long-range  aircraft.  These events will continue the current
trend of the  major  airlines  to hand  down the  operations  of their  marginal
short-haul routes to affiliated regional carriers.

     The  Partnership  leases  regional  aircraft that are in the 30- to 50-seat
category.  The Partnership's aircraft are in North America, which is the highest
growth  market for this class.  The 30-seat  market is growing at the expense of
the smaller 19-seat aircraft.

(3)  Aircraft Engines

The  demand  for spare  engines  has  increased  as a result  of the air  travel
industry's  expansion  over the last two  years.  The most  significant  area of
increase is in the Pratt & Whitney Stage II JT8D engine,which powers many of the
Partnership's Stage II commercial aircraft. Today over 3,000 Stage II commercial
jets are in  service.  In  December  1993,  there  were 288 Stage II  narrowbody
aircraft  available  for sale or  lease.  As of  October  1996,  the  number  of
available  Stage II narrowbody  aircraft was only 107. The increase in the Stage
II fleet has placed over 450 engines back into service. This level of demand has
placed a premium on spare JT8D engines and resulted in a good leasing market for
available engines. The Partnership's spare engines will all be re-leased or sold
over the next two years during this market cycle.
 (4) Aircraft Rotables

Aircraft  rotables are replacement  spare parts held by an airline in inventory.
These  parts are  components  that are  removable  from an  aircraft  or engine,
undergo  overhaul,  and are recertified and refit to the aircraft in an "as new"
condition.  Components,  or rotables,  carry  specific  identification  numbers,
allowing each part to be individually  tracked.  The types of rotables owned and
leased by the  Partnership  include  landing gear,  certain  engine  components,
avionics,  auxiliary power units (APUs),  replacement  doors,  control surfaces,
pumps, valves, and other comparable equipment.  Generally a rotable has a useful
life that is either  measured  in terms of time in  service  or number of cycles
(takeoffs and landings).  While there are no specific  guidelines  that apply to
the  time or  cycles  between  overhauls  for  rotable  equipment,  there  is no
limitation on the number of times a rotable may be overhauled  and  recertified.
The  component  will be  overhauled  until  the  cost of such  overhaul  becomes
uneconomic relative to the unit's replacement cost.

     The  Partnership's  investment in an entity that owns rotable parts will be
available  for sale or lease in 1997.  Rotables  generally  reflect  the  market
conditions of the aircraft  they support.  The  Partnership's  rotables  support
primarily  Boeing  737-300/400/500  and the Boeing  737-200  Advanced  aircraft.
Independent  forecasts for 1997 indicate a  supply/demand  equilibrium for these
aircraft types.

(5)  Railcars/Pressurized Tank Cars

These cars are used primarily in the  petrochemical  and fertilizer  industries.
They  transport  liquefied  petroleum  gas  (LPG)  and  anhydrous  ammonia.  The
utilization  rate on the  Partnership's  fleet of pressurized tank cars was over
98% during 1996.  Independent  forecasts show the demand for natural gas growing
during 1997 to 1999, as the developing world,  former Communist  countries,  and
the  industrialized  world all increase their demand for energy.  The fertilizer
industry  was  undergoing a rapid  restructuring  toward the end of 1996 after a
string of major mergers, which began in 1995. These mergers reduce the number of
companies that use pressurized tank cars for fertilizer service.  Whether or not
the economies of the mergers allow the total fleet size to be reduced remains to
be seen.

(6)  Marine Vessels

The Partnership  owns and has investments in entities that own primarily  small-
to  medium-sized  dry bulk  vessels,  which are traded in worldwide  markets and
carry commodity cargoes .

     The freight  rates in the dry bulk  shipping  market are  dependent  on the
balance of supply and demand for shipping  commodities and trading  patterns for
such dry bulk commodities. In 1995, dry bulk shipping demand was robust (growing
at 5% over 1994) and there was a  significant  infusion  of new vessel  tonnage,
especially late in the year,  causing some decline in freight rates after a peak
in midyear.  The slide in freight rates  continued in the first half of 1996, as
new tonnage was delivered and shipping demand slipped from the high growth rates
of 1995. In the third quarter of 1996,  there was a significant  acceleration in
the drop of freight rates,  primarily  caused by the lack of  significant  grain
shipment volumes and the infusion of new tonnage.  The low freight rates induced
many  ship  owners to scrap  older  tonnage  and to defer or cancel  newbuilding
orders. In the fourth quarter,  a strong grain harvest worldwide gave the market
new strength,  and freight rates  recovered to the levels  experienced  in early
1996, but not to 1995 levels.  Overall, 1996 was a soft year for shipping,  with
dry bulk demand  growing only 1.8% and the dry bulk fleet growing 3% in tonnage.
The  outlook for 1997 shows an expected  improvement  in demand,  with growth at
2.4%, but a high orderbook remains.  The year 1997 is expected to be a soft year
with relatively low freight rates; however, prospects may be strengthened by the
continued scrapping of older vessels in the face of soft rates and the deferment
or canceling of orders.

     Demand for commodity  shipping  closely tracks  worldwide  economic growth;
however,  economic  development may alter demand patterns from time to time. The
General Partner  operates its funds' vessels in spot charters,  period charters,
and pooled vessel  operations.  This operating approach provides the flexibility
to adapt to changing demand patterns.

     Independent  forecasts show a long-term  outlook (past 1997) of improvement
in  freight  rates  earned  by  vessels;  however,  this  is  dependent  on  the
supply/demand  balance and stability in growth levels. The newbuilding orderbook
currently  is  slightly  lower  than at the end of  1995  in  tonnage.  Shipyard
capacity is booked through late 1998; however, it remains to be seen how many of
these  orders will  actually be  fulfilled.  Historically,  demand has  averaged
approximately 3 percent in annual growth,  fluctuating between flat growth and 6
percent  annually.  With  predictable  long-term  demand  growth,  the long-term
outlook  depends  on the supply  side,  which is  affected  by  interest  rates,
government  shipbuilding subsidy programs,  and prospects for reasonable capital
returns in shipping.

(7)  Trailers

Intermodal Trailers

The robust  intermodal  trailer market that began four years ago began to soften
in 1995 and reduced demand continued in 1996.  Intermodal  trailer loadings were
flat in 1996 versus 1995's  depressed  levels.  This lack of growth has been the
result of many factors,  ranging from truckload firms  aggressively  recapturing
market share from the railroads  through  aggressive  pricing to the  continuing
consolidation  activities and asset  efficiency  improvements  of the major U.S.
railroads.

     All of  these  factors  helped  make  1996 a year of  equalizing  equipment
supply,  as  railroads  and  lessors  were  pressured  to retire  older and less
efficient  trailers.  The two largest suppliers of railroad trailers reduced the
available  fleet  in  1996 by  over  15%.  Overall  utilization  for  intermodal
trailers, including the Partnership's fleet , was lower in 1996 than in previous
years.

Over-the-Road Dry Trailers

The  over-the-road  dry trailer market was weak in 1996, with  utilization  down
15%. The trailer industry  experienced a record year in 1994 for new production,
and 1995 production levels were similar to 1994's.  However, in 1996 , the truck
freight recession,  along with an overbuilding situation,  contributed to 1996's
poor performance. The year 1996 had too little freight and too much equipment.

Over-the-Road Refrigerated Trailers

The  Partnership  experienced  fairly  strong  demand  levels  in  1996  for its
refrigerated trailers. With over 10% of the fleet in over-the-road  refrigerated
trailers,  the  Partnership,  PLM, and affiliated  partnerships  combined is the
largest  supplier  of  short-term  rental  refrigerated  trailers  in the United
States.

(8)  Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (Rigs)

Worldwide demand for mobile offshore  drilling units (rigs) in 1996 increased in
all sectors of the business over the demand levels experienced in 1995 and 1994.
This increase in demand spread over all geographic regions of offshore drilling;
it also  affected all  equipment  types in the offshore  drilling  sector.  This
increase  in demand  without  any  increase  in  supply  of rigs gave  increased
utilization and higher contract day rates in the market.  The improvement in the
market  can be  attributed  to a number  of  factors,  but  primarily  it can be
associated with continued growth worldwide in the use of oil and natural gas for
energy.  Stable prices at moderate  levels have  encouraged  such growth,  while
providing  adequate  margins for oil and natural gas  exploration and production
development.

     The  floating  rig  sector  has  also  experienced  an  improving   market.
Technological  improvements  and more  efficient  operations  have  improved the
economics of drilling and  production  in the  deep-water  operations  for which
floating rigs are utilized. Overall, demand for floating rigs increased from 117
rig-years in 1995 to 128 rig-years in 1996,  with no increase in supply of rigs.
The  increase  in demand and  utilization  prompted an  approximate  doubling of
contract day rates and an  associated  increase in floating  rig market  values.
Three floating rigs were ordered in 1996;  however,  these will not be delivered
until  late in 1998 and will have a minimal  effect on the  market,  as they are
committed to specific contracts.

     The most significant  trend in 1996 was the continued  consolidation of the
offshore drilling industry.  Five major mergers of offshore drilling contractors
occurred in 1996, leading to a more controlled and stable market in which higher
levels of day rates may be maintained.  The  consolidation of rig ownership into
fewer hands has a recognizable effect on stabilizing day rates in times of lower
utilization and on quicker improvement in times of increasing utilization.

     Demand for floating rigs is projected by industry  participants to continue
to increase through 1997, with no significant increases in rig supply. Day rates
are not yet at levels  sufficiently  high to justify the widespread  ordering of
new equipment.

(9)  Modular Buildings

The  market  for  modular  buildings  of the type  owned by the  Partnership  is
primarily California public and private school districts.  The California school
population continues to expand,  creating an increased need for classroom space.
However,  funding for capital  improvements and permanent capacity expansion are
increasingly  difficult for school  districts to obtain.  School  districts have
used modular buildings to meet temporary and, in some cases, permanent increases
in the demand for classroom space.

     In 1996, the Partnership's  lease rates and utilization  increased over the
1995 levels. Future demand is closely correlated with demographic changes within
the state of California.  If population inflows were to decrease or reverse to a
net outflow,  then the demand for classroom space and the subsequent  demand for
modular buildings could decrease.

(E)  Government Regulations

The use, maintenance, and ownership of equipment is regulated by federal, state,
local,  and/or  foreign  government  authorities.  Such  regulations  may impose
restrictions and financial burdens on the Partnership's  ownership and operation
of  equipment.  Changes  in  government  regulations,   industry  standards,  or
deregulation  may also  affect  the  ownership,  operation,  and  resale  of the
equipment.  Substantial  portions of the Partnership's  equipment  portfolio are
either registered or operated internationally.  Such equipment may be subject to
adverse  political,   government,  or  legal  actions,  including  the  risk  of
expropriation  or loss arising from  hostilities.  Certain of the  Partnership's
equipment is subject to extensive  safety and operating  regulations,  which may
require the removal from service or extensive  modification of such equipment to
meet  these  regulations,   at  considerable  cost  to  the  Partnership.   Such
regulations include (but are not limited to):

     (1) the U.S. Oil  Pollution  Act of 1990 (which  established  liability for
         operators and owners of vessels,  mobile offshore  drilling units, etc.
         that create environmental pollution);

     (2) the U.S. Department of  Transportation's  Aircraft Capacity Act of 1990
         (which limits or eliminates the operation of commercial aircraft in the
         United  States that do not meet certain  noise,  aging,  and  corrosion
         criteria);

     (3) the Montreal  Protocol on  Substances  that Deplete the Ozone layer and
         the U.S.  Clean Air Act  Amendments of 1990 (which call for the control
         and eventual replacement of substances that have been found to cause or
         contribute  significantly to harmful effects on the stratospheric ozone
         layer and which are used  extensively as  refrigerants  in refrigerated
         marine cargo containers, over-the-road trailers, etc.);

     (4) the U.S. Department of Transportation's Hazardous Materials Regulations
         (which regulate the  classification  of and packaging  requirements for
         hazardous   materials  and  which  could  apply   particularly  to  the
         Partnership's tank cars).

ITEM 2.    PROPERTIES

The Partnership  neither owns nor leases any properties other than the equipment
it has purchased for leasing  purposes.  At December 31, 1996,  the  Partnership
owned a portfolio of transportation equipment and investments in equipment owned
by special  purpose  entities,  as described in Part I, Table 1. The Partnership
acquired  equipment with the proceeds of the  Partnership  offering  through the
third quarter of 1995. In December 1995, the Partnership  closed a $23.0 million
long-term  note with five  institutional  investors,  the proceeds of which were
used to repay  obligations  of the  Partnership  under the Credit  Facility (see
financial  statements,  Note 5) and to purchase additional equipment during 1995
and 1996.

     The  Partnership  maintains  its  principal  office at One Market,  Steuart
Street  Tower,  Suite 800,  San  Francisco,  California  94105-1301.  All office
facilities are provided by FSI without reimbursement by the Partnership.




ITEM 3.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

PLM International (PLMI) along with FSI, IMI, TEC, and PLM Securities Corp. (PLM
Securities), and collectively with PLMI, FSI, IMI, TEC, and PLM Securities, (the
"PLM Entities"), were named as defendants in a class action lawsuit filed in the
Circuit Court of Mobile County,  Mobile,  Alabama,  Case No. CV-97-251.  The PLM
Entities received service of the complaint on February 10, 1997 and, pursuant to
an extension of time granted by plaintiffs'  attorneys,  have 60 days to respond
to the complaint.  PLM International is currently reviewing the substance of the
allegations  with its counsel,  and believes the  allegations  to be  completely
without merit and intends to defend this matter vigorously.

     The  plaintiffs,  who filed the complaint on their own and on behalf of all
class members similarly situated,  are six individuals who allegedly invested in
certain California limited partnerships  sponsored by PLM Securities,  for which
FSI acts as the General Partner, including the Partnership, PLM Equipment Growth
Fund IV, PLM Equipment Growth Fund V, and PLM Equipment Growth Fund VI (the "PLM
Growth  Funds").  The  complaint  purports  eight  causes of action  against all
defendants,   as   follows:   fraud   and   deceit,    suppression,    negligent
misrepresentation  and  suppression,   intentional  breach  of  fiduciary  duty,
negligent  breach  of  fiduciary  duty,  unjust  enrichment,   conversion,   and
conspiracy.  Additionally,  plaintiffs  allege a cause of action  for  breach of
third party  beneficiary  contracts  against and in  violation  of the  National
Association  of  Securities  Dealers  (NASD)  rules  of  fair  practice  by  PLM
Securities alone.

      Plaintiffs  allege  that  each  defendant  owed  plaintiffs  and the class
certain duties due to their status as fiduciaries,  financial advisors,  agents,
general partner, and control persons.  Based on these duties,  plaintiffs assert
liability  against the PLM Entities for improper sales and marketing  practices,
mismanagement  of the PLM Growth Funds, and concealing such  mismanagement  from
investors in the PLM Growth Funds. Plaintiffs seek unspecified  compensatory and
recissory damages, as well as punitive damages, and have offered to tender their
Limited Partnership Units back to the defendants.

ITEM 4.    SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

No matters were submitted to a vote of the Partnership's Limited Partners during
the fourth quarter of its fiscal year ended December 31, 1996.



<PAGE>


                                     PART II

ITEM 5.    MARKET FOR THE PARTNERSHIP'S EQUITY AND RELATED UNITHOLDER MATTERS

Pursuant  to the terms of the  Partnership  Agreement,  the  General  Partner is
generally  entitled to a 5% interest in the profits and losses and distributions
of the  Partnership.  The General  Partner is the sole holder of such interests.
Gross income in each year of the Partnership will be specially  allocated to the
General Partner in the amount equal to the lesser of (i) the deficit balance, if
any,  in the General  Partner's  capital  account,  calculated  under  generally
accepted accounting  principles using the straight-line  method of depreciation,
and (ii) the deficit balance,  if any, in the General Partner's capital account,
calculated under federal income tax regulations.  The remaining interests in the
profits and losses and distributions of the Partnership are owned as of December
31, 1996 by the approximately 5,760 holders of Units in the Partnership.

     There are several  secondary  markets in which  limited  partnership  units
trade.  Secondary  markets  are  characterized  as having few buyers for limited
partnership  interests  and,  therefore,  generally  are  viewed as  inefficient
vehicles for the sale of partnership  units. There is presently no public market
for the Units and none is likely to  develop.  To  prevent  the Units from being
considered  "publicly traded" and, thereby, to avoid taxation of the Partnership
as an association  treated as a corporation under the Internal Revenue Code, the
Units will not be transferable without the consent of the General Partner, which
may be withheld in its  absolute  discretion.  The  General  Partner  intends to
monitor  transfers  of Units in an effort to ensure  that they do not exceed the
number  permitted by certain safe harbors  promulgated  by the Internal  Revenue
Service.  A transfer may be prohibited if the intended  transferee is not a U.S.
citizen or if the transfer would cause any portion of the Units to be treated as
"plan assets." The  Partnership may also be obligated to redeem a certain number
of Units each year, beginning October 25, 1997.


<PAGE>


ITEM 6.    SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

     Table 2, below, lists selected financial data for the Partnership:

                                     TABLE 2

                   For the year ended December 31, 1996, 1995,
                    1994, and 1993 (In thousands, except per
                                  unit amounts)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                   1996            1995             1994             1993
                                               ---------------------------------------------------------------

   <S>                                         <C>               <C>            <C>              <C>             
   Operating results:
     Total revenues                            $   12,703        $  18,638      $     9,217      $       695     
     Net gain on disposition of equipment              42              182               22               --
     Equity in net loss of unconsolidated
       special purpose entities                      (880 )             --               --               --
     Net loss                                      (2,976 )         (1,192 )         (3,809 )           (862 )

   At yearend:
     Total assets                              $   87,398        $  98,194      $    73,635      $    39,628    
     Total liabilities                             27,261           24,903            2,400            7,576
     Notes payable                                 25,000           23,000               --            5,123

   Cash distributions                          $   10,178        $   9,627      $     5,370      $       366   

   Cash distributions that represent a
     return of capital                         $    9,669        $   9,157      $     5,133      $       358  

   Per weighted-average Limited
     Partnership Depositary Unit:

     Net loss                                  $    (0.65 )       Various according to interim closings

     Cash distributions                        $     1.80         Various according to interim closings

     Cash distributions that represent
       a return of capital                     $     1.80         Various according to interim closings


</TABLE>



<PAGE>


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

Introduction

Management's  discussion  and  analysis of  financial  condition  and results of
operations relates to the financial  statements of PLM Equipment Growth & Income
Fund VII (the Partnership).  The following discussion and analysis of operations
focuses on the performance of the Partnership's  equipment in various sectors of
the  transportation  industry  and  its  effect  on  the  Partnership's  overall
financial condition.

Results of Operations - Factors Affecting Performance

(A)  Re-leasing Activity and Repricing Exposure to Current Economic Conditions

The exposure of the Partnership's  equipment  portfolio to repricing risk occurs
whenever the leases for the equipment expire or are otherwise terminated and the
equipment must be remarketed.  Major factors influencing the current market rate
for transportation equipment include supply and demand for similar or comparable
types or kinds of transport capacity, desirability of the equipment in the lease
market,  market  conditions  for the  particular  industry  segment in which the
equipment  is to be  leased,  various  regulations  concerning  the  use  of the
equipment,  and  others.  The  equipment  portfolio  owned  by  the  Partnership
experienced  virtually  no repricing  exposure  for the year ended  December 31,
1996. The Partnership  experienced re-leasing activity in 1996, primarily in its
modular building and trailer portfolios;  however,  the net effect of re-leasing
activity on Partnership income was minimal.

 (B) Equipment Liquidations and Nonperforming Lessees

Liquidation  of  Partnership  equipment,  unless  accompanied  by  an  immediate
replacement of additional equipment earning similar rates (see Reinvestment Risk
below),  represents a reduction in the size of the  equipment  portfolio and may
result in a reduction of contribution to the Partnership. Lessees not performing
under the terms of their leases,  either by not paying rent, not  maintaining or
operating  the  equipment in accordance  with the  conditions of the leases,  or
other possible  departures from the leases, can result not only in reductions in
contribution, but also may require the Partnership to assume additional costs to
protect its interests under the leases, such as repossession or legal fees.

     (1)  Liquidations:  During the year,  the  Partnership  liquidated  or sold
equipment  for  $0.4  million.  The  sale  of the  owned  equipment  represented
approximately  73% of the  original  cost of  these  assets.  By year  end,  the
Partnership had reinvested all of the $0.4 million.

     (2)  Nonperforming  Lessees:  At December 31, 1996,  various lessees of the
modular  buildings  have  become  delinquent  in  their  lease  payments  to the
Partnership.  The Partnership has established reserves against these receivables
and the  General  Partner is in the  process of taking  the  necessary  steps to
recover the lease payments from the lessee.

(C)  Reinvestment Risk

Reinvestment  risk occurs when (1) the partnership  cannot  generate  sufficient
surplus cash after  fulfillment of operating  obligations and  distributions  to
reinvest in additional  equipment during the  reinvestment  phase of partnership
operations; (2) equipment is sold or liquidated for less than threshold amounts;
(3) proceeds from sales,  losses,  or surplus cash  available  for  reinvestment
cannot be  reinvested  at  threshold  lease rates;  or (4) proceeds  from sales,
losses,  or surplus  cash  available  for  reinvestment  cannot be deployed in a
timely manner.

     During the first  seven years of  operations,  the  Partnership  intends to
increase  its  equipment  portfolio  by  investing  surplus  cash in  additional
equipment after fulfilling  operating  requirements and paying  distributions to
the partners.  Subsequent to the end of the reinvestment period, the Partnership
will  continue to operate for an additional  three years,  then begin an orderly
liquidation over an anticipated two-year period.

     Other  nonoperating  funds for  reinvestment are generated from the sale of
equipment prior to the Partnership's  planned  liquidation phase, the receipt of
funds  realized from the payment of stipulated  loss values on equipment lost or
disposed of during the time it is subject to lease  agreements,  or the exercise
of purchase  options  written into certain  lease  agreements.  Equipment  sales
generally  result  from  evaluations  by  the  General  Partner  that  continued
ownership  of  certain  equipment  is  either  inadequate  to  meet  Partnership
performance  goals  or  that  market   conditions,   market  values,  and  other
considerations indicate it is the appropriate time to sell certain equipment.

     During 1996,  the  Partnership  acquired one  commercial  aircraft for $5.2
million,  209  trailers  for $3.2  million,  35 railcars  for $0.5  million,  an
interest  in an entity  owning a mobile  offshore  drilling  unit (rig) for $2.0
million  (the  remaining  interest  in  this  rig  is  held  by  two  affiliated
partnerships  and TEC  Acquisub,  a  subsidiary  of PLM  International),  and an
interest in a trust  containing four  commercial  aircraft for $5.6 million (the
remaining interests are held by affiliated  partnerships).  These purchases were
completed with $9.0 million in debt proceeds  available from 1995 debt placement
and interim financing.

(3)  Equipment Valuation and Write-downs

In March 1995, the Financial  Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement
No. 121,  "Accounting  for the  Impairment of Long-Lived  Assets and  Long-Lived
Assets to Be Disposed  Of" (SFAS 121).  This  standard  is  effective  for years
beginning after December 15, 1995. The Partnership adopted SFAS 121 during 1995,
the effect of which was not material,  as the method previously  employed by the
Partnership  was  consistent  with SFAS 121. In  accordance  with SFAS 121,  the
General  Partner  reviews  the  carrying  value of the  Partnership's  equipment
portfolio at least annually in relation to expected future market conditions for
the purpose of assessing  the  recoverability  of the recorded  amounts.  If the
projected  future lease revenue plus residual  values are less than the carrying
value of the equipment,  a loss on revaluation is recorded. No reductions to the
carrying value of equipment were required during 1995.

     As of December 31, 1996,  the General  Partner  estimated  the current fair
market value of the Partnership's equipment portfolio, including equipment owned
by USPE's, to be approximately $114.7 million.

(B)  Financial Condition - Capital Resources, Liquidity, and Unit 
     Redemption Plan

The General Partner purchased the Partnership's initial equipment portfolio with
capital raised from its initial equity offering, permanent debt financing of $23
million,  and interim  financing of $2.0  million.  The  Partnership  closed its
offering on April 25, 1995 and completed  its Senior Debt  Agreement on December
15, 1995. The agreement  requires the Partnership to maintain certain  financial
covenants  related to  fixed-charge  coverage and maximum debt. The  Partnership
exceeded  its maximum  debt level of $23 million as of December  31,  1996,  and
received  waivers from its senior lenders  related to its maximum debt covenant.
Without this waiver,  the Partnership  would not have been able to borrow on the
short-term  warehouse  facility and remain in compliance with the loan covenant.
The Partnership relies on operating cash flow to meet its operating obligations,
make cash  distributions  to Limited  Partners,  and increase the  Partnership's
equipment portfolio with any remaining available surplus cash.

     For the year ended December 31, 1996, the Partnership  generated sufficient
operating cash to meet its operating  obligations and pay  distributions  to the
Limited Partners.

     Beginning  October 25, 1997, the  Partnership may become  obligated,  under
certain conditions,  to redeem up to 2% of the outstanding Depositary Units each
year. The purchase price to be offered for such outstanding  units will be equal
to 105% of the unrecovered  principal attributed to the units, where unrecovered
principal is defined as the excess of the capital contribution attributable to a
unit over the distributions from any source paid with respect to that unit.

     The General  Partner has entered into a joint $50 million  credit  facility
(Committed  Bridge Facility) on behalf of the Partnership,  PLM Equipment Growth
Fund  IV,  PLM  Equipment  Growth  Fund V, PLM  Equipment  Growth  Fund VI,  and
Professional Lease Management Income Fund I (Fund I), all affiliated  investment
programs; TEC Acquisub, Inc. (TECAI), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the
General  Partner;  and American  Finance Group,  Inc. (AFG), a subsidiary of PLM
International  Inc., which may be used to provide interim financing of up to (i)
70% of the aggregate book value or 50% of the aggregate net fair market value of
eligible  equipment  owned  by the  Partnership  or Fund  I,  plus  (ii)  50% of
unrestricted  cash held by the borrower.  The Committed  Bridge  Facility became
available on December 20, 1993, and was amended and restated on October 31, 1996
to expire on October 31, 1997 and increased the available  borrowings for AFG to
$50  million.  The  Partnership,  TECAI,  Fund  I,  and the  other  partnerships
collectively may borrow up to $35 million of the Committed Bridge Facility.  The
Committed  Bridge  Facility  also  provides  for a $5  million  Letter of Credit
Facility for the eligible  borrowers.  Outstanding  borrowings by Fund I, TECAI,
AFG, or PLM Equipment Growth Funds IV through VII reduce the amount available to
each other under the Committed  Bridge  Facility.  Individual  borrowings may be
outstanding  for no more  than 179 days,  with all  advances  due no later  than
October 31, 1997. The Committed  Bridge Facility  prohibits the Partnership from
incurring any additional indebtedness. Interest accrues at either the prime rate
or adjusted LIBOR plus 2.5% at the borrower's  option, and is set at the time of
an advance of funds. Borrowings by the Partnership are guaranteed by the General
Partner.  As of December  31,  1996,  the  Partnership  had  borrowings  of $2.0
million, PLM Equipment Growth Fund V had $2.5 million, PLM Equipment Growth Fund
VI had $1.3  million,  AFG had $26.9  million,  and TECAI  had $4.1  million  in
outstanding borrowings.  Neither PLM Equipment Growth Fund IV nor Fund I had any
outstanding borrowings.

     The General  Partner has not planned any  expenditures,  nor is it aware of
any contingencies  that would cause it to require any additional capital to that
mentioned above.

(D)  Results of Operations - Year-to-Year Detail Comparison

Comparison of the Partnership's Operating Results for the Year Ended 
December 31, 1996 and 1995

(A)  Owned Equipment Operations

Lease  revenues  less  direct  expenses  (defined  as repairs  and  maintenance,
equipment operating,  and asset -specific insurance expenses) on owned equipment
increased  during the year ended  December 31, 1996,  when  compared to the same
period of 1995. The following table presents lease revenues less direct expenses
by owned equipment type (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                             For the year ended
                                                                                December 31,
                                                                            1996             1995
                                                                         ----------------------------
   <S>                                                                   <C>            <C>        
   Aircraft                                                              $  2,082       $    1,381 
   Marine vessels                                                           3,551            3,473
   Trailers                                                                 2,290            2,537
   Rail equipment                                                           1,926            2,002
   Modular buildings                                                          582              763

</TABLE>

Aircraft:  Aircraft  lease  revenues and direct  expenses  were $2.1 million and
$41,000,  respectively,  for the year ended 1996,  compared to $1.4  million and
$31,000,  respectively,  during the same period of 1995.  The  increase  was due
primarily  to the purchase of three DC-9  aircraft  and two Dash 8-100  aircraft
during the later half of the second quarter of 1995, resulting in 12 full months
of lease revenues  during 1996,  compared to 7 months of lease  revenues  during
1995. Additionally, the Partnership purchased and leased a Boeing 737-200 during
the third quarter of 1996;

Marine  vessels:  Marine  vessel lease  revenues and direct  expenses  were $3.9
million and $0.3  million,  respectively,  for the year ended 1996,  compared to
$3.9 million and $0.4 million, respectively, during the same period of 1995. The
decrease in direct expenses was due to the lower marine operating expenses and a
small insurance refund due to an overpayment in a prior year;

Trailers: Trailer lease revenues and direct expenses were $2.9 million and $0.6,
respectively,  for the  year  ended  1996,  compared  to $2.8  million  and $0.2
million, respectively,  during the same period of 1995. Although revenues appear
to  be  relatively  consistent  for  both  periods,  the  Partnership  purchased
additional  trailers during 1996, which increased lease revenues;  however,  the
increase was offset by the trailer fleet in the PLM-affiliated short-term rental
yards,  which is experiencing lower utilization of its equipment The increase of
$0.4 million in direct  expenses is due to repairs needed to the trailers in the
above-mentioned rental yards to maintain rental-ready status;

Rail equipment: Railcar lease revenues and direct expenses were $2.6 million and
$0.7 million,  respectively,  for the year ended 1996,  compared to $2.5 million
and $0.5 million, respectively,  during the same period of 1995. The increase in
lease revenues  during the year ended 1996 was due to the purchase of additional
railcars  during 1996. This increase was offset by an increase in repairs needed
during 1996 that were not needed during the same period of 1995;

Modular buildings: Modular building lease revenues and direct expenses were $0.7
million and $0.1  million,  respectively,  for the year ended 1996,  compared to
$0.8  million and  $12,000,  respectively,  during the same period of 1995.  The
number of modular buildings owned by the Partnership has been declining over the
past 12 months  due to sales  and  dispositions;  however,  the  Partnership  is
earning a higher lease rate on the remaining  units.  Direct expenses  increased
$0.1  million  during the year ended  1996,  due to required  repairs  needed to
maintain building standards.

(B)  Indirect Expenses Related to Owned Equipment Operations

Total  indirect  expenses of $13.0 million for the year ended  December 31, 1996
increased  from $10.9  million for the same period in 1995.  The  variances  are
explained as follows:

(a) A $1.4 million increase in interest expense from 1995 levels, reflecting the
increase in  long-term  debt of $23 million  outstanding  for the entire year of
1996, when compared to the same period of 1995. During 1995, the Partnership had
$5.3  million  in  short-term  debt in  place  for 105  days,  $4.3  million  in
short-term  debt in place for 75 days,  and  long-term  debt of $23.0 million in
place for 15 days;

(b) A $0.3 million increase in  administrative  expenses from 1995 levels due to
repositioning,  inspection,  and storage cost of equipment, which was not needed
during the same period of 1995;

(c) A $0.5 million increase in depreciation and amortization  expense during the
year ended 1996, due to the purchase of a commercial aircraft, 209 trailers, and
35 railcars  during 1996.  The increase  was offset,  in part,  by a decrease in
depreciation   expense  caused  by  the   double-declining   balance  method  of
depreciation;

(d) These  increases were offset,  in part, by a decrease of $0.1 million in bad
debt expense,  due to a higher  increase in the allowance for doubtful  accounts
receivable  in  1995  than  in 1996 to  provide  for  potentially  uncollectable
receivables.

(C)  Net Gain on Disposition of Owned Equipment

Net gain on  disposition  of  equipment  for the year ended  December  31,  1996
totaled  $42,000,  which  resulted  from the sale of 7 modular  building  and 13
trailers,  with an  aggregate  net  book  value of  $207,000,  for  proceeds  of
$255,000. The Partnership also sold 58 trailers,  which were held for sale as of
December  31, 1995,  with a net book value of $156,000 at the date of sale,  for
proceeds of $150,000.  For the year ended  December  31, 1995,  the $182,000 net
gain on disposition of equipment  resulted from the sale of 53 modular buildings
and 41 trailers,  with an aggregate net book value of $1.2 million, for proceeds
of $1.4 million.

(D)  Interest and Other Income

Interest and other income  increased  $59,000 during the year ended December 31,
1996,  due primarily to higher cash balances  available for  investments  during
certain periods of 1996, when compared to the same periods of 1995.

(E)  Equity in Net Loss of Unconsolidated Special Purpose Entities

Equity in net loss of  unconsolidated  special purpose  entities  represents net
loss generated from the operation of  jointly-owned  assets  accounted for under
the equity method (see Note 2 to the financial statements):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                             For the year ended
                                                                                December 31,
                                                                            1996             1995
                                                                         ----------------------------
   <S>                                                                   <C>              <C>        
   Aircraft, rotable components, and aircraft engines                    $   (486 )       $   (709 ) 
   Mobile offshore drilling unit                                              (10 )             --
   Marine vessels                                                            (384 )           (489 )

</TABLE>

Aircraft, rotable components, and aircraft engines: As of December 31, 1996, the
Partnership  had an  interest in a trust  owning a  commercial  aircraft  and an
interest in four trusts that own 13 commercial aircraft, 2 aircraft engines, and
a  portfolio  of  rotable  components.  During  the same  period  of  1995,  the
Partnership had the interest in the trust owning the commercial aircraft and had
just  purchased  an  interest  in three  additional  trusts  that  contained  10
commercial  aircraft, 2 aircraft engines, and a portfolio of rotable components.
The Partnership's  share of lease revenues for this equipment  increased to $7.9
million during the year ended December 31, 1996, compared to $2.6 million during
the same period of 1995.  Operating  expenses,  which are comprised primarily of
depreciation and administrative  expenses,  increased to $8.4 million during the
year ended December 31, 1996,  from $3.3 million during the same period of 1995,
due to the Partnership's increased investments;

Mobile  offshore  drilling unit: As of December 31, 1996, the Partnership had an
interest in an entity that owns a rig, which was purchased during the last month
of 1996.  During 1996, lease revenues of $21,000 were offset by depreciation and
administrative expenses of $31,000;

Marine vessels:  As of December 31, 1996 and 1995, the Partnership had interests
in two entities owning dry bulk carrier marine vessels.  The Partnership's share
of lease  revenues  decreased to $4.0 million during the year ended December 31,
1996, from $4.1 million during the same period of 1995. This decrease was due to
lower day rates in effect  for the  marine  vessel on time  charter in the pool,
when compared to the same period of 1995. This decrease was offset,  in part, by
the change in the lease of the other marine vessel from bareboat charter to time
charter,  which earned  higher  revenues  during 1996 when  compared to the same
period  of  1995.  As a result  of  these  changes,  direct  operating  expenses
increased to $2.0  million  during the year ended  December 31, 1996,  from $1.6
million  for the same  period of 1995.  Indirect  operating  expenses  which are
comprised  primarily of depreciation and administrative  expenses,  decreased to
$2.4 million during the year ended  December 31, 1996,  from $3.0 million during
the same period of 1995.  The decrease of $0.6 million was due  primarily to the
use of the double-declining balance method of depreciation.

(F)  Net Loss

As a result of the foregoing, the Partnership's net loss of $3.0 million for the
year ended  December 31, 1996  increased  from a net loss of $1.2 million during
the same period in 1995.  The  Partnership's  ability to operate  and  liquidate
assets,  secure leases, and re-lease those assets whose leases expire during the
duration of the  Partnership is subject to many factors,  and the  Partnership's
performance  during  the  year  ended  December  31,  1996  is  not  necessarily
indicative  of future  periods.  During the year ended  December 31,  1996,  the
Partnership  distributed  $9.7  million to the  Limited  Partners,  or $1.80 per
weighted-average Depositary Unit.

Comparison of the Partnership's Operating Results for the Years Ended 
December 31, 1995 and 1994

(A)  Revenues

PLM Equipment  Growth & Income Fund VII was in the  equity-raising  stage during
1994 and the first four months of 1995. As of December 31, 1995, the Partnership
had purchased and placed into service $109 million of equipment  compared to $79
million at December 31, 1994 (see  financial  statements,  Note 4).  Revenues of
$18.6 million were generated for the year ended  December 31, 1995,  compared to
$9.2 million for the same period in 1994. The primary reason for the increase is
due to higher lease revenues.

     Lease revenues increased $9.1 million for the year ended December 31, 1995,
when compared to the same period in 1994.  The following  table list the changes
by equipment type (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                       For the year
                                                    ended December 31,
                                                  1995              1994
                                               ------------------------------
   <S>                                         <C>               <C>      
   Marine vessels                              $  7,974          $   4,794
   Aircraft                                       4,052              1,181
   Trailers                                       2,774              2,083
   Railcars                                       2,506                241
   Modular buildings                                775                706
                                               ------------------------------
                                               $ 18,081          $   9,005
                                               ==============================
</TABLE>

     The primary reason there is such a large increase in revenues is due to the
Partnership's  purchase of additional  equipment  during 1995; also, a number of
the assets that were  purchased  throughout  1994 were on lease a full 12 months
during  1995,  compared  to  only  part  of the  year  during  1994.  Until  the
Partnership  completes its initial equipment  acquisition phase, there will be a
large fluctuation in lease revenues from year to year.

(B)  Expenses

Expenses  of $19.8  million  for the year  ended  December  31,  1995  consisted
primarily of depreciation  expense,  using the double-declining  balance method,
and the normal  operating  costs incurred when equipment is purchased and placed
in service.  Expenses for the same period in 1994 totaled  $13.0  million,  also
consisting of depreciation  expense and the normal operating costs incurred when
equipment is purchased and placed into service.

(C)  Net Loss

The  Partnership's  net loss of $1.2 million in the year ended December 31, 1995
decreased  from a net loss of $3.8 million  during the same period in 1994.  The
Partnership's  ability to acquire,  operate, or liquidate assets, secure leases,
and  re-lease  those  assets  whose  leases  expire  during the  duration of the
Partnership is subject to many factors,  and the  Partnership's  performance for
the years  ended  December  31,  1995 is not  necessarily  indicative  of future
periods.  In the year ended December 31, 1995, the Partnership  distributed $9.2
million to the Limited Partners.

Geographic Information

The Partnership operates its equipment in international markets.  Although these
operations expose the Partnership to certain currency,  political,  credit,  and
economic risks,  the Manager believes these risks are minimal or has implemented
strategies  to control the risks,  as follows:  Currency  risks are at a minimum
because  all  invoicing,  with  the  exception  of a small  number  of  railcars
operating in Canada, is conducted in U.S. dollars. Political risks are minimized
generally  through the avoidance of  operations in countries  that do not have a
stable judicial system and established  commercial business laws. Credit support
strategies  for lessees range from letters of credit  supported by U.S. banks to
cash  deposits.  Although these credit support  mechanisms  generally  allow the
Partnership  to  maintain  its lease  yield,  there are  risks  associated  with
slow-to-respond  judicial  systems  when legal  remedies  are required to secure
payment or repossess equipment. Economic risks are inherent in all international
markets and the Manager strives to minimize this risk with market analysis prior
to committing equipment to a particular  geographic area. Refer to the financial
statements,  Note 4 for  information  on the  revenues,  income,  and  assets in
various geographic regions.

     Revenues and net operating income by geographic  region are impacted by the
time  period the asset is owned and the useful  life  ascribed  to the asset for
depreciation  purposes.  Net  income  (loss)  from  equipment  is  significantly
impacted by depreciation  charges,  which are greatest in the early years due to
the  use  of  the   double-declining   balance  method  of   depreciation.   The
relationships of geographic revenues,  net income (loss), and net book value are
expected to  significantly  change in the  future,  as assets come off lease and
decisions  are made to redeploy the assets in the most  advantageous  geographic
location or sell the assets.

     The  Partnership's  owned  equipment  on  lease to  U.S.-domiciled  lessees
consists of aircraft,  modular buildings,  trailers, and railcars.  During 1996,
U.S. lease revenues accounted for 31% of the total lease revenues, while the net
loss accounted for 20% of the net loss for the entire Partnership

     The  Partnership's  owned  equipment and  investments in equipment owned by
USPEs on lease to  Canadian-domiciled  lessees  consisted  of various  aircraft.
During  1996,  Canadian  lease  revenues  accounted  for 17% of the total  lease
revenues  and a net loss of 43%  when  compared  to the net loss for the  entire
Partnership.  These  aircraft  will be on lease  beyond the year  2000,  and are
expected to  generate  higher net profit in the future as  depreciation  charges
decline.

     The  Partnership's  investment in an aircraft  owned by a USPE, on lease to
South  American-domiciled  lessees  during 1996,  accounted  for 5% of the total
lease revenues and a net loss of 3% when compared to the net loss for the entire
Partnership.

     The  Partnership's  investment  in equipment  owned by a USPE,  on lease to
lessees in Europe,  consisted of  commercial  aircraft,  aircraft  engines,  and
aircraft  rotable  components,  which accounted for 15% of lease revenues;  this
operation  recorded net income of $1.0  million,  compared to a net loss of $3.0
million for the entire Partnership.  The primary reason for this relationship is
due to better-than-average lease rates.

     The  Partnership's  owned  equipment and  investments in equipment owned by
USPEs on lease to lessees in the rest of the world  consisted of marine  vessels
and a rig. During 1996, lease revenues for these operations accounted for 33% of
the total lease revenues and net income of $37,000 when compared to the net loss
of $3.0 million for the entire Partnership.

Inflation

There was no significant  impact on the Partnership's  operations as a result of
inflation during 1996, 1995, or 1994.

Forward-Looking Information

Except for the historical  information  contained herein, the discussion in this
Form  10-K   contains   forward-looking   statements   that  involve  risks  and
uncertainties,  such  as  statements  of the  Partnership's  plans,  objectives,
expectations,  and intentions.  The cautionary statements made in this Form 10-K
should be read as being  applicable  to all related  forward-looking  statements
wherever they appear in this Form 10-K. The  Partnership's  actual results could
differ materially from those discussed here.

Outlook for the Future

Several factors may affect the Partnership's  operating  performance in 1997 and
beyond,  including  changes in the markets for the  Partnership's  equipment and
changes in the regulatory environment in which that equipment operates.

     The Partnership's operation of a diversified equipment portfolio in a broad
base of markets is intended to reduce its exposure to  volatility  in individual
equipment sectors.  In 1996, market conditions,  supply and demand  equilibrium,
and other factors varied in several markets.  In the refrigerated  over-the-road
trailer  markets,  oversupply  conditions,  industry  consolidations,  and other
factors  resulted in falling rates and lower returns.  In the dry  over-the-road
trailer  markets,  strong  demand  and a  backlog  of new  equipment  deliveries
produced high utilization and returns.  The marine vessel and rail markets could
be generally  categorized  by increasing  rates,  as the demand for equipment is
increasing  faster than new additions net of  retirements.  Finally,  demand for
narrowbody  Stage II  aircraft,  such as those  owned  by the  Partnership,  has
increased,   as  expected  savings  from  newer  narrowbody  aircraft  have  not
materialized  and  deliveries  of the newer  aircraft  have slowed  down.  These
different markets have had individual  effects on the performance of Partnership
equipment,  in some cases  resulting in declining  performance  and in others in
improved performance.

     The ability of the  Partnership  to realize  acceptable  lease rates on its
equipment in the different equipment markets is contingent on many factors, such
as specific market conditions and economic activity, technological obsolescence,
and  government  or other  regulations.  The  unpredictability  of some of these
factors  or their  occurrence  makes it  difficult  for the  General  Partner to
clearly  define  trends or  influences  that may impact the  performance  of the
Partnership's  equipment.  The General  Partner  continually  monitors  both the
equipment  markets and the performance of the  Partnership's  equipment in these
markets.  The General Partner may make an evaluation to reduce the Partnership's
exposure  to those  equipment  markets  in which it  determines  that it  cannot
operate  equipment and achieve  acceptable rates of return.  Alternatively,  the
General  Partner may make a determination  to enter those  equipment  markets in
which it perceives  opportunities to profit from supply/demand  instabilities or
other market imperfections.

     The  Partnership  intends to use excess cash flow, if any, after payment of
expenses, loan principal, and cash distributions to acquire additional equipment
during the first  seven years of  Partnership  operations.  The General  Partner
believes these  acquisitions  may cause the  Partnership to generate  additional
earnings and cash flow for the Partnership.

(A)  Repricing and Reinvestment Risk

Certain of the Partnership's  aircraft,  marine vessel,  modular buildings,  and
trailers  will be  remarketed in 1997 as existing  leases  expire,  exposing the
Partnership  to  some  repricing  risk/opportunity.  Additionally,  the  General
Partner may select to sell certain underperforming  equipment or equipment whose
continued operation may become  prohibitively  expensive.  The proceeds from the
sold  or  liquidated   equipment  will  be  redeployed  to  purchase  additional
equipment, as the Partnership is in its reinvestment phase.

(B)  Impact of Government Regulations on Future Operations

The General  Partner  operates the  Partnership's  equipment in accordance  with
current applicable regulations (see Item 1, Section E, Government  Regulations).
However, the continuing implementation of new or modified regulations by some of
the  authorities  mentioned  previously,  or others,  may  adversely  affect the
Partnership's  ability to continue to own or operate equipment in its portfolio.
Additionally,  regulatory  systems  vary  from  country  to  country,  which may
increase the burden to the Partnership of meeting regulatory  compliance for the
same equipment operated between countries.  Currently,  the Manager has observed
rising insurance costs to operate certain vessels in U.S. ports,  resulting from
implementation  of the U.S. Oil  Pollution Act of 1990.  Ongoing  changes in the
regulatory  environment,  both  in  the  U.S.  and  internationally,  cannot  be
predicted with any accuracy,  and preclude the General Partner from  determining
the impact of such  changes on  Partnership  operations,  purchases,  or sale of
equipment.

(C)  Additional Capital Resources and Distribution Levels

The Partnership's  initial contributed capital was composed of the proceeds from
its initial offering,  supplemented later by permanent debt in the amount of $23
million and  interim  financing  of $2.0  million.  The General  Partner has not
planned any expenditures,  nor is it aware of any contingencies that would cause
it to require any additional  capital to that mentioned  above.  The Partnership
intends to rely on operating cash flow to meet its operating  obligations,  make
cash distributions to Limited Partners, and increase the Partnership's equipment
portfolio with any remaining surplus cash available.

     Pursuant to the Limited Partnership  Agreement,  the Partnership will cease
to reinvest surplus cash in additional  equipment  beginning in its seventh year
of operations,  which  commences on January 1, 2002. The General Partner intends
to  continue  its  strategy  of  selectively  redeploying  equipment  to achieve
competitive  returns. By the end of the reinvestment period, the General Partner
intends to have assembled an equipment portfolio capable of achieving a level of
operating cash flow for the remaining life of the Partnership sufficient to meet
its  obligations  and  sustain  a  predictable  level  of  distributions  to the
partners.

     The General  Partner  believes the current  level of  distributions  to the
partners  can be  maintained  throughout  1997  using cash from  operations  and
undistributed  available  cash from prior periods,  if necessary.  Subsequent to
this period,  the General Partner will evaluate the level of  distributions  the
Partnership can sustain over extended  periods of time and,  together with other
considerations,  may adjust the level of distributions accordingly.  In the long
term,  the  difficulty in  predicting  market  conditions  precludes the General
Partner from accurately  determining the impact of changing market conditions on
liquidity or distribution levels.

ITEM 8.      FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

     The financial  statements  for the  Partnership  are listed on the Index to
Financial Statements included in Item 14(a) of this Annual Report.

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

     None.



<PAGE>


                                    PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE PARTNERSHIP

As of the date of this Annual  Report,  the directors and executive  officers of
PLM  International  (and key  executive  officers  of its  subsidiaries)  are as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

 Name                                   Age                Position
 -------------------------------------- ------------------ -------------------------------------------------------

 <S>                                    <C>                <C>                                                   
 J. Alec Merriam                        61                 Director, Chairman of the Board, PLM International,
                                                           Inc.; Director, PLM Financial Services, Inc.

 Douglas P. Goodrich                    50                 Director and Senior Vice President, PLM
                                                           International; Director and President, PLM Financial
                                                           Services, Inc.; Senior Vice President, PLM
                                                           Transportation Equipment Corporation; President, PLM
                                                           Railcar Management Services, Inc.

 Walter E. Hoadley                      80                 Director, PLM International, Inc.

 Robert L. Pagel                        60                 Director, Chairman of the Executive Committee, PLM
                                                           International, Inc.; Director, PLM Financial
                                                           Services, Inc.

 Harold R. Somerset                     62                 Director, PLM International, Inc.

 Robert N. Tidball                      58                 Director, President and Chief Executive Officer, PLM
                                                           International, Inc.

 J. Michael Allgood                     48                 Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, PLM
                                                           International, Inc. and PLM Financial Services, Inc.

 Stephen M. Bess                        50                 President, PLM Investment Management, Inc.;
                                                           President, PLM Securities Corp.; Vice President, PLM
                                                           Financial Services, Inc.

 David J. Davis                         40                 Vice President and Corporate Controller, PLM
                                                           International and PLM Financial Services, Inc.

 Frank Diodati                          42                 President, PLM Railcar Management Services Canada
                                                           Limited.

 Steven O. Layne                        42                 Vice President, PLM Transportation Equipment
                                                           Corporation; Vice President and Director, PLM
                                                           Worldwide Management Services, Ltd.

 Stephen Peary                          48                 Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary,
                                                           PLM International, Inc.; Vice President, General
                                                           Counsel and Secretary, PLM Financial Services, Inc.,
                                                           PLM Investment Management, Inc., PLM Transportation
                                                           Equipment Corporation; Vice President, PLM
                                                           Securities, Corp.

 Thomas L. Wilmore                      54                 Vice President, PLM Transportation Equipment
                                                           Corporation; Vice President, PLM Railcar Management
                                                           Services, Inc.

</TABLE>


<PAGE>


     J. Alec  Merriam was  appointed  Chairman of the Board of  Directors of PLM
International  in September  1990,  having served as a director  since  February
1988.  In October  1988,  he became a member of the  Executive  Committee of the
Board of  Directors of PLM  International.  From 1972 to 1988,  Mr.  Merriam was
Executive  Vice  President  and Chief  Financial  Officer  of  Crowley  Maritime
Corporation, a San Francisco area-based company engaged in maritime shipping and
transportation services.  Previously, he was Chairman of the Board and Treasurer
of LOA Corporation of Omaha, Nebraska, and served in various financial positions
with Northern Natural Gas Company, also of Omaha.

     Douglas P. Goodrich was elected to the Board of Directors in July 1996, was
appointed Director and President of PLM Financial Services in June 1996, and was
appointed Senior Vice President of PLM International in March 1994. Mr. Goodrich
has also  served  as  Senior  Vice  President  of PLM  Transportation  Equipment
Corporation  since  July  1989,  and  as  President  of PLM  Railcar  Management
Services,  Inc. since September 1992,  having been a Senior Vice President since
June 1987.  Mr.  Goodrich was an Executive  Vice  President of G.I.C.  Financial
Services  Corporation,  a subsidiary  of Guardian  Industries  Corp. of Chicago,
Illinois, from December 1980 to September 1985.

     Dr. Walter E. Hoadley joined PLM International's Board of Directors and its
Executive Committee in September 1989. He served as a Director of PLM, Inc. from
November 1982 to June 1984 and PLM Companies, Inc. from October 1985 to February
1988.  Dr.  Hoadley has been a Senior  Research  Fellow at the Hoover  Institute
since 1981. He was Executive Vice President and Chief  Economist for the Bank of
America  from  1968  to  1981,  and  Chairman  of the  Federal  Reserve  Bank of
Philadelphia  from 1962 to 1966.  Dr. Hoadley served as a Director of Transcisco
Industries, Inc. from 1988 through August of 1995.

     Robert L. Pagel was appointed  Chairman of the  Executive  Committee of the
Board of Directors of PLM  International  in September 1990,  having served as a
Director  since  February  1988.  In  October  1988,  he  became a member of the
Executive  Committee of the Board of Directors of PLM  International.  From June
1990 to April 1991,  Mr. Pagel was President and Co-Chief  Executive  Officer of
The Diana Corporation,  a holding company traded on the New York Stock Exchange.
He is the former President and Chief Executive  Officer of FanFair  Corporation,
which  specializes in sports fans' gift shops. He previously served as President
and Chief Executive Officer of Super Sky International,  Inc., a publicly traded
company,  located in Mequon,  Wisconsin,  which is engaged in the manufacture of
skylight systems. He was formerly Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Blunt,
Ellis & Loewi,  Inc., a Milwaukee-based  investment firm. Mr. Pagel retired from
Blunt,  Ellis & Loewi in 1985, after a career spanning 20 years in all phases of
the brokerage and financial  industries.  Mr. Pagel has also served on the Board
of Governors of the Midwest Stock Exchange.

     Harold  R.   Somerset  was  elected  to  the  Board  of  Directors  of  PLM
International  in July 1994.  From February 1988 to December 1993, Mr.  Somerset
was  President  and Chief  Executive  Officer of  California  &  Hawaiian  Sugar
Corporation (C&H), a recently-acquired  subsidiary of Alexander & Baldwin,  Inc.
Mr.  Somerset joined C&H in 1984 as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating
Officer, having served on its Board of Directors since 1978, a position in which
he continues to serve.  Between 1972 and 1984,  Mr.  Somerset  served in various
capacities with Alexander & Baldwin,  Inc., a publicly-held land and agriculture
company headquartered in Honolulu, Hawaii, including Executive Vice President of
Agricultures,  Vice President,  General Counsel, and Secretary. In addition to a
law degree from Harvard Law School,  Mr.  Somerset  also holds  degrees in civil
engineering from the Rensselaer  Polytechnic Institute and in marine engineering
from the U.S. Naval Academy. Mr. Somerset also serves on the Boards of Directors
for various other  companies  and  organizations,  including  Longs Drug Stores,
Inc., a publicly-held company.

     Robert N. Tidball was appointed  President and Chief  Executive  Officer of
PLM  International  in  March  1989.  At the  time  of his  appointment,  he was
Executive Vice President of PLM International.  Mr. Tidball became a director of
PLM  International in April 1989 and a member of the Executive  Committee of the
Board of  Directors of PLM  International  in September  1990.  Mr.  Tidball was
elected President of PLM Railcar Management Services,  Inc. in January 1986. Mr.
Tidball was Executive Vice President of Hunter Keith, Inc., a  Minneapolis-based
investment banking firm, from March 1984 to January 1986. Prior to Hunter Keith,
Inc., he was Vice President, a General Manager, and a Director of North American
Car  Corporation,  and a Director  of the  American  Railcar  Institute  and the
Railway Supply Association.


<PAGE>


     J. Michael Allgood was appointed Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
of PLM  International  in October 1992.  Between July 1991 and October 1992, Mr.
Allgood was a consultant  to various  private- and  public-sector  companies and
institutions  specializing  in financial  operational  systems  development.  In
October 1987, Mr. Allgood  co-founded  Electra  Aviation Limited and its holding
company,  Aviation  Holdings Plc of London,  where he served as Chief  Financial
Officer until July 1991.  Between June 1981 and October 1987, Mr. Allgood served
as a First Vice President with American Express Bank, Ltd. In February 1978, Mr.
Allgood  founded and,  until June 1981,  served as a Director of Trade  Projects
International/Philadelphia  Overseas  Finance  Company,  a  joint  venture  with
Philadelphia National Bank. From March 1975 to February 1978, Mr. Allgood served
in various capacities with Citibank, N.A.

     Stephen M. Bess was appointed  President of PLM  Securities,  Corp. in June
1996 and President of PLM  Investment  Management,  Inc. in August 1989,  having
served as Senior Vice President of PLM Investment Management,  Inc. beginning in
February  1984 and as  Corporate  Controller  of PLM  Financial  Services,  Inc.
beginning in October 1983. Mr. Bess served as Corporate  Controller of PLM, Inc.
beginning  in December  1982.  Mr. Bess was Vice  President-Controller  of Trans
Ocean Leasing  Corporation,  a container leasing company,  from November 1978 to
November  1982,  and Group Finance  Manager with the Field  Operations  Group of
Memorex Corp., a manufacturer  of computer  peripheral  equipment,  from October
1975 to November 1978.

     David  J.  Davis  was  appointed  Vice  President  and  Controller  of  PLM
International  in January 1994.  From March 1993 through January 1994, Mr. Davis
was engaged as a consultant for various firms, including PLM. Prior to that, Mr.
Davis was Chief Financial Officer of LB Credit Corporation in San Francisco from
July  1991 to March  1993.  From  April  1989 to May  1991,  Mr.  Davis was Vice
President and Controller for ITEL Containers  International  Corporation,  which
was located in San  Francisco.  Between May 1978 and April 1989,  Mr. Davis held
various positions with Transamerica  Leasing Inc. in New York, including that of
Assistant Controller for their rail leasing division.

     Frank Diodati was appointed  President of PLM Railcar  Management  Services
Canada  Limited in 1986.  Previously,  Mr.  Diodati was Manager of Marketing and
Sales for G.E. Railcar Services Canada Limited.

     Steven  O.  Layne  was  appointed  Vice  President  of  PLM  Transportation
Equipment  Corporation's  Air Group in November  1992,  and was  appointed  Vice
President and Director of PLM Worldwide Management  Services,  Ltd. in September
1995. Mr. Layne was PLM Transportation Equipment Corporation's Vice President of
Commuter and Corporate  Aircraft  beginning in July 1990.  Prior to joining PLM,
Mr.  Layne  was  the  Director  of  Commercial  Marketing  for  Bromon  Aircraft
Corporation,  a joint venture of General Electric Corporation and the Government
Development  Bank of Puerto Rico.  Mr. Layne is a Major in the United States Air
Force Reserves and senior pilot with 13 years of accumulated service.

     Stephen Peary became Vice President,  Secretary, and General Counsel of PLM
International  in February  1988 and Senior Vice  President  in March 1994.  Mr.
Peary was Assistant General Counsel of PLM Financial Services,  Inc. from August
1987  through  January  1988.  Previously,  Mr. Peary was engaged in the private
practice of law in San  Francisco.  Mr. Peary is a graduate of the University of
Illinois,  Georgetown  University Law Center, and Boston University  (Masters of
Taxation Program).

     Thomas L. Wilmore was appointed Vice President of Rail, PLM  Transportation
Equipment  Corporation,  in March  1994,  and has  served as Vice  President  of
Marketing for PLM Railcar  Management  Services,  Inc. since May 1988.  Prior to
joining PLM, Mr. Wilmore was Assistant Vice President  Regional  Manager for MNC
Leasing Corp. in Towson,  Maryland,  from February 1987 to April 1988. From July
1985 to February  1987,  he was  President  and Co-Owner of Guardian  Industries
Corp., Chicago,  Illinois,  and between December 1980 and July 1985, Mr. Wilmore
was an Executive Vice President for its subsidiary,  G.I.C.  Financial  Services
Corporation.  Mr.  Wilmore  also  served  as Vice  President  of Sales for Gould
Financial  Services  located in  Rolling  Meadows,  Illinois,  from June 1978 to
December 1980.

     The  directors  of the General  Partner are elected for a one-year  term or
until  their  successors  are  elected  and  qualified.   There  are  no  family
relationships  between  any  director  or any  executive  officer of the General
Partner.



<PAGE>


ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     The Partnership has no directors,  officers, or employees.  The Partnership
has no pension, profit sharing, retirement ,or similar benefit plan in effect as
of December 31, 1996.

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

     (a) Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners

         The  General  Partner is  generally  entitled  to a 5%  interest in the
         profits and losses and  distributions of the  Partnership.  At December
         31, 1996, no investor was known by the General  Partner to beneficially
         own more than 5% of the Units of the Partnership.

     (b) Security Ownership of Management

         Neither  the  General  Partner  and its  affiliates  nor any  executive
         officer or director of the General  Partner and its  affiliates own any
         Units of the Partnership as of December 31, 1996.

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

     (a) Transactions with Management and Others

         During 1996, the Partnership  paid or accrued the following fees to FSI
         or its affiliates:  management fees - $744,000;  equipment  acquisition
         fees - $402,000;  and lease negotiation fees - $90,000. The Partnership
         reimbursed FSI and/or its affiliates  $582,000 for  administrative  and
         data processing  services performed on behalf of the Partnership during
         1996.

              During 1996,  the USPEs paid or accrued the following  fees to FSI
         or its affiliates  (based on the  Partnership's  proportional  share of
         ownership):   management  fees  -  $462,000;  administrative  and  data
         processing services - $97,000;  equipment  acquisition fees - $342,000;
         and lease negotiation fees - $76,000.  The USPEs also paid TEI $240,000
         for insurance coverages during 1996.

     (b) Certain Business Relationships

         None.

     (c) Indebtedness of Management

         None.

     (d) Transactions with Promoters

         None.


<PAGE>


                                     PART IV

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

     (a) 1.   Financial Statements

              The  financial  statements  listed  in the  accompanying  Index to
              Financial Statements are filed as part of this Annual Report.

     (b) Reports on Form 8-K

              None.

     (c) Exhibits

      4.     Limited  Partnership  Agreement  of  Partnership.  Incorporated  by
             reference to the Partnership's  Registration  Statement on Form S-1
             (Reg. No. 33-55796), which became effective with the Securities and
             Exchange Commission on May 25, 1993.

     10.1    Management   Agreement  between   Partnership  and  PLM  Investment
             Management,  Inc.  Incorporated  by reference to the  Partnership's
             Registration  Statement  on Form S-1  (Reg.  No.  33-55796),  which
             became effective with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May
             25, 1993.

     10.2    Amended and  restated  Warehousing  Credit  Agreement,  dated as of
             September 27, 1996 with First Union National Bank of North Carolina
             Incorporated  by reference to the Partnership  Quarterly  Report on
             Form 10Q,  filed with the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission  on
             November 10, 1996.

     24.     Powers of Attorney.


<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES

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

     The  Partnership  has no  directors or  officers.  The General  Partner has
signed on behalf of the Partnership by duly authorized officers.


Dated: March 7, 1997                      PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH FUND VII
                                          PARTNERSHIP

                                          By:      PLM Financial Services, Inc.
                                                   General Partner



                                          By:      /s/ Douglas P. Goodrich
                                                   -------------------------
                                                   Douglas P. Goodrich
                                                   President and Director



                                          By:      /s/ David J. Davis
                                                   -------------------------
                                                   David J. Davis
                                                   Vice President and
                                                   Corporate Controller




Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been signed below by the following  directors of the  Partnership's  General
Partner on the dates indicated.


Name                                Capacity                       Date



*_______________________
J. Alec Merriam                    Director - FSI               March 7, 1997


*_______________________
Robert L. Pagel                    Director - FSI               March 7, 1997






* Stephen Peary,  by signing his name hereto,  does sign this document on behalf
of the persons indicated above,  pursuant to powers of attorney duly executed by
such persons and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.


/s/ Stephen Peary
- ------------------------
Stephen Peary
Attorney-in-Fact



<PAGE>


                     PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH & INCOME FUND VII
                             (A Limited Partnership)

                          INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                  (Item 14(a))


                                                                       Page

Report of Independent Auditors                                           26

Balance sheets as of December 31, 1996 and 1995                          27

Statements of operations for the years ended
     December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994                                   28

Statements of changes in partners' capital for the
     years ended December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994                       29

Statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 1996,
     1995, and 1994                                                      30

Notes to financial statements                                       31 - 39


All other  financial  statement  schedules  have been  omitted,  as the required
information  is not pertinent to the  Registrant or is not material,  or because
the  information  required  is included in the  financial  statements  and notes
thereto.



<PAGE>


                         REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


The Partners
PLM Equipment Growth & Income Fund VII:


We have audited the accompanying  financial statements of PLM Equipment Growth &
Income Fund VII as listed in the  accompanying  index to  financial  statements.
These  financial   statements  are  the   responsibility  of  the  Partnership'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 financial  statements  referred to above present fairly, in
all material  respects,  the financial position of PLM Equipment Growth & Income
Fund VII as of December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the results of its operations and
its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31,
1996, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.



/S/ KPMG PEAT MARWICK LLP
- ------------------------------

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
February 28, 1997




<PAGE>



                     PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH & INCOME FUND VII
                             (A Limited Partnership)

                                 BALANCE SHEETS
                                  December 31,
                             (Dollars in thousands)


                                     ASSETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                             1996              1995
                                                                         --------------------------------

   <S>                                                                   <C>                <C>         
   Equipment held for operating leases, at cost                          $    67,441        $   58,333  
   Less accumulated depreciation                                             (21,494 )         (12,796 )
                                                                         --------------------------------
                                                                              45,947            45,537
   Equipment held for sale                                                        --               156
                                                                         ------------------------------
     Net equipment                                                            45,947            45,693

   Cash and cash equivalents                                                   2,468            11,965
   Restricted cash                                                               158               401
   Investments in unconsolidated special purpose entities                     37,141            38,689
   Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of
     $330 in 1996 and $238 in 1995                                             1,214               872
   Prepaid expenses                                                               58                40
   Lease negotiation fees to affiliate, net of accumulated
     amortization of $466 in 1996 and $266 in 1995                               184               306
   Debt issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization
     of $27 in 1996 and $2 in 1995                                               228               228
                                                                         --------------------------------
       Total assets                                                      $    87,398        $   98,194   
                                                                         ================================

                        LIABILITIES AND PARTNERS' CAPITAL

   Liabilities:

     Accounts payable and accrued expenses                               $       296        $      270    
     Due to affiliates                                                           605               513
     Lessee deposits and reserve for repairs                                   1,360             1,120
     Short-term note payable                                                   2,000                --
     Note payable                                                             23,000            23,000
                                                                         --------------------------------
       Total liabilities                                                      27,261            24,903

   Partners' capital:

     Limited Partners (5,370,297 Depositary Units in 1996 and
       in 1995)                                                               60,137            73,291
     General Partner                                                              --                --
                                                                         --------------------------------
       Total partners' capital                                                60,137            73,291
                                                                         --------------------------------
       Total liabilities and partners' capital                           $    87,398        $   98,194     
                                                                         ================================

</TABLE>



                       See accompanying notes to financial
                                  statements.


<PAGE>



                     PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH & INCOME FUND VII
                             (A Limited Partnership)

                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                        For the years ended December 31,
               (In thousands of dollars, except per unit amounts)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                                                                    1996             1995             1994
                                                                -----------------------------------------------
   <S>                                                          <C>              <C>              <C>       
   Revenues:

     Lease revenue                                              $    12,227      $   18,081       $    9,005
     Interest and other income                                          434             375              190
     Net gain on disposition of equipment                                42             182               22
                                                                -----------------------------------------------
   Total revenues                                                    12,703          18,638            9,217

   Expenses:

     Depreciation and amortization                                    9,041          14,409            9,820
     Management fees to affiliate                                       744             971              485
     Repairs and maintenance                                          1,692           1,483              848
     Equipment operating expenses                                        48             915              401
     Insurance expense to affiliate                                      --             141               82
     Other insurance expense                                             88             225              109
     Interest expense                                                 1,681             291              313
     General and administrative expenses to affiliates                  582             616              346
     Other general and administrative expenses                          780             534              620
     Bad debt expense                                                   143             245                2
                                                                -----------------------------------------------
   Total expenses                                                    14,799          19,830           13,026
                                                                -----------------------------------------------

   Equity in net loss of unconsolidated
     special purpose entities                                          (880 )            --               --
                                                                -----------------------------------------------

   Net loss                                                     $    (2,976 )    $   (1,192 )     $   (3,809 )
                                                                ===============================================

   Partners' share of net income (loss):

     Limited Partners                                           $    (3,485 )    $   (1,662 )     $   (4,046 )
     General Partner                                                    509             470              237
                                                                -----------------------------------------------
   Total                                                        $    (2,976 )    $   (1,192 )     $   (3,809 )
                                                                ===============================================

   Net loss per weighted-average Depositary Unit:
     (5,370,297 Units at December 31, 1996 and 1995,
      4,426,210 Units at December 31, 1994)                     $     (0.65 )    $    (0.31 )     $      N/A
                                                                ===============================================

   Cash distributions                                           $    10,178      $    9,627       $    5,371
                                                                ===============================================

   Cash distributions per weighted-average Depositary Unit      $      1.80      $      N/A       $      N/A
                                                                ===============================================

</TABLE>

                       See accompanying notes to financial
                                  statements.


<PAGE>



                     PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH & INCOME FUND VII
                             (A Limited Partnership)

                   STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS' CAPITAL
              For the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994
                                 (In thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                      Limited            General
                                                      Partners          Partners            Total
                                                    --------------------------------------------------


   <S>                                              <C>                 <C>              <C>         
   Partners' capital at December 31, 1993           $   30,423          $      --        $   30,423  

   Partners' capital contributions                      52,542                 --            52,542

   Underwriting commission to affiliate                 (5,086 )               --            (5,086 )

   Syndication costs to affiliates                      (1,704 )               --            (1,704 )
                                                    --------------------------------------------------

   Partners' capital contributions, net                 45,752                 --            45,752

   Net income (loss)                                    (4,046 )              237            (3,809 )

   Cash distributions                                   (5,133 )             (237 )          (5,370 )
                                                    --------------------------------------------------

   Partners' capital at December 31, 1994               66,996                 --            66,996

   Partners' capital contributions                      18,873                 --            18,873

   Underwriting commission to affiliate                 (1,320 )               --            (1,320 )

   Syndication costs to affiliates                        (440 )               --              (440 )

                                                    --------------------------------------------------
   Partners' capital contributions, net                 17,113                 --            17,113

   Net income (loss)                                    (1,661 )              470            (1,191 )

   Cash distributions                                   (9,157 )             (470 )          (9,627 )
                                                    --------------------------------------------------

   Partners' capital at December 31, 1995               73,291                 --            73,291

   Net income (loss)                                    (3,485 )              509            (2,976 )

   Cash distributions                                   (9,669 )             (509 )         (10,178 )

                                                    --------------------------------------------------
   Partners' capital at December 31, 1996           $   60,137          $      --        $   60,137   
                                                    ==================================================

</TABLE>






                       See accompanying notes to financial
                                  statements.




<PAGE>





                     PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH & INCOME FUND VII
                             (A Limited Partnership)
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                        for the years ended December 31,
                                 (In thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                               1996           1995           1994
                                                                           --------------------------------------------
   <S>                                                                     <C>            <C>            <C>          
   Operating activities:
   Net loss                                                                $    (2,976 )  $    (1,192 )  $    (3,809 )
     Adjustments to reconcile net loss
         to net cash provided by operating activities:
       Net gain on disposition of equipment                                        (42 )         (182 )          (22 )
       Depreciation and amortization                                             9,041         14,409          9,820
       Equity in net loss from unconsolidated special purpose entities             880             --             --
       Decrease (increase) in restricted cash                                      243             --           (401 )
       Increase in accounts receivable, net                                       (505 )       (1,493 )         (336 )
       Increase in prepaid expenses                                                (18 )          (30 )          (36 )
       Increase (decrease) in accounts payable
           and accrued expenses                                                     26            239            (40 )
       Increase in due to affiliates                                                92             39            155
       Increase in lessee deposits and reserve for repairs                         240          1,211            730
                                                                           --------------------------------------------
   Net cash provided by operating activities                                     6,981         13,001          6,061
                                                                           --------------------------------------------

   Investing activities:
     Payments for purchase of equipment                                         (9,020 )      (29,737 )      (40,068 )
     Investment in and equipment purchased and placed in
       unconsolidated special purpose entities                                  (8,029 )           --             --
     Distributions from unconsolidated special purpose entities                  8,697             --             --
     Payments of acquisition fees to affiliate                                    (402 )       (1,690 )       (2,623 )
     Payments of lease negotiation fees to affiliate                               (90 )         (375 )         (311 )
     Proceeds from equipment disposals                                             569          1,210            180
                                                                           --------------------------------------------
   Net cash used in investing activities                                        (8,275 )      (30,592 )      (42,822 )
                                                                           --------------------------------------------

   Financing activities:
     Partners' capital contributions, net of
       syndication and underwriting costs                                           --         17,113         45,753
     (Decrease) Increase in due to affiliates relating to
       syndication activities                                                       --           (261 )          167
     Cash distributions paid to Limited Partners                                (9,669 )       (9,157 )       (5,133 )
     Cash distributions paid to General Partner                                   (509 )         (470 )         (237 )
     (Decrease) increase in subscriptions in escrow                                 --         (4,239 )        2,610
     Decrease (increase) in restricted cash from
       subscription in escrow, net                                                  --          4,010         (2,190 )
     Proceeds from short-term note payable                                       2,000         23,000             --
     Principal payments on note payable                                             --             --         (5,123 )
     Payments of debt issuance costs                                               (25 )         (230 )          (63 )
                                                                           --------------------------------------------
   Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities                          (8,203 )       29,766         35,784
                                                                           --------------------------------------------
   Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents                         (9,497 )       12,175           (977 )
   Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of  period (see Note 2)               11,965            199          1,176
                                                                           --------------------------------------------
   Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                              $     2,468    $    12,374    $       199
                                                                           ============================================
   Supplemental information:
     Interest paid                                                         $     1,774    $       188    $       314
                                                                           ============================================
   Supplemental disclosure of noncash investing and financing activities:
     Sales proceeds included in accounts receivable                        $        50    $       213    $        --
                                                                           ============================================

</TABLE>

                       See accompanying notes to financial
                                  statements.


                     PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH & INCOME FUND VII
                            (A Limited Partnership)
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                               December 31, 1996

1.   Basis of Presentation
     Organization

         PLM  Equipment   Growth  &  Income  Fund  VII,  a  California   limited
     partnership (the Partnership), was formed on December 2, 1992, to engage in
     the business of owning,  leasing,  or otherwise  investing in predominately
     used  transportation-related  equipment. PLM Financial Services, Inc. (FSI)
     is the General Partner of the Partnership. FSI is a wholly-owned subsidiary
     of PLM International,  Inc. (PLM  International).  The Partnership offering
     became  effective  on May 25,  1993 and  closed  on April 25,  1995.  As of
     December 31, 1996, the Partnership had admitted 5,370,297  Depositary Units
     ($107.4 million).

         The Partnership will terminate on December 31, 2013,  unless terminated
     earlier upon sale of all equipment or by certain other events. Beginning in
     the Partnership's seventh year of operations, which commences on January 1,
     2002, the General Partner will stop reinvesting excess cash, if any, which,
     less reasonable reserves, will be distributed to the Partners. Beginning in
     the Partnership's ninth year of operations,  the General Partner intends to
     begin an orderly  liquidation  of the  Partnership's  assets.  The  General
     Partner anticipates that the liquidation of the assets will be completed by
     the end of the Partnership's tenth year of operation.

         FSI manages the affairs of the  Partnership.  The net income (loss) and
     distributions of the Partnership are generally allocated 95% to the Limited
     Partners  and  5% to  the  General  Partner,  subject  to  certain  special
     allocations  (see Net Income (Loss) and  Distribution  per Depositary Unit,
     below).  The General  Partner is also  entitled  to receive a  subordinated
     incentive fee after the Limited Partners receive a minimum return on, and a
     return of, their invested capital.

         The Partnership  Agreement  includes a redemption  provision.  Upon the
     conclusion of the 30-month period immediately  following the termination of
     the  offering,   the  Partnership  may,  at  the  General   Partner's  sole
     discretion,  redeem  up to 2% of  the  outstanding  Units  each  year.  The
     purchase price to be offered by the Partnership for outstanding  Units will
     be equal to 105% of the amount  Unitholders  paid for the  Units,  less the
     amount of cash  distributions  Unitholders  have received  relating to such
     Units.

         These  financial  statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of
     accounting in accordance  with generally  accepted  accounting  principles.
     This requires  management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the
     reported  amounts of assets and  liabilities  and disclosures 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.

    Operations

         The  equipment  of the  Partnership  is  managed,  under  a  continuing
     management  agreement,   by  PLM  Investment  Management,   Inc.  (IMI),  a
     wholly-owned  subsidiary  of the General  Partner.  IMI  receives a monthly
     management  fee from the  Partnership  for managing the equipment (see Note
     3).  FSI,  in  conjunction  with  its  subsidiaries,   syndicates  investor
     programs,  sells  transportation  equipment to investor  programs and third
     parties,  manages pools of  transportation  equipment under agreements with
     investor programs, and is a general partner of other limited partnerships.

Accounting for Leases

         The  Partnership's  leasing  operations  generally consist of operating
     leases. Under the operating lease method of accounting, the leased asset is
     recorded at cost and  depreciated  over its estimated  useful life.  Rental
     payments  are recorded as revenue  over the lease term.  Lease  origination
     costs are capitalized and amortized over the term of the lease.

<PAGE>

                     PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH & INCOME FUND VII
                            (A Limited Partnership)
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                               December 31, 1996

1.   Basis of Presentation (continued)

Depreciation and Amortization

         Depreciation of  transportation  equipment held for operating leases is
     computed on the  double-declining  balance  method,  taking a full  month's
     depreciation in the month of acquisition, based upon estimated useful lives
     of 15 years for railcars and 12 years for all other types of equipment. The
     depreciation  method is changed to straight  line when annual  depreciation
     expense  using the  straight-  line method  exceeds that  calculated by the
     double-declining  balance method.  Acquisition  fees and other  acquisition
     costs have been  capitalized  as part of the cost of the  equipment.  Lease
     negotiation fees are amortized over the initial  equipment lease term. Debt
     issuance  costs are  amortized  over the term of the related debt (see Note
     5).  Major  expenditures  that are  expected to extend the useful  lives or
     reduce future operating expenses of equipment are capitalized.

     Transportation Equipment

     In March 1995,  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board (FASB)  issued
     Statement No. 121,  "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and
     for  Long-Lived  Assets to Be  Disposed  Of" (SFAS 121).  This  standard is
     effective for years  beginning  after  December 15, 1995.  The  Partnership
     adopted SFAS 121 during 1995, the effect of which was not material,  as the
     method previously employed by the Partnership was consistent with SFAS 121.
     In accordance with SFAS 121, the General Partner reviews the carrying value
     of the  Partnership's  equipment at least  annually in relation to expected
     future market conditions for the purpose of assessing recoverability of the
     recorded  amounts.  If projected  future lease revenue plus residual values
     are less than the carrying value of the equipment, a loss on revaluation is
     recorded.  No reductions to the carrying  value of equipment  were required
     during 1996.

         Equipment held for operating  leases is stated at cost.  Equipment held
     for sale is stated at the lower of the equipment's depreciated cost or fair
     value, less cost to sell, and is subject to a pending contract for sale.

     Investments in Unconsolidated Special Purpose Entities (USPEs)

     The Partnership has interests in  unconsolidated  special purpose  entities
     that own transportation equipment.  These interests are accounted for using
     the equity method.

         The Partnership's investment in unconsolidated special purpose entities
     includes  acquisition and lease negotiation fees paid by the Partnership to
     PLM Transportation  Equipment  Corporation (TEC). The Partnership's  equity
     interest in the net income of USPEs is  reflected  net of  management  fees
     paid or  payable  to IMI and the  amortization  of  acquisition  and  lease
     negotiation fees paid to TEC.

Repairs and Maintenance

         Maintenance costs are usually the obligation of the lessee. If they are
     not covered by the lessee, they are charged against operations as incurred.
     To meet the  maintenance  obligations  of aircraft  airframes  and engines,
     reserve  accounts are prefunded by the lessee.  Estimated costs  associated
     with marine  vessel dry  docking are accrued and charged to income  ratably
     over the  period  prior to such  dry  docking.  The  reserve  accounts  are
     included in the balance sheet as lessee deposits and reserve for repairs.

Net Income (Loss) and Distribution per Depositary Unit

         The  net  income  (loss)  and  distributions  of  the  Partnership  are
     generally  allocated  95% to the  Limited  Partners  and 5% to the  General
     Partner.  Gross income in each year is  specially  allocated to the General
     Partner in an amount  equal to the lesser of (I) the  deficit  balance,  if
     any, in the General

<PAGE>

                     PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH & INCOME FUND VII
                            (A Limited Partnership)
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                               December 31, 1996

1.   Basis of Presentation (continued)

Net Income (Loss) and Distribution per Depositary Unit (continued)

     Partner's capital account,  calculated under generally accepted  accounting
     principles using the  straight-line  method of  depreciation,  and (ii) the
     deficit  balance,  if any,  in the  General  Partner's  capital  account  ,
     calculated under federal income tax regulations.  The Limited Partners' net
     income (loss) and  distribution  are allocated  among the Limited  Partners
     based on the  number  of Units  owned by each  Limited  Partner  and on the
     number of days of the year each Limited Partner is in the Partnership.  The
     Partnership  will compute net income (loss) per Unit beginning in the first
     calendar year after the closing of the offering.  The Partnership  believes
     disclosure of per Unit data prior to this date is not meaningful.

         Cash  distributions  are  recorded  when paid.  Cash  distributions  to
     investors in excess of net income are  considered  to represent a return of
     capital.  All cash distributions to the Limited Partners in 1996, 1995, and
     1994 were deemed to be a return of capital.

         Cash distributions of $1,438,000,  $1,443,000,  and $1,175,000 relating
     to the fourth quarter of 1996, 1995, and 1994,  respectively,  were paid or
     are payable during January and February 1997, 1996, or 1995,  respectively,
     depending on whether the individual Unitholder elected to receive a monthly
     or quarterly distribution check.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

         The Partnership  considers  highly liquid  investments that are readily
     convertible  to known  amounts of cash with  original  maturities  of three
     months or less as cash equivalents.

  Restricted Cash

At December 31, 1995, restricted cash represents lessee security deposits.

2.   Investments in Unconsolidated Special Purpose Entities (USPEs)

     During the second half of 1995, the Partnership began to increase the level
     of its participation in the ownership of large-ticket transportation assets
     to be owned and operated jointly with affiliated programs.
     This trend has continued during 1996.

         Prior to 1996,  the  Partnership  accounted  for  operating  activities
     associated  with joint ownership of  transportation  equipment as undivided
     interests,  including  its  proportionate  share of each asset with similar
     wholly-owned assets in its financial  statements.  Under generally accepted
     accounting principles,  the effects of such activities, if material, should
     be reported  using the equity method of  accounting.  Therefore,  effective
     January 1, 1996, the  Partnership  adopted the equity method to account for
     its investment in such jointly-held assets.

         The principle  differences  between the previous  accounting method and
     the equity method  relate to the  presentation  of  activities  relating to
     these  assets in the  statement  of  operations.  Whereas  under the equity
     method of accounting the Partnership's  proportionate share is presented as
     a single net amount, "equity in net income (loss) of unconsolidated special
     purpose entities," under the previous method the Partnership's statement of
     operations  reflected its  proportionate  share of each  individual item of
     revenue and expense.  Accordingly, the effect of adopting the equity method
     of accounting  has no cumulative  effect on previously  reported  partner's
     capital  or on the  Partnership's  net  income  (loss)  for the  period  of
     adoption.  Because the effects on previously issued financial statements of
     applying the equity method of accounting to  investments  in  jointly-owned
     assets are not considered to be material to such financial statements taken
     as a whole, previously issued


<PAGE>


                     PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH & INCOME FUND VII
                            (A Limited Partnership)
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                December 31, 1996

2.   Investments in Unconsolidated Special Purpose Entities (continued)

     financial  statements have not been restated.  However,  certain items have
     been  reclassified in the previously issued balance sheet to conform to the
     current-period  presentation.  The beginning  cash and cash  equivalent for
     1996 is different from the ending cash and cash  equivalent for 1995 on the
     statement of cash flows due to this reclassification.

         During the year ended December 31, 1996, the  Partnership  purchased an
     interest in a trust owning five commercial aircraft for $5.6 million and an
     interest in an entity owning a rig (the  remaining  interest in this rig is
     held by two  affiliated  partnerships  and TEC  Acquisub,  Inc.)  for  $2.0
     million,  and  incurred  acquisition  and  lease  negotiation  fees of $0.4
     million to PLM Worldwide  Management  Services  (WMS),  an affiliate of PLM
     International.

         The following  summarizes the financial  information  for the USPEs and
     the  Partnership's  interest  therein as of and for the year ended December
     31, 1996 (in thousands):

                                                         Net
                                        Total        interest of
                                        USPEs            the
                                                     Partnership
                                     ------------------------------

    Net investment                 $     115,015   $       37,141
    Revenues                              33,850           11,904
    Net loss                              (3,606 )           (880 )

         The net  investment  in USPEs  includes  the  following  jointly  owned
     equipment  (and related  assets and  liabilities)  at December 31, 1996 and
     1995, (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                     1996            1995
                                                                                 -----------------------------
   <S>                                                                           <C>              <C>        
   80% interest in an entity owning a bulk carrier marine vessel                 $    7,362       $   8,903  
   44% interest in an entity owning a bulk carrier marine vessel                      3,142           3,836
   10% interest in an equity owning a mobile offshore drilling unit                   2,100              --
   24% in a trust owning a 767-200ER commercial aircraft                              5,798           7,001
   33% interest in 2 trusts that own 3 commercial aircraft,
             2 aircraft engines, and a portfolio of aircraft rotables                 9,126          10,664
   29% interest in a trust that owns 7 commercial aircraft (see
             note below)                                                                 --           8,285
   33% interest in a trust that owns 6 commercial aircraft (see
             note below)                                                              5,407              --
   25% interest in a trust that owns 4 commercial aircraft (see
             note below)                                                              4,206              --
                                                                                 -----------------------------

     Net investments in unconsolidated special purpose entities                  $   37,141       $  38,689   
                                                                                 =============================
</TABLE>

         The Partnership has beneficial interests in two USPEs that own multiple
     aircraft  (Trusts).   These  Trusts  contain   provisions,   under  certain
     circumstances,  for allocating  specific aircraft to the beneficial owners.
     During   September  1996,  PLM  Equipment  Growth  Fund  V,  an  affiliated
     partnership that also has a beneficial interest in the Trusts, renegotiated
     its Senior Loan Agreement and was required,  for loan collateral  purposes,
     to withdraw the aircraft  designated to it from the Trusts.  The result was
     to restate the percentage  ownership of the remaining  beneficial owners of
     the Trusts  beginning  September 30, 1996. This change has no effect on the
     income or loss recognized during 1996.

<PAGE>


                     PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH & INCOME FUND VII
                            (A Limited Partnership)
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                December 31, 1996

3.   General Partner and Transactions with Affiliates

         An officer of PLM Securities Corp. (PLM Securities) contributed $100 of
     the  Partnership's   initial  capital.   Under  the  equipment   management
     agreement,   IMI,  subject  to  certain  reductions,   receives  a  monthly
     management  fee  attributable  to either  owned  equipment  or interests in
     equipment owned by the USPEs equal to the lesser of (i) the fees that would
     be charged by an independent  third party for similar  services for similar
     equipment or (ii) the sum of (A) for that  equipment for which IMI provides
     only  Basic  Equipment  Management  Services  (a)  2% of  the  Gross  Lease
     Revenues, as defined in the agreement,  which is subject to Full Payout Net
     Leases,  and (b) 5% of the Gross Lease Revenues  attributable  to equipment
     that is subject to Operating  Leases,  and (B) for that equipment for which
     IMI provides  Supplemental  Equipment Management Services,  7% of the Gross
     Lease Revenues attributable to such equipment.  Partnership management fees
     payable  were  $119,000  and  $197,000  at  December  31,  1996  and  1995,
     respectively.  The  Partnership's  proportional  share of USPE's management
     fees of $55,000  and $0 were  payable  as of  December  31,  1996 and 1995,
     respectively.  The Partnership's proportional share of USPE management fees
     expense during 1996 was $462,000.  The Partnership reimbursed FSI $582,000,
     $616,000,  and $346,000  for data  processing  expenses and  administrative
     services  performed on behalf of the  Partnership  during 1996,  1995,  and
     1994,  respectively.  The  Partnership's  proportional  share of USPE  data
     processing  and  administrative  expenses  was  $97,000  during  1996.  The
     Partnership  paid $0 in 1996,  $141,000 in 1995,  and  $82,000 in 1994,  to
     Transportation  Equipment  Indemnity  Company,  Ltd. (TEI),  which provides
     marine  insurance  coverage and other  insurance  brokerage  services.  The
     Partnership's  proportional share of USPE marine insurance coverage paid to
     TEI was $240,000 during 1996. TEI is an affiliate of the General Partner. A
     substantial  portion  of this  amount was paid to third  party  reinsurance
     underwriters or placed in risk pools managed by TEI on behalf of affiliated
     partnerships and PLM  International,  which provide threshold  coverages on
     marine  vessel  loss-of-hire  and hull and  machinery  damage.  All pooling
     arrangement  funds  are  either  paid out to  cover  applicable  losses  or
     refunded pro rata by TEI. PLM Securities  earned  underwriting  commissions
     relating  to the  sale of  Limited  Partnership  Units  of  $1,320,000  and
     $5,086,000, including amounts paid relating to subscriptions in escrow (see
     Note 1) in 1995 and 1994 (of which  $1,160,000 and $4,414,000  were paid to
     third party broker dealers in 1995 and 1994, respectively).

         The  Partnership  and  USPEs  paid or  accrued  lease  negotiation  and
     equipment acquisition fees of $910,000,  $1,628,000,  and $2,154,000 during
     1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively,  to TEC and WMS. PLM Securities and TEC
     are wholly-owned subsidiaries of the General Partner. WMS is a wholly-owned
     subsidiary of the PLM  International.  Also,  organization  and syndication
     costs of  $440,000  and  $1,704,000,  including  amounts  paid  relating to
     subscriptions  in escrow  (see Note 1), were paid or accrued to FSI and PLM
     Securities  as  reimbursement  for costs  incurred  by them  related to the
     formation of the Partnership in 1995 and 1994, respectively.  TEC will also
     be entitled to receive an equipment  liquidation fee equal to the lesser of
     (i) 3% of the sales price of equipment sold on behalf of the Partnership or
     (ii) 50% of the  "Competitive  Equipment Sale  Commission," as defined,  if
     certain conditions are met. In certain  circumstances,  the General Partner
     will  be  entitled  to a  monthly  re-lease  fee  for  re-leasing  services
     following the expiration of the initial lease,  charter,  or other contract
     for  certain  equipment  equal to the  lesser of (a) the fees that would be
     charged  by  an  independent  third  party  for  comparable   services  for
     comparable  equipment or (b) 2% of Gross Lease  Revenues  derived from such
     re-lease,  provided, however, that no re-lease fee shall be payable if such
     re-lease fee would cause the  combination  of the equipment  management fee
     paid to IMI and the  re-lease  fees with  respect  to such  transaction  to
     exceed 7% of Gross Lease  Revenues.  In certain  circumstances  the General
     Partner  will  be  entitled  to a debt  placement  fee  equal  to 1% of the
     principal balance borrowed.

         As of December 31, 1996, approximately 76% of the Partnership's trailer
     equipment  operated  in rental  yards owned and  maintained  by PLM Rental,
     Inc.,  the  short-term  trailer  rental  subsidiary  of PLM  International.
     Revenues  collected  under  short-term  rental  agreements  with the rental
     yards'  customers  are  credited to the owners of the related  equipment as
     received.  Direct  expenses  associated  with  the  equipment  are  charged
     directly to the Partnership.  An allocation of other direct expenses of the
     rental yard operations are billed to the Partnership monthly.

<PAGE>

                     PLM Equipment Growth & Income Fund VII
                            (A Limited Partnership)
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                               December 31, 1996

3.   General Partner and Transactions with Affiliates (continued)

         The Partnership  owns certain  equipment in conjunction with affiliated
     partnerships.  At December 31, 1996, this equipment included an interest in
     two  entities  owning  marine  vessels,  an  interest  in a trust  owning 1
     commercial aircraft, an interest in an entity owning a rig, and an interest
     in four trusts comprised of 13 commercial aircraft, 2 aircraft engines, and
     a portfolio  of aircraft  rotables.  In 1995,  this  equipment  included an
     interest in two  entities  owning  marine  vessels,  an interest in a trust
     owning 1 commercial aircraft,  and an interest in three trusts comprised of
     10 commercial  aircraft,  2 aircraft  engines,  and a portfolio of aircraft
     rotables.

         The  balance due to  affiliates  at December  31,  1996  includes  $0.1
     million  due to FSI and its  affiliates  and a net of $0.5  million  due to
     affiliated  investments in USPEs. The balance due to affiliates at December
     31, 1995 includes $0.2 million due to FSI and its  affiliates  and a net of
     $0.3 million due to USPEs.

4.   Equipment

     The  components  of  equipment at December 31, 1996 and 1995 are as follows
(in thousands):

   Equipment held for operating leases:             1996              1995
   --------------------------------------------  -------------------------------

     Marine vessels                               $  22,212       $    22,211 
     Aircraft                                        15,933            10,450
     Trailers                                        14,547            11,343
     Modular buildings                                4,696             4,850
     Railcars                                        10,053             9,479
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                     67,441            58,333
   Less accumulated depreciation                    (21,494 )         (12,796 )
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                     45,947            45,537
   Equipment held for sale                               --               156
                                                 -------------------------------
   Net equipment                                  $  45,947       $    45,693   
                                                 ===============================

         Revenues are earned by placing the equipment under operating leases. As
     of December 31, 1996, all equipment in the  Partnership's  portfolio was on
     lease or operating  in  PLM-affiliated  short-term  trailer  rental  yards,
     except for five railcars with a net book value of $132,000.  As of December
     31, 1995,  all  equipment in the  Partnership's  portfolio  was on lease or
     operating in PLM-affiliated short-term trailer rental yards.

         During 1996, the  Partnership  acquired 1 commercial  aircraft for $5.2
     million,  209 trailers for $3.2 million,  and 35 railcars for $0.5 million,
     and was required to pay $0.5 million in acquisition  and lease  negotiation
     fees to TEC.

         During 1996, the  Partnership  sold or disposed of 7 modular  buildings
     and 13 trailers  with an aggregate  net book value of $207,000 for proceeds
     of $255,000.  The  Partnership  also sold 58 trailers,  which were held for
     sale as of December 31, 1995, with a net book value of $156,000 at the date
     of sale for proceeds of $150,000.  During 1995, 53 modular buildings and 41
     trailers  with an  aggregate  net book value of $1.2  million were sold for
     $1.4 million.

         Periodically,  PLM  International  will purchase groups of assets whose
     ownership  may  be  allocated  among   affiliated   partnerships   and  PLM
     International. Generally in these cases, only assets that are on lease will
     be  purchased  by  the  affiliated  partnerships.  PLM  International  will
     generally  assume the  ownership  and  remarketing  risks  associated  with
     off-lease equipment. Allocation of the purchase price will be determined by
     a combination of third party industry  sources and recent  transactions  or
     published  fair market value  references.  During 1996,  PLM  International
     realized  $0.7  million  of  gains  on the  sale of 69  off-lease  railcars
     purchased by PLM International as part of a group of assets in

<PAGE>

                     PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH & INCOME FUND VII
                            (A Limited Partnership)
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                               December 31, 1996

4.   Equipment (continued)

     1994 that had been allocated to the Partnership, PLM Equipment Growth Funds
     IV and VI,  Professional  Lease Management Income Fund I, L.L.C.  (Fund I),
     and PLM  International.  At December 31, 1995, PLM  International  included
     these assets as held for sale. During 1995, PLM International realized $1.3
     million  in gains  on  sales of  railcars  and  aircraft  purchased  by PLM
     International  in 1994 and 1995 as part of a group of assets  that had been
     allocated to the  Partnership;  PLM  Equipment  Growth Funds IV, V, and VI;
     Fund I; and PLM International.

         All leases are being accounted for as operating leases.  Future minimum
     rent under  noncancelable  operating  leases at December 31, 1996,  for the
     owned and partially owned equipment during each of the next five years, are
     approximately  $15,300,000  - 1997;  $8,100,000 - 1998;  $6,100,000 - 1999;
     $5,600,000 - 2000; $4,200,000 - 2001; and $400,000 - thereafter.

         The  Partnership  owns  certain  equipment  that is leased and operated
     internationally.  A limited number of the  Partnership's  transactions  are
     denominated in a foreign  currency.  Gains or losses resulting from foreign
     currency transactions are included in the results of operations and are not
     material.

         The  Partnership  leases or leased  its  aircraft,  modular  buildings,
     railcars,  and trailers to lessees  domiciled in three geographic  regions:
     North  America,  South  America,  and Europe.  Marine vessels are leased to
     multiple  lessees in  different  regions  that  operate the marine  vessels
     worldwide.  The tables  below set forth  geographic  information  about the
     Partnership's owned equipment and investments in USPEs, grouped by domicile
     of the lessee as of and for the years ended  December 31, 1996,  1995,  and
     1994 (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                    Investments
                                      in USPEs                 Owned equipment
                                   ----------------- ---------------------------------------
                Region                1996          1996           1995           1994
       --------------------------  ------------  ----------------------------------------
       <S>                         <C>           <C>            <C>            <C>      
       Lease revenue:
         United States             $      --     $   7,522      $   6,866      $   2,789
         Canada                        3,189           826            883            241
         South America                 1,181            --          1,181          1,181
         Europe                        3,530            --          1,177             --
         Rest of the world             4,004         3,879          7,974          4,795
                                   ============  =========================================
       Total lease revenue         $  11,904     $  12,227      $  18,081      $   9,006
                                   ============  =========================================
</TABLE>

         The  following  table  sets  forth   identifiable   net  income  (loss)
     information by region for the owned  equipment and investments in USPEs for
     the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994 (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                       Investments
                                        in USPEs                    Owned equipment
                                     ---------------- -----------------------------------------

                 Region                 1996           1996           1995           1994
       ----------------------------  -----------    ---------------------------------------
       <S>                           <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>        
       Net income (loss):
         United States               $      --      $    (590 )    $     669      $    (743 )
         Canada                         (1,370 )           89           (332 )          (84 )
         South America                     (97 )           --           (348 )         (750 )
         Europe                            981             --             25             --
         Rest of the world                (394 )          431           (597 )       (1,523 )
                                     -----------    -----------------------------------------
       Total identifiable loss            (880 )          (70 )         (583 )       (3,100 )
       Administrative and other             --         (2,026 )         (609 )         (709 )
                                     ===========    =========================================
       Net income (loss):            $    (880 )    $  (2,096 )    $  (1,192 )    $  (3,809 )
                                     ===========    =========================================
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

                     PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH & INCOME FUND VII
                            (A Limited Partnership)
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                               December 31, 1996

4.   Equipment (continued)

         The net book value of these assets at December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994
are as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                   Investments
                                                    in USPEs                              Owned equipment
                                            ----------------------- --------------------------------------------------

                         Region                   1996            1995            1996            1995            1994
              ------------------------------  -----------------------------    --------------------------------------------

                <S>                           <C>             <C>              <C>            <C>             <C>          
                United States                 $       --      $       --       $   29,199     $    26,565     $    21,670  
                Canada                             9,612           8,285            2,608           2,004           1,631
                South America                      5,798           7,001               --              --           8,424
                Europe                             9,127          10,664               --              --              --
                Rest of the world                 12,604          12,739           14,140          16,968          36,180
                                              -----------------------------    --------------------------------------------
                                                  37,141          38,689           45,947          45,537          67,905
              Equipment held for sale                 --              --               --             156              --
                                              =============================    ============================================
                                              $   37,141      $   38,689       $   45,947          45,693     $    67,905   
                                              =============================    ============================================
</TABLE>

         The lessees  accounting for 10% or more of total revenues  during 1996,
     1995,  and 1994 were SWR Brazil 767, Inc. (13% in 1994),  Hong Kong Mingwah
     Shipping Co., Ltd. (21% in 1994, 69% in 1993), and Wah Yuen Shipping,  Inc.
     (21% in 1995, 19% in 1994).

5.   Notes Payable

     In December  1995,  the  Partnership  entered  into an  agreement  to issue
     long-term notes totaling $23.0 million to five institutional investors. The
     notes  bear  interest  at a fixed  rate of 7.27%  per annum and has a final
     maturity in 2005. During 1995, the Partnership paid lender fees of $230,000
     in connection with this loan.

         Interest on the notes is payable semiannually. The notes will be repaid
     in five  principal  payments of $3.0 million on December  31,  1999,  2000,
     2001, 2002, and 2003 and two principal payments of $4.0 million on December
     31, 2004 and 2005.  The  agreement  requires  the  Partnership  to maintain
     certain financial covenants related to fixed-charge  coverage,  and maximum
     debt.  proceeds from the notes have been used to fund additional  equipment
     acquisitions  and to repay any  obligations  of the  Partnership  under the
     Committed Bridge Facility (see below).

         The General Partner estimates,  based on recent transactions,  that the
     fair value of the $23.0 million fixed-rate note is $22.7 million.

         The  General  Partner has entered  into a joint  $50.0  million  credit
     facility  (Committed  Bridge  Facility) on behalf of the  Partnership,  PLM
     Equipment Growth Fund IV, PLM Equipment Growth Fund V, PLM Equipment Growth
     Fund VI, and  Professional  Lease  Management  Income  Fund I (Fund I), all
     affiliated  investment  programs;  TEC Acquisub,  Inc. (TECAI), an indirect
     wholly-owned subsidiary of the General Partner; and American Finance Group,
     Inc. (AFG), a subsidiary of PLM  International  Inc.,  which may be used to
     provide  interim  financing of up to (i) 70% of the aggregate book value or
     50% of the aggregate net fair market value of eligible  equipment  owned by
     the Partnership or Fund I, plus (ii) 50% of  unrestricted  cash held by the
     borrower.  The Committed  Bridge Facility became  available on December 20,
     1993, and was amended and restated on October 31, 1996 to expire on October
     31, 1997 and increased the available  borrowings  for AFG to $50.0 million.
     The Partnership, TECAI, Fund I, and the other partnerships collectively may
     borrow up to $35.0 million of the Committed Bridge Facility.  The Committed
     Bridge  Facility also provides for a $5.0 million Letter of Credit Facility
     for the eligible borrowers.  Outstanding  borrowings by Fund I, TECAI, AFG,
     or PLM Equipment Growth Funds IV through VII reduce the amount available to
     each other under the Committed Bridge Facility.  Individual  borrowings may
     be outstanding for no more

<PAGE>

                     PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH & INCOME FUND VII
                            (A Limited Partnership)
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                               December 31, 1996

5.   Notes Payable (continued)

     than 179 days,  with all advances  due no later than October 31, 1997.  The
     Committed  Bridge  Facility  prohibits the  Partnership  from incurring any
     additional  indebtedness.  Interest  accrues  at either  the prime  rate or
     adjusted LIBOR plus 2.5% at the borrower's  option,  and is set at the time
     of an advance of funds. Borrowings by the Partnership are guaranteed by the
     General Partner. As of December 31, 1996, the Partnership had borrowings of
     $2.0 million,  PLM Equipment Growth Fund V had $2.5 million,  PLM Equipment
     Growth Fund VI had $1.3 million,  AFG had $26.9 million, and TECAI had $4.1
     million in outstanding borrowings. Neither PLM Equipment Growth Fund IV nor
     Fund I had any outstanding borrowings.

         The Partnership received waivers from its senior lenders related to its
     maximum  debt  covenant at December 31,  1996.  Without  this  waiver,  the
     Partnership would not have been able to borrow on the short-term  warehouse
     facility and remain in compliance with the loan covenant.

         During January 1997, the Partnership repaid all borrowings  outstanding
     as of December 31, 1996 from the Committed Bridge Facility.

6.   Income Taxes

The  Partnership  is not  subject  to  income  taxes,  as any  income or loss is
     included in the tax returns of the  individual  partners.  Accordingly,  no
     provision for income taxes has been made in the financial statements of the
     Partnership.

         As  of  December  31,  1996,   there  were  temporary   differences  of
     approximately $48.2 million between the financial statement carrying values
     of certain assets and  liabilities  and the income tax basis of such assets
     and liabilities,  primarily due to differences in depreciation  methods and
     equipment reserves.

7.   Subsequent Event

     PLM International (PLMI), along with FSI, IMI, TEC, and PLM Securities, and
     collectively with PLMI, FSI, IMI, TEC, and PLM Securities,  (PLM Entities),
     were named as  defendants  in a  class-action  lawsuit filed in the Circuit
     Court of  Mobile  County,  Mobile,  Alabama,  Case No.  CV-97-251.  The PLM
     Entities  received  service of the  complaint  on  February  10,  1997 and,
     pursuant to an extension of time granted by plaintiffs' attorneys,  have 60
     days to respond to the complaint.  PLM International is currently reviewing
     the  substance  of the  allegations  with its  counsel,  and  believes  the
     allegations  to be  completely  without  merit and  intends to defend  this
     matter vigorously.

        The  plaintiffs,  who filed the  complaint on their own and on behalf of
     all class members  similarly  situated,  are six  individuals who allegedly
     invested  in  certain  California  limited  partnerships  sponsored  by PLM
     Securities,  for  which  FSI acts as the  General  Partner,  including  the
     Partnership, PLM Equipment Growth Fund IV, PLM Equipment Growth Fund V, and
     PLM Equipment  Growth Fund VI (PLM Growth  Funds).  The complaint  purports
     eight  causes of action  against  all  defendants,  as  follows:  fraud and
     deceit,   suppression,   negligent   misrepresentation   and   suppression,
     intentional  breach of fiduciary duty,  negligent breach of fiduciary duty,
     unjust enrichment,  conversion,  and conspiracy.  Additionally,  plaintiffs
     allege a cause of action for breach of third  party  beneficiary  contracts
     against and in violation of the National  Association of Securities Dealers
     (NASD) rules of fair practice by PLM Securities alone.

        Plaintiffs  allege that each  defendant  owed  plaintiffs  and the class
     certain  duties due to their  status as  fiduciaries,  financial  advisors,
     agents,  general  partner,  and  control  persons.  Based on these  duties,
     plaintiffs assert liability against the PLM Entities for improper sales and
     marketing practices,  mismanagement of the PLM Growth Funds, and concealing
     such mismanagement from investors in the PLM Growth Funds.  Plaintiffs seek
     unspecified  compensatory  and  recissory  damages,  as  well  as  punitive
     damages, and have offered to tender their Limited Partnership Units back to
     the defendants.


<PAGE>



                     PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH & INCOME FUND VII

                               INDEX OF EXHIBITS


  Exhibit                                                                Page

    4.     Limited Partnership Agreement of Partnership.                    *

   10.1    Management Agreement between Partnership and                     *
           PLM Investment Management, Inc.

   10.2    Note Agreement,  dated as of December 1, 1995, 
           regarding  $23,000,000
           of 7.27% Senior Notes due December 21, 2005                      *

   10.3    Second Amended and restated Warehousing Credit Agreement,
           dated as of May 31, 1996, with First Union National Bank 
           of North Carolina.                                               *

   10.4    Amendment No. 1 to Second Amended and restated 
           Warehousing Credit Agreement, dated as of November
           5, 1996, with First Union National Bank of
           North Carolina.                                                  *

   24.     Powers of Attorney.                                              


* Incorporated by reference.  See page 23 of this report.







                           SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
                          WAREHOUSING CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                      AMONG

                          PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH FUND III
                          PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH FUND IV
                           PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH FUND V
                          PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH FUND VI
                     PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH & INCOME FUND VII
               PROFESSIONAL LEASE MANAGEMENT INCOME FUND I, L.L.C.
                          PLM FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.

                                       AND

                   FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF NORTH CAROLINA
                      AND SUCH OTHER FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
                        AS SHALL BECOME LENDERS HEREUNDER

                                       AND

                  FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF NORTH CAROLINA,
                                    AS AGENT








                                  May 31, 1996





<PAGE>

<PAGE>




                          WAREHOUSING CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                         Page




SECTION 1.        DEFINITIONS..............................................2

         1.1      Defined Terms............................................2
         1.2      Accounting Terms........................................18
         1.3      Other Terms.............................................18
         1.4      Schedules And Exhibits..................................19

SECTION 2.        AMOUNT AND TERMS OF CREDIT..............................19

         2.1      Commitment To Lend......................................19

                  2.1.1      Revolving Facility...........................19

                             (a)    Facility Commitments..................19
                             (b)    Each Loan.............................20

                  2.1.2      Funding......................................21
                  2.1.3      Utilization Of The Loans.....................21

         2.2      Repayment And Prepayment................................21

                  2.2.1      Repayment....................................21
                  2.2.2      Voluntary Prepayment.........................21
                  2.2.3      Mandatory Prepayments........................22

         2.3      Calculation Of Interest; Post-Maturity Interest.........22
         2.4      Manner Of Payments......................................23
         2.5      Payment On Non-Business Days............................23
         2.6      Application Of Payments.................................23
         2.7      Procedure For The Borrowing Of Loans....................23

                  2.7.1      Notice Of Borrowing..........................23
                  2.7.2      Unavailability Of LIBOR Loans................24

         2.8      Conversion And Continuation Elections...................24

                  2.8.1      Election.....................................24
                  2.8.2      Notice Of Conversion.........................24
                  2.8.3      Interest Period..............................25
                  2.8.4      Unavailability Of LIBOR Loans................25

         2.9      Discretion Of Lenders As To Manner Of Funding...........25
         2.10     Distribution Of Payments................................25
         2.11     Agent's Right To Assume Funds Available For Advances....25
         2.12     Agent's Right To Assume Payments Will Be Made By Borrower..26
         2.13     Capital Requirements....................................26
         2.14     Taxes...................................................27

                  2.14.1     No Deductions................................27
                  2.14.2     Miscellaneous Taxes..........................27
                  2.14.3     Indemnity....................................27
                  2.14.4     Required Deductions..........................27
                  2.14.5     Evidence of Payment..........................27
                  2.14.6     Foreign Persons..............................28
                  2.14.7     Income Taxes.................................28
                  2.14.8     Reimbursement Of Costs.......................29
                  2.14.9     Jurisdiction.................................29

         2.15     Illegality..............................................29

                  2.15.1     LIBOR Loans..................................29
                  2.15.2     Prepayment...................................29
                  2.15.3     Prime Rate Borrowing.........................30

         2.16     Increased Costs.........................................30
         2.17     Inability To Determine Rates............................30
         2.18     Prepayment Of LIBOR Loans...............................30

SECTION 3.        CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND 
                  THE MAKING OF LOANS............... 31

         3.1      Effectiveness of This Agreement.........................31

                  3.1.1      Partnership, Company And Corporate Documents..31
                  3.1.2      Notes........................................31
                  3.1.3      Opinion Of Counsel...........................31
                  3.1.4      Reaffirmation of Guaranty....................31
                  3.1.5      TEC AcquiSub Amendment.......................31
                  3.1.6      AFG Agreement................................31
                  3.1.7      Bringdown Certificate........................31
                  3.1.8      Fees.........................................32
                  3.1.9      Other Documents..............................32

         3.2      All Loans...............................................32

                  3.2.1      Notice Of Borrowing..........................32
                  3.2.2      No Event Of Default..........................32
                  3.2.3      Representations And Warranties...............32
                  3.2.4      Insurance....................................32
                  3.2.5      Other Instruments............................32

         3.3      Further Conditions To All Loans.........................32

                  3.3.1      General Partner Or Manager...................32
                  3.3.2      Removal Of General Partner Or Manager........33
                  3.3.3      Purchaser....................................33

SECTION 4.        BORROWERS' AND FSI'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.....33

         4.1      General Representations And Warranties..................33

                  4.1.1      Existence And Power..........................33
                  4.1.2      Loan Documents And Notes Authorized; Binding 
                             Obligations........................... 33
                  4.1.3      No Conflict; Legal Compliance................34
                  4.1.4      Financial Condition..........................34
                  4.1.5      Executive Offices............................34
                  4.1.6      Litigation...................................34
                  4.1.7      Material Contracts...........................35
                  4.1.8      Consents And Approvals.......................35
                  4.1.9      Other Agreements.............................35
                  4.1.10     Employment And Labor Agreements..............35
                  4.1.11     ERISA........................................35
                  4.1.12     Labor Matters................................36
                  4.1.13     Margin Regulations...........................36
                  4.1.14     Taxes........................................36
                  4.1.15     Environmental Quality........................36
                  4.1.16     Trademarks, Patents, Copyrights, Franchises And 
                             Licenses........................... 37
                  4.1.17     Full Disclosure..............................37
                  4.1.18     Other Regulations............................37
                  4.1.19     Solvency.....................................38

         4.2      Representations And Warranties At Time Of First Advance..38

                  4.2.1      Power And Authority..........................38
                  4.2.2      No Conflict..................................38
                  4.2.3      Consents And Approvals.......................38

         4.3      Survival Of Representations And Warranties..............38

SECTION 5.        BORROWERS' AND FSI'S AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS..............38

         5.1      Records And Reports.....................................39

                  5.1.1      Quarterly Statements.........................39
                  5.1.2      Annual Statements............................39
                  5.1.3      Borrowing Base Certificate...................39
                  5.1.4      Compliance Certificate.......................40
                  5.1.5      Reports......................................40
                  5.1.6      Insurance Reports............................40
                  5.1.7      Certificate Of Responsible Officer...........40
                  5.1.8      Employee Benefit Plans.......................40
                  5.1.9      ERISA Notices................................41
                  5.1.10     Pension Plans................................41
                  5.1.11     SEC Reports..................................41
                  5.1.12     Tax Returns..................................41
                  5.1.13     Additional Information.......................41

         5.2      Existence; Compliance With Law..........................42
         5.3      Insurance...............................................42
         5.4      Taxes And Other Liabilities.............................42
         5.5      Inspection Rights; Assistance...........................43
         5.6      Maintenance Of Facilities; Modifications................43

                  5.6.1      Maintenance Of Facilities....................43
                  5.6.2      Certain Modifications To The Equipment.......43

         5.7      Supplemental Disclosure.................................43
         5.8      Further Assurances......................................43
         5.9      Lockbox.................................................44
         5.10     Environmental Laws......................................44

SECTION 6.        BORROWER'S AND FSI'S NEGATIVE COVENANTS.................44

         6.1      Liens; Negative Pledges; And Encumbrances...............44
         6.2      Acquisitions............................................45
         6.3      Limitations On Indebtedness.............................45
         6.4      Use Of Proceeds.........................................46
         6.5      Disposition Of Assets...................................46
         6.6      Restriction On Fundamental Changes......................46
         6.7      Transactions With Affiliates............................47
         6.8      Maintenance Of Business.................................47
         6.9      No Distributions........................................47
         6.10     Events Of Default.......................................47
         6.11     ERISA...................................................47
         6.12     No Use Of Any Lender's Name.............................47
         6.13     Certain Accounting Changes..............................47
         6.14     Amendments Of Limited Partnership Or Operating Agreements..48

SECTION 7.        FINANCIAL COVENANTS OF BORROWER AND FSI.................48

         7.1      Maximum Funded Debt Ratio...............................48
         7.2      Minimum Debt Service Ratio..............................48
         7.3      Minimum Consolidated Tangible Net Worth.................48
         7.4      Cash Balances...........................................48

SECTION 8.        EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES..........................48

         8.1      Events Of Default.......................................48

                  8.1.1      Failure To Make Payments.....................48
                  8.1.2      Other Agreements.............................49
                  8.1.3      Breach Of Covenants..........................49
                  8.1.4      Breach Of Representations Or Warranties......49
                  8.1.5      Failure To Cure..............................49
                  8.1.6      Insolvency...................................50
                  8.1.7      Bankruptcy Proceedings.......................50
                  8.1.8      Material Adverse Effect......................50
                  8.1.9      Judgments, Writs And Attachments.............50
                  8.1.10     Legal Obligations............................51
                  8.1.11     TEC AcquiSub Agreement.......................51
                  8.1.12     AFG Agreement................................51
                  8.1.13     Change Of General Partner Or Manager.........51
                  8.1.14     Change Of Purchaser..........................51
                  8.1.15     Criminal Proceedings.........................51
                  8.1.16     Action By Governmental Authority.............52
                  8.1.17     Governmental Decrees.........................52

         8.2      Waiver Of Default.......................................52
         8.3      Remedies................................................52
         8.4      Set-Off.................................................53
         8.5      Rights And Remedies Cumulative..........................54

SECTION 9.        AGENT...................................................54

         9.1      Appointment.............................................54
         9.2      Delegation Of Duties....................................54
         9.3      Exculpatory Provisions..................................55
         9.4      Reliance By Agent.......................................55
         9.5      Notice Of Default.......................................55
         9.6      Non-Reliance On Agent And Other Lenders.................56
         9.7      Indemnification.........................................56
         9.8      Agent In Its Individual Capacity........................56
         9.9      Resignation And Appointment Of Successor Agent..........57

SECTION 10.       EXPENSES AND INDEMNITIES................................57

         10.1     Expenses................................................57
         10.2     Indemnification.........................................58

                  10.2.1     General Indemnity............................58
                  10.2.2     Environmental Indemnity......................58
                  10.2.3     Survival; Defense............................59

SECTION 11.       MISCELLANEOUS...........................................59

         11.1     Survival................................................59
         11.2     No Waiver By Agent Or Lenders...........................59
         11.3     Notices.................................................59
         11.4     Headings................................................60
         11.5     Severability............................................60
         11.6     Entire Agreement; Construction; Amendments And Waivers..60
         11.7     Reliance By Lenders.....................................61
         11.8     Marshalling; Payments Set Aside.........................61
         11.9     No Set-Offs By Borrowers................................61
         11.10    Binding Effect, Assignment..............................61
         11.11    Counterparts............................................63
         11.12    Equitable Relief........................................63
         11.13    Written Notice Of Claims; Claims Bar....................63
         11.14    Waiver Of Punitive Damages..............................63
         11.15    Relationship Of Parties.................................63
         11.16    Obligations Of Each Borrower............................64
         11.17    Co-Borrower Waivers.....................................65
         11.18    Governing Law...........................................66
         11.19    Consent To Jurisdiction.................................66
         11.20    No Novation.............................................66
         11.21    Waiver Of Jury Trial....................................66



<PAGE>



                                INDEX OF EXHIBITS


Exhibit A-1                Form of Revolving Promissory Note - EGF III

Exhibit A-2                Form of Revolving Promissory Note - EGF IV

Exhibit A-3                Form of Revolving Promissory Note - EGF V

Exhibit A-4                Form of Revolving Promissory Note - EGF VI

Exhibit A-5                Form of Revolving Promissory Note - EGF VII

Exhibit A-6                Form of Revolving Promissory Note - Income Fund I

Exhibit B                  Form of Borrowing Base Certificate

Exhibit C                  Form of Reaffirmation of Guaranty

Exhibit D                  Form of Opinion of Counsel (Stephen Peary)

Exhibit E                  Form of Compliance Certificate

Exhibit F                  Form of Lockbox Agreement

Exhibit G                  Form of Notice of Borrowing

Exhibit H                  Form of Notice of Conversion/Continuation

Exhibit I                  Form of Assignment and Acceptance


<PAGE>


                               INDEX OF SCHEDULES


Schedule A                 Commitments

Schedule 1.1               Amendments to Schedule A

Schedule 4.1.5    Executive Offices and Principal Places of Business

Schedule 4.1.6    Litigation

Schedule 4.1.7    Material Contracts

Schedule 4.1.8    Consent and Approvals

Schedule 4.1.15   Environmental Disclosures

Schedule 6.1               Existing Liens

Schedule 6.3(a)   Existing Indebtedness

Schedule 6.3(b)   Anticipated Indebtedness


                                       1
<PAGE>



                           SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
                          WAREHOUSING CREDIT AGREEMENT



         THIS SECOND  AMENDED  AND  RESTATED  WAREHOUSING  CREDIT  AGREEMENT  is
entered into as of May 31, 1996, by and among PLM  EQUIPMENT  GROWTH FUND III, a
California  limited  partnership  ("EGF III"),  PLM EQUIPMENT  GROWTH FUND IV, a
California  limited  partnership  ("EGF  IV"),  PLM  EQUIPMENT  GROWTH FUND V, a
California  limited  partnership  ("EGF V"),  PLM  EQUIPMENT  GROWTH  FUND VI, a
California  limited  partnership  ("EGF VI"), PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH & INCOME FUND
VII, a California  limited  partnership  ("EGF  VII"),  and  PROFESSIONAL  LEASE
MANAGEMENT  INCOME FUND I, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company ("Income
Fund  I")  (EGF  III,  EGF IV,  EGF V, EGF VI,  EGF VII and  Income  Fund I each
individually  being a "Borrower" and,  collectively,  the "Borrowers"),  and PLM
FINANCIAL SERVICES,  INC., a Delaware  corporation and the sole general partner,
in the case of EGF III, EGF IV, EGF V, EGF VI and EGF VII, and the sole manager,
in the case of Income  Fund I ("FSI"),  and FIRST UNION  NATIONAL  BANK OF NORTH
CAROLINA  ("FUNB")  and each other  financial  institution  which may  hereafter
execute and deliver an instrument of assignment  with respect to this  Agreement
pursuant to Section 11.10 (each individually being a "Lender," and collectively,
the  "Lenders"),  and FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF NORTH  CAROLINA,  as agent on
behalf and for the benefit of the Lenders (not in its individual  capacity,  but
solely as agent, the "Agent").  This Agreement  amends,  restates and supersedes
the Growth Fund Agreement (as defined below).

                                    RECITALS

         A.  Borrowers,  PLM  Equipment  Growth  Fund II, a  California  limited
partnership ("EGF II"), Lenders and Agent have entered into that certain Amended
and Restated  Warehousing  Credit  Agreement dated as of September 27, 1995 (the
"Growth Fund Agreement").

         B.  Borrowers,  FSI,  Lenders and Agent desire to amend and restate the
Growth Fund Agreement with this amended and restated Agreement and to remove EGF
II as a borrower under the revolving credit facility.

         C. Borrowers  desire,  on a several but not joint basis, to obtain from
Lenders a revolving credit facility with an aggregate principal  availability up
to but not to exceed the maximum  amount set forth on Schedule A for the purpose
of financing  the  purchase of  transportation  equipment  for periods up to one
hundred seventy-nine (179) days, all as more particularly described below.

         D. Lenders have agreed to make such credit available to Borrowers,  but
only upon the terms and subject to the conditions  hereinafter  set forth and in
reliance on the  representations and warranties set forth herein. This Agreement
amends, restates and supersedes the Growth Fund Agreement in the its entirety.

                                    AGREEMENT

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the foregoing  recitals and the
mutual  covenants  hereinafter set forth, and intending to be legally bound, the
parties hereto agree as follows:



<PAGE>


 .        1.        DEFINITIONS

         .  As used herein, the following terms have the following meanings:

         "Acquisition" means, with respect to any Borrower, any transaction,  or
any series of related transactions,  by which such Borrower, FSI or any of FSI's
Subsidiaries,   including,   without  limitation,  TEC  AcquiSub,   directly  or
indirectly (a) acquires any ongoing business or all or substantially  all of the
assets of any Person or division thereof,  whether through a purchase of assets,
merger or otherwise,  or (b) acquires (in one  transaction or as the most recent
transaction in a series of  transactions)  control of at least a majority of the
stock  of a  corporation  having  ordinary  voting  power  for the  election  of
directors,  or (c)  acquires  control  of at least a majority  of the  ownership
interests in any partnership or joint venture.

         "Adjusted  LIBOR" means,  for each Interest  Period in respect of LIBOR
Loans,  an interest rate per annum (rounded  upward to the nearest 1/16th of one
percent (0.0625%)) determined pursuant to the following formula:

Adjusted LIBOR  =                 LIBOR
                  ----------------------------------------
                  1.00 - Eurodollar Reserve Percentage

1The Adjusted LIBOR shall be adjusted  automatically as of the effective date of
any change in the Eurodollar Reserve Percentage.

         "Advance"  means any  Advance  made or to be made by any  Lender to any
Borrower as set forth in Section 2.1.1.

         "Affiliate"  means,  with respect to any Person,  (a) each Person that,
directly or indirectly,  through one or more  intermediaries,  owns or controls,
whether beneficially or as a trustee,  guardian or other fiduciary, five percent
(5.0%) or more of the stock  having  ordinary  voting  power in the  election of
directors of such Person or of the  ownership  interests in any  partnership  or
joint  venture,  (b) each Person that  controls,  is  controlled  by or is under
common control with such Person or any Affiliate of such Person,  or (c) each of
such Person's  officers,  directors,  joint  venturers  and partners;  provided,
however,  that in no case shall any Lender or Agent be deemed to be an Affiliate
of any Borrower or FSI for purposes of this  Agreement.  For the purpose of this
definition,  "control"  of a Person  shall  mean  the  possession,  directly  or
indirectly,  of the power to direct or cause the direction of its  management or
policies,  whether  through the ownership of voting  securities,  by contract or
otherwise.

         "AFG" means American Finance Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

         "AFG Agreement" means the Warehousing  Credit Agreement dated as of the
date hereof,  by and among AFG, and Lenders and Agent,  as the same from time to
time may be amended, modified, supplemented, renewed, extended or restated.

         "Agent"  means FUNB  solely  when  acting in its  capacity as the Agent
under this  Agreement  or any of the other  Loan  Documents,  and any  successor
Agent.

         "Agent's Side Letter" means the side letter  agreement  dated as of the
date hereof by and between Borrowers, TEC AcquiSub, AFG and Agent.

         "Agreement" means this Second Amended and Restated  Warehousing  Credit
Agreement dated as of May 31, 1996, including all amendments,  modifications and
supplements  hereto,  renewals,  extensions  or  restatements  hereof,  and  all
appendices,  exhibits and schedules to any of the foregoing,  and shall refer to
the Agreement as the same may be in effect from time to time.

         "Aircraft"  means any corporate,  commuter,  or commercial  aircraft or
helicopters,  with  modifications (as applicable) and replacement or spare parts
used in connection therewith,  including, without limitation,  engines, rotables
or propellers,  and any engines,  rotables and  propellers  used on a stand-lone
basis.

         "Applicable Margin" means:

                  (a) with respect to Prime Rate Loans,  zero  percent  (0.00%);
and

                  (b) with respect to LIBOR Loans, two percent (2.00%).

         "Assignment  and  Acceptance"  has the  meaning  set  forth in  Section
10.11.2.

         "Bank  Affiliate"  means a Person engaged  primarily in the business of
commercial  banking and that is an Affiliate of a Lender or of a Person of which
a Lender is an Affiliate.

         "Bankruptcy  Code" means the  Bankruptcy  Code of 1978, as amended,  as
codified  under Title 11 of the United  States Code,  and the  Bankruptcy  Rules
promulgated thereunder, as the same may be in effect from time to time.

         "Borrowing  Base" means,  as  calculated  separately  for each Borrower
individually  as at any date of  determination,  an amount not to exceed the sum
of:

                           (a) fifty percent  (50.0%) of the  unrestricted  cash
available for the purchase of Eligible Inventory by such Borrower,

                  plus

                           (b) an  amount  equal to the  lesser  of (i)  seventy
percent (70.0%) of the aggregate net book value or (ii) fifty percent (50.0%) of
the aggregate net fair market value of all Eligible Inventory then owned by such
Borrower or a Marine  Subsidiary  or owned of record by an Owner Trustee for the
beneficial  interest of such Borrower or any Marine  Subsidiary of such Borrower
(provided,  however,  that  there  shall be  excluded  from this  clause (b) the
aggregate net book value or aggregate net fair market value, as the case may be,
of all items of  Eligible  Inventory  which are  either  (i)  off-lease  or (ii)
subject to a Lease under which any  applicable  lease or rental  payment is more
than  ninety  (90) days past due,  but only to the extent and in the amount that
the aggregate  net book value or net fair market  value,  as the case may be, of
such otherwise  excluded  Eligible  Inventory exceeds fifteen percent (15.0%) of
the respective net book value or net fair market value of all Eligible Inventory
included in this clause (b) notwithstanding this proviso),

                  less

                           (c) the  aggregate  Consolidated  Funded Debt of such
Borrower then  outstanding,  excluding the  aggregate  principal  amounts of the
Loans outstanding for such Borrower under the Facility,

in each  case  computed,  (1) with  respect  to any  requested  Loan,  as of the
requested  Funding Date (and shall include the item(s) of Eligible  Inventory to
be acquired  with the proceeds of the requested  Loan),  and (2) with respect to
the delivery of any monthly Borrowing Base Certificate to be furnished  pursuant
to  Section  5.1.3,  as of the last day of the  calendar  month for  which  such
Borrowing  Base  Certificate  is  furnished  (provided,  that for the purpose of
computing  the  Borrowing  Base,  in the  event  that any  Borrower  or a Marine
Subsidiary of such Borrower shall own less than one hundred percent  (100.0%) of
the record or beneficial  interests in any item of Eligible Inventory,  with one
or more of the other Equipment Growth Funds owning of record or beneficially the
remaining interests, there shall be included only such Borrower's or such Marine
Subsidiary's,  as the case may be,  ratable  interest  in such item of  Eligible
Inventory).

         "Borrowing Base  Certificate"  means,  with respect to any Borrower,  a
certificate  with  appropriate  insertions  setting forth the  components of the
Borrowing  Base of such  Borrower as of the last day of the month for which such
certificate is submitted or as of a requested  Funding Date, as the case may be,
which  certificate shall be substantially in the form set forth in Exhibit B and
certified by a Responsible Officer of such Borrower.

         "Business Day" means any day which is not a Saturday, Sunday or a legal
holiday under the laws of the States of California or North Carolina or is not a
day on which banking  institutions  located in the States of California or North
Carolina are  authorized  or permitted  by law or other  governmental  action to
close and,  with  respect to LIBOR  Loans,  means any day on which  dealings  in
foreign  currencies  and exchanges may be carried on by Agent and Lenders in the
London interbank market.

         "Casualty  Loss" means any of the following  events with respect to any
item of Eligible Inventory:  (a) the actual total loss or compromised total loss
of such item of Eligible  Inventory;  (b) such item of Eligible  Inventory shall
become lost, stolen,  destroyed,  damaged beyond repair or permanently  rendered
unfit  for use for any  reason  whatsoever;  (c)  the  seizure  of such  item of
Eligible Inventory for a period exceeding sixty (60) days or the condemnation or
confiscation  of such item of Eligible  Inventory;  or (d) such item of Eligible
Inventory shall be deemed under its lease to have suffered a casualty loss as to
the entire item of Eligible Inventory.

         "Charges"  means,  with respect to any  Borrower,  all federal,  state,
county,  city,  municipal,  local,  foreign or other governmental taxes, levies,
assessments,  charges  or  claims,  in each case then due and  payable,  upon or
relating to (a) the Loans made to such Borrower  hereunder,  (b) such Borrower's
employees,  payroll,  income or gross receipts, (c) such Borrower's ownership or
use  of any of its  Properties  or  assets  or (d)  any  other  aspect  of  such
Borrower's business.

         "Closing" means the time at which each of the conditions  precedent set
forth in  Section 3 to the making of the first  Loan  hereunder  shall have been
duly fulfilled or satisfied by each Borrower.

         "Closing Date" means the date on which Closing occurs.

         "Code"  means  the  Internal  Revenue  Code of 1986,  as  amended,  the
Treasury  Regulations adopted thereunder and the Treasury  Regulations  proposed
thereunder  (to  the  extent  Requisite  Lenders,   in  their  sole  discretion,
reasonably  determine that such proposed  regulations  set forth the regulations
that  apply in the  circumstances),  as the same may be in  effect  from time to
time.

         "Commitment" means with respect to each Lender the amounts set forth on
Schedule A and "Commitments" means all such amounts collectively, as each may be
amended from time to time upon the  execution  and delivery of an  instrument of
assignment  pursuant to Section 11.10,  which  amendments  shall be evidenced on
Schedule 1.1.

         "Commitment Termination Date" means May 23, 1997.

         "Compliance  Certificate"  means,  with  respect  to  any  Borrower,  a
certificate signed by a Responsible  Officer of such Borrower,  substantially in
the  form of  Exhibit  E,  with  such  changes  as Agent  may from  time to time
reasonably  request  for the  purpose of having such  certificate  disclose  the
matters certified therein and the method of computation thereof.

         "Consolidated  EBITDA" means,  for any Borrower,  as measured as at any
date of determination for any period on a consolidated basis, the sum of (a) the
Consolidated  Net  Income of such  Borrower,  plus (b) all  amounts  treated  as
expenses for  depreciation and the amortization of intangibles of any kind, plus
(c) all accrued taxes on or measured by income,  plus (d) Consolidated  Interest
Expense, and in the cases of clauses (b), (c) and (d), above, each to the extent
included in the determination of Consolidated Net Income.

         "Consolidated Funded Debt" means, for any Borrower,  as measured at any
date of determination on a consolidated  basis, the total amount of all interest
bearing  obligations  (including   Indebtedness  for  borrowed  money)  of  such
Borrower,  capital lease obligations of such Borrower as a lessee and the stated
amount of all  outstanding  undrawn  letters of credit  issued on behalf of such
Borrower or for which such Borrower is liable.

         "Consolidated  Intangible Assets" means, for any Person, as measured at
any date of determination on a consolidated basis, all intangible assets of such
Person.

         "Consolidated Interest Expense" means, for any Borrower, as measured at
any date of  determination  for any period on a  consolidated  basis,  the gross
interest  expense of such Borrower for the period  (including  all  commissions,
discounts,  fees and other charges in connection  with standby letters of credit
and similar instruments), less interest income for that period.

         "Consolidated  Net Income" means, for any Borrower,  as measured at any
date of determination for any period on a consolidated basis, the net income (or
loss) of such Borrower for such period taken as a single accounting period.

         "Consolidated Net Worth" means, for any Person, as measured at any date
of  determination,   the  difference  between   Consolidated  Total  Assets  and
Consolidated Total Liabilities.

         "Consolidated Tangible Net Worth" means, for any Person, as measured at
any date of  determination,  the difference  between  Consolidated Net Worth and
Consolidated Intangible Assets.

         "Consolidated  Total Assets" means, for any Person,  as measured at any
date of determination on a consolidated basis, all assets of such Person.

         "Consolidated  Total Liabilities" means, for any Person, as measured at
any date of  determination  on a  consolidated  basis,  all  liabilities of such
Person.

         "Contingent  Obligation"  means,  as to any  Person,  (a) any  Guaranty
Obligation  of  that  Person  and (b)  any  direct  or  indirect  obligation  or
liability, contingent or otherwise, of that Person, (i) in respect of any letter
of credit or similar  instrument  issued for the account of that Person or as to
which that Person is otherwise liable for  reimbursement of drawings,  (ii) with
respect to the  Indebtedness  of any  partnership or joint venture of which such
Person  is a partner  or a joint  venturer,  (iii) to  purchase  any  materials,
supplies or other property from, or to obtain the services of, another Person if
the relevant  contract or other  related  document or  obligation  requires that
payment for such materials,  supplies or other  property,  or for such services,
shall be made  regardless  of whether  delivery of such  materials,  supplies or
other property is ever made or tendered,  or such services are ever performed or
tendered,  or (iv) in respect of any interest rate  protection  contract that is
not entered into in connection with a bona fide hedging  operation that provides
offsetting  benefits to such  Person.  The amount of any  Contingent  Obligation
shall (subject, in the case of Guaranty Obligations, to the last sentence of the
definition of "Guaranty  Obligation") be deemed equal to the maximum  reasonably
anticipated  liability  in respect  thereof,  and shall,  with respect to clause
(b)(iv) of this definition, be marked to market on a current basis.

         "Debt Service Ratio" means, as measured separately for each Borrower as
at any date of  determination,  the ratio of (a) Consolidated  EBITDA to (b) the
sum of (i) Consolidated  Interest Expense plus (ii) an amount equal to three and
one-eighths  percent (3.125%) of Consolidated  Funded Debt (Consolidated  EBITDA
and  Consolidated  Interest  Expense to be measured on a quarterly basis for the
current fiscal quarter).

         "Default Rate" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.3.

         "Designated  Deposit Account" means a demand deposit account maintained
by Borrowers with FUNB designated by written notice from Borrowers to Agent.

         "Dollars"  and the sign "$" means lawful money of the United  States of
America.

         "EGF"  means  PLM   Equipment   Growth  Fund,   a  California   limited
partnership.

         "EGF II" means  PLM  Equipment  Growth  Fund II, a  California  limited
partnership.

         "EGF III" means PLM  Equipment  Growth Fund III, a  California  limited
partnership.

         "EGF IV" has the meaning set forth in the Preamble to this Agreement.

         "EGF V" has the meaning set forth in the Preamble to this Agreement

         "EGF VI" has the meaning set forth in the Preamble to this Agreement

         "EGF VII" has the meaning set forth in the Preamble to this Agreement.

         "Eligible  Assignee"  means (a) a commercial  bank organized  under the
laws of the United States,  or any state thereof,  and having a combined capital
and surplus of at least $100,000,000,  (b) a commercial bank organized under the
laws of any other  country  which is a member of the  Organization  for Economic
Cooperation and Development, or a political subdivision of any such country, and
having a combined  capital and surplus of at least  $100,000,000,  provided that
such bank is acting through a branch or agency located in the United States, and
(c) any Bank Affiliate.

         "Eligible Inventory" means, with respect to any Borrower, all Trailers,
Aircraft and Aircraft engines, Railcars,  cargo-containers,  marine vessels and,
if approved by Requisite Lenders, other related Equipment, in each case owned by
such  Borrower  or a Marine  Subsidiary  of such  Borrower  (or  jointly by such
Borrower and one or more of the other Equipment Growth Funds) or, subject to the
approval  of  Agent,  any  owner  trust  of  which  such  Borrower  is the  sole
beneficiary or owner (or is the beneficiary or owner jointly with one or more of
the other Equipment Growth Funds), as applicable,  or solely with respect to any
marine vessel registered in Liberia, The Bahamas,  Hong Kong, Singapore or other
registry acceptable to Agent in its sole discretion, any nominee entity of which
such Borrower or a Marine Subsidiary of such Borrower is the sole beneficiary or
direct or indirect  owner (or as the  beneficiary  or direct or  indirect  owner
jointly with one or more of the other Equipment Growth Funds).

         "Employee  Benefit  Plan"  means,  with  respect to any  Borrower,  any
Pension Plan and any employee  welfare  benefit plan, as defined in Section 3(1)
of ERISA,  that is maintained for the employees of such Borrower,  FSI or any of
FSI's Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate of such Borrower.

         "Environmental Claims" means, with respect to any Borrower, all claims,
however  asserted,  by any  Governmental  Authority  or  other  Person  alleging
potential  liability or responsibility for violation of any Environmental Law or
for release or injury to the  environment or threat to public  health,  personal
injury  (including  sickness,   disease  or  death),  property  damage,  natural
resources damage, or otherwise  alleging liability or responsibility for damages
(punitive  or  otherwise),   cleanup,   removal,  remedial  or  response  costs,
restitution,  civil or criminal  penalties,  injunctive relief, or other type of
relief,  resulting  from or based upon (a) the presence,  placement,  discharge,
emission or release  (including  intentional  and  unintentional,  negligent and
non-negligent,  sudden or non-sudden,  accidental or  non-accidental  placement,
spills, leaks, discharges,  emissions or releases) of any Hazardous Material at,
in,  or  from  Property,  whether  or not  owned  by such  Borrower,  FSI or any
Subsidiary  of FSI,  or (b) any  other  circumstances  forming  the basis of any
violation, or alleged violation, of any Environmental Law.

         "Environmental Laws" means all foreign,  federal,  state or local laws,
statutes, common law duties, rules, regulations,  ordinances and codes, together
with  all   administrative   orders,   directed  duties,   requests,   licenses,
authorizations   and  permits  of,  and  agreements   with,   any   Governmental
Authorities, in each case relating to environmental, health, safety and land use
matters,  including the Comprehensive  Environmental Response,  Compensation and
Liability Act of 1980,  the Clean Air Act, the Federal Water  Pollution  Control
Act of 1972, the Solid Waste Disposal Act, the Federal Resource Conservation and
Recovery Act, the Toxic  Substances  Control Act and the Emergency  Planning and
Community Right-to-Know Act.

         "Environmental Permit" has the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.15.

         "Equipment"  means,  with  respect  to  any  Borrower,   all  items  of
transportation related equipment owned directly or beneficially by such Borrower
or by any Marine  Subsidiary of such Borrower and held for lease or rental,  and
shall include  items of equipment  legal or record title to which is held by any
owner trust or nominee entity in which such Borrower or any Marine Subsidiary of
such Borrower holds the sole beneficial interest.

         "Equipment Growth Funds" means any and all of EGF, EGF II, EGF III, EGF
IV, EGF V, EGF VI, EGF VII and Income Fund I.

         "ERISA" means the Employee  Retirement  Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended,  as the same may be in  effect  from  time to time,  and any  successor
statute.

         "ERISA  Affiliate"  means,  as  applied  to any  Person,  any  trade or
business  (whether  or not  incorporated)  which is a member of a group of which
that Person is a member and which is under common  control within the meaning of
the regulations promulgated under Section 414 of the Code.

         "Eurodollar  Reserve  Percentage" means the maximum reserve  percentage
(expressed as a decimal,  rounded  upward to the nearest  1/100th of one percent
(0.01%)) in effect from time to time  (whether or not  applicable to any Lender)
under  regulations  issued by the  Federal  Reserve  Board for  determining  the
maximum  reserve  requirement  (including any emergency,  supplemental  or other
marginal reserve requirement) with respect to Eurocurrency  liabilities having a
term comparable to such Interest Period.

         "Event of Default" means any of the events set forth in Section 8.1.

         "Facility" means the total Commitments described in Schedule A, as such
Schedule A may be amended  from time to time as set forth on Schedule  1.1,  for
the  revolving  credit  facility  described  in Section  2.1.1 to be provided by
Lenders  to  Borrowers,  on a several  but not joint  basis,  according  to each
Lender's Pro Rata Share.

         "Federal  Funds  Rate"  means,  for any day,  the rate set forth in the
weekly   statistical   release   designated  as  H.15(519),   or  any  successor
publication,  published  by  the  Federal  Reserve  Board  (including  any  such
successor,  "H.15(519)")  for such  day  opposite  the  caption  "Federal  Funds
(Effective)".  If on any  relevant  day  such  rate  is  not  yet  published  in
H.15(519),  the rate for  such  day  will be the  rate  set  forth in the  daily
statistical  release  designated as the Composite 3:30 p.m.  Quotations for U.S.
Government Securities,  or any successor  publication,  published by the Federal
Reserve Bank of New York (including any such successor, the "Composite 3:30 p.m.
Quotation") for such day under the caption "Federal Funds Effective Rate". If on
any relevant day the appropriate rate for such previous day is not yet published
in either H.15(519) or the Composite 3:30 p.m. Quotation,  the rate for such day
will be the arithmetic  mean of the rates for the last  transaction in overnight
Federal funds arranged prior to 9:00 a.m. (New York time) on that day by each of
three leading brokers of Federal funds transactions in New York City selected by
Agent.

         "Federal  Reserve  Board"  means the Board of  Governors of the Federal
Reserve System and any successor thereto.

         "Fee  Letter"  means  the fee  letter  agreement  dated  as of the date
hereof, by and among Borrowers,  TEC AcquiSub, AFG, and Agent, on behalf and for
the benefit of Lenders.

         "Form 1001" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.14.6.

         "Form 4224" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.14.6.

         "FSI" means PLM Financial Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

         "Funded Debt Ratio" means, as measured  separately for each Borrower as
at any date of determination,  the ratio of (a) the Consolidated  Funded Debt of
such  Borrower to (b) the sum of (i) the  aggregate net fair market value of the
Equipment  owned of record  and  beneficially  by such  Borrower  or any  Marine
Subsidiary  of such  Borrower  or owned of  record by an Owner  Trustee  for the
beneficial  interest of such Borrower or any Marine  Subsidiary of such Borrower
plus (ii) the unrestricted cash available for the purchase of Eligible Inventory
for such Borrower  (provided,  that for the purpose of computing the Funded Debt
Ratio,  in the event that any Borrower or a Marine  Subsidiary  of such Borrower
shall own less than one hundred  percent  (100.0%)  of the record or  beneficial
interests  in any item of  Equipment,  with one or more of the  other  Equipment
Growth Funds owning of record or  beneficially  the remaining  interests,  there
shall be included any such Borrower's or such Marine  Subsidiary's,  as the case
may be, ratable interest in such item of Equipment).

         "Funding Date" means with respect to any proposed borrowing  hereunder,
the date funds are  advanced  to any  Borrower  for any Loan  requested  by such
Borrower.

         "GAAP" means generally  accepted  accounting  principles set forth from
time to time in the opinions and  pronouncements  of the  Accounting  Principles
Board and the American  Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements
and pronouncements of the Financial Accounting Standards Board (or agencies with
similar  function of  comparable  stature and  authority  within the  accounting
profession),  or in such  other  statements  by such  other  entity as may be in
general use by significant segments of the U.S. accounting profession, which are
applicable to the circumstances as of the date of determination.

         "Governmental   Authority"  means  (a)  any  federal,   state,  county,
municipal or foreign  government,  or  political  subdivision  thereof,  (b) any
governmental or quasi-governmental agency, authority, board, bureau, commission,
department,  instrumentality  or public  body,  (c) any court or  administrative
tribunal or (d) with respect to any Person,  any  arbitration  tribunal or other
non-governmental authority to whose jurisdiction that Person has consented.

         "Guaranty"  means that certain Guaranty dated as of September 27, 1995,
executed by FSI in favor of Lenders and Agent.

         "Guaranty  Obligation"  means, as applied to any Person,  any direct or
indirect  liability of that Person with respect to any  Indebtedness,  lease for
capital  equipment  other than  Equipment,  dividend,  letter of credit or other
obligation  (the  "primary   obligations")   of  another  Person  (the  "primary
obligor"),  including any obligation of that Person,  whether or not contingent,
(a) to purchase, repurchase or otherwise acquire such primary obligations or any
property constituting direct or indirect security therefor, or (b) to advance or
provide  funds (i) for the payment or discharge of any such primary  obligation,
or (ii) to maintain  working capital or equity capital of the primary obligor or
otherwise to maintain the net worth or solvency or any balance sheet item, level
of income or  financial  condition  of the primary  obligor,  or (c) to purchase
property, securities or services primarily for the purpose of assuring the owner
of any such  primary  obligation  of the ability of the primary  obligor to make
payment of such primary obligation,  or (d) otherwise to assure or hold harmless
the holder of any such primary obligation  against loss in respect thereof.  The
amount  of any  Guaranty  Obligation  shall be  deemed  equal to the  stated  or
determinable  amount of the primary obligation in respect of which such Guaranty
Obligation  is  made  or,  if  not  stated  or if  indeterminable,  the  maximum
reasonably anticipated liability in respect thereof.

         "Hazardous  Materials"  means all those  substances which are regulated
by, or which may form the  basis of  liability  under,  any  Environmental  Law,
including all substances  identified under any Environmental Law as a pollutant,
contaminant,  hazardous waste, hazardous  constituent,  special waste, hazardous
substance,  hazardous  material,  or toxic substance,  or petroleum or petroleum
derived substance or waste.

         "IMI" means PLM Investment  Management,  Inc., a California corporation
and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of FSI.

         "Income  Fund I" has the  meaning  set  forth in the  Preamble  to this
Agreement.

         "Indebtedness"  means, as to any Person,  (a) all  indebtedness of such
Person for borrowed money, (b) all leases of equipment of such Person as lessee,
(c) to the extent not included in clause (b), above,  all capital leases of such
Person as lessee,  (d) any  obligation of such Person for the deferred  purchase
price of Property or services (other than trade or other accounts payable in the
ordinary  course of business  and not more than ninety (90) days past due),  (e)
any  obligation  of such  Person  that is  secured  by a Lien on  assets of such
Person, whether or not that Person has assumed such obligation or whether or not
such obligation is non-recourse to the credit of such Person, (f) obligations of
such Person  arising under  acceptance  facilities or under  facilities  for the
discount of accounts  receivable  of such Person and (g) any  obligation of such
Person to reimburse the issuer of any letter of credit issued for the account of
such Person upon which a draw has been made.

         "Indemnified Liability" has the meaning set forth in Section 10.2.

         "Indemnified Person" has the meaning set forth in Section 10.2.

         "Interest  Differential"  means,  with respect to any  prepayment  of a
LIBOR Loan on a day other than an Interest Payment Date on which such LIBOR Loan
matures,  the  difference  between (a) the per annum  interest rate payable with
respect to such LIBOR Loan as of the date of the prepayment and (b) the Adjusted
LIBOR on, or as near as  practicable  to, the date of the prepayment for a LIBOR
Loan  commencing  on such  date and  ending  on the  last day of the  applicable
Interest Period.  The determination of the Interest  Differential by Agent shall
be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.

         "Interest Payment Date" means, with respect to any LIBOR Loan, the last
day of each Interest  Period  applicable to such Loan and, with respect to Prime
Rate Loans,  the first Business Day of each calendar month following the Funding
Date of such Prime Rate Loan; provided, however, that if any Interest Period for
a LIBOR Loan exceeds three (3) months,  interest  shall also be paid on the date
which falls three (3) months after the beginning of such Interest Period.

         "Interest Period" means, with respect to any LIBOR Loan, the one-month,
two-month or three-month period selected by the Requesting  Borrower pursuant to
Section 2, in each  instance  commencing on the  applicable  Funding Date of the
Loan; provided, however, that any Interest Period which would otherwise end on a
day that is not a Business  Day shall end on the next  succeeding  Business  Day
except that in the instance of any LIBOR Loan, if such next succeeding  Business
Day falls in the next calendar month,  the Interest Period shall end on the next
preceding Business Day.

         "Investment  Company Act" means the Investment  Company Act of 1940, as
amended (15 U.S.C. ss. 80a-1 et seq.), as the same may be in effect from time to
time, or any successor statute thereto.

         "IRS" means the Internal Revenue Service and any successor thereto.

         "Lease" means, for any Borrower,  each and every item of chattel paper,
installment  sales  agreement,  equipment lease or rental  agreement  (including
progress payment authorizations)  relating to an item of Equipment of which such
Borrower is the record or  beneficial  lessor and in respect of which the lessee
and lease terms (including,  without limitation, as to rental rate, maturity and
insurance coverage) are acceptable to Agent, in its reasonable  discretion.  The
term "Lease" includes (a) all payments to be made thereunder,  (b) all rights of
such Borrower therein, and (c) any and all amendments,  renewals,  extensions or
guaranties thereof.

         "Lending  Office"  means,  with  respect to any  Lender,  the office or
offices of the Lender  specified as its lending office  opposite its name on the
applicable  signature page hereto, or such other office or offices of the Lender
as it may from time to time notify Borrowers and Agent.

         "LIBOR"  means,  with  respect to any Loan to be made,  continued as or
converted  into a LIBOR Loan,  the London  Inter-Bank  Offered Rate  (determined
solely by Agent), rounded upward to the nearest 1/16th of one percent (0.0625%),
at which  Dollar  deposits  are  offered  to Agent by major  banks in the London
interbank market at or about 11:00 a.m., London time, on the second Business Day
prior to the first day of the related  Interest Period with respect to such Loan
in an aggregate amount  approximately equal to the amount of such Loan and for a
period  of time  comparable  to the  number of days in the  applicable  Interest
Period.  The  determination of LIBOR by Agent shall be conclusive in the absence
of manifest error.

         "LIBOR Loan" means a Loan that bears interest based on Adjusted LIBOR.

         "Lien"  means  any  mortgage,  pledge,  hypothecation,  assignment  for
security,  security  interest,  encumbrance,  levy,  lien or charge of any kind,
whether  voluntarily  incurred  or arising  by  operation  of law or  otherwise,
affecting any Property,  including any agreement to grant any of the  foregoing,
any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in the nature
of a security  interest,  and the filing of or  agreement to file or deliver any
financing statement (other than a precautionary financing statement with respect
to a lease that is not in the nature of a  security  interest)  under the UCC or
comparable law of any jurisdiction.

         "Limited  Partnership  Agreement"  means (a) for EGF III,  the  Limited
Partnership  Agreement  dated as of October  15,  1987,  as amended by the First
Amended and Restated Limited  Partnership  Agreement as of February 9, 1988, the
Second Amended and Restated Limited Partnership  Agreement as of March 10, 1988,
a First  Amendment  to the  Second  Amended  and  Restated  Limited  Partnership
Agreement as of November 18, 1991 and the Reformed First Amendment to the Second
Amended and Restated Limited Partnership  Agreement as of November 18, 1991, (b)
for EGF IV, the Amended and Restated Limited  Partnership  Agreement dated as of
May 22,  1989,  (c) for EGF V, the  Limited  Partnership  Agreement  dated as of
November 14, 1989, (d) for EGF VI, the Amended and Restated Limited  Partnership
Agreement  dated as of December 20, 1991, and (e) for EGF VII, the Third Amended
and Restated Limited Partnership  Agreement of EGF VII dated as of May 10, 1993,
as amended by the First  Amendment  to the Third  Amended and  Restated  Limited
Partnership  Agreement  dated May 28, 1993 and by the Second  Amendment to Third
Amended and Restated Limited Partnership Agreement dated as of January 21, 1994.

         "Loan" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.1.

         "Loan  Document"  when used in the singular and "Loan  Documents"  when
used in the plural means any and all of this Agreement,  the Notes,  the Lockbox
Agreement  and the  Guaranty  and any and all other  agreements,  documents  and
instruments executed and delivered by or on behalf or support of any Borrower to
Agent or any Lender or any of their respective  authorized  designees evidencing
or otherwise  relating to the Advances and the Liens granted to Agent, on behalf
of Lenders,  with respect to the Advances,  as the same may from time to time be
amended, modified, supplemented or renewed.

         "Lockbox" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.9.

         "Lockbox  Agreement"  means the Agreement of even date herewith between
Borrowers,  FUNB and Agent on behalf of  Lenders,  substantially  in the form of
Exhibit F, relating to the Lockbox.

         "Marine  Subsidiary"  means,  for any  Borrower,  a Subsidiary  of such
Borrower (in which the remaining record or beneficial ownership interests may be
held by TEC AcquiSub or any Equipment  Growth Fund) organized for the purpose of
holding legal record title to one or more marine vessels or to aircraft rotables
and spare parts.

         "Material Adverse Effect" means, with respect to any Borrower,  any set
of circumstances or events which (a) has or could reasonably be expected to have
any material adverse effect  whatsoever upon the validity or  enforceability  of
any Loan  Document,  (b) is or could  reasonably  be expected to be material and
adverse to the condition (financial or otherwise) or business operations of such
Borrower  or FSI,  (c)  materially  impairs or could  reasonably  be expected to
materially   impair  the  ability  of  such  Borrower  or  FSI  to  perform  its
Obligations,  or (d)  materially  impairs or could  reasonably  be  expected  to
materially  impair the  ability of Agent or any Lender to enforce  any of its or
their legal remedies pursuant to the Loan Documents.

         "Maturity  Date" means,  with respect to each Loan  advanced by Lenders
hereunder,  the date  which is one  hundred  seventy-nine  (179)  days after the
Funding  Date of such Loan or such  earlier  or later date as  requested  by the
Requesting  Borrower  and  approved  by  Requisite  Lenders,  in their  sole and
absolute discretion; provided, however, in no event shall any Maturity Date be a
date which is later than the Commitment Termination Date.

         "Maximum Availability" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.1.

         "Multiemployer   Plan"  means,   with  respect  to  any   Borrower,   a
"multiemployer  plan" as defined in Section  4001(a)(3)  of ERISA,  and to which
such Borrower,  FSI or any of FSI's  Subsidiaries or any ERISA Affiliate of such
Borrower,  FSI or any of FSI's  Subsidiaries is making, or is obligated to make,
contributions or has made, or been obligated to make,  contributions  within the
preceding five (5) years.

         "Note" has the  meaning set forth in Section  2.1.1(a)(i),  and any and
all replacements, substitutions and renewals thereof.

         "Notice of Borrowing"  means a notice given by any Borrower to Agent in
accordance  with  Section  2.7,  substantially  in the form of  Exhibit  G, with
appropriate insertions.

         "Notice  of  Conversion/Continuation"  means  a  notice  given  by  any
Borrower to Agent in accordance with Section 2.8,  substantially  in the form of
Exhibit H, with appropriate insertions.

         "Obligations" means, with respect to any Borrower, all loans, advances,
liabilities and  obligations for monetary  amounts owing by such Borrower to any
Lender or Agent, whether due or to become due, matured or unmatured,  liquidated
or  unliquidated,  contingent  or  non-contingent,  and all covenants and duties
regarding  such  amounts,  of any kind or nature,  arising under any of the Loan
Documents.  This term includes,  without  limitation,  all  principal,  interest
(including  interest that accrues after the commencement of a case or proceeding
against such Borrower  under the  Bankruptcy  Code),  fees,  including,  without
limitation,  any  and all  prepayment  fees,  facility  fees,  commitment  fees,
arrangement  fees,  agent fees and  attorneys'  fees and any and all other fees,
expenses,  costs or other sums chargeable to such Borrower under any of the Loan
Documents.

         "Operating  Agreement"  means the Fifth Amended and Restated  Operating
Agreement of Income Fund I, entered into as of January 24, 1995.

         "Opinion of  Counsel"  means the  favorable  written  legal  opinion of
Stephen  Peary,  general  counsel  of FSI on behalf of FSI for itself and as the
sole  general  partner or managing  member,  as  applicable,  of each  Borrower,
substantially  in the form of Exhibit D,  together  with copies of any officer's
certificate  or legal  opinion  of  another  counsel  or law  firm  specifically
identified and expressly relied upon by such counsel in its opinion.

         "Other Taxes" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.14.2.

         "Overadvance"  has the meaning set forth in Sections  2.1.1(a)(iii) and
(iv).

         "Owner  Trustee"  means  any  Person  acting in the  capacity  of (a) a
trustee for any owner trust or (b) a nominee entity,  in each case holding title
to any  Eligible  Inventory  pursuant to a trust or similar  agreement  with any
Borrower or FSI.

         "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation and any successor
thereto.

         "Pension  Plan"  means,  with  respect to any  Borrower,  any  employee
pension  benefit plan,  as defined in Section 3(2) of ERISA,  that is maintained
for the  employees of such  Borrower,  FSI or any of FSI's  Subsidiaries  or any
ERISA Affiliate of such Borrower, FSI or any of FSI's Subsidiaries, other than a
Multiemployer Plan.

         "Permitted Liens" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.1.

         "Permitted  Rights of  Others"  means,  as to any  Property  in which a
Person has an interest, (a) an option or right to acquire a Lien that would be a
Permitted Lien, (b) the reversionary  interest of a lessor under a lease of such
Property and (c) an option or right of the lessee under a lease of such Property
to purchase such property at fair market value.

         "Person" means any individual, sole proprietorship,  partnership, joint
venture,   limited  liability  company,  trust,   unincorporated   organization,
association,  corporation,  institution, public benefit corporation, firm, joint
stock company, estate, entity or Governmental Authority.

         "PLMI" means PLM International, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

         "Potential  Event of Default"  means a condition or event which,  after
notice or lapse of time or both, will constitute an Event of Default.

         "Prepayment Date" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2.2.

         "Prime  Rate"  means,  at any  time,  the rate of  interest  per  annum
publicly  announced from time to time by FUNB as its prime rate.  Each change in
the Prime Rate shall be  effective as of the opening of business on the day such
change in the Prime Rate occurs.  The parties hereto  acknowledge  that the rate
announced  publicly by FUNB as its Prime Rate is an index or base rate and shall
not necessarily be its lowest rate charged to FUNB's customers or other banks.

         "Prime Rate Loan" means any  borrowing  which bears  interest at a rate
determined with reference to the Prime Rate.

         "Property" means any interest in any kind of property or asset, whether
real, personal or mixed, whether tangible or intangible.

         "Pro Rata Share" means,  for any Lender,  the proportion  such Lender's
Commitment  with respect to the Facility has to the aggregate of all Commitments
with respect to the Facility.

         "Public  Utility  Holding Company Act" means the Public Utility Holding
Company Act of 1935, as amended (15 U.S.C.  ss. 79 et seq.) as the same shall be
in effect from time to time, and any successor statute thereto.

         "Railcar"  means  all  railroad  rolling  stock,   including,   without
limitation,  all coal, timber,  plastic pellet,  tank, hopper, flat and box cars
and locomotives.

         "Reaffirmation of Guaranty" means the Acknowledgement and Reaffirmation
of Guaranty,  dated as of the date  hereof,  executed by FSI in favor of Lenders
reaffirming its obligations under the Guaranty.

         "Regulations  G, T, U and X" means,  collectively,  Regulations G, T, U
and X adopted by the Federal  Reserve  Board (12 C.F.R.  Parts 207, 220, 221 and
224, respectively) and any other regulation in substance substituted therefor.

         "Requesting  Borrower" means any Borrower requesting a Loan pursuant to
Section 2.1.1.

         "Requirement  of Law" means,  as to any Person,  any law  (statutory or
common),  treaty, rule, regulation,  guideline or determination of an arbitrator
or of a Governmental  Authority,  in each case applicable to or binding upon the
Person or any of its  property or to which the Person or any of its  property is
subject.

         "Requisite Lenders" means any combination of Lenders whose combined Pro
Rata Share (and voting interest with respect thereto) of all amounts outstanding
under this  Agreement,  or, in the event there are no amounts  outstanding,  the
Commitments,  is  greater  than  sixty  percent  (60.0%)  of  all  such  amounts
outstanding or the total Commitments, as the case may be.

         "Responsible  Officer"  means  for  (i)  FSI,  any  of  the  President,
Executive  Vice  President,  Chief  Financial  Officer,  Secretary  or Corporate
Controller of FSI having  authority to request  Advances or perform other duties
required  hereunder,  and (ii) Borrowers,  any of the President,  Executive Vice
President,  Chief Financial Officer, Secretary or Corporate Controller of FSI as
the sole  general  partner of EGF III,  EGF IV, EGF V, EGF VI or EGF VII, as the
case may be, or sole manager of Income Fund I, in each case having  authority to
request Advances or perform other duties required hereunder

         "SEC" means the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission and any successor
thereto.

         "Solvent"  means, as to any Person at any time, that (a) the fair value
of the  Property  of such  Person is greater  than the  amount of such  Person's
liabilities  (including  disputed,  contingent and unliquidated  liabilities) as
such value is  established  and  liabilities  evaluated  for purposes of Section
101(31) of the  Bankruptcy  Code;  (b) the present  fair  saleable  value of the
Property  in an orderly  liquidation  of such Person is not less than the amount
that will be required to pay the probable  liability of such Person on its debts
as they become absolute and matured; (c) such Person is able to realize upon its
Property and pay its debts and other liabilities (including disputed, contingent
and  unliquidated  liabilities) as they mature in the normal course of business;
(d) such  Person does not intend to, and does not  believe  that it will,  incur
debts or  liabilities  beyond  such  Person's  ability  to pay as such debts and
liabilities  mature;  and (e)  such  Person  is not  engaged  in  business  or a
transaction,  and is not about to engage in business or a transaction, for which
such Person's property would constitute unreasonably small capital.

         "Subsidiary"  means,  with  respect  to any  Person,  any  corporation,
association,  partnership,  limited  liability  company or other business entity
(other than  Equipment  Growth  Funds) of which an  aggregate  of fifty  percent
(50.0%) or more of the  beneficial  interest (in the case of a  partnership)  or
fifty  percent  (50%) or more of the  outstanding  stock,  units or other voting
interest  having  ordinary  voting  power to elect a majority of the  directors,
managers or trustees of such Person  (irrespective of whether,  at the time, the
stock,  units or other  voting  interest  of any other  class or classes of such
Person shall have or might have voting  power by reason of the  happening of any
contingency)  is  at  the  time,  directly  or  indirectly,   owned  legally  or
beneficially by such Person and/or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person.

         "Taxes" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.14.1.

         "TEC" means PLM  Transportation  Equipment  Corporation,  a  California
corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of FSI.

         "TEC AcquiSub" means TEC AcquiSub,  Inc., a California  special purpose
corporation and a wholly-owned Subsidiary of TEC.

         "TEC  AcquiSub  Agreement"  means the Amended and Restated  Warehousing
Credit  Agreement dated as of September 27, 1995, as amended by the TEC AcquiSub
Amendment,  by and among TEC  AcquiSub,  Lenders and Agent,  and as the same may
from time to time be further amended, modified, supplemented,  renewed, extended
or restated.

         "TEC  AcquiSub  Amendment"  means the  Amendment  No. 1 to Amended  and
Restated  Warehousing Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof, by and among
TEC AcquiSub, Lenders and Agent.

         "Termination  Event"  means,  with  respect  to  any  Borrower,  (a)  a
"reportable event" described in Section 4043 of ERISA and the regulations issued
thereunder  (other  than a  reportable  event not subject to the  provision  for
30-day notice to the PBGC under such regulations), or (b) the withdrawal of such
Borrower, FSI or any of FSI's Subsidiaries or any of their ERISA Affiliates from
a  Pension  Plan  during  a plan  year in which  any of them was a  "substantial
employer"  as  defined in Section  4001(a)(2)  of ERISA,  or (c) the filing of a
notice of intent to terminate a Pension Plan or the  treatment of a Pension Plan
amendment as a termination  under Section 4041 of ERISA,  or (d) the institution
of  proceedings  to terminate a Pension Plan by the PBGC, or (e) any other event
or condition which might constitute  grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the
termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Pension Plan.

         "Trailer"  means (a)  vehicles  having a minimum  length of twenty (20)
feet used in trailer or freight car service and constructed for the transport of
commodities or containers from point to point and (b) associated equipment.

         "UCC" means the Uniform  Commercial  Code as the same may, from time to
time, be in effect in the State of North  Carolina;  provided,  however,  in the
event  that,  by  reason  of  mandatory  provisions  of law,  any and all of the
attachment,  perfection or priority of the Lien of Agent,  on behalf of Lenders,
in and to any collateral is governed by the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect
in a jurisdiction  other than the State of North Carolina,  the term "UCC" shall
mean the Uniform  Commercial  Code as in effect in such other  jurisdiction  for
purposes of the provisions  hereof  relating to such  attachment,  perfection or
priority and for purposes of definitions related to such provisions.

         "Utilization  Leases"  means  Leases  for  Equipment  held for lease in
pooling or similar  arrangements  where the actual  rental  payments  under such
Lease is based on and for the  actual  period  of  utilization  of such  item of
Equipment rather than the Lease term.

         . Any  accounting  term  used  in this  Agreement  shall  have,  unless
otherwise  specifically provided herein, the meaning customarily given such term
in accordance with GAAP, and all financial data required to be submitted by this
Agreement shall be prepared and computed, unless otherwise specifically provided
herein,  in  accordance  with  GAAP.  That  certain  terms or  computations  are
explicitly  modified by the phrase "in accordance  with GAAP" shall in no way be
construed to limit the foregoing. In the event that GAAP changes during the term
of this Agreement  such that the covenants  contained in Section 7 would then be
calculated in a different manner or with different  components,  (a) the parties
hereto  agree to amend this  Agreement  in such  respects  as are  necessary  to
conform those  covenants as criteria for evaluating  each  Borrower's  financial
condition to  substantially  the same criteria as were  effective  prior to such
change in GAAP and (b) each Borrower  shall be deemed to be in  compliance  with
the covenants  contained in the aforesaid  subsections during the sixty (60) day
period following any such change in GAAP if and to the extent that each Borrower
would have been in  compliance  therewith  under  GAAP as in effect  immediately
prior to such change.

         . All other undefined terms contained in this Agreement  shall,  unless
the context  indicates  otherwise,  have the meanings provided for by the UCC to
the extent the same are used or defined  therein.  The words "herein,"  "hereof"
and  "hereunder"  and other words of similar import refer to this Agreement as a
whole,  including  the Exhibits and Schedules  hereto,  all of which are by this
reference incorporated into this Agreement, as the same may from time to time be
amended, modified or supplemented, and not to any particular section, subsection
or  clause  contained  in this  Agreement.  The term  "including"  shall  not be
limiting or exclusive,  unless specifically  indicated to the contrary. The term
"or" is  disjunctive;  the  term  "and" is  conjunctive.  The  term  "shall"  is
mandatory;  the term "may" is  permissive.  Wherever from the context it appears
appropriate, each term stated in either the singular or plural shall include the
singular and plural,  and pronouns  stated in the masculine,  feminine or neuter
gender shall include the masculine, feminine and the neuter.

         . Any reference to a "Section,"  "Subsection," "Exhibit," or "Schedule"
shall refer to the relevant  Section or  Subsection of or Exhibit or Schedule to
this Agreement, unless specifically indicated to the contrary.

 .        2.        AMOUNT AND TERMS OF CREDIT

         .        1         Commitment To Lend

                  . Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement and in
reliance upon the  representations and warranties of Borrowers set forth herein,
Lenders  hereby  agree  to make  Advances  (as  defined  below)  of  immediately
available funds to Borrowers,  on a revolving basis, from the Closing Date until
the Business Day immediately  preceding the Commitment  Termination Date, in the
aggregate  principal amount  outstanding at any time not to exceed the lesser of
(a) the total Commitments for the Facility less the aggregate  principal amounts
then outstanding under the TEC AcquiSub Agreement and under the AFG Agreement or
(b) for any one  Borrower,  its  respective  Borrowing  Base (such lesser amount
being the  "Maximum  Availability"),  as more  fully  set forth in this  Section
2.1.1.  The  obligation  of Borrowers to repay the Advances made to any Borrower
shall be several but not joint.

                           .        (a)      Facility Commitments

                                 (i)  On  the  Funding  Date  requested  by  any
         Borrower (the  "Requesting  Borrower"),  after such Borrower shall have
         satisfied all applicable  conditions  precedent set forth in Section 3,
         each Lender shall advance  immediately  available  funds to Agent (each
         such advance  being an  "Advance")  evidencing  such  Lender's Pro Rata
         Share  of  a  loan  ("Loan").  Agent  shall  immediately  advance  such
         immediately  available funds to such Borrower at the Designated Deposit
         Account (or such other deposit  account at FUNB or such other financial
         institution  as to which such  Borrower  and Agent shall agree at least
         three (3) Business  Days prior to the  requested  Funding  Date) on the
         Funding Date with respect to such Loan. The  Requesting  Borrower shall
         pay  interest  accrued  on the Loan at the rates and in the  manner set
         forth in Section 2.1.1(b).  Subject to the terms and conditions of this
         Agreement,  the  unpaid  principal  amount of each Loan and all  unpaid
         interest accrued thereon, together with all other fees, expenses, costs
         and other  sums  chargeable  to the  Requesting  Borrower  incurred  in
         connection  therewith  shall  be due and  payable  no  later  than  the
         Maturity  Date of such  Loan.  Each Loan  advanced  hereunder  shall be
         evidenced  by  the  Requesting  Borrower's  revolving  promissory  note
         substantially  in the form of Exhibits A-1 through  A-6, as  applicable
         (the "Notes").

                                 (ii) The obligation of Lenders to make any Loan
         from time to time  hereunder  shall be limited  to the then  applicable
         Maximum Availability.  For the purpose of determining the amount of the
         Borrowing Base available at any one time, the amount available shall be
         the total amount of the  Borrowing  Base as set forth in the  Borrowing
         Base  Certificate  delivered  to Agent  pursuant to Section  3.2.1 with
         respect to such  requested  Loan.  Nothing  contained in this Agreement
         shall  under any  circumstance  be deemed to require any Lender to make
         any  Advance  under the  Facility  which,  in the  aggregate  principal
         amount,  either (1) taking into  account such  Lender's  portion of the
         principal  amounts  outstanding  under this Agreement and the making of
         such Advance,  exceeds the lesser of (A) such Lender's  Commitment  for
         the  Facility and (B) such  Lender's  Pro Rata Share of the  Requesting
         Borrower's  Borrowing  Base,  or (2) taking into account such  Lender's
         portion  of the  aggregate  principal  amounts  outstanding  under this
         Agreement,  under the TEC AcquiSub  Agreement,  under the AFG Agreement
         and the making of such Advance,  exceeds such Lender's  Commitment  for
         the Facility.

                                 (iii)  If at any time  and for any  reason  the
         aggregate  principal  amount of the  Loan(s)  then  outstanding  to any
         Borrower shall exceed the Maximum  Availability  for such Borrower (the
         amount of such excess, if any, being an  "Overadvance"),  such Borrower
         shall immediately  repay the full amount of such Overadvance,  together
         with all interest  accrued  thereon;  provided,  however,  that if such
         Overadvance  occurs  solely as a result of a decrease  in the amount of
         the Borrowing  Base due solely to a decrease in the  computation of the
         Borrowing  Base under  clause  (b),  as set forth on a  Borrowing  Base
         Certificate  delivered to Agent pursuant to Section 5.1.3, then, to the
         extent of such decrease, such Borrower shall not be required under this
         Section 2.1.1(a)(iii) to prepay such Overadvance but Lenders shall have
         no  obligation  to make or fund  any  Loans  hereunder  so long as such
         Overadvance condition shall remain in effect.

                                 (iv) Amounts  borrowed by Borrowers  under this
         Facility may be repaid and,  prior to the Commitment  Termination  Date
         and  subject  to the  applicable  terms  and  conditions  precedent  to
         borrowings hereunder, reborrowed; provided, however, that no Loan shall
         have a Maturity  Date which is later  than the  Commitment  Termination
         Date and no LIBOR Loan shall have an Interest  Period  ending after the
         Maturity Date.

                                 (v) Each  request  for a Loan  hereunder  shall
         constitute  a  reaffirmation   by  the  Requesting   Borrower  and  the
         Responsible  Officer requesting the same that the  representations  and
         warranties  contained in this Agreement are true,  correct and complete
         in all material respects to the same extent as though made on and as of
         the date of the request,  except to the extent such representations and
         warranties  specifically relate to an earlier date, in which event they
         shall be true, correct and complete in all material respects as of such
         earlier date.

                           . Each Loan made by Lenders  hereunder  shall, at the
Requesting Borrower's option in accordance with the terms of this Agreement,  be
either in the form of a Prime  Rate Loan or a LIBOR  Loan.  Subject to the terms
and  conditions of this  Agreement,  each Loan shall bear interest on the sum of
the unpaid principal balance thereof  outstanding on each day from the date when
made,  continued or converted  until such Loan shall have been fully repaid at a
rate per annum equal to the Prime  Rate,  as the same may  fluctuate  on a daily
basis, or the Adjusted  LIBOR,  as the case may be, plus the Applicable  Margin.
Interest  on  each  Loan  funded  hereunder  shall  be due  and  payable  by the
Requesting  Borrower in arrears on each Interest  Payment Date, with all accrued
but unpaid  interest on such Loan being due and payable on the date such Loan is
repaid,  whether by prepayment  or at maturity,  and with all accrued but unpaid
interest being due and payable by the  Requesting  Borrower on the Maturity Date
for such Loan.

         Each  Advance  made by a  Lender  as part of a Loan  hereunder  and all
repayments  of  principal  with  respect to such  Advance  shall be evidenced by
notations made by such Lender on the books and records of such Lender; provided,
however,  that the failure by such Lender to make such notations shall not limit
or  otherwise  affect  the  obligations  of any  Borrower  with  respect  to the
repayments  of  principal  or payments  of interest on any Advance or Loan.  The
aggregate  unpaid amount of each Advance set forth on the books and records of a
Lender  shall be  presumptive  evidence of such  Lender's  Pro Rata Share of the
principal amount owing and unpaid by any Borrower under its Note.

                  . Promptly  following the receipt of such  documents  required
pursuant  to Section  3.2.1 and  approval  of a Loan by the Agent,  Agent  shall
notify by  telephone,  telecopier,  facsimile  or telex  each  Lender of the (a)
Requesting Borrower, (b) the principal amount (including Lender's Pro Rata Share
thereof) and (c) Funding Date of the Loan requested by such Requesting Borrower.
Not later than 1:00 p.m., North Carolina time, on the Funding Date for any Loan,
each  Lender  shall  make an  Advance  to Agent for the  account  of  Requesting
Borrower in the amount of its Pro Rata Share of the Loan being  requested.  Upon
satisfaction of the applicable  conditions precedent set forth in Section 3, all
Advances  shall be credited in  immediately  available  funds to the  Designated
Deposit Account.

                  . The Loans made under the Facility may be used solely for the
purpose of acquiring the specific items of Equipment.

         .        2         Repayment And Prepayment

                  . Unless  prepaid  pursuant to Section  2.2.2,  the  principal
amount of each Loan hereunder  made to a Requesting  Borrower shall be repaid by
the  Requesting  Borrower  to Lenders not later than the  Maturity  Date of such
Loan.

                  . Subject to Section  2.18,  any  Borrower may in the ordinary
course of such  Borrower's  business,  upon at least  three (3)  Business  Days'
written notice,  or telephonic  notice  promptly  confirmed in writing to Agent,
which notice  shall be  irrevocable,  prepay any Loan in whole or in part.  Such
notice of prepayment  shall specify the date and amount of such  prepayment  and
whether  such  prepayment  is of  Prime  Rate  Loans  or  LIBOR  Loans,  or  any
combination  thereof.  Such  prepayment  of  Loans,  together  with any  amounts
required  pursuant to Section 2.18, shall be in immediately  available funds and
delivered to Agent not later than 1:00 p.m.,  North  Carolina  time, on the date
for prepayment  stated in such notice (the "Prepayment  Date").  With respect to
any  prepayment  under this Section  2.2.2,  all interest on the amount  prepaid
accrued up to but excluding the date of such prepayment shall be due and payable
on the Prepayment Date.

                  .        .3        Mandatory Prepayments

                                    (a) In the event  that any item of  Eligible
Inventory shall be sold or assigned by any Borrower or any Marine  Subsidiary of
such Borrower,  or the ownership  interests  (whether Stock or otherwise) of any
Borrower in any Marine  Subsidiary of such Borrower  owning record or beneficial
title to any item of Eligible Inventory shall be sold or transferred,  then such
Borrower  shall  immediately  prepay the Loan made with respect to such Eligible
Inventory so sold or assigned or with respect to the Eligible Inventory owned by
such  Marine  Subsidiary  so sold or  transferred,  together  with  any  accrued
interest  on  such  Loan to the  date of  prepayment  and any  amounts  required
pursuant to Section 2.18.  The sale or  assignment  of Eligible  Inventory by an
Owner  Trustee,  or the  sale or  assignment  of any  Borrower's  or any  Marine
Subsidiary's  beneficial interest in any owner trust (or nominee entity) holding
title to Eligible  Inventory,  shall be considered a sale or assignment,  as the
case  may be,  of  such  Eligible  Inventory  by such  Borrower  or such  Marine
Subsidiary, as the case may be.

                                    (b) In the  event  that any of the  Eligible
Inventory  shall have sustained a Casualty  Loss, the applicable  Borrower shall
promptly  notify Agent and Lenders of such Casualty  Loss and make  arrangements
reasonably  acceptable to the Agent to cause any and all cash proceeds  received
by such Borrower to be paid to Lenders as a prepayment hereunder.  To the extent
not so prepaid,  the Loan funded with respect to such  Eligible  Inventory  will
nevertheless be paid by such Borrower as provided in Section 2.2.1.

         . Interest on the Loans shall be computed on the basis of a 365/366-day
year for all Prime  Rate  Loans and a 360-day  year for all LIBOR  Loans and the
actual number of days elapsed in the period during which such interest  accrues.
In computing  interest on any Loan, the date of the making of such Loan shall be
included and the date of payment shall be excluded.  Each change in the interest
rate of Prime Rate Loans  based on changes in the Prime Rate and each  change in
the Adjusted LIBOR based on changes in the Eurodollar  Reserve  Percentage shall
be  effective  on the  effective  date of such  change and to the extent of such
change.  Agent shall give Borrowers notice of any such change in the Prime Rate;
provided,  however,  that any failure by Agent to provide  Borrowers with notice
hereunder shall not affect Agent's right to make changes in the interest rate of
any Loan based on changes in the Prime Rate.  Upon the occurrence and during the
continuation of any Event of Default under this  Agreement,  Advances under this
Agreement will, at the option of Requisite Lenders,  bear interest at a rate per
annum which is determined by adding two percent (2.00%) to the Applicable Margin
for such Loan (the  "Default  Rate").  This may  result  in the  compounding  of
interest.  The  imposition of a Default Rate will not constitute a waiver of any
Event of Default.

         . All  repayments  or  prepayments  of  principal  and all  payments of
interest,  fees,  costs,  expenses and other sums  chargeable to Borrowers under
this Agreement,  the Notes or any of the other Loan Documents shall be in lawful
money of the  United  States  of  America  in  immediately  available  funds and
delivered to Agent, for the account of Lenders,  not later than 1:00 p.m., North
Carolina time, on the date due at First Union  National Bank of North  Carolina,
One First Union Center,  301 South College  Street,  Charlotte,  North  Carolina
28288,  Attention:  Hannah  Carmody,  or such  other  place as shall  have  been
designated in writing by Agent.

         . Whenever any payment to be made under this Agreement, the Note or any
of the other  Loan  Documents  shall be stated to be due on a day which is not a
Business Day, such payment shall be made on the next succeeding Business Day and
such extension of time shall in such case be included in the  computation of the
payment of interest thereon; provided, however, that no Loan shall have remained
outstanding after the Maturity Date of such Loan.

         . All  payments  to or for the  benefit of Lenders  hereunder  shall be
applied to the  Obligations  of any  Borrower  making  payment in the  following
order: (a) then due and payable fees as set forth in Section 2.1.1(a)(i) and, at
the  direction of such  Borrower or upon prior notice given to such  Borrower by
Agent,  other then due and payable  fees,  expenses and costs;  (b) then due and
payable  interest  payments  and  mandatory  prepayments;  and (c)  then due and
payable principal payments and optional  prepayments;  provided that if an Event
of  Default  shall  have  occurred  and be  continuing,  Lenders  shall have the
exclusive  right to apply  any and all such  payments  against  the then due and
owing Obligations of such Borrower as Lenders may deem advisable.  To the extent
any Borrower fails to make payment required  hereunder or under any of the other
Loan  Documents,  each Lender is authorized to, and at its sole option may, make
such payments on behalf of such  Borrower.  To the extent  permitted by law, all
amounts  advanced by any Lender  hereunder or under other provisions of the Loan
Documents shall accrue interest at the same rate as Loans hereunder.

         .        7         Procedure For The Borrowing Of Loans

                  . Each  borrowing  of Loans shall be made upon any  Requesting
Borrower's irrevocable written notice delivered to Agent in the form of a Notice
of Borrowing, executed by a Responsible Person of such Requesting Borrower, with
appropriate  insertions  (which  Notice of Borrowing  must be received by Lender
prior to 12:00 noon,  Charlotte,  North Carolina  time,  three (3) Business Days
prior to the requested Funding Date) specifying:

                        (a) the amount of the requested  borrowing,  which, if a
         LIBOR Loan is  requested,  shall be not less than One  Million  Dollars
         ($1,000,000);

                        (b)  the  requested  Funding  Date,  which  shall  be  a
         Business Day;

                        (c) whether the  borrowing  is to be comprised of one or
         more LIBOR Loans or Prime Rate Loans; and

                        (d) the duration of the Interest  Period  applicable  to
         any such LIBOR  Loans  included  in such  Notice of  Borrowing.  If the
         Notice of Borrowing  shall fail to specify the duration of the Interest
         Period for any borrowing comprised of LIBOR Loans, such Interest Period
         shall be three (3) months.

                  . Unless Agent shall otherwise  consent,  during the existence
of an Event of Default or Potential Event of Default, Borrowers may not elect to
have a Loan made as a LIBOR Loan.

         .        8         Conversion And Continuation Elections

                  . Each Borrower may, upon irrevocable written notice to Agent:

                        (a) elect to convert on any Business Day, any Prime Rate
         Loan (or any portion thereof in an amount equal to at least One Million
         Dollars ($1,000,000)) into a LIBOR Loan; or

                        (b) elect to convert on any  Interest  Payment  Date any
         LIBOR Loan  maturing  on such  Interest  Payment  Date (or any  portion
         thereof) into a Prime Rate Loan; or

                        (c) elect to continue on any  Interest  Payment Date any
         LIBOR Loan  maturing  on such  Interest  Payment  Date (or any  portion
         thereof  in  an  amount   equal  to  at  least  One   Million   Dollars
         ($1,000,000));

provided,  that if the  aggregate  amount  of LIBOR  Loans  outstanding  to such
Borrower  shall have been  reduced,  by payment,  prepayment,  or  conversion of
portion  thereof,   to  be  less  than   $1,000,000,   such  LIBOR  Loans  shall
automatically  convert  into  Prime Rate  Loans,  and on and after such date the
right of such  Borrower to continue  such Loans as, and convert such Loans into,
LIBOR Loans shall terminate.

                  . Each  conversion or continuation of Loans shall be made upon
any Borrower's  irrevocable  written notice  delivered to Agent in the form of a
Notice of  Conversion/Continuation,  executed  by a  Responsible  Person of such
Borrower,  with appropriate insertions (which Notice of  Conversion/Continuation
must be received by Lender prior to 12:00 noon, Charlotte,  North Carolina time,
at least three (3) Business Days in advance of the proposed  conversion  date or
continuation date specifying:

                        (a) the proposed conversion date or continuation date;

                        (b) the  aggregate  amount of Loans to be  converted  or
         continued;

                        (c)  the   nature   of  the   proposed   conversion   or
         continuation; and

                        (d) the duration of the requested Interest Period.

                  . If upon the expiration of any Interest Period  applicable to
any LIBOR Loan,  the  Requesting  Borrower  has failed to select a new  Interest
Period to be  applicable to such LIBOR Loan,  such  Borrower  shall be deemed to
have elected to convert  such LIBOR Loan into a Prime Rate Loan  effective as of
the last day of such current Interest Period.

                  . Unless Agent shall otherwise  consent,  during the existence
of an Event of Default or Potential Event of Default, Borrowers may not elect to
have a Loan converted into or continued as a LIBOR Loan.

         . Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, each
Lender  shall be entitled to fund and maintain its funding of all or any part of
its LIBOR Loans in any manner it elects, it being understood,  however, that for
the purposes of this Agreement all determinations  hereunder shall be made as if
such Lender  actually funded and maintained each LIBOR Loan through the purchase
of deposits  having a maturity  corresponding  to the maturity of the LIBOR Loan
and  bearing an  interest  rate equal to the LIBOR rate  (whether or not, in any
instance,  Lender  shall have  granted any  participations  in such Loan).  Each
Lender  may,  if it so elects,  fulfill  any  commitment  to make LIBOR Loans by
causing a foreign  branch or  affiliate  to make or continue  such LIBOR  Loans;
provided,  however,  that in such  event  such  Loans  shall be  deemed  for the
purposes of this Agreement to have been made by such Lender,  and the obligation
of Borrowers to repay such Loans shall  nevertheless be to such Lender and shall
be deemed held by such Lender,  to the extent of such Loans,  for the account of
such branch or affiliate.

         . Agent shall immediately distribute to each Lender, at such address as
each Lender shall  designate,  its  respective  interest in all  repayments  and
prepayments of principal and all payments of interest and all fees, expenses and
costs received by Agent on the same day and in the same type of funds as payment
was received.  In the event Agent does not distribute  such payments on the same
day  received,  if such  payments  are  received  by Agent by 1:00  p.m.,  North
Carolina time, or if received after such time, on the next  succeeding  Business
Day, such payment shall accrue interest at the Federal Funds Rate.

         . Unless Agent shall have been notified by any Lender no later than the
Business  Day prior to the  respective  Funding  Date of a Loan that such Lender
does not intend to make available to Agent an Advance in  immediately  available
funds equal to such  Lender's  Pro Rata Share of the total  principal  amount of
such Loan,  Agent may assume that such Lender has made such  Advance to Agent on
the date of the Loan and Agent  may,  in  reliance  upon such  assumption,  make
available to the Requesting Borrower a corresponding  Advance. If Agent has made
funds  available to such Borrower  based on such  assumption and such Advance is
not in fact made to Agent by such Lender, Agent shall be entitled to recover the
corresponding  amount of such Advance on demand from such Lender. If such Lender
does not promptly pay such corresponding amount upon Agent's demand, Agent shall
notify such Requesting  Borrower and such  Requesting  Borrower shall repay such
Advance to Agent.  Agent  also shall be  entitled  to recover  from such  Lender
interest on such  Advance in respect of each day from the date such  Advance was
made by Agent to such Requesting Borrower to the date such corresponding  amount
is  recovered by Agent at the Federal  Funds Rate.  Nothing in this Section 2.11
shall be deemed to  relieve  any  Lender  from its  obligation  to  fulfill  its
Commitment  or to prejudice any rights which Agent or such  Requesting  Borrower
may have  against  such Lender as a result of any  default by such Lender  under
this Agreement.

         . Unless Agent shall have been  notified by any  Borrower  prior to the
date on which any payment to be made by such Borrower hereunder is due that such
Borrower  does  not  intend  to  remit  such  payment,  Agent  may,  in its sole
discretion,  assume that such Borrower has remitted such payment when so due and
Agent may, in its sole  discretion  and in reliance upon such  assumption,  make
available to each Lender on such  payment date an amount equal to such  Lender's
Pro  Rata  Share  of such  assumed  payment.  If such  Borrower  has not in fact
remitted such payment to Agent,  each Lender shall  forthwith on demand repay to
Agent the amount of such assumed payment made available to such Lender, together
with  interest  thereon in respect of each date from and including the date such
amount was made  available  by Agent to such  Lender to the date such  amount is
repaid to Agent at the Federal Funds Rate.

         . If any Lender  determines  that compliance with any law or regulation
or with any  guideline or request  from any central  bank or other  Governmental
Authority  (whether or not having the force of law) has or would have the effect
of reducing the rate of return on the capital of such Lender or any  corporation
controlling such Lender as a consequence of, or with reference to, such Lender's
Commitment  or its making or  maintaining  its Pro Rata Share of the Loans below
the rate which such Lender or such other corporation could have achieved but for
such compliance  (taking into account the policies of such Lender or corporation
with regard to  capital),  then each  Borrower  shall,  from time to time,  upon
written demand by such Lender (with a copy of such demand to Agent), immediately
pay to such  Lender  (a) such  additional  amounts  as shall  be  sufficient  to
compensate such Lender or other  corporation  for such reduction  resulting from
such  Borrower's  Loans or (b) in the case where  such  reduction  results  from
compliance with any such law,  regulation,  guideline or request  affecting only
the  Commitments  and not  the  Loans,  such  additional  amounts  as  shall  be
sufficient to compensate  such Lender or other  corporation  for such  reduction
based on each Borrower's  percentage of average usage of the Commitments  versus
the total average usage by all Borrowers. A certificate submitted by such Lender
to any  Borrower,  stating  that the amounts set forth as payable to such Lender
are true and correct,  shall be conclusive and binding for all purposes,  absent
manifest error.  Each Lender agrees  promptly to notify  effected  Borrowers and
Agent of any  circumstances  that would  cause any  Borrower  to pay  additional
amounts pursuant to this section,  provided that the failure to give such notice
shall not affect Borrowers' obligation to pay any such additional amounts.

         .        14        Taxes

                  . Subject to Subsection  2.14.7,  any and all payments by each
Borrower  to each Lender or Agent  under this  Agreement  shall be made free and
clear of, and  without  deduction  or  withholding  for,  any and all present or
future taxes,  levies,  imposts,  deductions,  charges or withholdings,  and all
liabilities  with  respect  thereto,  excluding,  in the case of each Lender and
Agent,  such taxes (including income taxes or franchise taxes) as are imposed on
or measured by each Lender's net income (all such  non-excluded  taxes,  levies,
imposts,  deductions,  charges,  withholdings and liabilities  being hereinafter
referred to as "Taxes").

                  . In addition, Borrowers shall pay any present or future stamp
or documentary  taxes or any other excise or property taxes,  charges or similar
levies  which  arise from any  payment  made  hereunder  or from the  execution,
delivery or registration of, or otherwise with respect to, this Agreement or any
other Loan Documents (hereinafter referred to as "Other Taxes").

                  . Subject to Subsection 2.14.7,  each Borrower shall indemnify
and hold  harmless  each  Lender and Agent for the full amount of Taxes or Other
Taxes (including any Taxes or Other Taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on amounts
payable under this Section 2.14) paid by such Lender or Agent in relation to any
payments made by or  Obligations  of such Borrower and any liability  (including
penalties,  interest,  additions to tax and expenses)  arising therefrom or with
respect  thereto,  whether or not such Taxes or Other  Taxes were  correctly  or
legally asserted. Payment under this indemnification shall be made within thirty
(30) days from the date any Lender or Agent makes written demand therefor.

                  . If any  Borrower  shall  be  required  by law to  deduct  or
withhold  any  Taxes  or  Other  Taxes  from or in  respect  of any sum  payable
hereunder to any Lender or Agent, then, subject to Subsection 2.14.7:

                        (a) the sum payable  shall be  increased as necessary so
         that  after  making  all  required  deductions   (including  deductions
         applicable  to  additional  sums payable  under this Section 2.14) such
         Lender or Agent,  as the case may be,  receives an amount  equal to the
         sum it would have received had no such deductions been made;

                        (b) such Borrower shall make such deductions, and

                        (c) such Borrower shall pay the full amount  deducted to
         the relevant  taxation  authority or other authority in accordance with
         applicable law.

                  . Within thirty (30) days after the date of any payment by any
Borrower  of Taxes or Other  Taxes,  such  Borrower  shall  furnish to Agent the
original or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing  payment thereof,  or other
evidence of payment satisfactory to Agent.

                  . Each Lender which is a foreign  person (i.e., a person other
than a United  States  person for United  States  Federal  income tax  purposes)
shall:

                        (a) No later  than  the  date  upon  which  such  Lender
         becomes a party  hereto  deliver  to  Borrowers  through  Agent two (2)
         accurate  and  complete  signed  originals  of  IRS  Form  4224  or any
         successor  thereto ("Form 4224"),  or two accurate and complete  signed
         originals of IRS Form 1001 or any successor  thereto ("Form 1001"),  as
         appropriate, in each case indicating that such Lender is on the date of
         delivery thereof  entitled to receive  payments of principal,  interest
         and fees under this  Agreement  free from  withholding of United States
         Federal income tax;

                        (b)  If at  any  time  such  Lender  makes  any  changes
         necessitating a new Form 4224 or Form 1001, with reasonable  promptness
         deliver to Borrowers  through Agent in replacement  for, or in addition
         to, the forms  previously  delivered by it hereunder,  two accurate and
         complete  signed  originals of Form 4224;  or two accurate and complete
         signed originals of Form 1001, as appropriate,  in each case indicating
         that the Lender is on the date of delivery  thereof entitled to receive
         payments of principal, interest and fees under this Agreement free from
         withholding of United States Federal income tax;

                        (c) Before or promptly after the occurrence of any event
         (including  the passing of time but  excluding  any event  mentioned in
         (ii)  above)  requiring  a change in or renewal of the most recent Form
         4224 or Form 1001  previously  delivered  by such  Lender,  deliver  to
         Borrowers  through  Agent two  accurate and  complete  original  signed
         copies  of Form  4224  or  Form  1001  in  replacement  for  the  forms
         previously delivered by the Lender; and

                        (d) Promptly upon any  Borrower's or Agent's  reasonable
         request to that effect,  deliver to such Borrower or Agent (as the case
         may be) such other  forms or similar  documentation  as may be required
         from time to time by any applicable law, treaty,  rule or regulation in
         order to establish such Lender's tax status for withholding purposes.

                  . Borrowers will not be required to pay any additional amounts
in respect of United States Federal income tax pursuant to Subsection  2.14.4 to
Lender for the account of any Lending Office of such Lender:

                        (a) If the  obligation  to pay such  additional  amounts
         would not have  arisen but for a failure by such  Lender to comply with
         its  obligations  under  Subsection  2.14.6 in respect of such  Lending
         Office;

                        (b) If such Lender  shall have  delivered to Borrowers a
         Form 4224 in respect of such  Lending  Office  pursuant  to  Subsection
         2.14.6 and such Lender  shall not at any time be entitled to  exemption
         from  deduction or  withholding  of United States Federal income tax in
         respect of  payments  by  Borrowers  hereunder  for the account of such
         Lending  Office for any reason other than a change in United States law
         or  regulations  or in  the  official  interpretation  of  such  law or
         regulations   by  any   Governmental   Authority   charged   with   the
         interpretation  or  administration  thereof  (whether or not having the
         force of law) after the date of delivery of such Form 4224; or

                        (c) If such Lender  shall have  delivered to Borrowers a
         Form 1001 in respect of such  Lending  Office  pursuant  to  Subsection
         2.14.6,  and such Lender shall not at any time be entitled to exemption
         from  deduction or  withholding  of United States Federal income tax in
         respect of  payments  by  Borrowers  hereunder  for the account of such
         Lending  Office for any reason other than a change in United States law
         or  regulations  or any  applicable tax treaty or regulations or in the
         official  interpretation  of any such law, treaty or regulations by any
         Governmental    Authority   charged   with   the    interpretation   or
         administration  thereof  (whether or not having the force of law) after
         the date of delivery of such Form 1001.

                  . If, at any time, any Borrower requests any Lender to deliver
any forms or other  documentation  pursuant to Subsection  2.14.6(a),  then such
Borrower  shall,  on demand of such Lender through Agent,  reimburse such Lender
for any costs and  expenses  (including  reasonable  attorney  fees)  reasonably
incurred  by such Lender in the  preparation  or delivery of such forms or other
documentation.

                  . If any Borrower is required to pay additional amounts to any
Lender or Agent  pursuant to Subsection  2.14.4,  then such Lender shall use its
reasonable   good  faith   efforts   (consistent   with  legal  and   regulatory
restrictions)  to  change  the  jurisdiction  of  its  Lending  Office  so as to
eliminate  any such  additional  payment by such Borrower  which may  thereafter
accrue  if such  change,  in the  judgment  of  such  Lender,  is not  otherwise
disadvantageous to such Lender.

         .        15        Illegality

                  . If any Lender shall  determine that the  introduction of any
Requirement  of  Law,  or  any  change  in  any  Requirement  of  Law  or in the
interpretation  or  administration  thereof,  has made it unlawful,  or that any
central bank or other  Governmental  Authority has asserted that it is unlawful,
for such  Lender or its  Lending  Office to make LIBOR  Loans,  then,  on notice
thereof by Lender to the Requesting  Borrower,  the obligation of such Lender to
make LIBOR Loans shall be suspended  until such Lender  shall have  notified the
Requesting Borrower that the circumstances  giving rise to such determination no
longer exists.

                  . If a Lender shall  determine that it is unlawful to maintain
any LIBOR Loan,  Borrowers  shall  prepay in full all LIBOR Loans of such Lender
then outstanding, together with interest accrued thereon, either on the last day
of the Interest Period thereof if such Lender may lawfully  continue to maintain
such LIBOR Loans to such day, or  immediately,  if such Lender may not  lawfully
continue to maintain such LIBOR Loans,  together with any amounts required to be
paid in connection therewith pursuant to Section 2.18.

                  . If any  Borrower  is  required  to  prepay  any  LIBOR  Loan
immediately  as  provided  in  Section  2.2.3,   then   concurrently  with  such
prepayment,  such Borrower  shall borrow,  in the amount of such  prepayment,  a
Prime Rate Loan.

         .  If  any  Lender  shall   determine  that,  due  to  either  (a)  the
introduction  of or any change (other than any change by way of imposition of or
increase in reserve requirements included in the calculation of the LIBOR) in or
in the  interpretation  of any Requirement of Law or (b) the compliance with any
guideline  or request  from any  central  bank or other  Governmental  Authority
(whether  or not having the force of law),  there  shall be any  increase in the
cost to such Lender of agreeing to make or making,  funding or  maintaining  any
LIBOR Loans,  then  Borrowers  shall be liable on a joint and several basis for,
and shall from time to time,  upon demand  therefor by such Lender,  pay to such
Lender such  additional  amounts as are sufficient to compensate such Lender for
such increased costs.

         . If Agent  shall  have  determined  that for any reason  adequate  and
reasonable  means do not exist  for  ascertaining  the  LIBOR for any  requested
Interest  Period  with  respect  to a  proposed  LIBOR  Loan or that  the  LIBOR
applicable  for any requested  Interest  Period with respect to a proposed LIBOR
Loan does not  adequately and fairly reflect the cost to Lenders of funding such
Loan,  Agent will forthwith give notice of such  determination  to Borrowers and
each Lender.  Thereafter,  the  obligation of Lenders to make or maintain  LIBOR
Loans,  as the case may be,  hereunder  shall be  suspended  until  Agent,  upon
instruction from Requisite Lenders, revokes such notice in writing. Upon receipt
of such  notice,  Borrowers  may  revoke any  Notice of  Borrowing  or Notice of
Conversion/Continuation  then  submitted.  If a Borrower  does not  revoke  such
notice,  Lenders shall make,  convert or continue the Loans, as proposed by such
Borrower,  in the amount  specified in the applicable  notice  submitted by such
Borrower,  but such Loans shall be made,  converted  or  continued as Prime Rate
Loans instead of LIBOR Loans, as the case may be.

         . Each Borrower  agrees,  severally but not jointly,  that in the event
that  such  Borrower  prepays  or is  required  to  prepay  any  LIBOR  Loan  by
acceleration or otherwise or fails to draw down or convert to a LIBOR Loan after
giving notice thereof, it shall reimburse each Lender for its funding losses due
to such  prepayment or failure to draw.  Borrowers and Lenders hereby agree that
such  funding  losses  shall  consist  of  the  sum of  the  discounted  monthly
differences for each month during the applicable or requested  Interest  Period,
calculated as follows for each such month:

                           (a) Principal amount of such LIBOR Loan times (number
                  of days between the date of prepayment and the last day in the
                  applicable   Interest  Period  divided  by  360),   times  the
                  applicable Interest Differential, plus

                           (b) all actual  out-of-pocket  expenses  (other  than
                  those taken into  account in the  calculation  of the Interest
                  Differential)   incurred  by  Lenders  and  Agent   (excluding
                  allocation  of any expense  internal to Lenders and Agent) and
                  reasonably attributable to such payment, prepayment or failure
                  to draw down or convert as described  above;  provided that no
                  prepayment fee shall be payable (and no credit or rebate shall
                  be required) if the product of the foregoing  formula is not a
                  positive number.

 ..        CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS AGREEMENT AND THE 
          MAKING OF LOANS

         . The effectiveness of this Agreement is subject to the satisfaction of
the following conditions precedent:

                  .  Agent   shall  have   received,   in  form  and   substance
satisfactory  to Lenders and their  respective  counsel a certified  copy of the
records of all actions taken by each Borrower and FSI, including all resolutions
of each Borrower and corporate  resolutions  of FSI,  authorizing or relating to
the  execution,  delivery and  performance  of this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents  and the  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby and
thereby.

                  . Agent shall have  received new Notes,  in form and substance
satisfactory to Lenders, and duly executed and delivered by each Borrower, which
Notes  shall  replace  and  supersede  the Notes  issued by  Borrowers  to Agent
pursuant to the Growth Fund Agreement.

                  . Agent shall have received an originally  executed Opinion of
Counsel, in form and substance  satisfactory to Lenders, dated as of the Closing
Date and addressed to Lenders, together with copies of any officer's certificate
or legal  opinion  of other  counsel  or law firm  specifically  identified  and
expressly relied upon by such counsel.

                  . Agent shall have received the Reaffirmation of Guaranty,  in
form and substance satisfactory to Lenders, duly executed and delivered by FSI.

                  . Agent shall have received the TEC AcquiSub  Amendment,  duly
executed and  delivered by TEC  AcquiSub,  and all  conditions  precedent to the
effectiveness of the TEC AcquiSub Amendment shall have been satisfied.

                  . Agent shall have received the AFG  Agreement,  duly executed
and delivered by AFG, and all conditions  precedent to the  effectiveness of the
AFG Agreement shall have been satisfied.

                  . Separate certificates,  dated as of the Closing Date, of the
Chief Financial  Officer or Corporate  Controller of FSI, in its capacity as the
sole  general  partner of EGF III,  EGF IV, EGF V, EGF VI and EGF VII and as the
sole  manager of Income Fund I, to the effect that (i) the  representations  and
warranties  of each  Borrower  contained  in  Section 4 are true,  accurate  and
complete in all material  respects as of the Closing Date as though made on such
date and (ii) no Event of  Default  or  Potential  Event of  Default  under this
Agreement has occurred.

                  . Agent  shall have  received  the Fee Letter and the  Agent's
Side  Letter,  duly  executed  by  Borrowers,  TEC  AcquiSub  and  AFG,  and the
arrangement fee and the Agent's fee described in the Fee Letter and Agent's Side
Letter, respectively.

                  . Agent shall have received such other documents,  information
and items from Borrowers and FSI as reasonably requested by Agent.

         . Unless waived in writing by Requisite Lenders,  the obligation of any
Lender to make any  Advance  is  subject to the  satisfaction  of the  following
further conditions precedent:

                  . At least three (3) Business Days before each Loan  hereunder
with respect to any  acquisition of Equipment by any Borrower,  Agent shall have
received (i) Notice of Borrowing  and (ii) a Borrowing  Base  Certificate,  with
appropriate  insertions,  executed by the Chief  Financial  Officer or Corporate
Controller of such Borrower.

                  . No event  shall have  occurred  and be  continuing  or would
result from the making of any Loan on such  Funding  Date which  constitutes  an
Event of Default or  Potential  Event of Default  under this  Agreement or under
(and as  separately  defined  in) the TEC  AcquiSub  Agreement  or under (and as
separately defined in) the AFG Agreement,  or which with notice or lapse of time
or both would constitute an Event of Default or Potential Event of Default under
this Agreement or under the TEC AcquiSub Agreement or the AFG Agreement.

                  . All  representations  and  warranties  contained in the Loan
Documents shall be true, accurate and complete in all material respects with the
same effect as though such  representations  and warranties had been made on and
as of  such  Funding  Date  (except  to  the  extent  such  representations  and
warranties  specifically  relate to an earlier date, in which case they shall be
true, accurate and complete in all material respects as of such earlier date).

                  . The  insurance  required to be  maintained  by such Borrower
pursuant to the Loan Documents shall be in full force and effect.

                  .  Agent  shall  have  received  such  other  instruments  and
documents as it may have reasonably  requested from Borrowers in connection with
the Loans to be made on such date.

         . Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement,
unless  waived  in  writing  by  Requisite  Lenders,  no Lender  shall  have any
obligation  hereunder to make any Advance if any of the  following  events shall
occur:

                  . FSI shall have ceased to be the sole general  partner of any
of EGF III,  EGF IV, EGF V, EGF VI or EGF VII or the sole manager of Income Fund
I, whether due to the voluntary or involuntary withdrawal, substitution, removal
or transfer of FSI from or of all or any  portion of FSI's  general  partnership
interest or capital contribution in such Borrower.

                  . Twenty five percent (25.0%) or more of the limited  partners
(measured by such partners'  percentage  interest) of any Equipment  Growth Fund
shall at any time vote to remove FSI as the  general  partner of such  Equipment
Growth  Fund or a  majority  in  interest  of Class A  members,  as that term is
defined in the Operating  Agreement,  of Income Fund I shall at any time vote to
remove FSI as manager of Income Fund I, in each case,  regardless of whether FSI
is actually removed.

                    Requesting Borrower, TEC AcquiSub, FSI or their Subsidiaries
shall have ceased to be the purchaser of Eligible  Inventory for such Requesting
Borrower.

 .        4.        BORROWERS' AND FSI'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         . Each  Borrower,  severally,  as to itself,  but not jointly as to the
other Borrowers and FSI, and FSI, jointly and severally with each Borrower as to
each such Borrower and as to itself,  hereby  warrant and represent to Agent and
each  Lender  as  follows,   and  agree  that  each  of  said   warranties   and
representations   shall  be  deemed  to  continue   until  full,   complete  and
indefeasible  payment and performance of the Obligations and shall apply anew to
each borrowing hereunder:

                  . Each  Borrower is a limited  partnership  or, in the case of
Income Fund I, a limited liability company, and FSI is a corporation,  each duly
organized,  validly  existing  and  in  good  standing  under  the  laws  of the
jurisdiction of its organization and is duly qualified and licensed as a foreign
corporation,  partnership  or limited  liability  company,  as  applicable,  and
authorized  to do business in each  jurisdiction  within the United States where
its  ownership  of  Property  and assets or conduct of  business  requires  such
qualification.  Each  Borrower and FSI has the power and  authority,  rights and
franchises to own their Property and assets and to carry on their  businesses as
now conducted.  Each Borrower and FSI has the power and authority to execute and
deliver the Loan Documents (to the extent each is a party thereto) and all other
instruments and documents contemplated hereby or thereby.

                  . The  execution,  delivery and  performance of this Agreement
and each of the  other  Loan  Documents  to which  any  Borrower  is a party and
delivery  and  payment  of  such  Borrower's  respective  Note  have  been  duly
authorized by all necessary and proper action on the part of such Borrower.  The
execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and each of the other Loan
Documents to which FSI is a party have been duly authorized by all necessary and
proper  corporate  action  on the  part of FSI.  The Loan  Documents  constitute
legally valid and binding  obligations of each Borrower and FSI, as the case may
be, enforceable  against each Borrower and FSI, to the extent any one of them is
a  party  thereto,   in  accordance  with  their  respective  terms,  except  as
enforcement  thereof  may be limited  by  bankruptcy,  insolvency  or other laws
affecting the enforcement of creditors' rights generally.

                  .  (a)  The  execution,   delivery  and  performance  of  this
Agreement, and each of the other Loan Documents and the execution,  delivery and
payment of the Notes will not: (i) contravene any provision of FSI's certificate
of  incorporation  or bylaws;  (ii)  contravene  any provision of any Borrowers'
Limited  Partnership  Agreements  or,  in the case of Income  Fund I,  Operating
Agreement or other  formation or  organization  document;  or (iii)  contravene,
conflict with or violate any applicable law or regulation,  or any order,  writ,
judgment,  injunction,  decree,  determination  or  award  of  any  Governmental
Authority,  which contravention,  conflict or violation,  in the aggregate,  may
have  Material  Adverse  Effect;  and (b) the  execution  and  delivery  of this
Agreement,  and each of the other Loan  Documents and the execution and delivery
of the Notes  will not  violate  or result in the  breach  of, or  constitute  a
default  under  any  indenture  or  other  loan or  credit  agreement,  or other
agreement or instrument  which are, in the aggregate,  material and to which any
Borrower or FSI is a party or by which any Borrower,  FSI or their  Property and
assets may be bound or affected. Neither any Borrower nor FSI is in violation or
breach of or default under any law, rule,  regulation,  order,  writ,  judgment,
injunction,  decree,  determination or award or any contract,  agreement, lease,
license,  indenture or other instrument to which any one of them is a party, the
non-compliance  with,  the  violation  or breach of or the  default  under which
would, with reasonable likelihood, have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  . Each  Borrower's  and FSI's audited  consolidated  financial
statements  as  of  December  31,  1995  and  Borrowers'  and  FSI's   unaudited
consolidated  financial  statements  as of  March  31,  1996,  copies  of  which
heretofore have been delivered to Agent by such Borrower and FSI,  respectively,
and all other  financial  statements  and other data submitted in writing by any
Borrower  and FSI to Agent or any  Lender in  connection  with the  request  for
credit  granted  by this  Agreement,  are true,  accurate  and  complete  in all
material respects,  and said financial  statements and other data fairly present
the  consolidated  financial  condition of such Borrower and FSI, as of the date
thereof,  and have been  prepared  in  accordance  with GAAP,  subject to fiscal
year-end  audit  adjustments.  There has been no material  adverse change in the
business,  properties  or  assets,  operations,   prospects,   profitability  or
financial or other condition of any Borrower or FSI since March 31, 1996.

                  . The  current  location  of each  Borrower's  and FSI's chief
executive  offices  and  principal  places of  business is set forth on Schedule
4.1.5.

                  . Except as disclosed on Schedule 4.1.6,  there are no claims,
actions, suits,  proceedings or other litigation pending or, to the best of each
Borrower's  and FSI's  knowledge,  after due  inquiry,  threatened  against  any
Borrower, FSI or any of FSI's Subsidiaries,  including,  without limitation, TEC
AcquiSub, at law or in equity before any Governmental  Authority or, to the best
of each Borrower's and FSI's knowledge,  after due inquiry, any investigation by
any  Governmental  Authority  of  any  Borrower's  or  FSI's  or  any  of  FSI's
Subsidiaries',   including,   without  limitation,   TEC  AcquiSub's,   affairs,
Properties  or assets  which would,  with  reasonable  likelihood,  if adversely
determined, have a Material Adverse Effect. Other than any liability incident to
the litigation or proceedings disclosed on Schedule 4.1.6, neither any Borrower,
nor  FSI nor any of  FSI's  Subsidiaries,  including,  without  limitation,  TEC
AcquiSub, has any Contingent Obligations which are not provided for or disclosed
in the financial  statements  delivered to Agent  pursuant to Sections 4.1.4 and
5.1.

                  . Schedule 4.1.7 lists all currently  effective  contracts and
agreements (whether written or oral) to which each Borrower is a party and which
(i) could involve the payment or receipt by such Borrower after the date of this
Agreement  of  more  than  $250,000  or (ii)  otherwise  materially  affect  the
business,  operations  or financial  condition of any  Borrower  (the  "Material
Contracts").  Except as  disclosed  on  Schedule  4.1.7,  there are no  material
defaults under any such Material  Contract by any Borrower,  to the best of each
Borrower's  knowledge,  by any other party to any such Material  Contract.  Each
Borrower has delivered to Agent true and correct copies of all such contracts or
agreements   (or,  with  respect  to  oral  contracts  or  agreements,   written
descriptions of the material terms thereof).

                  . Except as set forth in  Schedule  4.1.8,  all  consents  and
approvals of, filings and  registrations  with, and other actions in respect of,
all Governmental Authorities required to be obtained by any Borrower, FSI or any
of  FSI's   Subsidiaries  in  order  to  make  or  consummate  the  transactions
contemplated  under  the Loan  Documents  have  been,  or prior to the time when
required will have been,  obtained,  given, filed or taken and are or will be in
full force and effect.

                  . Neither  any  Borrower,  FSI nor any of FSI's  Subsidiaries,
including,  without limitation,  TEC AcquiSub,  is a party to or is bound by any
agreement,  contract,  lease,  license  or  instrument,  or is  subject  to  any
restriction under its respective charter or formation  documents,  which has, or
is likely in the foreseeable future to have, a Material Adverse Effect.  Neither
any  Borrower  nor FSI has entered  into and,  as of the  Closing  Date does not
contemplate entering into, any material agreement or contract with any Affiliate
of any Borrower or FSI on terms that are less  favorable to such Borrower or FSI
than those  that might be  obtained  at the time from  Persons  who are not such
Affiliates.

                  . There are no collective bargaining agreements or other labor
agreements  covering  any  employees  of any  Borrower,  FSI  or  any  of  FSI's
Subsidiaries.

                  . No Borrower  has an Employee  Benefit Plan subject to ERISA.
All Pension Plans of FSI and any of FSI's Subsidiaries,  that are intended to be
qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code have been determined by the IRS to be
qualified  or FSI or any of FSI's  Subsidiaries  will obtain such  determination
prior to  instituting  such a Pension Plan. All Pension Plans existing as of the
date hereof  continue to be so qualified.  No "reportable  event" (as defined in
Section  4043 of ERISA)  has  occurred  and is  continuing  with  respect to any
Pension Plan for which the thirty-day notice requirement may not be waived other
than those of which the  appropriate  Governmental  Authority has been notified.
All  Employee  Benefit  Plans  of FSI or any of  FSI's  Subsidiaries  have  been
operated in all material  respects in accordance with their terms and applicable
law,  including ERISA, and no "prohibited  transaction" (as defined in ERISA and
the Code) that would  result in any  material  liability  to FSI or any of FSI's
Subsidiaries has occurred with respect to any such Employee Benefit Plan.

                  . There are no strikes or other  labor  disputes  against  any
Borrower,  FSI or any of FSI's  Subsidiaries  or, to the best of each Borrower's
and FSI's knowledge, after due inquiry,  threatened against any Borrower, FSI or
any of FSI's  Subsidiaries,  which would,  with  reasonable  likelihood,  have a
Material Adverse Effect. All payments due from any Borrower or FSI on account of
employee health and welfare insurance which would,  with reasonable  likelihood,
have a  Material  Adverse  Effect  if not paid  have  been  paid or, if not due,
accrued as a liability on the books of such Borrower or FSI.

                  . Neither any Borrower nor FSI own any "margin  security",  as
that term is defined in Regulations G and U of the Federal  Reserve  Board,  and
the  proceeds  of the  Loans  under  this  Agreement  will be used  only for the
purposes  contemplated  hereunder.  None of the Loans will be used,  directly or
indirectly,  for the purpose of purchasing or carrying any margin security,  for
the  purpose of  reducing  or retiring  any  indebtedness  which was  originally
incurred to purchase or carry any margin security or for any other purpose which
might cause any of the Loans under this  Agreement  to be  considered a "purpose
credit"  within the meaning of  Regulations  G, T, U and X. Neither any Borrower
nor FSI will take or permit  any agent  acting on its  behalf to take any action
which  might  cause this  Agreement  or any  document  or  instrument  delivered
pursuant hereto to violate any regulation of the Federal Reserve Board.

                  . All federal,  state, local and foreign tax returns,  reports
and  statements  required to be filed by any  Borrower,  FSI and, to the best of
each  Borrower's  and  FSI's  knowledge,  after  due  inquiry,  by any of  FSI's
Subsidiaries have been filed with the appropriate Governmental Authorities where
failure to file  would,  with  reasonable  likelihood,  have a Material  Adverse
Effect,  and all material Charges and other  impositions shown thereon to be due
and payable by any Borrower,  FSI or such Subsidiary have been paid prior to the
date on which any fine,  penalty,  interest or late charge may be added  thereto
for nonpayment thereof, or any such fine, penalty, interest, late charge or loss
has been paid,  or such  Borrower,  FSI or such  Subsidiary  is  contesting  its
liability  therefore  in good  faith and has  fully  reserved  all such  amounts
according  to GAAP in the  financial  statements  provided to Agent  pursuant to
Section 5.1. Each  Borrower,  FSI and, to the best of each  Borrower's and FSI's
knowledge,  after due inquiry,  each of FSI's Subsidiaries has paid when due and
payable  all  material  Charges  upon  the  books of any  Borrower,  FSI or such
Subsidiary  and no  Government  Authority  has  asserted  any Lien  against  any
Borrower,  FSI or any of FSI's  Subsidiaries  with  respect  to unpaid  Charges.
Proper and accurate amounts have been withheld by each Borrower, FSI and, to the
best of each Borrower's and FSI's  knowledge,  after due inquiry,  each of FSI's
Subsidiaries from its employees for all periods in full and complete  compliance
with the  tax,  social  security  and  unemployment  withholding  provisions  of
applicable federal, state, local and foreign law and such withholdings have been
timely paid to the respective Governmental Authorities.

                  .        .15       Environmental Quality

                        (a) Except as specifically disclosed in Schedule 4.1.15,
the on-going  operations of each  Borrower,  FSI and each of FSI's  Subsidiaries
comply  in all  material  respects  with all  Environmental  Laws,  except  such
non-compliance  which would not (if enforced in accordance  with applicable law)
result in liability in excess of $250,000 in the aggregate.

                        (b) Except as specifically disclosed in Schedule 4.1.15,
each  Borrower,  FSI and each of FSI's  Subsidiaries  has obtained all licenses,
permits,  authorizations and registrations  required under any Environmental Law
("Environmental Permits") and necessary for its ordinary course operations,  all
such Environmental Permits are in good standing, and each Borrower, FSI and each
of FSI's Subsidiaries is in compliance with all material terms and conditions of
such Environmental Permits.

                        (c) Except as specifically disclosed in Schedule 4.1.15,
neither  any  Borrower,  FSI or any  of  FSI's  Subsidiaries  nor  any of  their
respective present Property or operations is subject to any outstanding  written
order from or  agreement  with any  Governmental  Authority  nor  subject to any
judicial or docketed  administrative  proceeding,  respecting any  Environmental
Law, Environmental Claim or Hazardous Material.

                        (d) Except as specifically disclosed in Schedule 4.1.15,
there are no Hazardous  Materials or other conditions or circumstances  existing
with respect to any Property,  or arising from  operations  prior to the Closing
Date, of any Borrower, FSI or any of FSI's Subsidiaries that would reasonably be
expected to give rise to Environmental  Claims with a potential liability of any
Borrower,  FSI or  any of  FSI's  Subsidiaries  in  excess  of  $250,000  in the
aggregate for any such condition, circumstance or Property.

                  . Each  Borrower and FSI and, to the best of their  knowledge,
after due inquiry,  each of FSI's  Subsidiaries  possess and owns all  necessary
trademarks,  trade names,  copyrights,  patents,  patent rights,  franchises and
licenses which are material to the conduct of their business as now operated.

                  . As of the Closing  Date,  no  information  contained in this
Agreement,  the other Loan Documents or any other documents or written materials
furnished by or on behalf of any Borrower or FSI to Agent or any Lender pursuant
to the terms of this Agreement or any of the other Loan  Documents  contains any
untrue or  inaccurate  statement of a material fact or omits to state a material
fact necessary to make the statement  contained herein or therein not misleading
in light of the circumstances under which made.

                  .  Neither  any  Borrower  nor FSI is:  (a) a "public  utility
company" or a "holding company," or an "affiliate" or a "subsidiary  company" of
a "holding  company," or an "affiliate" of such a "subsidiary  company," as such
terms  are  defined  in  the  Public  Utility  Holding  Company  Act  or  (b) an
"investment  company,"  or  an  "affiliated  person"  of,  or  a  "promoter"  or
"principal  underwriter" for, an "investment company," as such terms are defined
in the  Investment  Company  Act.  The  making  of the Loans  hereunder  and the
application  of the  proceeds  and  repayment  thereof by each  Borrower and the
performance  of the  transactions  contemplated  by this Agreement and the other
Loan Documents  will not violate any provision of the Investment  Company Act or
the Public Utility Holding Company Act, or any rule,  regulation or order issued
by the SEC thereunder.

                  .  Each Borrower and FSI are Solvent.

         . At the time any  Borrower  makes a request  for an initial  borrowing
hereunder,  each such Borrower,  severally,  as to itself, but not jointly as to
the other  Borrowers and FSI, and FSI,  jointly and severally with each Borrower
as to each such Borrower and as to itself, hereby warrant and represent to Agent
and  each  Lender  as  follows,  and  agree  that  each of said  warranties  and
representations   shall  be  deemed  to  continue   until  full,   complete  and
indefeasible  payment and performance of the Obligations and shall apply anew to
each additional borrowing hereunder:

                  . Each Borrower and FSI has the power and authority to perform
the terms of the Loan  Documents (to the extent each is a party thereto) and all
other instruments and documents contemplated hereby or thereby.

                  . The  performance  of this  Agreement,  and each of the other
Loan  Documents  and the  payment of the Notes will not violate or result in the
breach of, or  constitute a default  under any indenture or other loan or credit
agreement,  or other  agreement  or  instrument  which  are,  in the  aggregate,
material and to which any  Borrower or FSI is a party or by which any  Borrower,
FSI or their Property and assets may be bound or affected.

                  . No  approval,  authorization  or consent  of any  trustee or
holder of any  indebtedness or obligation of any Borrower or FSI or of any other
Person under any such material agreement,  contract, lease or license or similar
document or instrument to which such Borrower,  FSI or any of FSI's Subsidiaries
is a party or by which such Borrower,  FSI or any such  Subsidiary is bound,  is
required to be  obtained by any such  Borrower,  FSI or any such  Subsidiary  in
order  to make or  consummate  the  transactions  contemplated  under  the  Loan
Documents.

         . So  long as any of the  Commitments  shall  be  available  and  until
payment and  performance in full of the  Obligations,  the  representations  and
warranties  contained herein shall have a continuing  effect as having been true
when made.

 .        5.        BORROWERS' AND FSI'S AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

         Each Borrower, severally, as to itself, but not jointly as to the other
Borrowers and FSI, and FSI,  jointly and severally with each Borrower as to each
Borrower and as to itself (and, where applicable, PLMI) covenant and agree that,
so long as any of the  Commitments  shall be available and until full,  complete
and indefeasible  payment and performance of the  Obligations,  unless Requisite
Lenders shall  otherwise  consent in writing,  each Borrower and FSI shall do or
cause to have done all of the following:

         . Maintain,  and cause each of FSI's Subsidiaries to maintain, a system
of accounting administered in accordance with sound business practices to permit
preparation  of financial  statements  in conformity  with GAAP,  and deliver to
Agent or caused to be delivered to Agent:

                  . As soon as  practicable  and in any event  within sixty (60)
days after the end of each quarterly accounting period of each Borrower, FSI and
PLMI,  except with respect to the final fiscal  quarter of each fiscal year,  in
which case as soon as  practicable  and in any event  within one hundred  twenty
(120) days after the end of such fiscal quarter,  consolidated and consolidating
balance  sheets of FSI and PLMI and a balance  sheet of each  Borrower as at the
end of such period and the related consolidated (and, as to statements of income
only for FSI, consolidating)  statements of income and stockholders' or members'
equity of each  Borrower  and FSI and the  related  consolidated  statements  of
income,  stockholders'  or  members'  equity and cash flows of PLMI (and,  as to
statements of income only,  consolidating) for such quarterly accounting period,
setting forth in each case in comparative form the consolidated  figures for the
corresponding  periods  of the  previous  year,  all in  reasonable  detail  and
certified by the Chief Financial Officer or Corporate  Controller of the general
partner or manager of each Borrower,  as applicable,  FSI and PLMI that they (i)
are complete and fairly present the financial  condition of such  Borrower,  FSI
and PLMI as at the dates  indicated  and the  results  of their  operations  and
changes  in their  cash  flow  for the  periods  indicated,  (ii)  disclose  all
liabilities of each Borrower,  FSI and PLMI that are required to be reflected or
reserved  against  under GAAP,  whether  liquidated  or  unliquidated,  fixed or
contingent  and (iii) have been  prepared in  accordance  with GAAP,  subject to
changes resulting from audit and normal year-end adjustment;

                  . As soon as  practicable  and in any event within one hundred
twenty  (120) days after the end of each fiscal year of each  Borrower,  FSI and
PLMI,  consolidated  and  consolidating  balance  sheets  of FSI and  PLMI and a
balance  sheet  of each  Borrower  as at the end of such  year  and the  related
consolidated   (and,  as  to  statements  of  income  only  for  FSI  and  PLMI,
consolidating)  statements of income,  stockholders' or members' equity and cash
flows of each  Borrower,  if  applicable,  FSI and PLMI  for such  fiscal  year,
setting forth in each case, in comparative form the consolidated figures for the
previous year, all in reasonable detail and (i) in the case of such consolidated
financial  statements,  accompanied by a report thereon of an independent public
accountant of recognized  national standing  selected by each Borrower,  FSI and
PLMI and  satisfactory to Agent,  which report shall contain an opinion which is
not  qualified  in any manner or which  otherwise is  satisfactory  to Requisite
Lenders,  in their sole discretion,  and (ii) in the case of such  consolidating
financial  statements,  certified  by the Chief  Financial  Officer or Corporate
Controller of FSI and PLMI;

                  . As soon as  practicable,  and in any event  not  later  than
fifteen (15) days after the end of each calendar month in which a Loan has been,
or is,  outstanding,  a Borrowing Base  Certificate  dated as of the last day of
such month, duly executed by a Chief Financial  Officer or Corporate  Controller
of the general partner or manager of each Borrower, with appropriate insertions;

                  . As soon as  practicable,  and in any event  not  later  than
forty-five  (45) days after the end of each fiscal quarter of each  Borrower,  a
Compliance  Certificate  dated as of the last day of such  fiscal  quarter,  and
executed by the Chief Financial  Officer or Corporate  Controller of the general
partner or manager of such Borrower, with appropriate insertions.

                  . At Agent's request, promptly upon receipt thereof, copies of
all  reports  submitted  to each  Borrower,  FSI or PLMI by  independent  public
accountants  in  connection  with each annual,  interim or special  audit of the
financial statements of such Borrower, FSI or PLMI made by such accountants;

                  . (i) On the  date  six  months  after  the  Closing  Date and
thereafter upon Agent's reasonable request,  which request will not be made more
than once  during any  calendar  year  (unless  an Event of  Default  shall have
occurred and be continuing),  a report from each Borrower's insurance broker, in
such detail as Agent may reasonably request,  as to the insurance  maintained or
caused  to  be  maintained  by  each  Borrower   pursuant  to  this   Agreement,
demonstrating  compliance with the requirements hereof and thereof,  and (ii) as
soon as  possible  and in no event  later  than  fifteen  (15) days prior to the
expiration date of any insurance policy of any Borrower,  a written confirmation
that such policy is in process of renewal and is not  terminated or subject to a
notice of non-renewal from such Borrower's insurance broker; provided,  however,
that such Borrower shall give Agent prompt  written notice if changes  affecting
risk coverage will be made to such policy or if the policy will be terminated;

                  . Promptly  upon any officer of any Borrower or FSI  obtaining
knowledge (a) of any condition or event which constitutes an Event of Default or
Potential Event of Default under this  Agreement,  (b) that any Person has given
any notice to any  Borrower,  FSI,  TEC, TEC AcquiSub or PLMI or taken any other
action  with  respect  to a claimed  default or event or  condition  of the type
referred to in Section 8.1.2, (c) of the institution of any litigation or of the
receipt of written notice from any Governmental Authority as to the commencement
of any formal  investigation  involving an alleged or asserted  liability of any
Borrower,  FSI,  TEC, TEC AcquiSub or PLMI equal to or greater than  $500,000 or
any adverse  judgment in any litigation  involving a potential  liability of any
Borrower,  FSI, TEC, TEC AcquiSub or PLMI equal to or greater than $500,000,  or
(d) of a material adverse change in the business, operations, properties, assets
or condition (financial or otherwise) of any Borrower, FSI, TEC, TEC AcquiSub or
PLMI,  a  certificate  of a  Responsible  Officer  of any  Borrower  or FSI,  as
applicable,  specifying  the notice given or action taken by such Person and the
nature of such claimed  default,  Event of Default,  Potential Event of Default,
event or condition and what action such Borrower, FSI, TEC, TEC AcquiSub or PLMI
has taken, is taking and proposes to take with respect thereto;

                  . Promptly  upon becoming  aware of the  occurrence of any (a)
Termination  Event  in  connection  with  any  Pension  Plan or (b)  "prohibited
transaction"  (as such term is defined in ERISA and the Code) in connection with
any Employee  Benefit Plan or any trust  created  thereunder,  a written  notice
specifying  the nature  thereof,  what  action any  Borrower or any of its ERISA
Affiliates has taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect  thereto,  and,
when known,  any action taken or  threatened by the IRS or the PBGC with respect
thereto;

                  .  With  reasonable  promptness,  copies  of (a)  all  notices
received by any Borrower,  FSI, any of FSI's  Subsidiaries or any of their ERISA
Affiliates  of the PBGC's  intent to  terminate  any  Pension  Plan or to have a
trustee appointed to administer any Pension Plan, (b) each Schedule B (Actuarial
Information) to the annual report (Form 5500 Series) filed by any Borrower, FSI,
any of FSI's  Subsidiaries  or any of their ERISA  Affiliates  with the IRS with
respect to each Pension Plan covering  employees of any Borrower,  FSI or any of
FSI's  Subsidiaries,  and (c) all notices received by any Borrower,  FSI, any of
FSI's  Subsidiaries or any of their ERISA  Affiliates from a Multiemployer  Plan
sponsor concerning the imposition or amount of withdrawal  liability pursuant to
Section 4202 of ERISA;

                  . Promptly upon receipt by any  Borrower,  FSI or any of FSI's
Subsidiaries, any challenge by the IRS to the qualification under Section 401 or
501 of the Code of any Pension Plan;

                  . As soon as  available  and in no event  later  than five (5)
days  after the same shall have been filed with the SEC, a copy of each Form 8-K
Current  Report,  Form 10-K Annual Report,  Form 10-Q Quarterly  Report,  Annual
Report to  Shareholders,  Proxy  Statement  and  Registration  Statement  of any
Borrower and PLMI;

                  . Upon the  request of Agent,  copies of all  federal,  state,
local and foreign tax  returns  and reports in respect of income,  franchise  or
other taxes on or measured by income  (excluding sales, use or like taxes) filed
by or on behalf of any Borrower and FSI; and

                  .  Such  other   information   respecting   the  condition  or
operations,   financial  or  otherwise,   of  any  Borrower  and  PLMI  and  its
Subsidiaries  as Agent or any Lender may from time to time  reasonably  request,
and such  information  regarding  the lessees  under Leases as any Borrower from
time to time receives or Agent or any Lender reasonably requests.

         All financial statements of Borrowers,  FSI and PLMI to be delivered by
any Borrower and FSI to Agent  pursuant to this Section 5.1 will be complete and
correct and present  fairly the financial  condition of each  Borrower,  FSI and
PLMI as of the date thereof; will disclose all liabilities of each Borrower, FSI
and PLMI that are  required  to be  reflected  or reserved  against  under GAAP,
whether  liquidated or  unliquidated,  fixed or  contingent;  and will have been
prepared  in  accordance  with  GAAP.  All tax  returns  submitted  to  Agent by
Borrowers  and FSI will,  to the best of each  Borrower's  and FSI's  knowledge,
after due inquiry, be true and correct.  Each Borrower and FSI hereby agree that
each time any one of them submits a financial  statement or tax return to Agent,
such  Borrower and FSI shall be deemed to represent  and warrant to Lenders that
such  financial  statement  or tax  return  complies  with all of the  preceding
requirements set forth in this paragraph.

         . Each  Borrower  and FSI shall  preserve and  maintain,  and FSI shall
cause each of FSI's Subsidiaries,  including,  without limitation, TEC AcquiSub,
to preserve and maintain,  their existence and all of their  licenses,  permits,
governmental approvals, rights, privileges and franchises necessary or desirable
in the normal conduct of their businesses as now conducted or presently proposed
to be  conducted  (including,  without  limitation,  their  qualification  to do
business  in each  jurisdiction  in which such  qualification  is  necessary  or
desirable  in  view  of  its  business);   conduct,  and  cause  each  of  FSI's
Subsidiaries, including, without limitation, TEC AcquiSub, and any Owner Trustee
to conduct, its business in an orderly and regular manner; and comply, and cause
each of FSI's Subsidiaries, including, without limitation, TEC AcquiSub, and any
Owner Trustee, to comply,  with (a) as to any Borrower,  its Limited Partnership
Agreement,   Operating  Agreement  and  other   organizational   documents,   as
applicable,  and as to FSI and  each  of its  Subsidiaries,  including,  without
limitation,  TEC AcquiSub,  the  provisions  of its  respective  certificate  or
articles of incorporation, as applicable, and bylaws and (b) the requirements of
all applicable laws, rules,  regulations or orders of any Governmental Authority
and  requirements  for  the  maintenance  of  any  Borrower's,   FSI's  or  such
Subsidiary's  insurance,  licenses,  permits,  governmental  approvals,  rights,
privileges  and  franchises,  except,  in either  case,  to the extent  that the
failure  to comply  therewith  would  not,  in the  aggregate,  with  reasonable
likelihood, have a Material Adverse Effect.

         . Each  Borrower and FSI shall  maintain  and keep in force,  and cause
each of FSI's  Subsidiaries,  including,  without limitation,  TEC AcquiSub,  to
maintain  and  keep  in  force  insurance  of  the  types  and in  amounts  then
customarily  carried in lines of business  similar to that of Borrowers,  FSI or
any of FSI's  Subsidiaries  as the case may be,  including,  but not limited to,
fire, extended coverage, public liability, property damage, environmental hazard
and workers'  compensation,  in each case carried with financially sound Persons
and  in  amounts  satisfactory  to  Requisite  Lenders  (subject  to  commercial
reasonableness as to each type of insurance);  provided, however, that the types
and amounts of  insurance  shall not provide any less  coverage for any Borrower
than  provided  as of the  Closing  Date by the  existing  blanket  policies  of
insurance  for PLMI and its  Subsidiaries.  All such  policies  as to  liability
insurance shall carry endorsements naming Agent and each Lender as an additional
insured and, upon the reasonable request of Agent, all such policies of property
insurance  shall carry  endorsements  naming Agent as principal loss payee as to
any  property  owned by  Borrowers  and  financed by  Lenders,  and in each case
indicating that (a) any loss thereunder shall be payable to Agent or Lenders, as
the  case  may  be,   notwithstanding   any   action,   inaction  or  breach  of
representation  or  warranty  by any  Borrower  or FSI;  (b)  there  shall be no
recourse  against  any Lender for  payment of  premiums  or other  amounts  with
respect  thereto,  and (c) at least fifteen (15) days' prior  written  notice of
cancellation,  lapse or material  change in coverage  shall be given to Agent by
the insurer.

         .  Promptly  pay and  discharge  and cause each of FSI's  Subsidiaries,
including,  without limitation, TEC AcquiSub,  promptly to pay and discharge all
material Charges when due and payable, except (a) such as may be paid thereafter
without  penalty or (b) such as may be  contested  in good faith by  appropriate
proceedings  and for  which an  adequate  reserve  has been  established  and is
maintained in accordance  with GAAP. Each Borrower and FSI shall promptly notify
Agent of any material challenge, contest or proceeding pending by or against any
Borrower, FSI and PLMI or any of FSI's Subsidiaries before any taxing authority.

         . At any reasonable  time and from time to time during normal  business
hours,  permit  Agent or any Lender or any  agent,  representative  or  employee
thereof,  to examine and make copies of and abstracts from the financial records
and  books  of  account  of each  Borrower,  FSI or any of  FSI's  Subsidiaries,
including,  without  limitation,  TEC  AcquiSub,  and  other  documents  in  the
possession  or  under  the  control  of  any  Borrower,  FSI  or  any  of  FSI's
Subsidiaries,  including,  without  limitation,  TEC  AcquiSub,  relating to any
obligation  of any  Borrower  or FSI  arising  under  or  contemplated  by  this
Agreement  and to visit  the  offices  of any  Borrower  or FSI to  discuss  the
affairs,  finances  and accounts of any Borrower or FSI with any of the officers
of any Borrower or FSI, and, upon  reasonable  notice and during normal business
hours  (unless  an Event of  Default or  Potential  Event of Default  shall have
occurred and be  continuing,  in which event no notice is required),  to conduct
audits of and appraise Equipment. Such audits and appraisals shall be subject to
the lessee's right to quiet enjoyment as set forth in the respective lease.

         .        6         Maintenance Of Facilities; Modifications

                  . Each  Borrower  and FSI shall  keep and cause  each of FSI's
Subsidiaries, including, without limitation, TEC AcquiSub, to keep, all of their
respective Properties which are useful or necessary to such Borrower's, FSI's or
such Subsidiary's  business, in good repair and condition,  normal wear and tear
excepted,  and from time to time make,  and cause each such  Subsidiary  to make
necessary  repairs thereto,  and renewals and replacements  thereof so that each
Borrower's, FSI's or such Subsidiary's Properties shall be fully and efficiently
preserved and maintained.

                  .  Subject  to  Section  5.6.1,  each  Borrower  and FSI shall
promptly make, or cause to be made, all modifications, additions and adjustments
to the  Eligible  Inventory  as  may  from  time  to  time  be  required  by any
Governmental  Authority having  jurisdiction  over the operation,  safety or use
thereof.

         . From  time  to time as may be  necessary  (in  the  event  that  such
information  is not otherwise  delivered by Borrowers or FSI to Agent or Lenders
pursuant  to this  Agreement),  so long as  there  are  Obligations  outstanding
hereunder,  disclose to Agent in writing any material matter  hereafter  arising
which, if existing or occurring at the date of this  Agreement,  would have been
required to be set forth or described  by any Borrower or FSI in this  Agreement
or any of the other Loan Documents  (including all Schedules and Exhibits hereto
or  thereto)  or which is  necessary  to correct  any  information  set forth or
described by Borrowers or FSI hereunder or thereunder or in connection  herewith
which has been rendered inaccurate thereby.

         . In addition to the  obligations  and documents  which this  Agreement
expressly  requires  Borrowers  or FSI to  execute,  deliver and  perform,  each
Borrower  or FSI shall  execute,  deliver  and  perform,  and shall  cause FSI's
Subsidiaries  to execute,  deliver  and  perform,  any and all  further  acts or
documents  which  Agent or Lenders  may  reasonably  require to  effectuate  the
purposes of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents.

         . Each Borrower shall,  unless otherwise  directed in writing by Agent,
cause all  remittances  made by the obligor under any Lease to be made to a lock
box (the  "Lockbox")  maintained  with FUNB  pursuant to the Lockbox  Agreement.
Unless  otherwise  directed  by  Agent  in  writing,   all  invoices  and  other
instructions submitted by any Borrower to the obligor relating to Lease payments
shall designate the Lockbox as the place to which such payments shall be made.

         .  Each  Borrower  and  FSI  shall,  and FSI  shall  cause  each of its
Subsidiaries  to,  conduct its  operations and keep and maintain its Property in
material compliance with all Environmental Laws.

 .        6.        BORROWER'S AND FSI'S NEGATIVE COVENANTS

         So long as any of the  Commitments  shall be available  and until full,
complete and  indefeasible  payment and performance of the  Obligations,  unless
Requisite Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing, each Borrower,  severally,
as to  itself,  but not  jointly  as to the other  Borrowers  and FSI,  and FSI,
jointly and  severally  with each  Borrower as to such  Borrower  and to itself,
covenant and agree as follows:

         . Each  Borrower and FSI shall not create,  incur,  assume or suffer to
exist,  and shall not permit any Marine  Subsidiary  of such  Borrower  or Owner
Trustee  holding  record  title to any  Eligible  Inventory  for the  beneficial
interest of such  Borrower or FSI to create,  incur,  assume or suffer to exist,
and FSI shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries (including, without limitation,
TEC and TEC AcquiSub) to create,  incur,  assume or suffer to exist, any Lien of
any nature upon or with respect to any of their respective Property, whether now
or hereafter owned,  leased or acquired,  except  (collectively,  the "Permitted
Liens"):

                           .1 Existing Liens disclosed on Schedule 6.1, provided
that the obligations secured thereby are not increased;

                           .2 Liens for Charges if payment shall not at the time
be required to be made in accordance with Section 5.4;

                           .3  Liens  in  respect  of  pledges,  obligations  or
deposits (a) under workers' compensation laws,  unemployment insurance and other
types of social security or similar legislation,  (b) in connection with surety,
appeal  and  similar  bonds  incidental  to the  conduct of  litigation,  (c) in
connection with bid, performance or similar bonds and mechanics',  laborers' and
materialmen's and similar statutory Liens not then delinquent, or (d) incidental
to the conduct of the business of such Borrower,  any Marine  Subsidiary of such
Borrower,  FSI or any Owner Trustee or any of FSI's  Subsidiaries and which were
not  incurred in  connection  with the  borrowing  of money or the  obtaining of
advances or credit;  provided that the Liens  permitted by this Section 6.1.3 do
not in the aggregate materially detract from the value of any assets or property
of or materially impair the use thereof in the operation of the business of such
Borrower,  FSI or any Owner Trustee or any of FSI's  Subsidiaries;  and provided
further that the adverse determination of any claim or liability,  contingent or
otherwise,  secured by any of such Liens would not either individually or in the
aggregate, with reasonable likelihood, have a Material Adverse Effect;

                           .4        Permitted Rights of Others; and

                           .5 Liens  granted  in favor  of  Agent on  behalf  of
Lenders under the TEC AcquiSub  Agreement  and the security  agreement and other
loan documents delivered by TEC AcquiSub pursuant thereto.

         . Each Borrower  shall not, and shall not permit any Marine  Subsidiary
of such  Borrower to, and FSI shall not permit TEC and TEC AcquiSub to, make any
Acquisition or enter into any agreement to make any Acquisition, other than with
respect to the purchase of  Equipment in the ordinary  course of business or the
formation or acquisition of a Marine Subsidiary.

         . Each  Borrower and FSI shall not create,  incur,  assume or suffer to
exist,  nor permit any  Marine  Subsidiary  of such  Borrower  or Owner  Trustee
holding record title to any Eligible  Inventory for the  beneficial  interest of
such Borrower or FSI to create,  incur, assume or suffer to exist, and FSI shall
not permit any of its Subsidiaries (including,  without limitation,  TEC and TEC
AcquiSub)  to create,  incur,  assume or suffer to exist,  any  Indebtedness  or
Contingent  Obligation;  provided,  however,  that this Section 6.3 shall not be
deemed to prohibit:

                           .1 The  Obligations  to  Lenders  and  Agent  arising
hereunder and under the other Loan Documents;

                           .2 Existing Indebtedness disclosed on Schedule 6.3(a)
and anticipated Indebtedness disclosed on Schedule 6.3(b);

                           .3  Indebtedness  of any Subsidiary of FSI,  provided
that such Indebtedness is non-recourse as to FSI, TEC and TEC AcquiSub;

                           .4 The acquisition of goods,  supplies or merchandise
on normal trade credit;

                           .5 The endorsement of negotiable instruments received
in the ordinary course of any Borrower's business as presently conducted;

                           .6  Indebtedness  incurred in respect of the deferred
purchase  price  for an item of  Equipment,  but  only to the  extent  that  the
incurrence of such Indebtedness is customary in the industry with respect to the
purchase of this type of equipment  (provided that such Indebtedness  shall only
be permitted  under this clause (d) if,  taking into account the  incurrence  of
such  Indebtedness,  the Borrower  incurring such  Indebtedness  shall not be in
violation of any of the  financial  covenants set forth in Section 7 if measured
as of the date of incurrence as determined by GAAP);

                           .7 Any  Guaranty  Obligations  of any Borrower in the
form of performance  guaranties  undertaken on behalf of a Marine  Subsidiary of
such Borrower in favor of the charter party in connection  with the leasing of a
marine vessel on a time charter; and

                           .8 Contingent Obligations (but excluding specifically
Guaranty Obligations which shall be prohibited) of FSI solely in its capacity as
a general partner or manager of the Equipment Growth Funds.

         . Each  Borrower  and FSI shall  not,  and shall not  permit any Marine
Subsidiary  of such  Borrower  or  Owner  Trustee  holding  record  title to any
Eligible  Inventory for the beneficial  interest of such Borrower or FSI to, use
the  proceeds  of any Loan except for the purpose set forth in Recital D, above,
and shall not,  and shall not permit any such  Marine  Subsidiary  or such Owner
Trustee to, use the  proceeds  to repay any loans or advances  made by any other
Person.

         . Each  Borrower  and FSI shall  not,  and shall not  permit any Marine
Subsidiary  of such Borrower or any Owner  Trustee  holding  record title to any
Eligible Inventory for the beneficial interest of such Borrower or FSI to, sell,
assign or otherwise  dispose of, any of its or their respective  assets,  except
for  full,  fair  and  reasonable  consideration,  or  enter  into  any sale and
leaseback  agreement  covering any of its or their  respective  fixed or capital
assets.

         . Each  Borrower  and FSI shall  not,  and shall not  permit any Marine
Subsidiary  of  such  Borrower  to,  enter  into  any   transaction  of  merger,
consolidation or recapitalization,  directly or indirectly, whether by operation
of law or  otherwise,  or liquidate,  wind up or dissolve  itself (or suffer any
liquidation  or  dissolution),  or convey,  sell,  lease,  assign,  transfer  or
otherwise dispose of, in one transaction or a series of transactions, all or any
part of its  business,  Property  or  assets,  whether  now  owned or  hereafter
acquired,  or acquire by  purchase or  otherwise  all or  substantially  all the
business,  Property  or assets  of,  or stock or other  evidence  of  beneficial
ownership of, any Person,  except (a) sales of Equipment in the ordinary  course
of business  (for the purposes of this Section 6.6, with respect to any Borrower
and any Marine  Subsidiary of such Borrower,  ordinary  course of business shall
refer to the business of the Equipment Growth Funds and all Marine Subsidiaries,
collectively),  and (b) any  Subsidiary  of FSI (other than TEC AcquiSub) may be
merged or consolidated  with or into FSI or any wholly-owned  Subsidiary of FSI,
or be  liquidated,  wound up or dissolved,  or all or  substantially  all of its
business,  property or assets may be  conveyed,  sold,  leased,  transferred  or
otherwise  disposed of, in one transaction or a series of transactions,  to, FSI
or any  wholly-owned  Subsidiary  of FSI;  provided  that, in the case of such a
merger  or  consolidation,  FSI or such  wholly-owned  Subsidiary  shall  be the
continuing or surviving corporation.

         . Each Borrower  shall not, and shall not permit any Marine  Subsidiary
of such Borrower to,  directly or indirectly,  enter into or permit to exist any
transaction  (including,  without  limitation,  the  purchase,  sale,  lease  or
exchange  of any  property  or the  rendering  of any  service)  with any of its
Affiliates  on terms that are less  favorable  to such  Borrower  or such Marine
Subsidiary  than those that might be obtained  at the time from  Persons who are
not such Affiliates.

         . Each  Borrower and FSI shall not, and FSI shall not permit any of its
existing  Subsidiaries to, engage in any business materially  different than the
business currently engaged in by such Person.

         . Each  Borrower  shall  not  make,  pay or set apart any funds for the
payment of  distribution to its partners or members if such  distribution  would
cause or result in an Event of Default or Potential Event of Default.

         . Each  Borrower  and FSI  shall  not take or omit to take any  action,
which act or omission would, with the lapse of time, or otherwise constitute (a)
a default,  event of default or Event of Default under any of the Loan Documents
or (b) a default  or an event of  default  under any other  material  agreement,
contract, lease, license,  mortgage, deed of trust or instrument to which either
is a party or by which  either  or any of their  Properties  or assets is bound,
which default or event of default  would,  with  reasonable  likelihood,  have a
Material Adverse Effect.

         . If any  Borrower or FSI or any of their ERISA  Affiliates  incurs any
obligation to contribute to any Pension Plan,  then such Borrower or FSI, as the
case may be,  shall  not (a)  terminate,  or  permit  such  ERISA  Affiliate  to
terminate,  any Pension Plan so as to result in any liability  that would,  with
reasonable likelihood, have a Material Adverse Effect or (b) make or permit such
ERISA Affiliate to make a complete or partial  withdrawal (within the meaning of
Section  4201 of  ERISA)  from any  Multiemployer  Plan so as to  result  in any
liability  that  would,  with  reasonable  likelihood,  have a Material  Adverse
Effect.

         . Each  Borrower and FSI shall not use or  authorize  others to use any
Lender's  name  or  marks  in any  publication  or  medium,  including,  without
limitation, any prospectus, without such Lender's advance written authorization.

         . Each  Borrower  and FSI shall not change  their  fiscal year end from
December 31, nor make any change in their  accounting  treatment  and  reporting
practices  except as  permitted  by GAAP;  provided,  however,  that  should any
Borrower or FSI change its accounting  treatment or reporting practices in a way
that  would  cause  a  change  in  the  calculation,  or  in  the  results  of a
calculation,  of any of the  financial  covenants set forth in Section 7, below,
then such  Borrower or FSI, as  applicable,  shall  continue to  calculate  such
covenants as if such  accounting  treatment  or reporting  practice had not been
changed unless otherwise agreed to by Requisite Lenders.

         . Each  Borrower and FSI shall not,  shall not cause to occur and shall
not permit any amendment,  modification  or supplement of or to any of the terms
or provisions of such Borrower's Limited  Partnership  Agreement or, in the case
of Income Fund I, its Operating  Agreement,  which  amendment,  modification  or
supplement would affect,  limit or otherwise  impair such Borrower's  ability to
pay the  Obligations or perform its  obligations  under this Agreement or any of
the other Loan Documents.

 .        7.        FINANCIAL COVENANTS OF BORROWER AND FSI

         Each Borrower, severally, as to itself, but not jointly as to the other
Borrowers and FSI, and FSI,  jointly and severally with each Borrower as to each
Borrower and as to itself,  covenant and agree that, so long as the  Commitments
hereunder shall be available,  and until full, complete and indefeasible payment
and performance of the Obligations,  including,  without  limitation,  all Loans
evidenced by the Notes,  unless  Requisite  Lenders shall  otherwise  consent in
writing, Borrowers and FSI shall perform the following financial covenants. Each
Borrower and FSI agree and understand that (except as expressly provided herein)
all covenants  under this Section 7 shall be subject to quarterly  compliance or
compliance  as of the date of any request for a Loan  pursuant to Section  3.2.1
(as measured on the last day of each fiscal quarter of such Borrower, or FSI, as
the case may be, or as of the date of any request for a Loan pursuant to Section
3.2.1),  and in each case review by Lenders of the respective  fiscal  quarter's
consolidated  financial  statements  delivered to Agent by each Borrower and FSI
pursuant  to  Section  5.1;  provided,  however,  that the  following  financial
covenants  shall  apply only as to those  Borrowers  requesting  a Loan or as to
which a Loan remains outstanding.

         . Each Borrower  shall maintain a Funded Debt Ratio of not greater than
0.5:1.0.

         . Each  Borrower  shall  maintain a Debt Service Ratio of not less than
1.75:1.0.

         . FSI shall maintain a Consolidated Tangible Net Worth of not less than
$20,000,000.

         . The Equipment  Growth Funds of which FSI is the sole general  partner
shall maintain aggregate unrestricted cash balances of $10,000,000.

 .        8.        EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

         . As to any  Borrower,  the  occurrence  of  any  one  or  more  of the
following  shall   constitute  an  Event  of  Default  for  each  such  Borrower
individually:

                  . Such Borrower, any Marine Subsidiary of such Borrower or any
Owner Trustee holding record title to any Eligible  Inventory for the beneficial
interest  of such  Borrower  or FSI fails to pay any sum due to Lenders or Agent
arising under this Agreement, the Note of such Borrower or any of the other Loan
Documents  when  and as the  same  shall  become  due and  payable,  whether  by
acceleration or otherwise and such failure shall not have been cured to Lenders'
satisfaction within five (5) calendar days; or

                  . (a) Such Borrower,  any Marine  Subsidiary of such Borrower,
FSI, TEC, TEC AcquiSub or any Owner Trustee holding record title to any Eligible
Inventory for the beneficial interest of such Borrower defaults in the repayment
of any principal of or the payment of any interest on any  Indebtedness  of such
Borrower,  any such Marine Subsidiary,  FSI, TEC, TEC AcquiSub or any such Owner
Trustee, respectively, or breaches any term of any evidence of such Indebtedness
or defaults in any payment in respect of any Contingent  Obligation  (excluding,
as to FSI, any Contingent  Obligation of FSI arising solely as a result of FSI's
status as a general  partner of any Person  other than such  Borrower),  in each
case exceeding,  in the aggregate outstanding principal amount,  $2,000,000,  or
such  Borrower,  any Marine  Subsidiary,  FSI,  TEC,  TEC  AcquiSub or any Owner
Trustee  breaches  or violates  any term or  provision  of any  evidence of such
Indebtedness or Contingent  Obligation or of any such loan agreement,  mortgage,
indenture,  guaranty or other agreement  relating  thereto if the effect of such
breach  is  to  permit  acceleration  under  the  applicable  instrument,   loan
agreement,  mortgage,  indenture,  guaranty or other  agreement and such failure
shall not have been cured  within the  applicable  cure  period,  or there is an
acceleration  under  the  applicable  instrument,   loan  agreement,   mortgage,
indenture, guaranty or other agreement; or (b) PLMI defaults in the repayment of
any principal of or the payment of any interest on any  Indebtedness or defaults
in any payment in respect of any Contingent Obligation,  in each case exceeding,
in the aggregate outstanding principal amount,  $2,000,000,  or PLMI breaches or
violates  any  term  or  provision  of any  evidence  of  such  Indebtedness  or
Contingent  Obligation  or of any  such  loan  agreement,  mortgage,  indenture,
guaranty  or  other  agreement  relating  thereto  with  the  result  that  such
Indebtedness  or Contingent  Obligation  becomes or is caused to become then due
and payable in its entirety, whether by acceleration of otherwise; or

                  . Such  Borrower or FSI fails or neglects to perform,  keep or
observe any of the covenants  contained in Sections  2.1.3,  5.2, 5.3, 5.9, 6.1,
6.2,  6.3,  6.4,  6.5,  6.6,  6.7,  6.8,  6.9 or 6.13,  or any of the  financial
covenants contained in Section 7 of this Agreement; or

                  . Any  representation or warranty made by or on behalf of such
Borrower or FSI in this  Agreement or any statement or  certificate  at any time
given in  writing  pursuant  hereto or in  connection  herewith  shall be false,
misleading or incomplete in any material respect when made; or

                  .  Except as  provided  in  Sections  8.1.1  and  8.1.3,  such
Borrower, FSI or any Marine Subsidiary of such Borrower or Owner Trustee holding
record  title to any  Eligible  Inventory  for the  beneficial  interest of such
Borrower or FSI fails or neglects  to perform,  keep or observe any  covenant or
provision of this  Agreement or of any of the other Loan  Documents or any other
document or agreement executed by such Borrower, FSI or any Marine Subsidiary of
such Borrower or Owner Trustee  holding  record title to any Eligible  Inventory
for the beneficial interest of such Borrower or FSI in connection  therewith and
the same has not been cured to Requisite  Lenders'  satisfaction  within  thirty
(30) calendar  days after such  Borrower,  FSI or any Marine  Subsidiary of such
Borrower or Owner Trustee holding record title to any Eligible Inventory for the
beneficial interest of such Borrower or FSI shall become aware thereof,  whether
by written notice from Agent or any Lender or otherwise; or

                  . Such Borrower,  any Marine Subsidiary of such Borrower,  TEC
AcquiSub,  any other Borrower (but only for so long as Obligations of such other
Borrower  remain or Commitments to such other Borrower are available  under this
Agreement),  FSI,  TEC, PLMI or any Owner  Trustee  holding  record title to any
Eligible  Inventory for the  beneficial  interest of such Borrower or FSI or any
other guarantor of any of such Borrower's or FSI's  obligations to Lenders shall
(a) cease to be Solvent,  (b) admit in writing its inability to pay its debts as
they mature, (c) make an assignment for the benefit of creditors,  (d) apply for
or consent to the  appointment of a receiver,  liquidator,  custodian or trustee
for it or for a  substantial  part  of its  Properties  or  business,  or such a
receiver,  liquidator,  custodian or trustee  otherwise  shall be appointed  and
shall not be discharged within sixty (60) days after such appointment; or

                  .  Bankruptcy,   insolvency,   reorganization  or  liquidation
proceedings or other  proceedings for relief under any bankruptcy law or any law
for the relief of debtors shall be instituted by or against such  Borrower,  any
Marine Subsidiary of such Borrower,  TEC AcquiSub,  any other Borrower (but only
for so long as Obligations of such other Borrower  remain or Commitments to such
other Borrower are available under this Agreement),  FSI, TEC, PLMI or any Owner
Trustee  holding  record  title to any  Eligible  Inventory  for the  beneficial
interest  of  such  Borrower  or FSI  or  any  other  guarantor  of any of  such
Borrower's  or FSI's  obligations  to Lenders or any order,  judgment  or decree
shall be entered against such Borrower,  any Marine Subsidiary of such Borrower,
TEC AcquiSub,  any other  Borrower (but only for so long as  Obligations of such
other Borrower  remain or Commitments to such other Borrower are available under
this Agreement), FSI, TEC, PLMI or any Owner Trustee holding record title to any
Eligible  Inventory for the  beneficial  interest of such Borrower or FSI or any
other  guarantor  of any of such  Borrower's  or FSI's  obligations  to  Lenders
decreeing its  dissolution or division;  provided,  however,  with respect to an
involuntary petition in bankruptcy,  such petition shall not have been dismissed
within sixty (60) days after the filing of such petition; or

                  . There shall have been a change in the  assets,  liabilities,
financial  condition,  operations,  affairs or prospects of such  Borrower,  any
Marine  Subsidiary of such Borrower,  TEC AcquiSub,  FSI, TEC, PLMI or any Owner
Trustee  holding  record  title to any  Eligible  Inventory  for the  beneficial
interest  of  such  Borrower  or FSI  or  any  other  guarantor  of any of  such
Borrower's  or  FSI's   obligations   to  Lenders   which,   in  the  reasonable
determination of Requisite Lenders has, either individually or in the aggregate,
had a Material Adverse Effect; or

                  .  There  shall  be a  money  judgment,  writ  or  warrant  of
attachment or similar process entered or filed against such Borrower, any Marine
Subsidiary of such Borrower, TEC AcquiSub, FSI, TEC or any Owner Trustee holding
record  title to any  Eligible  Inventory  for the  beneficial  interest of such
Borrower or FSI which (net of insurance  coverage) remains unvacated,  unbonded,
unstayed or unpaid or undischarged for more than sixty (60) days (whether or not
consecutive) or in any event later than five (5) calendar days prior to the date
of any proposed sale thereunder,  which, together with all such other unvacated,
unbonded,  unstayed,  unpaid and undischarged  judgments or attachments  against
such Borrower or any Marine Subsidiary of such Borrower exceeds in the aggregate
$1,000,000;  against FSI exceeds in the aggregate  $500,000;  against TEC or TEC
AcquiSub exceeds in the aggregate $500,000; or against any Owner Trustee holding
record  title to any  Eligible  Inventory  for the  beneficial  interest of such
Borrower or FSI exceeds in the aggregate $1,000,000;  or against any combination
of the foregoing Persons exceeds in the aggregate $1,000,000; or

                  . Any of the Loan  Documents  shall for any reason  other than
the full, complete and indefeasible  satisfaction of the Obligations  thereunder
cease to be, or be asserted by such  Borrower,  FSI or any Marine  Subsidiary of
such Borrower or Owner Trustee  holding  record title to any Eligible  Inventory
for the  beneficial  interest of such Borrower or FSI not to be, a legal,  valid
and binding  obligation of such Borrower,  FSI or any Marine  Subsidiary of such
Borrower or Owner Trustee holding record title to any Eligible Inventory for the
beneficial  interest of such Borrower or FSI,  respectively  enforceable against
such Person in accordance with its terms; or

                  . The  occurrence  of any "Event of Default" as defined  under
the TEC AcquiSub Agreement or any other loan or security document related to the
TEC AcquiSub Agreement; or

                  . The  occurrence  of any "Event of Default" as defined  under
the AFG  Agreement  or any other loan or  security  document  related to the AFG
Agreement; or

                  . FSI shall cease to be the sole  general  partner or the sole
manager,  as  applicable,  of such  Borrower,  whether due to the  voluntary  or
involuntary withdrawal,  substitution, removal or transfer of FSI from or of all
or any portion of FSI's general partnership  interest or capital contribution in
such Borrower; or

                  . Requesting Borrower, TEC AcquiSub, FSI or their Subsidiaries
shall  cease to be the  purchaser  of  Eligible  Inventory  for such  Requesting
Borrower.

                  . A  criminal  proceeding  shall  have been filed in any court
naming any  Borrower,  FSI or any Marine  Subsidiary  of such  Borrower or Owner
Trustee  holding  record  title to any  Eligible  Inventory  for the  beneficial
interest  of such  Borrower  or FSI as a  defendant  for which  forfeiture  is a
potential penalty under applicable federal or state law which, in the reasonable
determination of Requisite Lenders, may have a Material Adverse Effect; or

                  . Any Governmental  Authority enters a decree, order or ruling
("Government Action") which will materially and adversely affect any Borrower's,
any Marine Subsidiary of such Borrower's, FSI's, TEC's, TEC AcquiSub's or PLMI's
financial  condition,  operations  or ability  to  perform  or pay such  party's
obligations arising under this Agreement or any instrument or agreement executed
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or which will similarly affect any Owner
Trustee  holding  record  title to any  Eligible  Inventory  for the  beneficial
interest of such  Borrower or FSI.  Such  Borrower or FSI shall have thirty (30)
days from the  earlier of the date (a)  Borrower or FSI,  as  applicable,  first
discovers it is the subject of  Government  Action or (b) a Lender or any agency
gives notice of Government  Action to take such steps as are necessary to obtain
relief from the Government  Action.  For the purpose of this paragraph,  "relief
from  Government  Action"  means to  discharge  or to obtain a  dismissal  of or
release or relief from (i) any  Government  Action so that the affected party or
parties do not incur monetary  liability (A) of more than $1,000,000 in the case
of any  Borrower or any Marine  Subsidiary  of such  Borrower,  (B) of more than
$500,000 in the case of FSI,  (C) of more than  $500,000 in the case of TEC, (D)
of more than $250,000 in the case of TEC AcquiSub,  (E) of more than  $1,000,000
in the case of PLMI, or (F) of more than  $1,000,000,  in the aggregate,  in the
case of any combination of the foregoing Persons,  or (ii) any  disqualification
of or other limitation on the operation of any Borrower,  any Marine  Subsidiary
of such Borrower,  FSI, TEC, TEC AcquiSub and PLMI, or any of them, which in the
reasonable  determination  of  Requisite  Lenders  may have a  Material  Adverse
Effect; or

                  . Any Governmental Authority,  including,  without limitation,
the SEC, shall enter a decree,  order or ruling prohibiting the Equipment Growth
Funds from releasing or paying to FSI any funds in the form of management  fees,
profits  or  otherwise  which,  in the  reasonable  determination  of  Requisite
Lenders, may have a Material Adverse Effect.

         . An Event of Default may be waived  only with the  written  consent of
Requisite  Lenders,  or if  expressly  provided,  of all  Lenders.  Any Event of
Default so waived  shall be deemed to have been cured and not to be  continuing;
but no such waiver  shall be deemed a  continuing  waiver or shall  extend to or
affect any subsequent like default or impair any rights arising therefrom.

         . Upon the  occurrence  and  continuance  of any  Event of  Default  or
Potential Event of Default,  Lenders shall have no further obligation to advance
money or extend credit to or for the benefit of the  defaulting  Borrower or any
other  Borrower,  regardless of whether such Event of Default or Potential Event
of Default has occurred with respect to such Borrower or another Borrower.

         In addition, upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event
of Default,  except an Event of Default arising under Section 8.1.11 hereof (the
remedies  for  which  shall be  limited  to  those  set  forth in the  preceding
paragraph),  Lenders or Agent, on behalf of Lenders,  may, as to such defaulting
Borrower,  or as to all Borrowers  should such Event of Default  result from the
actions or inactions of FSI, at the option of Requisite  Lenders,  do any one or
more of the following,  all of which are hereby  authorized by each Borrower and
FSI:

                           .1  Declare  all or any of the  Obligations  of  such
Borrower  under  this  Agreement,  the Note of such  Borrower,  the  other  Loan
Documents and any other  instrument  executed by such  Borrower  pursuant to the
Loan Documents to be immediately due and payable, and upon such declaration such
obligations  so  declared  due and  payable  shall  immediately  become  due and
payable;  provided that if such Event of Default is under part 8.1.6 or 8.1.7 of
Section  8.1,  then  all  of the  Obligations  of  each  Borrower  shall  become
immediately due and payable  forthwith  without the requirement of any notice or
other action by Lenders or Agent;

                           .2  Terminate   this   Agreement  as  to  any  future
liability or  obligation  of Agent or Lenders as to such  Borrower or as to each
Borrower  if such  Event of  Default  results  from the  actions,  inactions  or
violation of any covenant of or by FSI (excluding,  as to FSI, Events of Default
under Section 8.1.2 arising in relation to Contingent  Obligation of FSI arising
solely as a result of FSI's status as a general partner of any Person other than
such Borrower); and

                           .3  Exercise  in  addition  to all other  rights  and
remedies  granted  hereunder,  any and all rights and remedies granted under the
Loan Documents or otherwise available at law or in equity.

         .        4         Set-Off

                           .1 During the continuance of an Event of Default, any
deposits or other sums credited by or due from any Lender to any Borrower or FSI
(exclusive of deposits in accounts  expressly  held in the name of third parties
or held in trust for  benefit  of third  parties)  may be  set-off  against  the
Obligations of such Borrower and any and all other liabilities,  due or existing
or hereafter  arising and owing by such Borrower or FSI to Lenders.  Each Lender
agrees  to notify  promptly  Borrowers  and FSI and  Agent of any such  set-off;
provided,  that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of
any such set-off.

                           .2 Each Lender  agrees  that if it shall,  whether by
right of set-off,  banker's lien or similar  remedy  pursuant to Section  8.4.1,
obtain any  payment as a result of which the  outstanding  and unpaid  principal
portion of the  Commitments  of such Lender shall be less than such Lender's Pro
Rata Share of the outstanding and unpaid  principal  portion of the aggregate of
all  Commitments,  such  Lender  receiving  such  payment  shall  simultaneously
purchase from each other Lender a participation  in the Commitments held by such
Lenders so that the outstanding and unpaid  principal  amount of the Commitments
and participations in Commitments of such Lender shall be in the same proportion
to the  unpaid  principal  amount  of the  aggregate  of  all  Commitments  then
outstanding as the unpaid  principal amount under the Commitments of such Lender
outstanding  immediately  prior to  receipt  of such  payment  was to the unpaid
principal  amount of the aggregate of all  Commitments  outstanding  immediately
prior to such Lender's receipt of such payment;  provided,  however, that if any
such  purchase  shall be made  pursuant  to this  Section  8.4.2 and the payment
giving rise thereto  shall  thereafter  be  recovered,  such  purchase  shall be
rescinded to the extent of such recovery and the purchase price restored without
interest.  Each Borrower  expressly  consents to the foregoing  arrangements and
agrees that any Lender holding a  participation  in a Commitment  deemed to have
been so purchased  may exercise any and all rights of set-off,  banker's lien or
similar  remedy  with  respect to any and all moneys  owing by  Borrower to such
Lender  as fully as if such  Lender  held a  Commitment  in the  amount  of such
participation.

         . The  enumeration  of the rights and remedies of Agent and Lenders set
forth in this  Agreement  is not intended to be  exhaustive  and the exercise by
Agent and Lenders of any right or remedy  shall not preclude the exercise of any
other  rights or  remedies,  all of which shall be  cumulative,  and shall be in
addition  to any  other  right or  remedy  given  hereunder  or  under  the Loan
Documents or that may now or  hereafter  exist in law or in equity or by suit or
otherwise.  No delay or failure to take  action on the part of Agent and Lenders
in exercising  any right,  power or privilege  shall operate as a waiver hereof,
nor shall any single or partial  exercise of any such right,  power or privilege
preclude other or further  exercise  thereof or the exercise of any other right,
power or  privilege or shall be construed to be a waiver of any Event of Default
or Potential Event of Default.  No course of dealing between any Borrower,  FSI,
Agent, or any Lender or their respective  agents or employees shall be effective
to change,  modify or discharge  any  provision of this  Agreement or any of the
Loan  Documents  or to  constitute a waiver of any Event of Default or Potential
Event of Default.

 .        9.        AGENT

         . Each of the Lenders hereby irrevocably  designates and appoints First
Union  National  Bank of North  Carolina as the Agent of such Lender  under this
Agreement  and the  other  Loan  Documents,  and each  such  Lender  irrevocably
authorizes  First Union  National  Bank of North  Carolina as the Agent for such
Lender to take such action on its behalf under the  provisions of this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents and to exercise such powers and perform such duties
as are expressly  delegated to the Agent by the terms of this Agreement and such
other  Loan  Documents,  together  with  such  other  powers  as are  reasonably
incidental  thereto.  Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary elsewhere in
this Agreement or such other Loan Documents, the Agent shall not have any duties
or responsibilities, except those expressly set forth herein and therein, or any
fiduciary  relationship with any Lender,  and no implied  covenants,  functions,
responsibilities,  duties,  obligations or  liabilities  shall be read into this
Agreement or the other Loan Documents or otherwise  exist against Agent.  To the
extent any provision of this  Agreement  permits  action by Agent,  Agent shall,
subject to the  provisions  of this  Section 9, take such  action if directed in
writing to do so by Requisite Lenders.

         . Agent may  execute  any of its duties  under this  Agreement  and the
other Loan  Documents  by or through  agents or  attorneys-in-fact  and shall be
entitled to advice of counsel  concerning all matters pertaining to such duties.
Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agents or
attorneys-in-fact selected by it with reasonable care.

         . Neither Agent nor any of its officers, directors,  employees, agents,
attorneys-in-fact  or  Affiliates  shall be (a) liable  for any action  lawfully
taken or omitted to be taken by it or such Person  under or in  connection  with
this Agreement or the other Loan Documents  (except for its or such Person's own
gross negligence or willful misconduct), or (b) responsible in any manner to any
Lender for any recitals,  statements,  representations or warranties made by any
Borrower or any officer  thereof  contained in this  Agreement or the other Loan
Documents or in any certificate, report, statement or other document referred to
or  provided  for in, or received by Agent  under or in  connection  with,  this
Agreement or the other Loan Documents or for the value, validity, effectiveness,
genuineness,  enforceability  or sufficiency of this Agreement or the other Loan
Documents  or for  any  failure  of any  Borrower  to  perform  its  obligations
hereunder or  thereunder.  Agent shall not be under any obligation to any Lender
to ascertain or to inquire as to the  observance  or  performance  of any of the
agreements  contained in, or conditions  of, this  Agreement,  or to inspect the
Properties, books or records of any Borrower.

         . Agent  shall be  entitled to rely,  and shall be fully  protected  in
relying,  upon any note,  writing,  resolution,  notice,  consent,  certificate,
affidavit,  letter,  cablegram,  telegram,  telecopy, telex or teletype message,
statement,  order or other document or conversation believed by it to be genuine
and  correct  and to have  been  signed,  sent or made by the  proper  Person or
Persons and upon advice and  statements  of legal  counsel  (including,  without
limitation,  counsel to Borrowers),  independent  accountants  and other experts
selected  by Agent.  Agent may deem and treat the payee of any  promissory  note
issued  pursuant to this Agreement as the owner thereof for all purposes  unless
such  promissory  note shall have been  transferred  in accordance  with Section
11.10 hereof.  Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any
action under this Agreement and the other Loan  Documents  unless it shall first
receive such advice or concurrence of Requisite  Lenders as it deems appropriate
or it shall first be indemnified to its  satisfaction by Lenders against any and
all  liability  and  expense  which may be incurred by it by reason of taking or
continuing  to take any such  action  except  for its own  gross  negligence  or
willful misconduct. Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting, or in
refraining  from acting,  under this  Agreement in accordance  with a request of
Requisite  Lenders,  and such  request  and any  action  taken or failure to act
pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all Lenders.

         .  Agent  shall  not be  deemed  to have  knowledge  or  notice  of the
occurrence  of any Event of Default  or  Potential  Event of  Default  hereunder
unless Agent has received notice from a Lender or any Borrower referring to this
Agreement,  describing  such Event of Default or Potential  Event of Default and
stating  that such  notice is a "notice  of  default".  In the event  that Agent
receives such a notice, Agent shall promptly give notice thereof to Lenders. The
Agent shall take such action with  respect to such Event of Default or Potential
Event of Default as shall be reasonably directed by Requisite Lenders;  provided
that unless and until Agent shall have received such directions,  Agent may (but
shall not be obligated to) take such action, or refrain from taking such action,
with respect to such Event of Default or Potential  Event of Default as it shall
deem advisable in the best interests of Lenders.

         . Each Lender expressly  acknowledges that neither Agent nor any of its
officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or Affiliates has made
any  representations  or warranties  to it and that no act by Agent  hereinafter
taken,  including  any  review of the  affairs of  Borrower,  shall be deemed to
constitute any  representation  or warranty by Agent to any Lender.  Each Lender
represents to Agent that it has,  independently  and without reliance upon Agent
or any other  Lender,  and based on such  documents  and  information  as it has
deemed  appropriate,  made  its own  appraisal  of and  investigation  into  the
business,   operations,    property,   financial   and   other   condition   and
creditworthiness  of each Borrower and FSI and made its own decision to make its
Loans hereunder and enter into this Agreement.  Each Lender also represents that
it will,  independently and without reliance upon Agent or any other Lender, and
based on such  documents and  information  as it shall deem  appropriate  at the
time,  continue to make its own credit  analysis,  appraisals  and  decisions in
taking or not taking action under this  Agreement and the other Loan  Documents,
and to make such  investigation as it deems necessary to inform itself as to the
business,   operations,    property,   financial   and   other   condition   and
creditworthiness of each Borrower and FSI. Except for notices, reports and other
documents  expressly  required to be furnished to the Lenders by Agent hereunder
or by the other Loan Documents,  Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility
to  provide  any  Lender  with any credit or other  information  concerning  the
business,    operations,    property,   financial   and   other   condition   or
creditworthiness  of each Borrower and FSI which may come into the possession of
Agent or any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or
Affiliates.

         . Each Lender agrees to indemnify Agent in its capacity as such (to the
extent not  reimbursed  by  Borrowers  and without  limiting the  obligation  of
Borrowers to do so),  ratably  according to the respective  amounts of their Pro
Rata  Share  of the  Commitments,  from  and  against  any and all  liabilities,
obligations,  losses,  damages,  penalties,  actions,  judgments,  suits, costs,
expenses  or  disbursements  of any  kind  whatsoever  which  may  at  any  time
(including,  without limitation, at any time following the payment of the Loans)
be imposed on,  incurred by or asserted  against Agent in any way relating to or
arising out of this  Agreement  or the other Loan  Documents,  or any  documents
contemplated   by  or  referred  to  herein  or  therein  or  the   transactions
contemplated  hereby or thereby or any action taken or omitted by Agent under or
in connection with any of the foregoing; provided that no Lender shall be liable
for the  payment  of any  portion  of  such  liabilities,  obligations,  losses,
damages, penalties,  actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements
resulting solely from Agent's bad faith, gross negligence or willful misconduct.
The  agreements in this Section 9.7 shall survive the repayment of the Loans and
all other amounts payable hereunder.

         . Agent and its Affiliates may make loans to, accept  deposits from and
generally  engage in any kind of  business  with any  Borrower  or FSI as though
Agent were not Agent hereunder.  With respect to Advances made or renewed by it,
Agent shall have the same rights and powers under this  Agreement  and the other
Loan  Documents  as any Lender and may  exercise  the same as though it were not
Agent,  and  the  terms  "Lender"  and  "Lenders"  shall  include  Agent  in its
individual capacity.

         . Agent may  resign  at any time by  giving  thirty  (30)  days'  prior
written  notice thereof to Lenders and Borrowers;  provided,  however,  that the
retiring Agent shall  continue to serve until a successor  Agent shall have been
selected and approved pursuant to this Section 9.9. Upon any such notice,  Agent
shall have the right to appoint a successor Agent;  provided,  however,  that if
such  successor  shall not be a signatory to this  Agreement,  such  appointment
shall be subject to the consent of Requisite  Lenders.  Agent may be replaced by
Requisite Lenders, with or without cause; provided,  however, that any successor
agent  shall be  subject  to  Borrowers'  consent,  which  consent  shall not be
unreasonably  withheld.  Upon  the  acceptance  of any  appointment  as an Agent
hereunder by a successor Agent,  such successor Agent shall thereupon succeed to
and become  vested with all the  rights,  powers,  privileges  and duties of the
retiring  Agent,  and the retiring Agent shall be discharged from its duties and
obligations  under  this  Agreement.  After  any  retiring  Agent's  resignation
hereunder as Agent,  the provisions of this Section 9 shall inure to its benefit
as to any  actions  taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent  under
this Agreement.

 .        10.       EXPENSES AND INDEMNITIES

         . Borrowers and Lenders agree that, as the following  costs,  expenses,
charges  and  other  disbursements  benefit  each  Borrower  and as such  costs,
expenses,  charges and other disbursements cannot easily be ratably allocated to
the account of any  Borrower  or  Borrowers,  each  Borrower,  unless  otherwise
specified  in this  Section  10.1,  shall pay,  as its  Obligation,  promptly on
demand,  and in any event within thirty (30) days of the invoice date  therefor,
(a) all costs,  expenses,  charges and other disbursements  (including,  without
limitation,  all reasonable  attorneys'  fees and allocated  expenses of outside
counsel  and  in-house  legal  staff)  incurred  by or on behalf of Agent or any
Lender  in  connection  with  the  preparation  of the  Loan  Documents  and all
amendments  and  modifications  thereof,  extensions  thereto  or  substitutions
therefor, and all costs, expenses, charges or other disbursements incurred by or
on behalf of Agent or any Lender  (including,  without limitation all reasonable
attorney's  fees and allocated  expenses of outside  counsel and in-house  legal
staff) in  connection  with the  furnishing  of opinions of counsel  (including,
without  limitation,  any opinions  requested by Lenders as to any legal matters
arising  hereunder) and of Borrowers'  performance  of and  compliance  with all
agreements and conditions contained herein or in any of the other Loan Documents
on its part to be performed  or complied  with;  (b) all other costs,  expenses,
charges and other disbursements  incurred by or on behalf of Agent or any Lender
in connection  with the  negotiation,  preparation,  execution,  administration,
continuation and enforcement of the Loan Documents,  and the making of the Loans
hereunder; (c) all costs, expenses,  charges and other disbursements (including,
without  limitation,  all reasonable  attorney's fees and allocated  expenses of
outside  counsel and in-house legal staff)  incurred by or on behalf of Agent or
any Lender in  connection  with the  assignment  or attempted  assignment to any
other Person of all or any portion of any Lender's interest under this Agreement
pursuant to Section  11.10;  and (d)  regardless of the existence of an Event of
Default or Potential Event of Default, all legal, appraisal,  audit, accounting,
consulting  or other  fees,  costs,  expenses,  charges  or other  disbursements
incurred  by or on  behalf  of  Agent  or any  Lender  in  connection  with  any
litigation,  contest, dispute, suit, proceeding or action (whether instituted by
Lenders,  Agent,  any  Borrower  or any other  Person)  seeking to  enforce  any
Obligations  of, or collecting  any payments due from,  any Borrower  under this
Agreement and the Notes,  all of which amounts shall be deemed to be part of the
Obligations;  provided,  however,  that Lenders shall be entitled to collect the
full amount of such costs, expenses,  charges and other disbursements only once.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 10.1, so long
as no Event of Default or Potential  Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing,  all appraisals of the Eligible Inventory shall be at the expense of
Lenders.  If an Event of  Default  or  Potential  Event of  Default  shall  have
occurred  and be  continuing,  such  appraisals  shall be at the  expense of the
Requesting Borrower.

         .  Whether  or  not  the  transactions  contemplated  hereby  shall  be
consummated:

                  . Each Borrower,  as to itself, and FSI, jointly and severally
as to itself and each  Borrower,  shall pay,  indemnify,  and hold each  Lender,
Agent and each of their  respective  officers,  directors,  employees,  counsel,
agents and  attorneys-in-fact  (each, an "Indemnified Person") harmless from and
against  any and  all  liabilities,  obligations,  losses,  damages,  penalties,
actions,  judgments, suits, costs, charges, expenses or disbursements (including
reasonable  attorney's  fees and the allocated cost of in-house  counsel) of any
kind or nature whatsoever with respect to the execution, delivery,  enforcement,
performance and  administration  of this Agreement and any other Loan Documents,
or the  transactions  contemplated  hereby and thereby,  and with respect to any
investigation,   litigation  or  proceeding   (including  any  case,  action  or
proceeding  before  any  court  or  other  Governmental  Authority  relating  to
bankruptcy,  reorganization,  insolvency, liquidation,  dissolution or relief of
debtors or any appellate  proceeding)  related to this Agreement or the Loans or
the use of the  proceeds  thereof,  whether or not any  Indemnified  Person is a
party thereto (all the foregoing,  collectively, the "Indemnified Liabilities");
provided,  that  Borrowers  and FSI shall have no  obligation  hereunder  to any
Indemnified  Person with  respect to  Indemnified  Liabilities  arising from the
gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Indemnified Person.

                  .        .2        Environmental Indemnity

                        (a) Each  Borrower,  to the extent of its pro rata share
         of ownership of Property involved in any  investigation,  litigation or
         proceeding,  as set forth below,  and FSI hereby  jointly and severally
         agree to indemnify,  defend and hold harmless each Indemnified  Person,
         from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages,
         penalties,  actions,  judgments,  suits,  costs,  charges,  expenses or
         disbursements  (including  reasonable attorneys' fees and the allocated
         cost of in-house counsel and of internal  environmental audit or review
         services),   which  may  be  incurred  by  or  asserted   against  such
         Indemnified  Person in connection with or arising out of any pending or
         threatened investigation, litigation or proceeding, or any action taken
         by any Person,  with respect to any Environmental  Claim arising out of
         or related to any Property owned,  leased or operated by such Borrower.
         No  action  taken by legal  counsel  chosen  by Agent or any  Lender in
         defending against any such  investigation,  litigation or proceeding or
         requested  remedial,  removal or  response  action  shall  (except  for
         actions which constitute fraud, willful misconduct, gross negligence or
         material  violations of law) vitiate or in any way impair Borrowers' or
         FSI's  obligation  and duty  hereunder to indemnify  and hold  harmless
         Agent and each Lender.  Agent and all Lenders  agree to use  reasonable
         efforts to  cooperate  with  Borrowers  respecting  the  defense of any
         matter indemnified hereunder,  except insofar as and to the extent that
         their  respective  interests  may be adverse to  Borrowers' or FSI's in
         Agent's or such Lender's sole discretion.

                        (b) In no event  shall any site visit,  observation,  or
         testing by Agent or any Lender be deemed a  representation  or warranty
         that  Hazardous  Materials  are or are not present in, on, or under the
         site,  or  that  there  has  been  or  shall  be  compliance  with  any
         Environmental  Law.  Neither  Borrowers,  FSI nor any  other  Person is
         entitled to rely on any site visit, observation, or testing by Agent or
         any Lender.  Except as otherwise provided by law, neither Agent nor any
         Lender owes any duty of care to protect Borrowers,  or any one of them,
         or any other Person against,  or to inform Borrowers or any other party
         of, any Hazardous  Materials or any other adverse  condition  affecting
         any site or Property.  Neither  Agent nor any Lender shall be obligated
         to  disclose  to  Borrowers,  FSI or any  other  Person  any  report or
         findings  made as a result of, or in connection  with,  any site visit,
         observation, or testing by Agent or any Lender.

                  . The  obligations in this Section 10.2 shall survive  payment
of all other Obligations.  At the election of any Indemnified Person,  Borrowers
shall defend such  Indemnified  Person using legal counsel  satisfactory to such
Indemnified Person in such Person's reasonable discretion,  at the sole cost and
expense of  Borrowers,  which cost and expense  shall be  allocated to Borrowers
according  to such  Borrower's  pro rata share of  ownership  of any Property in
relation to which such  obligations  arise. All amounts owing under this Section
10.2 shall be paid within thirty (30) days after written demand.

 .        11.       MISCELLANEOUS

         . All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made herein
shall survive the execution and delivery of the Loan Documents and the making of
the Loans hereunder.

         . No  failure  or  delay on the  part of  Agent  or any  Lender  in the
exercise of any power, right or privilege under this Agreement,  the Note or any
of the other Loan  Documents  shall impair such power,  right or privilege or be
construed to be a waiver of any default or acquiescence  therein,  nor shall any
single or partial exercise of any such power,  right or privilege preclude other
or further exercise thereof or of any other right, power or privilege.

         . Except as otherwise  provided in this Agreement,  any notice or other
communication  herein  required or permitted to be given shall be in writing and
may be  delivered  in  person,  with  receipt  acknowledged,  or sent by  telex,
facsimile,  telecopy, computer transmission or by United States mail, registered
or  certified,  return  receipt  requested,  or  by  Federal  Express  or  other
nationally   recognized   overnight   courier   service,   postage  prepaid  and
confirmation of receipt  requested,  and addressed as set forth on the signature
pages to this Agreement or at such other address as may be substituted by notice
given as herein  provided.  The giving of any notice  required  hereunder may be
waived in writing by the party  entitled to receive such notice.  Every  notice,
demand, request, consent, approval, declaration or other communication hereunder
shall be deemed to have been duly  given or served on the date on which the same
shall have been  personally  delivered,  with receipt  acknowledged,  or sent by
telex,   facsimile,   telecopy  or  computer   transmission   (with  appropriate
answerback), three (3) Business Days after the same shall have been deposited in
the United  States mail or on the next  succeeding  Business Day if the same has
been sent by Federal Express or other nationally  recognized  overnight  courier
service.  Failure or delay in delivering copies of any notice, demand,  request,
consent, approval,  declaration or other communication to the persons designated
above to receive copies shall in no way adversely  affect the  effectiveness  of
such  notice,  demand,  request,   consent,   approval,   declaration  or  other
communication.

         . Section and subsection headings in this Agreement are included herein
for  convenience  of  reference  only and  shall not  constitute  a part of this
Agreement for any other purpose or be given any substantive effect.

         . Whenever  possible,  each provision of this  Agreement,  the Note and
each of the other Loan Documents  shall be interpreted in such a manner as to be
valid,  legal and  enforceable  under the  applicable  law of any  jurisdiction.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing sentence, in case any provision
of this Agreement, the Note or any of the other Loan Documents shall be invalid,
illegal or  unenforceable  under the  applicable  law of any  jurisdiction,  the
validity,  legality and enforceability of the remaining  provisions,  or of such
provision  in any  other  jurisdiction,  shall  not in any  way be  affected  or
impaired thereby.

         . 6 Entire Agreement; Construction; Amendments And Waivers

                           .1 This  Agreement,  the  Notes and each of the other
Loan  Documents  dated as of the date hereof,  taken  together,  constitute  and
contain the entire  agreement among  Borrowers,  Lenders and Agent and supersede
any and all prior agreements, negotiations,  correspondence,  understandings and
communications  between the parties,  whether  written or oral,  respecting  the
subject matter hereof.

                           .2  This  Agreement  is the  result  of  negotiations
between and has been reviewed by each Borrower,  FSI, and each Lender  executing
this  Agreement as of the Closing Date and Agent and their  respective  counsel;
accordingly,  this  Agreement  shall be deemed to be the  product of the parties
hereto,  and no ambiguity  shall be construed in favor of or against  Borrowers,
FSI, Lenders or Agent. Borrowers,  FSI, Lenders and Agent agree that they intend
the literal  words of this  Agreement  and the other Loan  Documents and that no
parol evidence shall be necessary or appropriate to establish Borrowers',  FSI's
any Lender's or Agent's actual intentions.

                           .3 No amendment, modification, discharge or waiver of
or consent to any  departure by any Borrower or FSI from,  any provision in this
Agreement or any of the other Loan  Documents  relating to (a) the definition of
"Borrowing  Base" or "Requisite  Lenders," (b) any increase of the amount of any
Commitment, (c) any reduction of principal,  interest or fees payable hereunder,
(d) any  postponement  of any  date  fixed  for any  payment  or  prepayment  of
principal or interest  hereunder  or (e) this Section  11.6.3 shall be effective
without  the  written  consent  of all  Lenders.  Any and all other  amendments,
modifications,  discharges or waivers of, or consents to any departures from any
provision of this Agreement or of any of the other Loan  Documents  shall not be
effective  without  the  written  consent of  Requisite  Lenders.  Any waiver or
consent with respect to any provision of the Loan  Documents  shall be effective
only in the  specific  instance  and for the  specific  purpose for which it was
given.  No notice to or demand on any Borrower or FSI in any case shall  entitle
any Borrower or FSI to any other or further notice or demand in similar or other
circumstances.  Any  amendment,  modification,  waiver or  consent  effected  in
accordance  with this  Section 11.6 shall be binding upon each Lender then party
hereto and each subsequent Lender, on Borrower, and on FSI.

         . All covenants, agreements, representations and warranties made herein
by each Borrower or FSI shall,  notwithstanding  any investigation by Lenders or
Agent be deemed to be material to and to have been relied upon by Lenders.

         . Lenders  shall be under no obligation to marshall any assets in favor
of any  Borrower  or any other  person or against or in payment of any or all of
the Obligations.  To the extent that any Borrower makes a payment or payments to
Lenders or Agent,  or Lenders or Agent,  on behalf of Lenders,  enforce their or
its Liens or  exercises  their or its  rights of  set-off,  and such  payment or
payments or the proceeds of such  enforcement or set-off 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 Title
11 of the United  States Code or under any other  similar  federal or state law,
common  law or  equitable  cause,  then  to the  extent  of  such  recovery  the
obligation or part thereof originally  intended to be satisfied shall be revived
and  continued  in full force and effect as if such payment had not been made or
such enforcement or set-off had not occurred.

         . All sums payable by Borrowers or FSI pursuant to this Agreement,  the
Note or any of the other  Loan  Documents  shall be  payable  without  notice or
demand  and shall be  payable  in  United  States  Dollars  without  set-off  or
reduction of any manner whatsoever.

         .        10        Binding Effect, Assignment

                           .1  This  Agreement,  the  Note  and the  other  Loan
Documents  shall be binding  upon and shall  inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto and thereto and their respective  successors and assigns,  except that no
Borrower nor FSI may assign its rights  hereunder or  thereunder or any interest
herein or therein without the prior written consent of each Lender.  Each Lender
shall  (a) have the right in  accordance  with  this  Section  11.10 to sell and
assign to any Eligible  Assignee  all or any portion of its  interest  (provided
that any such  partial  assignment  shall not be for a principal  amount of less
than Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000)) under this Agreement,  the Notes and the
other Loan Documents,  together with a ratable interest in the AFG Agreement and
the TEC AcquiSub  Agreement and the related  Notes and other Loan  Documents (as
separately  described  and  defined in those  agreements),  subject to the prior
written  consent  of  the  affected   Borrower,   which  consent  shall  not  be
unreasonably  withheld,  and (b) to grant any  participation  or other  interest
herein or therein,  except  that each  potential  participant  to which a Lender
intends to grant any  rights  under  Sections  2.9,  2.10,  5.1 or 10.2 shall be
subject to the prior  written  consent of the affected  Borrower,  which consent
shall  not be  unreasonably  withheld;  provided,  however,  that no such  sale,
assignment or participation  grant shall result in requiring  registration under
the  Securities  Act of 1933,  as  amended,  or  qualification  under  any state
securities law.

                           .2  Subject  to  the   limitations  of  this  Section
11.10.2,  each Lender may sell and assign, from time to time, all or any portion
of its Pro Rata Share of the  Commitments  to any of its Affiliates or, with the
approval  of  the  affected  Borrower  and  FSI  (which  approval  shall  not be
unreasonably  withheld), to any other financial institution acceptable to Agent,
subject to the  assumption by such assignee of the share of the  Commitments  so
assigned.  The assignment to such Affiliate or other financial institution shall
be  evidenced  by an  Assignment  and  Assumption  in  the  form  of  Exhibit  I
("Assignment and Acceptance")  executed by the assignor Lender (hereinafter from
time to time referred to as the "Assignor  Lender") and such  Affiliate or other
financial  institution  (which,  upon  such  assignment  shall  become  a Lender
hereunder (hereinafter from time to time referred to as the "Assignee Lender")).
The Assignment and Assumption  need not include any of the economic or financial
terms upon which such Assignee  Lender receives the assignment from the Assignor
Lender,  and such terms need not be disclosed to or approved by such Borrower or
FSI; provided only that such terms do not diminish the obligations undertaken by
such  Assignee   Lender  in  the  Assignment  and  Assumption  or  increase  the
obligations  of Borrowers or FSI under this  Agreement.  Upon  execution of such
Assignment  and  Assumption,  (a) the definition of  "Commitments"  in Section 1
hereof and the Pro Rata Shares set forth  therein  shall be deemed to be amended
to  reflect  each  Lender's  share  of the  Commitments,  giving  effect  to the
assignment  and (b) the Assignee  Lender shall,  from the effective  date of the
instrument of assignment and assumption,  be subject to all of the  obligations,
and  entitled  to all of the  rights,  of a Lender  hereunder,  except as may be
expressly  provided to the contrary in the  Assignment  and  Assumption.  To the
extent the  obligations  hereunder  of the  Assignor  Lender are  assumed by the
Assignee Lender, the Assignor Lender shall be relieved of such obligations. Upon
the assignment of any interest by any Assignor  Lender  pursuant to this Section
11.10.2, such Assignor Lender agrees to supplement Schedule 1.1 to show the date
of such  assignment,  the Assignor  Lender,  the Assignee  Lender,  the Assignee
Lender's  address  for  notice  purposes  and the amount of the  Commitments  so
assigned.

                           .3  Subject  to  the   limitations  of  this  Section
11.10.3, any Lender may also grant, from time to time,  participation  interests
in the  interests of such Lender under this  Agreement,  the Notes and the other
Loan Documents to any other financial institution without notice to, or approval
of, any Borrower or FSI. The grant of such a participation  interest shall be on
such terms as the granting Lender determines are appropriate, provided only that
(a) the holder of such  participation  interest shall not have any of the rights
of a  Lender  under  this  Agreement  except,  if  the  participation  agreement
expressly  provides,  rights under Sections 2.9, 2.10, 5.1 and 10.2, and (b) the
consent of the holder of such a participation interest shall not be required for
amendments  or waivers of provisions  of the Loan  Documents  other than, if the
participation  agreement  expressly  provides,  those  which  (i)  increase  the
monetary amount of any  Commitment,  (ii) decrease any fee or any other monetary
amount  payable to  Lenders,  or (iii)  extend the date upon which any  monetary
amount is payable to Lenders.

         . This Agreement and any amendments,  waivers,  consents or supplements
hereto may be executed in any number of counterparts,  and by different  parties
hereto in separate  counterparts,  each of which when so executed and  delivered
shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts together shall constitute
but one and the same instrument. Each such agreement shall become effective upon
the execution of a counterpart  hereof or thereof by each of the parties  hereto
or thereto, delivery of each such counterpart to Agent.

         . Borrowers  and FSI  recognize  that, in the event any Borrower or FSI
fails to perform,  observe or discharge any of its  obligations  or  liabilities
under this Agreement, the Notes or any of the other Loan Agreements,  any remedy
at law may  prove to be  inadequate  relief  to  Lenders  or  Agent;  therefore,
Borrowers and FSI agree that Lenders or Agent,  if Lenders or Agents so request,
shall be entitled to temporary and permanent  injunctive relief in any such case
without the necessity of proving actual damages.

         . EACH  BORROWER  AND FSI HEREBY  AGREE  THAT EACH  SHALL  GIVE  PROMPT
WRITTEN  NOTICE OF ANY CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION IT  BELIEVES IT HAS, OR MAY SEEK
TO ASSERT OR ALLEGE AGAINST ANY LENDER OR AGENT,  WHETHER SUCH CLAIM IS BASED IN
LAW OR EQUITY,  ARISING UNDER OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT,  THE NOTES OR ANY OF
THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR TO THE LOANS  CONTEMPLATED  HEREBY OR THEREBY OR ANY
ACT OR  OMISSION TO ACT BY ANY LENDER OR AGENT WITH  RESPECT  HERETO OR THERETO,
AND THAT IF IT SHALL FAIL TO GIVE SUCH PROMPT NOTICE TO AGENT WITH REGARD TO ANY
SUCH CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION,  IT SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE WAIVED,  AND SHALL BE
FOREVER  BARRED FROM BRINGING OR ASSERTING  SUCH CLAIM OR CAUSE OF ACTION IN ANY
SUIT, ACTION OR PROCEEDING IN ANY COURT OR BEFORE ANY GOVERNMENTAL AUTHORITY.

         . NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY CONTAINED IN THIS AGREEMENT,
EACH  BORROWER  AND FSI HEREBY  AGREE  THAT EACH SHALL NOT SEEK FROM  LENDERS OR
AGENT, UNDER ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY,  INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY THEORY
IN TORTS, ANY PUNITIVE DAMAGES.

         . The  relationship  between  Borrowers  and FSI, on the one hand,  and
Lenders and Agent, on the other, is, and at all time shall remain solely that of
a borrower and lenders.  Neither Lenders nor Agent shall under any circumstances
be  construed  to be partners or joint  venturers  of Borrowers or FSI or any of
their Affiliates;  nor shall Lenders nor Agent under any circumstances be deemed
to be in a relationship of confidence or trust or a fiduciary  relationship with
Borrowers or FSI or any of their Affiliates, or to owe any fiduciary duty to any
Borrower or any of its Affiliates.  Lenders and Agent do not undertake or assume
any  responsibility  or duty to Borrowers or FSI or any of their  Affiliates  to
select,  review,  inspect,  supervise,  pass judgment  upon or otherwise  inform
Borrowers or any of their  Affiliates  of any matter in  connection  with its or
their Property,  any collateral held by Agent or any Lender or the operations of
Borrowers  or FSI or any of  their  Affiliates.  Borrowers  and  each  of  their
Affiliates  shall  rely  entirely  on their own  judgment  with  respect to such
matters, and any review, inspection, supervision, exercise of judgment or supply
of information  undertaken or assumed by any Lender or Agent in connection  with
such  matters is solely for the  protection  of  Lenders  and Agent and  neither
Borrowers nor any Affiliate is entitled to rely thereon.

         . Each  Borrower and FSI agrees that its liability  hereunder  shall be
the immediate,  direct,  and primary  obligation of such Borrower or FSI, as the
case may be,  and shall  not be  contingent  upon the  Agent's  or any  Lender's
exercise or  enforcement  of any remedy it may have against any other  Borrower,
FSI or any other  person,  or against any  collateral  or any  security  for the
Obligations.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,  the Obligations
shall  remain  in full  force  and  effect  without  regard  to and shall not be
impaired  or  affected  by,  nor shall such  Borrower  or FSI be  exonerated  or
discharged by, any of the following events:

                           .1    Insolvency,     bankruptcy,     reorganization,
arrangement,  adjustment,  composition, assignment for the benefit of creditors,
death,  liquidation,  winding up or dissolution of any Borrower or any guarantor
of the Obligations of any Borrower;

                           .2 Any  limitation,  discharge,  or  cessation of the
liability of any other  Borrower or any  guarantor for the  Obligations  of such
other Borrower due to any statute,  regulation or rule of law, or any invalidity
or  unenforceability  in  whole  or in  part  of the  documents  evidencing  the
Obligations  of such other  Borrower or any guaranty of the  Obligations of such
other Borrower;

                           .3 Any merger,  acquisition,  consolidation or change
in structure of any Borrower or any guarantor of the Obligations of any Borrower
or any sale,  lease,  transfer or other disposition of any or all of the assets,
shares or interests in or of any Borrower or any guarantor of the Obligations of
any Borrower;

                           .4 Any assignment or other  transfer,  in whole or in
part, of any Lender's interests in and rights under this Agreement or any of the
other Loan Documents,  including,  without  limitation,  any assignment or other
transfer, in whole or in part, of Banks' interests in and to any collateral;

                           .5 Any claim, defense,  counterclaim or setoff, other
than  that of prior  performance,  that any  Borrower  or any  guarantor  of the
Obligations of any Borrower may have or assert,  including,  but not limited to,
any defense of incapacity or lack of corporate or other authority to execute any
documents relating to the Obligations of any Borrower or any collateral;

                           .6 Agent's or any Lender's  amendment,  modification,
renewal,  extension,  cancellation  or surrender of any  agreement,  document or
instrument  relating to this  Agreement,  the Obligations of any Borrower or any
collateral, or any exchange, release, or waiver of any collateral;

                           .7 Agent's or any Lender's exercise or nonexercise of
any power,  right or remedy with respect to the  Obligations  of any Borrower or
any  collateral,  including,  but  not  limited  to,  the  compromise,  release,
settlement or waiver with or of any Borrower or any other person;

                           .8 Agent's or any Lender's vote, claim, distribution,
election,  acceptance,  action or inaction in any bankruptcy case related to the
Obligations of any Borrower or any collateral; and

                           .9 Any  impairment or invalidity of any collateral or
any failure to perfect any of Agent's liens thereon.

         .  Each  Borrower  and  FSI  hereby  expressly  waives  (a)  diligence,
presentment,  demand for payment and protest  affecting any other  Borrower's or
FSI's liability under the Loan Documents; (b) discharge due to any disability of
any  Borrower  or  FSI;  (c)  any  defenses  of  any  other  Borrower  or FSI to
obligations  under the Loan Documents not arising under the express terms of the
Loan  Documents or from a material  breach  thereof by Agent or any Lender which
under  applicable law has the effect of discharging  any other Borrower from the
Obligations of any Borrower as to which this Agreement is sought to be enforced;
(d) the benefit of any act or omission by Agent or any Lender which  directly or
indirectly  results in or aids the  discharge of any other  Borrower from any of
the  Obligations of any such Borrower by operation of law or otherwise;  (e) all
notices whatsoever,  including, without limitation,  notice of acceptance of the
incurring  of the  Obligations  of any  Borrower;  (f) any  right it may have to
require  Agent or any Lender to  disclose  to it any  information  that Agent or
Lenders may now or hereafter acquire  concerning the financial  condition or any
circumstances  that  bear  on the  risk of  nonpayment  by any  other  Borrower,
including the release of such other Borrower from its Obligations hereunder; and
(g) any requirement that Agent and Lenders exhaust any right, power or remedy or
proceed  against any other  Borrower or any other security for, or any guarantor
of, or any other party liable for, any of the  Obligations  of any Borrower,  or
any portion thereof  (including without limitation any requirements set forth in
Section 26-7 of the North Carolina General Statutes). Each Borrower specifically
agrees that it shall not be necessary or required,  and  Borrowers  shall not be
entitled to require, that Agent or any Lender (i) file suit or proceed to assert
or obtain a claim for personal  judgment  against any other  Borrower for all or
any part of the Obligations of any Borrower;  (ii) make any effort at collection
or  enforcement  of all or any part of the  Obligations of any Borrower from any
Borrower;  (iii) foreclose against or seek to realize upon any collateral or any
other security now or hereafter  existing for all or any part of the Obligations
of any  Borrower;  (iv)  file  suit or  proceed  to obtain or assert a claim for
personal  judgment  against any Borrower or any  guarantor or other party liable
for all or any part of the  Obligations of any Borrower;  (v) exercise or assert
any other  right or remedy to which Agent or any Lender is or may be entitled in
connection  with the  Obligations  of any  Borrower or any  security or guaranty
relating  thereto  to  assert;  or (vi)  file any  claim  against  assets of one
Borrower  before or as a  condition  of  enforcing  the  liability  of any other
Borrower under this Agreement or the Notes.

         . Except as otherwise  expressly provided in any of the Loan Documents,
in  all  respects,   including  all  matters  of   construction,   validity  and
performance,  this  Agreement and the  Obligations  arising  hereunder  shall be
governed by, and  construed  and enforced in  accordance  with,  the laws of the
State of North  Carolina  applicable  to  contracts  made and  performed in such
state,  without regard to the principles thereof regarding conflict of laws, and
any applicable laws of the United States of America.

         . Each  Borrower  and FSI hereby  irrevocably  consent to the  personal
jurisdiction  of the state and federal  courts  located in  Mecklenburg  County,
North  Carolina,  in any action,  claim or other  proceeding  arising out of any
dispute  in  connection  with  this  Agreement,  the  Note  and the  other  Loan
Documents, any rights or obligations hereunder or thereunder, or the performance
of such rights and obligations. Each Borrower hereby irrevocably consents to the
service of a summons and  complaint  and other  process in any action,  claim or
proceeding  brought by Agent or any Lender in connection  with this Agreement or
the other Loan Documents, any rights or obligations hereunder or thereunder,  or
the  performance  of such  rights  and  obligations,  on behalf of itself or its
Property, in the manner specified in Section 11.3. Nothing in this Section 11.19
shall affect the right of the Agent or any Lender to serve legal  process in any
other  manner  permitted by  applicable  law or affect the right of Agent or any
Lender to bring any action or proceeding  against any Borrower or its properties
in the courts of any other jurisdictions.

         . This  Agreement  is not intended to be, and shall not be construed to
create, a novation or accord and satisfaction, and, except as otherwise provided
herein,  the Growth Fund  Agreement,  as executed and delivered on September 27,
1995, shall remain in full force and effect.  Without limiting the generality of
the  foregoing,  Section  10.2 of the Growth Fund  Agreement  shall  survive the
effectiveness  of the  Agreement and shall remain  enforceable  against both the
Borrowers and EGF II.

         . TO THE EXTENT  PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, EACH BORROWER AND FSI, BY
EXECUTION  HEREOF,  AND  THE  AGENT  AND  EACH  LENDER,  BY  ACCEPTANCE  HEREOF,
KNOWINGLY,  VOLUNTARILY  AND  INTENTIONALLY  WAIVE ANY RIGHT  THEY MAY HAVE TO A
TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION  BASED ON THIS AGREEMENT,  OR ARISING
OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY AGREEMENT CONTEMPLATED
TO BE  EXECUTED IN  CONNECTION  WITH THIS  AGREEMENT,  OR ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT,
COURSE OF  DEALING,  STATEMENTS  (WHETHER  VERBAL OR  WRITTEN) OR ACTIONS OF ANY
PARTY WITH RESPECT HERETO.  THIS PROVISION IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT TO THE AGENT
AND EACH LENDER TO ACCEPT THIS AGREEMENT AND THE NOTES EXECUTED AND DELIVERED BY
EACH BORROWER PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT.

         WITNESS the due  execution  hereof by the  respective  duly  authorized
officers of the undersigned as of the date first written above.

BORROWER                           PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH FUND III

                                   BY PLM FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.,
                                   ITS GENERAL PARTNER


                                   By  /s/ J. Michael Allgood
                                       -----------------------------
                                       J. Michael Allgood
                                       Chief Financial Officer


                                   PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH FUND IV

                                   BY PLM FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.,
                                   ITS GENERAL PARTNER


                                   By  /s/ J. Michael Allgood
                                       -----------------------------
                                       J. Michael Allgood
                                       Chief Financial Officer



                                   PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH FUND V

                                   BY PLM FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.,
                                   ITS GENERAL PARTNER


                                   By  /s/ J. Michael Allgood
                                       ------------------------------
                                       J. Michael Allgood
                                       Chief Financial Officer

                                   PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH FUND VI

                                   BY PLM FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.,
                                   ITS GENERAL PARTNER


                                   By  /s/ J. Michael Allgood
                                       ------------------------------
                                       J. Michael Allgood
                                       Chief Financial Officer


                                   PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH & INCOME FUND VII

                                   BY PLM FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.,
                                   ITS GENERAL PARTNER


                                   By  /s/ J. Michael Allgood
                                       -----------------------------
                                       J. Michael Allgood
                                       Chief Financial Officer


                                   PROFESSIONAL LEASE MANAGEMENT INCOME FUND I, 
                                   L.L.C.

                                   BY PLM FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.,
                                   ITS MANAGER


                                   By  /s/ J. Michael Allgood
                                       ------------------------------
                                       J. Michael Allgood
                                       Chief Financial Officer

                                   Notice to any Borrower to be sent to:

                                   [Insert name of Borrower]
                                   c/o PLM Financial Services, Inc.
                                   One Market Plaza
                                   Steuart Street Tower, Suite 900
                                   San Francisco, CA  94105
                                   Attention:     J. Michael Allgood
                                   Vice President of Finance
                                   and Chief Financial Officer
                                   Telephone:     415/974-1399
                                   Telecopy:      415/882-0860

                                   With a copy to:

                                   TEC AcquiSub, Inc.
                                   One Market Plaza
                                   Steuart Street Tower, Suite 900
                                   San Francisco, CA  94105
                                   Attention:     General Counsel
                                   Telephone:     415/896-1138
                                   Facsimile:     415/882-0860

FSI                                PLM FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.


                                   By  /s/ J. Michael Allgood
                                       -----------------------------------
                                       J. Michael Allgood
                                       Chief Financial Officer

                                   Notice to be sent to:

                                   PLM Financial Services, Inc.
                                   One Market Plaza
                                   Steuart Street Tower, Suite 900
                                   San Francisco, CA  94105
                                   Attention:     J. Michael Allgood
                                                  Vice President of Finance
                                                  and Chief Financial Officer
                                   Telephone:     415/974-1399
                                   Telecopy:      415/882-0860

AGENT                              FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK
                                   OF NORTH CAROLINA


                                   By  /s/ Bill A. Shirley
                                       -----------------------------------
                                       Bill A. Shirley
                                       Vice President

                                   Notice to be sent to:

                                   First Union National Bank of North Carolina
                                   One First Union Center
                                   301 South College Street
                                   Charlotte, NC  28288
                                   Attention:     Milton Anderson,
                                                  Director
                                   Telephone:     704/383-5164
                                   Facsimile:     704/374-4092

LENDERS                            FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK
                                   OF NORTH CAROLINA


                                   By  /s/ Bill A. Shirley
                                       ----------------------------------- 
                                       Bill A. Shirley
                                       Vice President


                                   Notice to be sent to:

                                   First Union National Bank of North Carolina
                                   One First Union Center
                                   301 South College Street
                                   Charlotte, NC  28288
                                   Attention:     Milton Anderson,
                                                  Director
                                   Telephone:     704/383-5164
                                   Facsimile:     704/374-4092


The undersigned acknowledges and agrees to Section 11.20 of this Agreement.

                                   PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH FUND II

                                   BY PLM FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.,
                                   ITS GENERAL PARTNER


                                   By  /s/ J. Michael Allgood
                                       -----------------------------------
                                       J. Michael Allgood
                                       Chief Financial Officer


<PAGE>


                                   SCHEDULE A

                                  (COMMITMENTS)


                                                                    Pro
                                                                   Rate
Lender                               Commitment                    Share

First Union National Bank            $35,000,000                   35/35 x 100%
 of North Carolina





                                 AMENDMENT NO. 1
                         TO SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED
                          WAREHOUSING CREDIT AGREEMENT
                                 (Growth Funds)


         THIS  AMENDMENT  NO.  2 TO  AMENDED  AND  RESTATED  WAREHOUSING  CREDIT
AGREEMENT dated as of November 5, 1996 (the "Amendment"), is entered into by and
among PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH FUND IV, a California limited partnership ("EGF IV"),
PLM EQUIPMENT  GROWTH FUND V, a California  limited  partnership  ("EGF V"), PLM
EQUIPMENT  GROWTH FUND VI, a  California  limited  partnership  ("EGF VI"),  PLM
EQUIPMENT  GROWTH & INCOME  FUND VII, a  California  limited  partnership  ("EGF
VII"),  and  PROFESSIONAL  LEASE  MANAGEMENT  INCOME FUND I, L.L.C.,  a Delaware
limited  liability company ("Income Fund I") (EGF IV, EGF V, EGF VI, EGF VII and
Income  Fund I each  individually  being a  "Borrower"  and,  collectively,  the
"Borrowers"),  and PLM FINANCIAL SERVICES,  INC., a Delaware corporation and the
sole general partner,  in the case of EGF IV, EGF V, EGF VI and EGF VII, and the
sole manager, in the case of Income Fund I ("FSI"), FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF
NORTH CAROLINA  ("FUNB"),  FLEET BANK,  N.A.  ("Fleet") and each other financial
institution  which may hereafter execute and deliver an instrument of assignment
pursuant to Section 11.10 of the Credit  Agreement  (as defined  below) (any one
financial institution  individually,  a "Lender," and collectively,  "Lenders"),
and FUNB,  as agent on behalf of Lenders (not in its  individual  capacity,  but
solely as agent,  "Agent").  Capitalized  terms used herein  without  definition
shall have the same meanings herein as given to them in the Credit Agreement.

                                     RECITAL



<PAGE>



in  respect  of  pledA.Annual  Borrowers,  PLM  Equipment  Growth  Fund  III,  a
California limited partnership ("EGF III"),  Lenders and Agent have entered into
that certain Second Amended and Restated  Warehousing  Credit Agreement dated as
of May 31, 1996 (the "Credit Agreement"),  by and among Borrowers, EGF III, FUNB
(as the sole Lender party  thereto),  and Agent  pursuant to which  Lenders have
agreed to extend and make available to Borrowers certain advances of money.


                  B.  Borrowers  desire that  Lenders and Agent amend the Credit
Agreement to increase the aggregate amount of the Commitments by $15,000,000, to
extend the  Commitment  Termination  Date, to remove EGF III as a borrower under
the  revolving  credit  facility,  to add PLM  International,  Inc.,  a Delaware
corporation  ("PLMI"),  as a  guarantor  of FSI's  Obligations  under the Credit
Agreement and FSI's Guaranty  Obligations under its Guaranty,  as more fully set
forth herein.

                  C.  FUNB  is  currently  the  sole  Lender  under  the  Credit
Agreement.  On the terms and conditions set forth below, Fleet desires to become
a Lender  under the  Credit  Agreement  and to make Loans to  Borrowers  with an
aggregate Commitment of $15,000,000.

                  D. Subject to the  representations and warranties of Borrowers
and upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Amendment, Lenders and Agent
are willing to so amend the Credit Agreement.

                                    AGREEMENT

         NOW,  THEREFORE,   in  consideration  of  the  foregoing  Recitals  and
intending to be legally bound, the parties hereto agree as follows:

         2.          AMENDMENTS.  The Credit Agreement is hereby amended 
                     as follows:

                  1 Section 1.1 Defined Terms  (Commitment).  The  definition of
"Commitment"  set forth in  Section  1.1 of the Credit  Agreement  is amended by
deleting Schedule A to the Credit Agreement entitled  "Commitments"  referred to
in such  definition  in its  entirety  and  replacing  such  Schedule A with the
Schedule A attached to this  Amendment,  and the  respective  Commitment of each
Lender in effect from and after the effective  date of this  Amendment  shall be
equal to the amount set forth opposite such Lender's name in Schedule A.

         1.2  Section 1.1  Defined  Terms  (Commitment  Termination  Date).  The
definition  of  "Commitment  Termination  Date" set forth in Section  1.1 of the
Credit Agreement is deleted and replaced with the following:

                  "Commitment Termination Date" means October 3, 1997.

                  2 Section 1.1 Defined  Terms  (Guaranty).  The  definition  of
"Guaranty"  set forth in Section  1.1 of the  Credit  Agreement  is deleted  and
replaced with the following:

                  "Guaranty" means, collectively, that certain Guaranty dated as
         of June 30,  1993,  executed  by FSI in favor of Lenders  and Agent and
         that certain Guaranty dated as of November 5, 1996, executed by PLMI in
         favor of Lenders and Agent.

                  3  Section  1.1  Defined  Terms  (Responsible   Officer).  The
definition  of  "Responsible  Officer"  set forth in  Section  1.1 of the Credit
Agreement is deleted and replaced with the following:

                  "Responsible Officer" means for (i) FSI, any of the President,
         Executive  Vice  President,   Chief  Financial  Officer,  Secretary  or
         Corporate  Controller  of FSI having  authority to request  Advances or
         perform other duties required hereunder, and (ii) Borrowers, any of the
         President, Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Secretary
         or Corporate  Controller of FSI as the sole general  partner of EGF IV,
         EGF V, EGF VI or EGF VII, as the case may be, or sole manager of Income
         Fund I, in each case having  authority  to request  Advances or perform
         other duties required hereunder.

                  4  Section  1.1  Defined  Terms   (Requisite   Lenders).   The
definition  of  "Requisite  Lenders"  set  forth in  Section  1.1 of the  Credit
Agreement is deleted and replaced with the following:

                  "Requisite  Lenders"  means any  combination  of Lenders whose
         combined Pro Rata Share (and voting  interest with respect  thereto) of
         all amounts  outstanding  under this Agreement,  or, in the event there
         are no amounts outstanding,  the Commitments, is greater than sixty-six
         and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of all such amounts outstanding or the
         total Commitments,  as the case may be; provided,  however, that in the
         event  there are only two (2)  Lenders,  Requisite  Lenders  means both
         Lenders.

                  5 Section  2.2.1  Revolving  Facility.  The portion of Section
2.1.1 of the Credit Agreement  preceding  subsection (a) is deleted and replaced
with the following:

                           2.1.1  Revolving  Facility.  Subject to the terms and
         conditions of this  Agreement and in reliance upon the  representations
         and  warranties of Borrowers set forth herein,  Lenders hereby agree to
         make  Advances (as defined  below) of  immediately  available  funds to
         Borrowers,  on a  revolving  basis,  from the  Closing  Date  until the
         Business Day immediately preceding the commitment  Termination Date, in
         the aggregate  principal  amount  outstanding at any time not to exceed
         the  lesser  of (a) the total  Commitments  for the  Facility  less the
         aggregate  principal  amount then  outstanding  under the TEC  AcquiSub
         Agreement and under the AFG Agreement or (b) for any one Borrower,  its
         respective  Borrowing Base or (c) $35,000,000 (such lesser amount being
         the  "Maximum  Availability"),  as more fully set forth in this Section
         2.1.1.  The  obligation  of Borrowers to repay the Advances made to any
         Borrower shall be several but not joint.

                  6   Section   2.1.1(a)(i)   Facility   Commitments.    Section
2.1.1(a)(i) of the Credit Agreement is deleted and replaced with the following:

                           (i) On the Funding  Date  requested  by any  Borrower
         (the "Requesting  Borrower"),  after such Borrower shall have satisfied
         all applicable conditions precedent set forth in Section 3, each Lender
         shall advance  immediately  available funds to Agent (each such advance
         being an "Advance")  evidencing  such Lender's Pro Rata Share of a loan
         ("Loan").  Agent shall immediately  advance such immediately  available
         funds to such Borrower at the Designated Deposit Account (or such other
         deposit account at FUNB or such other financial institution as to which
         such  Borrower and Agent shall agree at least three (3)  Business  Days
         prior to the  requested  Funding Date) on the Funding Date with respect
         to such Loan. The Requesting Borrower shall pay interest accrued on the
         Loan at the rates and in the  manner  set  forth in  Section  2.1.1(b).
         Subject  to the terms and  conditions  of this  Agreement,  the  unpaid
         principal  amount of each Loan and all unpaid interest accrued thereon,
         together with all other fees, expenses, costs and other sums chargeable
         to the Requesting  Borrower  incurred in connection  therewith shall be
         due and payable no later than the Maturity Date of such Loan. Each Loan
         advanced  hereunder by each Lender shall be evidenced by the Requesting
         Borrower's  revolving  promissory  note  substantially  in the  form of
         Exhibit A (each a "Note").

                  7 Section 3.3.1 General  Partner or Manager.  Section 3.3.1 of
the Credit Agreement is deleted and replaced with the following:

                           3.3.1  General  Partner  Or  Manager.  FSI shall have
         ceased to be the sole  general  partner of any of EGF IV, EGF V, EGF VI
         or EGF VII or the sole  manager of Income  Fund I,  whether  due to the
         voluntary or involuntary withdrawal,  substitution, removal or transfer
         of FSI  from or of all or any  portion  of  FSI's  general  partnership
         interest or capital contribution in such Borrower.

                  8 Section 5 Annual  Statements.  Section  5.1.2 of the  Credit
Agreement is deleted and replaced with the following:

Annual   Statements. As ( in the case of such consolidated financial statements,
         accompanied by a report thereon of an independent  public accountant of
         recognized  national  standing  selected by each  Borrower and PLMI and
         satisfactory  to Agent,  which report shall contain an opinion which is
         not  qualified  in any manner or which  otherwise  is  satisfactory  to
         Requisite  Lenders,  in their sole  discretion,  and (B) in the case of
         such  consolidating  financial  statements,   certified  by  the  Chief
         Financial Officer or Corporate Controller of PLMI;

                  9 Section 6 Borrowers' and FSI's Negative Covenants. Section 6
of the Credit Agreement is deleted and replaced with the following:

         SECTION 6.        BORROWERS' AND FSI'S NEGATIVE COVENANTS.

                           So long as any of the Commitments  shall be available
         and until full,  complete and  indefeasible  payment and performance of
         the Obligations,  unless Requisite  Lenders shall otherwise  consent in
         writing, each Borrower,  severally, as to itself, but not jointly as to
         the other  Borrowers and FSI, and FSI,  jointly and severally with each
         Borrower as to such  Borrower  and to itself,  covenants  and agrees as
         follows:

                  6.1 Liens;  Negative Pledges; And Encumbrances.  Each Borrower
         shall not  create,  incur,  assume  or  suffer to exist,  and shall not
         permit any Marine  Subsidiary of such Borrower or Owner Trustee holding
         record title to any Eligible  Inventory for the beneficial  interest of
         such  Borrower  to create,  incur,  assume or suffer to exist,  and FSI
         shall  not  permit  any  of  its   Subsidiaries   (including,   without
         limitation, TEC and TEC AcquiSub) to create, incur, assume or suffer to
         exist,  any Lien of any  nature  upon or with  respect  to any of their
         respective  Property,   whether  now  or  hereafter  owned,  leased  or
         acquired, except (collectively, the "Permitted Liens"):

                           6.1.1  Existing  Liens  disclosed  on  Schedule  6.1,
         provided that the obligations secured thereby are not increased;

                           6.1.2 Liens for  Charges if payment  shall not at the
         time be required to be made in accordance with Section 5.4;

         (a) in respect of pledg( under workers' compensation laws, unemployment
         insurance  and other types of social  security or similar  legislation,
         (b) in connection with surety,  appeal and similar bonds  incidental to
         the conduct of litigation,  (c) in connection with bid,  performance or
         similar bonds and mechanics',  laborers' and  materialmen's and similar
         statutory Liens not then  delinquent,  or (d) incidental to the conduct
         of the  business  of  such  Borrower,  any  Marine  Subsidiary  of such
         Borrower,  or any Owner Trustee or any of FSI's  Subsidiaries and which
         were not  incurred in  connection  with the  borrowing  of money or the
         obtaining of advances or credit;  provided that the Liens  permitted by
         this Section 6.1.3 do not in the aggregate  materially detract from the
         value of any assets or property of or materially impair the use thereof
         in the operation of the business of such Borrower, any Owner Trustee or
         any of FSI's  Subsidiaries;  and  provided  further  that  the  adverse
         determination  of any  claim or  liability,  contingent  or  otherwise,
         secured by any of such Liens  would not either  individually  or in the
         aggregate, with reasonable likelihood, have a Material Adverse Effect;

                           6.1.4    Permitted Rights of Others; and

                           6.1.5  Liens  granted  in favor of Agent on behalf of
         Lenders under the TEC AcquiSub Agreement and the security agreement and
         other loan documents delivered by TEC AcquiSub pursuant thereto.

                  6.2  Acquisitions.  Each  Borrower  shall  not,  and shall not
         permit any Marine  Subsidiary  of such  Borrower  to, and FSI shall not
         permit TEC and TEC AcquiSub to, make any  Acquisition or enter into any
         agreement  to make any  Acquisition,  other  than with  respect  to the
         purchase  of  Equipment  in the  ordinary  course  of  business  or the
         formation or acquisition of a Marine Subsidiary.

                  6.3  Limitations  On  Indebtedness.  Each  Borrower  shall not
         create,  incur,  assume  or  suffer to exist,  nor  permit  any  Marine
         Subsidiary of such Borrower or Owner  Trustee  holding  record title to
         any Eligible Inventory for the beneficial  interest of such Borrower to
         create,  incur, assume or suffer to exist, and FSI shall not permit any
         of  its  Subsidiaries  (including,  without  limitation,  TEC  and  TEC
         AcquiSub) to create, incur, assume or suffer to exist, any Indebtedness
         or  Contingent  Obligation;  provided,  however,  that this Section 6.3
         shall not be deemed to prohibit:

                           6.3.1 The  Obligations  to Lenders and Agent  arising
         hereunder and under the other Loan Documents;

                           6.3.2  Existing  Indebtedness  disclosed  on Schedule
         6.3(a) and anticipated Indebtedness disclosed on Schedule 6.3(b);

                           6.3.3 Indebtedness of any Subsidiary of FSI, provided
         that such Indebtedness is non-recourse as to FSI, TEC and TEC AcquiSub;

                           6.3.4  The   acquisition   of  goods,   supplies   or
         merchandise on normal trade credit;

                           6.3.5  The  endorsement  of  negotiable   instruments
         received in the ordinary course of any Borrower's business as presently
         conducted;

                           6.3.6   Indebtedness   incurred  in  respect  of  the
         deferred  purchase  price  for an item of  Equipment,  but  only to the
         extent that the  incurrence  of such  Indebtedness  is customary in the
         industry  with  respect  to the  purchase  of this  type  of  equipment
         (provided  that such  Indebtedness  shall only be permitted  under this
         Section  6.3.6  if,   taking  into  account  the   incurrence  of  such
         Indebtedness,  the Borrower incurring such Indebtedness shall not be in
         violation of any of the  financial  covenants set forth in Section 7 if
         measured as of the date of incurrence as determined by GAAP); and

                           6.3.7 Any Guaranty Obligations of any Borrower in the
         form  of  performance  guaranties  undertaken  on  behalf  of a  Marine
         Subsidiary of such Borrower in favor of the charter party in connection
         with the leasing of a marine vessel on a time charter;

                  6.4 Use Of  Proceeds.  Each  Borrower  and FSI shall not,  and
         shall not  permit  any  Marine  Subsidiary  of such  Borrower  or Owner
         Trustee  holding  record  title  to  any  Eligible  Inventory  for  the
         beneficial interest of such Borrower or FSI to, use the proceeds of any
         Loan except for the  purpose  set forth in Recital C, above,  and shall
         not,  and shall not permit  any such  Marine  Subsidiary  or such Owner
         Trustee to, use the proceeds to repay any loans or advances made by any
         other Person.

                  6.5  Disposition  Of Assets.  Each Borrower and FSI shall not,
         and shall not permit  any Marine  Subsidiary  of such  Borrower  or any
         Owner Trustee  holding  record title to any Eligible  Inventory for the
         beneficial  interest  of such  Borrower  or FSI  to,  sell,  assign  or
         otherwise dispose of, any of its or their respective assets, except for
         full,  fair and  reasonable  consideration,  or enter into any sale and
         leaseback  agreement  covering any of its or their  respective fixed or
         capital assets.

                  6.6 Restriction On Fundamental Changes.  Each Borrower and FSI
         shall not, and shall not permit any Marine  Subsidiary of such Borrower
         to,   enter  into  any   transaction   of  merger,   consolidation   or
         recapitalization,  directly or indirectly,  whether by operation of law
         or otherwise,  or liquidate,  wind up or dissolve itself (or suffer any
         liquidation or dissolution),  or convey, sell, lease, assign,  transfer
         or  otherwise   dispose  of,  in  one   transaction   or  a  series  of
         transactions,  all or any part of its  business,  Property  or  assets,
         whether  now owned or  hereafter  acquired,  or acquire by  purchase or
         otherwise all or substantially all the business, Property or assets of,
         or stock or other  evidence  of  beneficial  ownership  of, any Person,
         except sales (a) of Equipment in the ordinary  course of business  (for
         the purposes of this Section 6.6,  with respect to any Borrower and any
         Marine  Subsidiary of such Borrower,  ordinary course of business shall
         refer to the  business  of the  Equipment  Growth  Funds and all Marine
         Subsidiaries,  collectively)  and (b) any Subsidiary of FSI (other than
         TEC  AcquiSub)  may be merged or  consolidated  with or into FSI or any
         wholly-owned  Subsidiary  of  FSI,  or  be  liquidated,   wound  up  or
         dissolved,  or all or  substantially  all of its business,  property or
         assets may be conveyed, sold, leased, transferred or otherwise disposed
         of, in one  transaction  or a series of  transactions,  to,  FSI or any
         wholly-owned  Subsidiary of FSI;  provided  that, in the case of such a
         merger or consolidation,  FSI or such wholly-owned  Subsidiary shall be
         the continuing or surviving corporation.

                  6.7 Transactions With Affiliates. Each Borrower shall not, and
         shall not permit any Marine Subsidiary of such Borrower to, directly or
         indirectly,  enter into or permit to exist any transaction  (including,
         without  limitation,  the  purchase,  sale,  lease or  exchange  of any
         property or the rendering of any service) with any of its Affiliates on
         terms  that  are  less  favorable  to  such  Borrower  or  such  Marine
         Subsidiary  than those that might be obtained at the time from  Persons
         who are not such Affiliates.

                  6.8 Maintenance Of Business.  Each Borrower shall not, and FSI
         shall not permit any of its  existing  Subsidiaries  to,  engage in any
         business materially different than the business currently engaged in by
         such Person.

                  6.9 No Distributions. Each Borrower shall not make, pay or set
         apart any funds for the  payment of  distribution  to its  partners  or
         members  if such  distribution  would  cause or  result  in an Event of
         Default or Potential Event of Default.

                  6.10 Events Of Default.  Each  Borrower and FSI shall not take
         or omit to take any action, which act or omission would, with the lapse
         of time,  or otherwise  constitute  (a) a default,  event of default or
         Event of Default under any of the Loan Documents or (b) a default or an
         event of default under any other material agreement,  contract,  lease,
         license,  mortgage,  deed of trust or  instrument  to which either is a
         party or by which either or any of their Properties or assets is bound,
         which default or event of default would,  with  reasonable  likelihood,
         have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  6.11  ERISA.  If any  Borrower  or FSI or any of  their  ERISA
         Affiliates  incurs any  obligation  to  contribute to any Pension Plan,
         then such Borrower or FSI, as the case may be, shall not (a) terminate,
         or permit such ERISA Affiliate to terminate,  any Pension Plan so as to
         result in any liability that would, with reasonable likelihood,  have a
         Material  Adverse Effect or (b) make or permit such ERISA  Affiliate to
         make a complete  or partial  withdrawal  (within the meaning of Section
         4201 of  ERISA)  from any  Multiemployer  Plan so as to  result  in any
         liability  that  would,  with  reasonable  likelihood,  have a Material
         Adverse Effect.

                  6.12 No Use Of Any Lender's Name.  Each Borrower and FSI shall
         not use or authorize  others to use any  Lender's  name or marks in any
         publication or medium, including,  without limitation,  any prospectus,
         without such Lender's advance written authorization.

                  6.13  Certain  Accounting  Changes.  Each  Borrower  shall not
         change its fiscal year end from December 31, nor make any change in its
         accounting  treatment  and reporting  practices  except as permitted by
         GAAP; provided, however, that should any Borrower change its accounting
         treatment or reporting  practices in a way that would cause a change in
         the  calculation,  or in the  results of a  calculation,  of any of the
         financial  covenants set forth in Section 7, below,  then such Borrower
         shall  continue  to  calculate  such  covenants  as if such  accounting
         treatment or reporting  practice had not been changed unless  otherwise
         agreed to by Requisite Lenders.

                  6.14   Amendments   Of  Limited   Partnership   Or   Operating
         Agreements. Each Borrower shall not, shall not cause to occur and shall
         not permit any  amendment,  modification  or supplement of or to any of
         the  terms  or  provisions  of  such  Borrower's  Limited   Partnership
         Agreement  or, in the case of Income Fund I, its  Operating  Agreement,
         which  amendment,  modification  or supplement  would affect,  limit or
         otherwise  impair such  Borrower's  ability to pay the  Obligations  or
         perform its  obligations  under this Agreement or any of the other Loan
         Documents.




<PAGE>



                  11 Note.  The forms of Note set forth as Exhibits  A-1 through
A-6 of the Credit  Agreement  are deleted and  replaced  with Exhibit A attached
hereto.


                  12 Borrowing Base Certificate.  The Borrowing Base Certificate
set forth as Exhibit B of the Credit  Agreement  is deleted  and  replaced  with
Exhibit B attached hereto.

                  3.        LIMITATIONS ON AMENDMENTS.

                           1 The amendments  set forth in Section 1, above,  are
effective  for the purposes  set forth herein and shall be limited  precisely as
written and shall not be deemed to (i) be a consent to any amendment,  waiver or
modification  of any  other  term or  condition  of any  Loan  Document  or (ii)
otherwise  prejudice  any right or remedy which Lenders or Agent may now have or
may have in the future under or in connection with any Loan Document.

                           2 This  Amendment  shall be construed  in  connection
with  and  as  part  of  the  Loan   Documents   and  all   terms,   conditions,
representations,  warranties,  covenants  and  agreements  set forth in the Loan
Documents, except as herein waived or amended, are hereby ratified and confirmed
and shall remain in full force and effect.

                  4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.  In order to induce Lenders
and Agent to enter into this Amendment, each Borrower represents and warrants to
each Lender and Agent as follows:

                           (a) Immediately after giving effect to this Amendment
(i) the  representations  and warranties  contained in the Loan Documents (other
than those which expressly speak as of a different date) are true,  accurate and
complete in all  material  respects as of the date hereof and (ii) no Default or
Event of Default,  or event which constitutes a Potential Event of Default,  has
occurred and is continuing;

                           (b)  Each  Borrower  has  the  corporate   power  and
authority to execute and deliver this  Amendment and to perform its  Obligations
under the Credit Agreement, as amended by this Amendment,  and each of the other
Loan Documents to which it is a party;

                           (c) The articles of  incorporation,  bylaws and other
organizational  documents  of  each  Borrower  delivered  to  each  Lender  as a
condition  precedent  to the  effectiveness  of the Credit  Agreement  are true,
accurate and complete and have not been  amended,  supplemented  or restated and
are and continue to be in full force and effect;

                           (d) The  execution  and delivery by each  Borrower of
this  Amendment  and  the   performance  by  each  Borrower  of  its  respective
Obligations under the Credit Agreement,  as amended by this Amendment,  and each
of the other Loan Documents to which it is a party have been duly  authorized by
all necessary corporate action on the part of such Borrower;

                           (e) The  execution  and delivery by each  Borrower of
this  Amendment  and  the   performance  by  each  Borrower  of  its  respective
Obligations under the Credit Agreement,  as amended by this Amendment,  and each
of the  other  Loan  Documents  to  which  it is a  party  do not and  will  not
contravene (i) any law or regulation binding on or affecting such Borrower, (ii)
the articles of incorporation, bylaws, or other organizational documents of such
Borrower, (iii) any order, judgment or decree of any court or other governmental
or public body or authority,  or subdivision thereof,  binding on such Borrower,
or (iv) any contractual restriction binding on or affecting such Borrower;

                           (f) The  execution  and delivery by each  Borrower of
this  Amendment  and  the   performance  by  each  Borrower  of  its  respective
Obligations under the Credit Agreement,  as amended by this Amendment,  and each
of the other Loan  Documents  to which it is a party do not  require  any order,
consent, approval, license, authorization or validation of, or filing, recording
or  registration  with,  or  exemption  by any  governmental  or public  body or
authority, or subdivision thereof,  binding on such Borrower,  except as already
has been obtained or made; and

                           (g)  This   Amendment  has  been  duly  executed  and
delivered  by each  Borrower  and is the binding  Obligation  of each  Borrower,
enforceable   against  it  in  accordance   with  its  terms,   except  as  such
enforceability  may  be  limited  by  bankruptcy,  insolvency,   reorganization,
liquidation,  moratorium  or  other  similar  laws of  general  application  and
equitable principles relating to or affecting creditors' rights.

                  5.   REAFFIRMATION.   Each  Borrower   hereby   reaffirms  its
Obligations under each Loan Document to which it is a party.

                  6.  EFFECTIVENESS.  This Amendment shall become effective upon
the last to occur of:

                           (a) The  execution  and  delivery of this  Amendment,
whether the same or different copies, by Borrowers, Lenders and Agent.

                           (b) The execution and delivery of the Acknowledgement
of Amendment and Reaffirmation of Guaranty attached to this Amendment by FSI.

                           (c)   Receipt  by  Agent,   in  form  and   substance
satisfactory  to Lenders,  of a Guaranty of FSI's  Obligations  under the Credit
Agreement and FSI's Guaranty Obligations under its Guaranty dated as of the date
hereof executed by PLMI in favor of Lenders and Agent.

                           (d)   Receipt  by  Agent,   in  form  and   substance
satisfactory to Lenders, of a certified copy of the records of all actions taken
by each  Borrower,  FSI and PLMI,  including all corporate  resolutions  of each
Borrower,  FSI and PLMI  authorizing or relating to the execution,  delivery and
performance of this Amendment and the Guaranty, as the case may be.

                           (e)   Receipt  by  Agent,   in  form  and   substance
satisfactory  to Lenders,  of Notes  executed by each  Borrower in favor of each
Lender in the stated  principal  amount equal to each Lender's Pro Rata Share of
the Commitments, which Notes will replace and supersede the existing Notes dated
May 31, 1996, issued by Borrowers to Agent.

                           (f)   Receipt  by  Agent,   in  form  and   substance
satisfactory to Lenders,  of a supplemental  fee letter (the  "Supplemental  Fee
Letter") and a supplemental agent's side letter (the "Supplemental  Agent's Side
Letter"),  each duly executed by each  Borrower,  AFG and TEC AcquiSub,  and the
Supplemental  Arrangement Fee and the Supplemental  Agent's Fee described in the
Supplemental Fee Letter and the Supplemental Agent's Side Letter, respectively.

                           (g) Receipt by Agent of an originally  executed legal
opinion of Stephen Peary,  general  counsel of each Borrower and  Guarantor,  on
behalf of each Borrower and  Guarantor,  in form and substance  satisfactory  to
Lenders,  dated as of the  effective  date of this  Amendment  and  addressed to
Lenders,  together with copies of any officer's  certificate or legal opinion of
other counsel or law firm  specifically  identified and expressly relied upon by
such counsel.

                           (h)  Satisfaction,  to the  approval  of Lenders  and
Agent, of all conditions  precedent to the  effectiveness  of Amendment No. 2 to
Amended and Restated Warehousing Credit Agreement dated as of the date hereof by
and among TEC AcquiSub, Lenders and Agent.

                           (i)  Satisfaction,  to the  approval  of Lenders  and
Agent, of all conditions  precedent to the  effectiveness  of Amendment No. 1 to
Warehousing  Credit  Agreement  dated as of the date  hereof by and  among  AFG,
Lenders and Agent.

                  7.  GOVERNING  LAW.  THIS  AMENDMENT  SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND
SHALL BE  CONSTRUED  AND  ENFORCED IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF
NORTH CAROLINA.

                  8. CLAIMS,  COUNTERCLAIMS,  DEFENSES,  RIGHTS OF SET-OFF. EACH
BORROWER HEREBY  REPRESENTS AND WARRANTS TO AGENT AND EACH LENDER THAT IT HAS NO
KNOWLEDGE  OF ANY FACTS THAT  WOULD  SUPPORT A CLAIM,  COUNTERCLAIM,  DEFENSE OR
RIGHT OF SET-OFF.

                  9. FLEET AS LENDER.  Upon the  execution  and delivery of this
Amendment,  Fleet  shall be a Lender  and a party to the Credit  Agreement,  and
shall be entitled to the rights and benefits of the Loan  Documents  and, to the
extent of the  percentage  equivalent of Fleet's  Commitment  under the Facility
divided by the aggregate Commitment of all Lenders under the Facility,  have the
rights and obligations of a Lender thereunder.

                  10.  COUNTERPARTS.  This Amendment may be signed in any number
of counterparts, and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts,  with
the same effect as if the signatures to each such counterpart were upon a single
instrument. All counterparts shall be deemed an original of this Amendment.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be
executed as of the date first written above.

BORROWERS                   PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH FUND IV

                            BY PLM FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.,
                            ITS GENERAL PARTNER


                            By  /s/ J. Michael Allgood
                                ---------------------------
                                J. Michael Allgood
                                Chief Financial Officer


                            PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH FUND V

                            BY PLM FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.,
                            ITS GENERAL PARTNER


                            By  /s/ J. Michael Allgood
                                --------------------------
                                J. Michael Allgood
                                Chief Financial Officer

                            PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH FUND VI

                            BY PLM FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.,
                            ITS GENERAL PARTNER


                            By  /s/ J. Michael Allgood
                                ---------------------------
                                J. Michael Allgood
                                Chief Financial Officer


                            PLM EQUIPMENT GROWTH & INCOME FUND VII
                               
                            BY PLM FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.,
                            ITS GENERAL PARTNER


                            By  /s/ J. Michael Allgood
                                ---------------------------
                                J. Michael Allgood
                                Chief Financial Officer

                            PROFESSIONAL LEASE MANAGEMENT INCOME FUND I, L.L.C.

                            BY PLM FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.,
                            ITS MANAGER


                            By  /s/ J. Michael Allgood
                                ---------------------------
                                J. Michael Allgood
                                Chief Financial Officer


FSI                         PLM FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.


                            By  /s/ J. Michael Allgood
                                --------------------------
                                J. Michael Allgood
                                Chief Financial Officer


LENDERS                     FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF
                            NORTH CAROLINA


                            By  /s/ Bill A. Shirley
                                -------------------------
                                Bill A. Shirley
                                Vice President


                            FLEET BANK, N.A.


                            By /s/ Felix Herrera
                               ----------------------
                            Printed Name: Felix Herrera
                            Title:  Vice President


AGENT                       FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK OF
                            NORTH CAROLINA, as Agent


                            By /s/ Bill A. Shirley
                               -----------------------
                               Bill A. Shirley
                               Vice President


<PAGE>


                          ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF AMENDMENT
                          AND REAFFIRMATION OF GUARANTY
                                 (Growth Funds)


                  11. PLM Financial  Services,  Inc. ("FSI") hereby acknowledges
and confirms that it has reviewed and approved the terms and  conditions of this
Amendment  No. 1 to Second  Amended and Restated  Warehousing  Credit  Agreement
("Amendment").

                  12. FSI hereby  consents to this Amendment and agrees that its
Guaranty  of the  Obligations  of  Borrower  under the  Credit  Agreement  shall
continue in full force and effect,  shall be valid and enforceable and shall not
be impaired or  otherwise  affected by the  execution  of this  Amendment or any
other document or instrument delivered in connection herewith.

                  13. FSI represents  and warrants that,  after giving effect to
this Amendment, all representations and warranties contained in its Guaranty are
true, accurate and complete as if made the date hereof.

GUARANTOR                 PLM FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.


                          By   /s/ J. Michael Allgood
                               ----------------------------
                               J. Michael Allgood
                               Chief Financial Officer


<PAGE>










                                   SCHEDULE A

                                   COMMITMENTS



           LENDER                      COMMITMENT                PRO RATA SHARE

First Union National Bank              $35,000,000               35/50 x 100%
  of North Carolina

Fleet Bank, N.A.                       $15,000,000               15/50 x 100%


<PAGE>



                                    EXHIBIT A


                            REVOLVING PROMISSORY NOTE
                                    [LENDER]

$____________                                       San Francisco, California
                                                     Date:   November 5, 1996


         [BORROWER],  a  _____________________   (the  "Borrower"),   FOR  VALUE
RECEIVED,  hereby  unconditionally  promises  to pay to the  order  of  [LENDER]
("[_________________]"),  in lawful money of the United  States of America,  the
aggregate outstanding principal amount of  [_________________]'s  Pro Rata Share
of all Loans made to the Borrower under the Credit Agreement  referred to below,
payable in the amounts, on the dates and in the manner set forth below.

         This  revolving  promissory  note  (this  "Note")  is one of the  Notes
referred to and defined in that certain Second Amended and Restated  Warehousing
Credit Agreement dated as of May 31, 1996, as amended by that certain  Amendment
No. 1 to Second Amended and Restated  Warehousing  Credit  Agreement dated as of
even  date  herewith  (as the  same may from  time to time be  further  amended,
modified,  supplemented,  renewed, extended or restated, the "Credit Agreement")
by and among the  Borrower,  PLM Equipment  Growth Fund V, PLM Equipment  Growth
Fund VI, PLM Equipment Growth & Income Fund VII,  Professional  Lease Management
Income  Fund I,  L.L.C.,  PLM  Financial  Services,  Inc.  ("FSI"),  First Union
National Bank Of North Carolina, solely in its capacity as agent (solely in such
capacity,  the  "Agent")  for   [_________________]  and  such  other  financial
institutions  as shall from time to time  become  "Lenders"  pursuant to Section
11.10 of the Credit  Agreement  (such entities,  together with their  respective
successors and assigns being collectively  referred to herein as the "Lenders"),
and the  Lenders,  and amends,  restates and  replaces  that  certain  Revolving
Promissory  Note dated May 31, 1996,  executed and  delivered by the Borrower in
favor of and to the Agent, on behalf of the Lenders.  All capitalized terms used
but not  defined  herein  shall  have the same  meaning  as given to them in the
Credit Agreement.



<PAGE>



                  14. Principal Payments. Subject to the terms and conditions of
the Credit Agreement, including, without limitation, terms relating to mandatory
prepayments  of  principal   (Section   2.2.3),   the  entire  principal  amount
outstanding  under each Loan  evidenced by this Note shall be due and payable on
the  Maturity  Date with  respect to such Loan,  with any and all unpaid and not
previously due and payable  principal amounts under each such Loan being due and
payable on the Commitment Termination Date.


                  15.  Interest  Rate.  The  Borrower  further  promises  to pay
interest on the sum of the daily unpaid principal balance of all Loans evidenced
by this Note  outstanding  on each day in lawful  money of the United  States of
America,  from the Closing Date until all such principal amounts shall have been
repaid in full,  which  interest  shall be payable at the rates per annum and on
the dates determined pursuant to the Credit Agreement.

                  16. Place Of Payment.  All amounts payable  hereunder shall be
payable to the Agent, on behalf of  [_________________],  at the office of First
Union National Bank of North Carolina, One First Union Center, 301 South College
Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28288, Attention: Elisha Sabido, or such other
place of payment as may be specified by the Agent in writing.

                  17.  Application Of Payments;  Acceleration.  Payments on this
Note shall be applied  in the  manner  set forth in the  Credit  Agreement.  The
Credit  Agreement  contains  provisions for  acceleration of the maturity of the
Loans  upon the  occurrence  of certain  stated  events  and also  provides  for
mandatory and optional  prepayments of principal prior to the stated maturity on
the terms and conditions therein specified.

         Each Advance made by  [_________________]  to the Borrower constituting
[_________________]'s  Pro Rata Share of a Loan made to the Borrower pursuant to
the Credit Agreement shall be recorded by  [_________________]  on its books and
records.  The failure of  [_________________]  to record any such Advance or any
repayment or prepayment  made on account of the principal  balance thereof shall
not limit or otherwise affect the obligation of the Borrower under this Note and
under the Credit Agreement to pay the principal,  interest and other amounts due
and payable thereunder.

                  18. Default.  The Borrower's  failure to pay timely any of the
principal  amount due under this Note or any accrued  interest or other  amounts
due under this Note on or within five (5) calendar  days after the date the same
becomes due and payable  shall  constitute a default  under this Note.  Upon the
occurrence  of a default  hereunder  or an Event of  Default  under  the  Credit
Agreement with respect to the Borrower,  all unpaid principal,  accrued interest
and other amounts owing hereunder shall, at the option of the Required  Lenders,
be  immediately  collectible by the Lenders and the Agent pursuant to the Credit
Agreement and applicable law.

                  19. Waivers.  The Borrower  waives  presentment and demand for
payment,  notice of  dishonor,  protest and notice of protest of this Note,  and
shall pay all costs of collection  when incurred by or on behalf of the Lenders,
including,  without  limitation,  reasonable  attorneys'  fees,  costs and other
expenses as provided in the Credit Agreement.

                  20.  Governing  Law.  This  Note  shall be  governed  by,  and
construed  and  enforced  in  accordance  with,  the laws of the  State of North
Carolina, excluding conflict of laws principles that would cause the application
of laws of any other jurisdiction.

                  21. Successors And Assigns.  The provisions of this Note shall
inure to the  benefit of and be binding on any  successor  to the  Borrower  and
shall extend to any holder hereof.

BORROWER                               [BORROWER]

                                       By:      PLM FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.,
                                                a Delaware corporation
                                                its general partner/manager



                                       By
                                                J. Michael Allgood
                                                Chief Financial Officer


<PAGE>



                                    EXHIBIT B


                           BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE

                            [Insert Borrower's Name]


                                                     __________________, 199_



First Union National Bank of North Carolina, as Agent
One First Union Center
301 South College Street
Charlotte, NC  28288
Attention:  Milton Anderson

Re:      Second Amended and Restated  Warehousing  Credit  Agreement dated as of
         May 31,  1996,  as amended by  Amendment  No. 1 to Second  Amended  and
         Restated  Warehousing  Agreement  dated as of  November 5, 1996 (as the
         same may from time to time be further amended,  modified,  supplemented
         or restated, the "Credit Agreement"), by and among PLM Equipment Growth
         Fund IV, a California limited partnership, PLM Equipment Growth Fund V,
         a  California  limited  partnership,  PLM  Equipment  Growth Fund VI, a
         California limited partnership, PLM Equipment Growth & Income Fund VII,
         a California limited partnership,  Professional Lease Management Income
         Fund I, L.L.C., a Delaware limited partnership (any one individually, a
         "Borrower,"  and  collectively  "Borrowers"),  PLM Financial  Services,
         Inc., a Delaware corporation and the sole general partner or manager of
         the Borrowers  ("FSI"),  First Union  National  Bank of North  Carolina
         ("FUNB"),  Fleet Bank,  N.A.  and each other  lender  whose name is set
         forth on the  signature  pages to the  Agreement or which may hereafter
         execute and deliver an  instrument  of  assignment  pursuant to Section
         11.10  of  the  Agreement  (any  one  individually,   a  "Lender,"  and
         collectively, "Lenders") and FUNB as Agent, on behalf of Lenders

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Reference is made to the Credit  Agreement.  The capitalized  terms used in this
Borrowing Base Certificate and not defined herein have the same meaning as given
to them in the Credit Agreement.

Pursuant to Section  5.1.3 of the Credit  Agreement,  the  undersigned  Borrower
hereby certifies as follows:



<PAGE>



                  22. The  information  furnished in Schedule 1 attached  hereto
was  true,  accurate  and  complete  as of the  last day of the  calendar  month
immediately  preceding the date of this  Borrowing Base  Certificate;  provided,
however, that if such certificate is being delivered with respect to a requested
borrowing of a Loan under the Credit Agreement,  then if expressly provided,  so
stated in Schedule 1, such  information  shall be true,  accurate  and  complete
through the requested  Funding Date. The  calculation of each item is subject to
the more detailed description thereof set forth in the Credit Agreement.


                  23.  Except as  disclosed in Schedule 2 attached  hereto,  the
representations  and warranties  set forth in Section 4 of the Credit  Agreement
are true, accurate and complete as of the date hereof;  provided,  however, that
those  representations and warranties  expressly referring to another date shall
be deemed to be made as of such date; and

                  24. The Borrower does not have knowledge of the existence,  as
of the date  hereof,  of any Event of Default  or  Potential  Event of  Default,
except for such  conditions or events  listed on Schedule 2 attached  hereto and
incorporated  herein by this  reference,  specifying  the  nature  and period of
existence thereof and what action the Borrower has taken, is taking and proposes
to take with respect thereto.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  this Borrowing Base Certificate is executed by the
         undersigned this ____ day of , 199 .

                                       [INSERT BORROWER NAME]

                                       By:      PLM FINANCIAL SERVICES, INC.,
                                                a Delaware corporation,
                                                its general partner/manager



                                       By:
                                       Printed Name:
                                       Title:
Received by:

FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK
OF NORTH CAROLINA,
in its capacity as Agent
under the Credit Agreement



By:
Printed Name:
Title:
Date:


<PAGE>

                                  SCHEDULE 1 TO
                           BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE

                                               Dated            , 199
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Calculated separately for each Borrower:
<S>                                                                                                  <C>        
                                                                                                     $----------
1.             Fifty  percent  (50.0%) of the  unrestricted  cash  available for
               purchase of Eligible Inventory by Borrower

               25.       The lesser of Line 2(a)(vi) or Line 2(b)(vi):                               $__________

                (a)     (i)  The   aggregate  net  book  value  of  all  Eligible
                        Inventory $__________ (including the item(s) of Eligible
                        Inventory   being   financed  with  this  Loan  if  this
                        certificate  is  supplied  in  connection  with  a  Loan
                        request)  owned  of  record  by  Borrower  or  a  Marine
                        Subsidiary  or of  record  by an Owner  Trustee  for the
                        beneficial interest of Borrower or any Marine Subsidiary

                        .1        The aggregate net book value of all Eligible  Inventory listed     $__________
                        in Line  2(a)(i)  that is  off-lease or that is subject to a Lease under
                        which any  applicable  lease or rental  payment is more than ninety (90)
                        days past due

                        .2        Fifteen percent (15.0%) of Line 2(a)(i)                            $__________

                        .3        The  amount,  if any,  by which  Line  2(a)(ii)  exceeds  Line     $__________
                        2(a)(iii)

                        .4        Line 2(a)(i) minus Line 2(a)(iv)                                   $__________

                        .5        Seventy percent (70.0%) of Line 2(a)(v)                            $__________

or

               2         (i)     The aggregate  net fair market value of all Eligible  Inventory     $__________
                        (including  the item(s) of Eligible  Inventory  being financed with this
                        Loan if this  certificate is supplied in connection with a Loan request)
                        owned of record by  Borrower or a Marine  Subsidiary  or of record by an
                        Owner  Trustee  for the  beneficial  interest  of Borrower or any Marine
                        Subsidiary

                        .1        The aggregate net fair market value of all Eligible  Inventory     $__________
                        listed in Line  2(b)(i)  that is off-lease or that is subject to a Lease
                        under which any  applicable  lease or rental payment is more than ninety
                        (90) days past due

                        .2        Fifteen percent (15.0%) of Line 2(b)(i)                            $__________

                        .3        The  amount,  if any,  by which  Line  2(b)(ii)  exceeds  Line     $__________
                        2(b)(iii)

                        .4        Line 2(b)(i) minus Line 2(a)(iv)                                   $__________

                        .5        Fifty percent (50.0%) of Line 2(b)(v)

                3.      The  aggregate  Consolidated  Funded  Debt  of  Borrower  excluding  the     $__________
               principal amount of any Loans outstanding to Borrower under the Credit Agreement

                4.       Line 1 plus Line 2 minus Line 3                                             $__________

NOTE:    Lines 1, 2 and 3 to be computed (a) with respect to any requested Loan,
         as of the requested  Funding Date, and (b) with respect to the delivery
         of any monthly  Borrowing Base Certificate to be furnished  pursuant to
         Section 5.1.3,  as of the last day of the calendar month for which such
         Borrowing Base Certificate is furnished (provided, that for the purpose
         of computing  the  Borrowing  Base under this Line 1, in the event that
         Borrower or a Marine Subsidiary shall own less than one hundred percent
         (100.0%) of the record or beneficial  interests in any item of Eligible
         Inventory,  with one or more of the other Equipment Growth Funds owning
         of record or  beneficially  the  remaining  interests,  there  shall be
         included only Borrower's or such Marine  Subsidiary's,  as the case may
         be, ratable interest in such item of Eligible Inventory)

               26. Aggregate amount outstanding under TEC AcquiSub Agreement and
               the AFG $__________ Agreement

               27. Aggregate amount  outstanding  under the Credit Agreement for
               all  $__________  Borrowers  (include  any amounts to be drawn or
               proposed to be drawn by any other Borrower as of the date of this
               certificate  and not  reflected as  outstanding  under the Credit
               Agreement)

               28.       $50,000,000 less Line 5 plus 6                                                        $__________

               29.       Lesser of (a) Line 4 and (b) Line 7                                                   $__________

               30.       Lesser of Line 8 and $35,000,000                                                      $__________

               31.       Amount request to be advanced (must not be greater than Line 9)             $__________

</TABLE>

<PAGE>


                                  SCHEDULE 2 TO

                           BORROWING BASE CERTIFICATE

                          Dated ________________, 199_

                               LIST OF EXCEPTIONS


Condition(s) or event(s)  constituting an Event of Default or Potential Event of
Default:






Period of existence:






Remedial action with respect to such condition or event:



                                POWER OF ATTORNEY



KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

         That the  undersigned  does hereby  constitute  and  appoint  Robert N.
Tidball,  Stephen  Peary,  J.  Michael  Allgood and David J. Davis,  jointly and
severally,   his  true  and  lawful   attorneys-in-fact,   each  with  power  of
substitution,  for him in any and all  capacities,  to do any and all  acts  and
things and to execute any and all instruments  which said  attorneys,  or any of
them, may deem necessary or advisable to enable PLM Financial Services, Inc., as
General  Partner of PLM  Equipment  Growth & Income Fund VII, to comply with the
Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as amended  (the  "Act"),  and any rules and
regulations  thereunder,  in connection with the preparation and filing with the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission of annual reports on Form 10-K on behalf of
PLM  Equipment  Growth & Income Fund VII,  including  specifically,  but without
limiting the  generality of the  foregoing,  the power and authority to sign the
name of the undersigned,  in any and all capacities,  to such annual reports, to
any and all  amendments  thereto,  and to any and all  documents or  instruments
filed  as a part  of or in  connection  therewith;  and the  undersigned  hereby
ratifies and confirms all that each of the said attorneys,  or his substitute or
substitutes,  shall do or  cause  to be done by  virtue  hereof.  This  Power of
Attorney  is limited in  duration  until May 1, 1997 and shall apply only to the
annual reports and any amendments  thereto filed with respect to the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1996.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the undersigned has subscribed these presents this
__ day of February, 1997.




/s/ Douglas P. Goodrich
- ----------------------------------
Douglas P. Goodrich











<PAGE>






                                POWER OF ATTORNEY



KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

         That the  undersigned  does hereby  constitute  and  appoint  Robert N.
Tidball,  Stephen  Peary,  J.  Michael  Allgood and David J. Davis,  jointly and
severally,   his  true  and  lawful   attorneys-in-fact,   each  with  power  of
substitution,  for him in any and all  capacities,  to do any and all  acts  and
things and to execute any and all instruments  which said  attorneys,  or any of
them, may deem necessary or advisable to enable PLM Financial Services, Inc., as
General  Partner of PLM  Equipment  Growth & Income Fund VII, to comply with the
Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as amended  (the  "Act"),  and any rules and
regulations  thereunder,  in connection with the preparation and filing with the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission of annual reports on Form 10-K on behalf of
PLM  Equipment  Growth & Income Fund VII,  including  specifically,  but without
limiting the  generality of the  foregoing,  the power and authority to sign the
name of the undersigned,  in any and all capacities,  to such annual reports, to
any and all  amendments  thereto,  and to any and all  documents or  instruments
filed  as a part  of or in  connection  therewith;  and the  undersigned  hereby
ratifies and confirms all that each of the said attorneys,  or his substitute or
substitutes,  shall do or  cause  to be done by  virtue  hereof.  This  Power of
Attorney  is limited in  duration  until May 1, 1997 and shall apply only to the
annual reports and any amendments  thereto filed with respect to the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1996.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the undersigned has subscribed these presents this
__ day of February, 1997.




/s/ Robert L. Pagel
- -----------------------------------
Robert L. Pagel












                                POWER OF ATTORNEY



KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

         That the  undersigned  does hereby  constitute  and  appoint  Robert N.
Tidball,  Stephen  Peary,  J.  Michael  Allgood and David J. Davis,  jointly and
severally,   his  true  and  lawful   attorneys-in-fact,   each  with  power  of
substitution,  for him in any and all  capacities,  to do any and all  acts  and
things and to execute any and all instruments  which said  attorneys,  or any of
them, may deem necessary or advisable to enable PLM Financial Services, Inc., as
General  Partner of PLM  Equipment  Growth & Income Fund VII, to comply with the
Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as amended  (the  "Act"),  and any rules and
regulations  thereunder,  in connection with the preparation and filing with the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission of annual reports on Form 10-K on behalf of
PLM  Equpment  Growth & Income  Fund VII,  including  specifically,  but without
limiting the  generality of the  foregoing,  the power and authority to sign the
name of the undersigned,  in any and all capacities,  to such annual reports, to
any and all  amendments  thereto,  and to any and all  documents or  instruments
filed  as a part  of or in  connection  therewith;  and the  undersigned  hereby
ratifies and confirms all that each of the said attorneys,  or his substitute or
substitutes,  shall do or  cause  to be done by  virtue  hereof.  This  Power of
Attorney  is limited in  duration  until May 1, 1997 and shall apply only to the
annual reports and any amendments  thereto filed with respect to the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1996.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the undersigned has subscribed these presents this
__ day of February, 1997.




/s/ J. Alec Merriam
- ----------------------------------
J. Alec Merriam







<TABLE> <S> <C>

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                                0
                                          0
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