DUANE READE INC
10-K, 1998-03-30
DRUG STORES AND PROPRIETARY STORES
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                                WASHINGTON, D.C.

                         -----------------------------
                                   FORM 10-K

[X]  Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities and
     Exchange Act of 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 27, 1997.   Commission file number 333-41239

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

                                DUANE READE INC.

             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

              DELAWARE                                 04-3164702
              --------                                 ----------
    (State or other jurisdiction of        (IRS Employer Identification Number)
     incorporation or organization)

         DRI I Inc.*                  Delaware                04-3166107
         Duane Reade*                 New York                11-2731721

*Guarantors with respect to the Company's 9 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due
2008

             440 Ninth Avenue
            New York, New York                                      10001
           --------------------                                     -----
(Address of principal executive offices)                          (Zip Code)

                                 (212) 273-5700
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

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

          SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(B) OF THE ACT:

                                               NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE ON WHICH
         TITLE OF EACH CLASS                            REGISTERED
         --------------------------------      --------------------------------
Common Stock, $.01 par value per share         New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
9 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008      None.

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

          SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(G) OF THE ACT:
                                     None.


<PAGE>


         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 [ ]No [X]

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

         The only class of voting securities of Duane Reade Inc. is its Common
Stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"). On March 23, 1998, the
aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the
registrant was approximately $224.8 million.

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

         The number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding as of March 23,
1998: 16,960,577

                                   ----------

                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

         Certain exhibits as listed on the Exhibit Index and filed with
registrant's registration statements on Form S-1 (Nos. 333-41239 and 333-43313)
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, are incorporated by reference
into Part IV of this Form 10-K.


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                                     INDEX

                                                                           Page

PART I

ITEM 1     Business........................................................4
ITEM 2.    Properties......................................................12
ITEM 3.    Legal Proceedings...............................................13
ITEM 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.............13

PART II

ITEM 5.    Market for Registrant's Common Equity
           and Related Stockholder Matters.................................14
ITEM 6.    Selected Financial Data.........................................15
ITEM 7.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition

           and Results of Operations.......................................17
ITEM 8.    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.....................25
ITEM 9.    Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on
           Accounting and Financial Disclosure.............................46

PART III

ITEM 10.   Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant..............47
ITEM 11.   Executive Compensation..........................................49
ITEM 12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management..56
ITEM 13.   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions..................58

PART IV

ITEM 14.   Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and
           Reports on Form 8-K.............................................61

SIGNATURES.................................................................64



                                      -3-
<PAGE>


                                     PART I

ITEM 1. BUSINESS.

         GENERAL

                Duane Reade is the largest drugstore chain in New York City,
based on sales volume, with 58 of its 67 stores located in Manhattan's
high-traffic business and residential districts. The Company operates almost
twice as many stores in Manhattan as its next largest competitor. Since opening
its first store in 1960, the Company has successfully executed a marketing and
operating strategy tailored to the unique characteristics of New York City, the
largest and most densely populated market in the United States. According to
Drug Store News, Duane Reade is the leading drugstore chain in the United
States in terms of sales per square foot, at $1,010 per square foot in 1997,
which was more than two times the national average for drugstore chains. For
the fiscal year ended December 27, 1997, the Company had sales of $429.8
million and EBITDA of $43.1 million, increases of 12.7% and 22.0%,
respectively, over the 1996 fiscal year. For the fiscal year ended December 27,
1997, the Company had a net loss of $14.7 million.

                The Company enjoys strong brand name recognition in New York
City, which it believes results from the Company's many locations in
high-traffic areas of Manhattan and the 30 million shopping bags with the
distinctive Duane Reade logo that the Company distributes annually. An
independent survey conducted in 1996 indicated that approximately 84% of the
people who live or work in Manhattan recognize the Duane Reade name, and seven
out of ten shopped at a Duane Reade store in the past twelve months. The
Company was also recently named "Regional Drug Store Chain of the Year" for
1997 by Drug Store News.

                The Company has developed an operating strategy designed to
capitalize on the unique characteristics of the New York City market, which
include high-traffic volume, complex distribution logistics and high costs of
occupancy, media advertising and personnel. The key elements of the Company's
operating strategy are (i) everyday low price format and broad product
offering, (ii) low cost operating structure supported by its high volume stores
and low advertising and distribution costs and (iii) ability to design and
operate its stores in a wide variety of sizes and layouts.

                The Company believes that its everyday low price format and
broad product offerings provide value and convenience for its customers and
build customer loyalty. The Company's everyday low price format results in
prices that the Company believes are lower, on average, than the prices offered
by its competitors.

                The Company is able to keep its operating costs relatively low
due to its high per store sales volume, relatively low warehouse and
distribution costs and relatively low advertising expenditures. The Company's
high volume stores allow it to effectively leverage occupancy costs, payroll
and other store operating expenses. The Company's two primary distribution
facilities are located within five miles of all but one of its 67 stores and,
combined with the rapid 



                                      -4-
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turnover of inventory in Duane Reade's stores, result in relatively low
warehouse and distribution costs. The Company plans to move all of its
distribution facilities to another, recently leased warehouse in mid-1998. See
"--Company Operations." The Company's strong brand name recognition in New York
City and everyday low price format allow the Company to minimize its use of
costly media and print advertising and to rely instead on in-window displays
and other less expensive promotional activities.

                The Company has demonstrated its ability to successfully
operate stores using a wide variety of store configurations and sizes, which
the Company believes is necessary to succeed in the New York City market. For
example, the size of the Company's stores ranges from 2,600 to 12,300 square
feet, and it operates 29 bi-level stores. The Company believes that its
flexibility in configuring stores provides it with a competitive advantage in
securing locations for its new stores, as many of its competitors target more
standardized spaces for their stores, which are more difficult to find in New
York City. In addition, the Company's management team has extensive experience
and knowledge of the New York City real estate market, allowing it to pursue
attractive real estate opportunities.

                The Company's predecessor was founded in 1960. In 1992, Bain
Capital acquired the Company from its founders and, in June 1997, investment
funds affiliated with DLJMBPII (as defined) acquired approximately 91.5% of the
outstanding capital stock of the Company from Bain Capital and certain other
selling securityholders. Since the 1992 acquisition, the Company has incurred 
net losses in each fiscal year.

                In 1994 and 1995, the Company experienced rapid expansion,
growing from 40 stores to 59 stores. However, as a result of liquidity
constraints and the need for improved inventory controls, the Company was
forced to suspend its store expansion program in late 1995. In early 1996, a
strengthened management team led by Anthony Cuti, the Company's new Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer, took several measures to improve operations,
including improving inventory controls and decreasing out-of-stock occurrences,
creating a loss prevention function to control inventory shrink and continuing
to invest in MIS. In 1997, the Company resumed its store expansion program,
opening seven stores. During Mr. Cuti's tenure at the Company, EBITDA has
increased by 60.2% from $26.9 million for the 52 weeks ended March 29, 1996 to
$43.1 million for the fiscal year ended December 27, 1997, and the Company
experienced net losses of $19.8 million and $14.7 million for the 52 weeks
ended March 29, 1996 and the fiscal year ended December 27, 1997, respectively.
Net loss before non-recurring charges for the fiscal year ended December 27,
1997 was $2.0 million.

         COMPANY OPERATIONS

                Merchandising. Duane Reade's overall merchandising strategy is
to provide the broadest selection of branded and private label drugstore
products available in Manhattan and to sell them at everyday low prices. To
further enhance customer service and loyalty, the Company attempts to maintain
a consistent in-stock position in all merchandise categories. In addition to
prescription and OTC drugs, the Company offers health and beauty aids, food and
beverage items, tobacco products, cosmetics, housewares, hosiery, greeting
cards, photofinishing, photo 


                                      -5-
<PAGE>

supplies, seasonal merchandise and other products. Health and beauty care
products, including OTC drugs, represent the largest of the Company's product
categories. Duane Reade drugstores offer a wide variety of brand name and
private label products, including oral, skin and hair care products, bath
supplies, vitamins and nutritional supplements, feminine hygiene products,
family planning products and baby care products. Popular brands of health and
beauty aids are given ample shelf space, and large sizes are offered, which the
Company believes appeals to the value consciousness of many Manhattan
consumers. Convenience items such as candy, snacks and seasonal goods are
positioned near the check out registers to provide optimum convenience and
stimulate impulse purchases for the customers while allowing the store
employees to monitor those product categories that are particularly susceptible
to inventory shrink.

                In addition to the wide array of brand products offered in its
stores, the Company offers its own private label products. Private label
products provide customers with high-quality, lower priced alternatives to name
brand products while generating higher gross profit margins than name brand
products. These offerings also enhance Duane Reade's reputation as a
value-oriented store. the Company currently offers approximately 400 private
label products. In 1997, these private label products accounted for
approximately 4.6% of non-pharmacy sales. The Company believes that its strong
brand image, reputation for quality and reliability in the New York City
market, and its economies of scale in purchasing allow it to aggressively
promote private label goods.

                The Company has recently made efforts to increase the sales of
certain high-margin items, such as cosmetics, greeting cards and
photofinishing. Other merchandising initiatives completed during 1996 and 1997
include an expanded selection of seasonal merchandise, vitamins, nutrition
products and baby accessories, particularly in stores located in residential
areas. The Company believes there are additional opportunities to continue to
refine and improve the merchandise mix in its stores.

                The Company also offers same-day photofinishing services in all
of its stores and has recently introduced one-hour photofinishing in three
stores. In 1998, the Company expects to introduce one-hour photofinishing in
seven to ten additional stores. Management believes that photofinishing
services contribute significantly to sales of other merchandise categories
because of customer traffic increases that result from the customer visiting a
store twice, in order to drop off film and pick up the processed photos.

                Pharmacy. The Company believes that its pharmacy business will
continue to contribute significantly to the Company's growth. Management also
believes that a larger and stronger pharmacy business will enhance customer
loyalty and generate incremental customer traffic, which is expected to
increase sales of Duane Reade's wide variety of OTC drugs and other
non-pharmacy merchandise. Duane Reade's prescription drug sales (as reflected
by same store pharmacy sales) grew by 24.6% in 1997 compared to 1996. Sales of
prescription and OTC drugs represented approximately 40% of total sales in 1997
as compared with 35% of total sales in 1996. Although the average number of
prescriptions filled by Duane Reade per store per week has increased from 640
in 1994 to 863 during 1997, the Company's average remains well below the
industry chain store average of approximately 1,200, providing significant
opportunity for 


                                      -6-
<PAGE>

continued pharmacy growth. The Company believes that the average number of
prescriptions filled per week by it lags behind the industry average because of
(i) the historically low penetration of Third Party Plans in the New York City
area and (ii) the Company's concentration of stores in business areas, rather
than residential areas. The Company believes continued pharmacy growth will
also increase overall customer traffic and benefits its non-pharmacy sales.

                The Company generally locates the pharmacy at the rear of the
store in order to maximize the pharmacy customer's exposure to other categories
of merchandise in the front of the store. Each pharmacy is staffed with a
registered pharmacist and drug clerk at all times to ensure quick and high
quality service. Each store carries a complete line of both branded and generic
prescription drugs. In 1996, the Company began a program to upgrade the quality
of its pharmacy service. The Company believes that this initiative has
contributed to its strong growth in pharmacy sales and should continue to
benefit the Company as customer loyalty builds in response to improved service
levels.

                In addition to customer service initiatives in its pharmacy
business, the Company has remodeled or redesigned 16 of its pharmacies since
the beginning of 1996. This remodeling, which has primarily involved updating
the pharmacy counter area to allow pharmacists and customers to have more
direct contact and providing a consultation and waiting area for customers, has
not resulted in any significant reduction in total retail selling space. By
improving the store layout and accessibility of the pharmacist and pharmacy
area, the stores that have been remodeled have achieved strong growth in their
pharmacy business. All stores opened since 1995 have the new pharmacy counter
area design. The Company currently operates 24 such stores. The Company has
also launched pharmacy marketing initiatives, such as home delivery and
prescription-by-fax services, which it believes have contributed to the
increased sales and customer loyalty of the pharmacy business.

                The Company believes that its extensive network of conveniently
located stores, strong local market position, pricing policies and reputation
for high quality health care products and services provide it with a
competitive advantage in attracting pharmacy business from individual customers
as well as Third Party Plans. The percentage of the Company's total
prescription drug sales attributable to Third Party Plans increased to
approximately 74% in 1997 from approximately 64% in 1996. Although gross
margins on sales to Third Party Plans are generally lower than other
prescription drug sales because of the highly competitive nature of pricing for
this business and the purchasing power of Third Party Plans, management
believes that the lower gross profit margins are offset by the higher volume of
pharmacy sales to Third Party Plan customers allowing the Company to leverage
other fixed store operating expenses. In addition, the Company believes that
Third Party Plans generate additional general merchandise sales by increasing
customer traffic in the stores. As of December 27, 1997, the Company had
contracts with over 100 Third Party Plans, including every major Third Party
Plan in the Company market areas.

                Another important component of the Company's pharmacy growth
strategy is the continued acquisition of prescription files from independent
pharmacies in market areas currently served by existing Company stores. In
1997, the Company purchased the prescription files of 


                                      -7-
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eight independent pharmacies for an aggregate total of $830,000, which
generated approximately $7 million in revenues on an annualized basis.
Independent pharmacists tend to have a higher proportion of customers that are
not Third Party Plans, which provide the Company with incremental revenue and
higher margin contribution. When appropriate, the Company will retain the
services of the pharmacist, whose personal relationship with the customers
generally maximizes the retention rate of the purchased file. Since 1995, the
Company has experienced an estimated 80% customer retention rate with respect
to prescription files acquired. Presently, there are approximately 1,400
independent pharmacies in New York City, and the Company believes that these
stores will provide additional acquisition opportunities in the future.

                The Company's pharmacies employ computer systems that link all
of the Company's pharmacies and enable them to provide customers with a broad
range of services. The Company's pharmacy computer network profiles customer
medical and other relevant information, supplies customers with information
concerning their drug purchases for income tax and insurance purposes and
prepares prescription labels and receipts. The computer network also expedites
transactions with Third Party Plans by electronically transmitting prescription
information directly to the Third Party Plan and providing on-line
adjudication, which confirms at the time of sale customer eligibility,
prescription coverage and pricing and co-payment requirements and automatically
bills the respective plan. On-line adjudication reduces losses from rejected
claims and eliminates a portion of the Company's paperwork for billing and
collection of receivables and costs associated therewith.

                Store Operations. The majority of the Company's stores are
located in the business and residential areas of Manhattan, the most densely
populated area in the United States. The Company's operations have been
tailored to handle high-volume customer traffic. During 1997, an average Duane
Reade store served approximately 2,500 customers per weekday, and 700 customers
during each of the peak lunch and commuting periods of the day. Some of the
Company's stores may operate up to 25 registers during peak demand periods.

                Duane Reade stores range in size from 2,600 to 12,300 square
feet, with an average of 6,900 square feet. The Company's stores are designed
to facilitate customer movement and to minimize inventory shrink. The Company
believes that its wide, straight aisles and well-stocked shelves allow
customers to find merchandise easily and allow the store's employees (managers,
security guards, cashiers and stock clerks) to effectively monitor customer
behavior. The Company attempts to group merchandise logically in order to
enable customers to locate items quickly and to stimulate impulse purchases.

                In 1996, the Company began planogramming its stores by using a
computerized space management system to design each store's layout and product
displays. The system seeks to maximize productivity per square foot of selling
space, maintain consistency in merchandising and reduce inventory levels. To
date, 52 stores have been designed by the system. Management believes that the
Company's remaining stores will be planogrammed by the end of the second
quarter of 1998. As a result, the Company believes that it has yet to realize
the full benefits from this system.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>

                The Company establishes each store's hours of operation in an
attempt to best serve customer traffic patterns and purchase habits and to
optimize store labor productivity. Stores in Manhattan's business districts are
generally open five days a week. In residential and appropriate
business/shopping districts, stores are open six or seven days a week with a
heavy emphasis on convenient, early morning and late evening openings. In 1997,
the Company had seven stores which were open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
The Company intends to continue to identify stores in which extended operating
hours would improve customer service and convenience and contribute to the
Company's profitability. Each store is supervised by one store manager and one
or more assistant store managers. Stores are supplied by deliveries from the
Company's warehouses in Queens an average of three times a week, allowing the
stores to maintain a high in-stock position, maximize store selling space and
minimize inventory required to be held on hand.

                The Company attempts to mitigate inventory shrink through (i)
the employment of full time security guards in each store, (ii) use of a
state-of-the-art Electronic Article Surveillance ("EAS") system that detects
unremoved EAS tags on valuable or easily concealed merchandise and (iii)
merchandise delivery and stocking during non-peak hours. Additionally, all
store and warehouse employees are trained to monitor inventory shrink, and the
Company uses outside consulting services to monitor employee behavior.
Recently, the Company hired a full-time team of loss prevention professionals
and established an anonymous call-in line to allow employees to report
instances of theft. The Company also instituted ongoing audits of warehouse
picking and receiving and an anonymous reward line for the reporting of theft.
The Company believes that these programs have enabled it to control inventory
shrink and will enable it to continue to do so.

                Purchasing and Distribution. The Company purchases
approximately 82% of its merchandise directly from manufacturers. The Company
distributes approximately 84% of its merchandise through the Company's
warehouses and receives direct-to-store deliveries for approximately 16% of its
purchases. Direct-to-store deliveries are made for some pharmaceuticals, 
greeting cards, photofinishing, convenience foods and beverages. The Company 
purchases from over 1,000 vendors. The Company believes that there are ample 
sources of supply for the merchandise currently sold in its stores. The 
Company manages its purchasing through a combination of forward buying, 
national buying and vendor discount ("deal") buying in ways in which it 
believes maximizes its buying power. For example, the Company uses a 
computerized forecasting and investment program that is designed to determine 
optimal forward buying quantities before an announced or anticipated price 
increase has been implemented. By forward buying, the Company stocks up on 
regularly carried items when manufacturers temporarily reduce the cost of 
goods or when a price increase has been announced or is anticipated.

                The Company currently operates two warehouses, which are
located within five miles of all but one of its stores. The Company's primary
warehouse contains approximately 150,000 square feet devoted to inventory. The
Company believes that the close proximity of the warehouses to the stores
allows the Company to supply the stores frequently, thereby minimizing
inventory and maximizing distribution economies. The Company also owns a fleet
of trucks and vans, which it uses for all deliveries from the warehouses to the
stores.

                                      -9-
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                In March 1998, the Company entered into a new long-term lease
for a 300,000 square foot distribution center in Long Island City, New York.
The facility will approximately double in the Company's distribution capacity
and is one mile away from the Company's current center. The new facility is
scheduled to open in mid-year 1998 and will replace the existing warehouses.

ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION

                The Company regularly promotes key items at reduced retail
prices during four-week promotional periods. Store windows and in-store signs
are utilized to communicate savings and value to shoppers. Additionally, over
30 million bags with the highly recognizable Duane Reade logo are used by its
customers each year, helping to promote the Company's name throughout New York
City. The Company also utilizes full color circulars to announce new stores and
heavily circulates them in local areas to attract customers. Typically, a new
store sells one to two times its regular volume during a grand opening
promotion, which generally lasts two to three weeks. The Company generally does
not rely heavily on the use of print or broadcast media to promote its stores.
Rather, because of its many high-traffic locations, the Company typically
relies on in-window displays as its primary method of advertising. In 1997, the
Company began using radio advertising. The radio advertising focuses on the
Company's pharmacy business, highlighting services enhanced by the modern
pharmacy computer system, pharmacist accessibility and enhanced convenience

MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS

                The Company currently has modern pharmacy and inventory
management information systems. In 1996, the Company completed the installation
of a host-based, modern pharmacy information system. The pharmacy system (PDX)
has reduced the processing time for electronic reimbursement approval for
prescriptions from Third Party Plan providers from 50 seconds to 7 seconds, and
the inventory management systems (JDA merchandising and E3 replenishment) have
allowed the Company to increase turns in the warehouse from 11 to 13 per year.
In early 1997, the Company began the process of installing its point of sale
(POS) systems in its stores,. The Company believes that these systems will
better allow the Company to better control pricing, inventory and shrink, while
maximizing the benefits derived from the other parts of its systems
installation program. POS will also provide sales analysis that will enable the
Company to improve labor scheduling, and will help optimize planogram design by
allowing detailed analysis of stock-keeping unit sales. The installation of the
Company's POS systems was completed in December 1997. Additionally, the Company
has upgraded its financial reporting systems and installed local and wide area
networks to facilitate the transfer of data between systems and from the stores
to headquarters.

                The Company has several computer software systems which will
require modification or upgrading to accommodate the year 2000 and thereafter.
The Company believes that all systems can be changed by the end of 1999 and
does not expect the cost of all the changes to be material to the Company's
financial condition or results of operations.

COMPETITION

                The Company's stores compete on the basis of, among other
things, convenience of location and store layout, product mix, selection,
customer service and price. The New York 


                                     -10-
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City drugstore market is highly fragmented due to the complexities and costs of
doing business in the most densely populated area of the country. The diverse
labor pool, local customer needs and complex real estate market in New York
City all favor regional chains and independents that are familiar with the
market. Duane Reade's store format is tailored to meet all of these
requirements and has proven successful in both the business and residential
neighborhoods of Manhattan.

                Because of the difficulties of operating in densely populated
areas, the New York City drugstore market remains under-penetrated by national
chains as compared to the rest of the country. Nationwide, approximately 74% of
the drugstore market is controlled by chains, while in New York City that
number is approximately 50%. There can be no assurance that such
underpenetration will continue.

                Duane Reade believes that it has significant competitive
advantages over the approximately 1,400 independent drugstores in New York
City, including purchasing economies of scale, centrally located warehouses
that minimize store inventory and maximize selling space, a full line of in
stock, brand name merchandise and a convenient store format. Major chain
competitors in the New York City market include Rite-Aid, Genovese and CVS.

GOVERNMENT REGULATION

                Duane Reade's stores and its distribution facility are
registered with the federal U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency and are subject to 
various state and local licensing requirements. Each of Duane Reade's 
pharmacies and pharmacists located in New York are licensed by the State of 
New York. The pharmacy and pharmacists employed at Duane Reade's store in 
Newark, New Jersey are licensed by the State of New Jersey. In addition, Duane 
Reade has been granted cigarette tax stamping licenses from the State of 
New York and from the City of New York which permit Duane Reade to buy 
cigarettes directly from the manufacturers and stamp the cigarettes themselves.
Duane Reade's stores possess cigarette tax retail dealers licenses issued by 
the State of New York, the City of New York and the State of New Jersey.

EMPLOYEES

                As of December 27, 1997, Duane Reade had approximately 2,000
employees, almost all of whom were full-time. Approximately 1,800 of the
Company's 2,000 employees are represented by unions. Non-union employees
include employees at corporate headquarters, employees at Duane Reade's
personnel office and store management. The distribution facility employees are
represented by the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Chauffeurs and
Warehousemen and Helpers of America, Local 815, and all store employees are
represented by the Allied Trade Council. Duane Reade's three year contracts
with these two unions expire on August 31, 1999 and August 31, 1998,
respectively. Duane Reade believes that its relations with its employees are
good.



                                     -11-
<PAGE>


TRADEMARKS

         The name "Duane Reade" and the "DR" logo are registered trademarks.
The Company believes that it has developed strong brand awareness within the
New York City area. As a result, the Company regards the Duane Reade logo as a
valuable asset.

         The foregoing information contains certain forward-looking statements
that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could 
cause actual results, performance, achievements of the Company, or industry
results to be materially different from any future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These
factors include, but are not limited to, the competitive environment in the 
drugstore industry in general and in the Company's specific market area; 
inflation; changes in costs of goods and services; economic conditions in 
general and in the Company's specific market areas; demographic changes;
changes in prevailing interest rates and the availability of and terms of
financing to fund the anticipated growth of the Company's business; liability
and other claims asserted against the Company; changes in operating strategy
or development plans; the ability to attract and retain qualified personnel;
the significant indebtedness of the Company; labor disturbances; changes in 
the Company's acquisition and capital expenditure plans; and other factors
referenced herein. In addition, such forward-looking statements are necessarily
dependent upon assumptions, estimates and dates that may be incorrect or
imprecise and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors.
Accordingly, any forward-looking statements included herein do not purport to
be predictions of future events or circumstances and may not be realized.
Forward-looking statements can be identified by, among other things, the use of
forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects," "may," "will," 
"should," "seeks," "pro forma," "anticipates," "intends" or the negative of any
thereof, or other variations thereon or comparable terminology, or by 
discussions of strategy or intentions. Given these uncertainties, prospective
investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking
statements. The Company disclaims any obligations to update any such factors
or to publicly announce the results of any revisions to any of the forward-
looking statements contained herein to reflect future events or developments.



ITEM 2.

PROPERTIES.

                As of December 27, 1997, the Company is operating stores in the
following locations:

                                                NO. OF STORES

                Manhattan, NY                      58
                Brooklyn, NY                        4
                Bronx, NY                           2
                Queens, NY                          2
                Newark, NJ                          1
                                                -----

                     Total:                        67

                Store leases are generally for 15 year terms. The average year
of expiration for all the Company's leases is 2006. Lease rates are generally
subject only to increases based on inflation, real estate tax increases or
maintenance cost increases. The following table sets forth the lease expiration
dates of the Company's leased stores over each of the next five years and
thereafter. Of the stores with leases expiring in the next five years, six have
renewal options.

                YEAR

                1998...............................................2
                1999...............................................1
                2000...............................................4
                2001...............................................0
                2002...............................................9
                Thereafter.........................................51

                The Company owns a distribution facility and related land in
Long Island City, New York. The building contains approximately 150,000 square
feet of space, all of which is used for warehousing and distribution. The
Company also leases a 50,000 square foot distribution facility in Maspeth, New
York, which is approximately one mile from the Long Island City facility. In
addition, the Company recently entered into a new long-term lease for a
distribution facility in Long Island City, New York. The Company plans to
dispose of its owned warehouse once operations are moved to the new facility in
mid - 1998.

                                     -12-
<PAGE>

                The Company leases space for its corporate headquarters, which
is located in Manhattan, New York.

ITEM 3.

LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

                The Company is a party to certain legal actions arising in the
ordinary course of business. Based on information presently available to the
Company, the Company believes that it has adequate legal defenses or insurance
coverage for these actions and that the ultimate outcome of these actions will
not have a material adverse effect on the Company.

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

                On November 24, 1997, a majority of the security holders of the
Company approved the initial public offering of the Company's Common Stock, a
change of the Company's name from Duane Reade Holding Corp. to Duane Reade Inc.
and Anthony J. Cuti's Employment Agreement and Option Agreement (effective June
18, 1997) by written consent in lieu of a meeting. On December 23, 1997, a
majority of the security holders of the Company approved and ratified all
employee stock options granted pursuant to the 1997 Equity Participation Plan
by written consent in lieu of a meeting.



                                     -13-
<PAGE>




                                    PART II

ITEM 5.         MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER 
                MATTERS.

                MARKET PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK

                Duane Reade's Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol: "DRD". At March 23, 1998 there were 85 recordholders
of the Common Stock. The Company's Common Stock was not publicly traded in 1997
and the Company paid no dividends.



                                     -14-
<PAGE>


ITEM 6.         SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

                (in thousands, except per share amounts, percentages 
                and store data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                            Fiscal Year
                                                ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  1997            1996          1995          1994          1993
                                                --------        --------     --------       --------      --------
<S>                                             <C>             <C>          <C>            <C>           <C>     
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Net sales....................................   $429,816        $381,466     $336,922       $281,103      $241,474
Cost of sales................................    322,340         288,505      259,827        209,678       181,566
Gross profit.................................    107,476          92,961       77,095         71,425        59,908
Selling, general and administrative
  expenses...................................     65,414          59,048       50,326         39,741        29,666
Amortization.................................      5,303          16,217       11,579         18,238        27,432
Depreciation.................................      3,507           3,015        1,929          1,184           729
Store pre-opening expenses...................        767             139        1,095          1,220           300
Nonrecurring charges (1) ....................     12,726              --           --             --            --
                                                --------        --------     --------       --------      --------
Operating income.............................     19,759          14,542       12,166         11,042         1,781
Net interest expense.........................     34,473          32,396       30,224         27,480        26,199
                                                --------        --------     --------       --------      --------
Loss before taxes............................    (14,714)        (17,854)     (18,058)       (16,438)      (24,418)
Provision for taxes..........................         --              --           --             --            --
                                                --------        --------     --------       --------      --------
Net loss.....................................   $(14,714)       $(17,854)    $(18,058)      $(16,438)     $(24,418)
                                                ========        ========     ========       ========      ========
Net loss per common share-basic..............     $(1.45)         $(1.77)     $(1.77)         $(1.62)      $(2.45)
                                                ========        ========     ========       ========      ========
Weighted average common shares
  outstanding-basic..........................     10,161          10,103       10,178         10,161         9,976
                                                ========        ========     ========       ========      ========

OPERATING AND OTHER DATA:
EBITDA (2)...................................    $43,056         $35,300      $27,443        $31,188       $29,975
EBITDA as a percentage of sales..............       10.0%            9.3%        8.2%           11.1%        12.4%
Number of stores at end of period............         67              60           59             51            40
Same store sales growth (3) .................       7.6%             8.3%       (3.5)%           1.6%         3.3%
Pharmacy same store sales
  growth (3)(5)..............................      24.6%            25.5%         7.0%          14.2%           --
Average store size (square feet) at
  end of period..............................      6,910           6,733        6,712          6,596         6,172
Sales per square foot (4)....................     $1,010            $956         $898           $970        $1,022
Pharmacy sales as a % of net sales                 25.1%            21.8%       19.0%           17.6%        16.6%
Third-Party Plan sales as of % of
  pharmacy sales (5).........................      74.2%            64.4%       58.2%           45.7%           --
Capital expenditures.........................    $13,493          $1,247       $6,868         $9,947        $1,838
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT END OF
  PERIOD):
Working capital..............................    $37,494          $9,917      $13,699        $20,152       $14,285
Total assets.................................    249,521         222,476      235,860        229,699       234,430
Total debt and capital lease
  obligations................................    278,085         245,657      244,104        228,764       223,422
Stockholders' deficiency.....................    (74,109)        (59,396)     (41,196)       (23,170)       (6,757)
</TABLE>

(1)      Refer to Note 12 of Consolidated Financial Statements.

(2)      As used herein, "EBITDA" means net loss plus nonrecurring charges,
         interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and other non-cash
         items (primarily deferred rents). Management believes that EBITDA, as
         presented, represents a useful measure of assessing the performance of
         the Company's ongoing operating activities as it reflects the earnings
         trends of the Company without the impact of certain non-cash charges.
         Targets and positive trends in EBITDA are used as the performance
         measure for determining management's bonus compensation; EBITDA is
         also utilized by the Company's creditors in assessing debt covenant
         compliance. The Company understands that, while EBITDA is frequently
         used by security analysis in the evaluation of companies, it is not
         necessarily comparable to other similarly titled captions of other
         companies due to potential inconsistencies in the method of
         calculation. EBITDA is not intended as an alternative to cash flow
         from operating activities as a measure of liquidity, nor an
         alternative to net income as an indicator of the Company's operating
         performance nor any other measure of performance in conformity with
         GAAP.



                                     -15-
<PAGE>





A reconciliation of net loss to EBITDA for each period included above is set
forth below (dollars in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                            Fiscal Year
                                                ------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   1997           1996          1995          1994          1993
                                                --------        --------     --------       --------      --------
<S>                                              <C>           <C>           <C>            <C>           <C>      
Net loss.....................................    $(14,714)     $(17,854)     $(18,058)      $(16,438)     $(24,418)
Net interest expense.........................      34,473        32,396        30,224         27,480        26,199
Amortization.................................       5,303        16,217        11,579         18,238        27,432
Depreciation.................................       3,507         3,015         1,929          1,184           729
Nonrecurring charges.........................      12,726            --            --             --            --
Other non-cash items.........................       1,761         1,526         1,769            724            33
                                                --------        --------     --------       --------      --------
EBITDA.......................................     $43,056       $35,300       $27,443        $31,188       $29,975
                                                ========        ========     ========       ========      ========
</TABLE>


(3)      Same store sales figures include stores that have been in operation
         for at least 13 months.


(4)      The Company experienced a decline in sales per square foot from 1993
         through 1995 as a result of the opening of additional stores in
         connection with the Company's expansion. The opening of such
         additional stores resulted in a decline in sales per square foot
         principally because (i) the average square footage for the new stores
         was greater than that of the existing store base and (ii) new stores
         generally take some time to reach a mature level of sales. See
         "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
         Results of Operations--General."

(5) Prior to fiscal year 1994, the Company's pharmacy system did not separately
track third-party sales.



                                     -16-
<PAGE>


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

         The following should be read in connection with the consolidated
financial statements of the Company and the notes thereto included elsewhere in
this document.

GENERAL

         The Company generates revenues primarily through sales of OTC drugs
and prescription pharmaceutical products, health and beauty aids, food and
beverage items, tobacco products, cosmetics, housewares, hosiery, greeting
cards, photofinishing, photo supplies and seasonal merchandise. Health and
beauty products, including OTC drugs, represent the largest of the Company's
product categories. The Company's primary costs and expenses consist of (i)
inventory costs, (ii) labor expenses and (iii) occupancy costs.

         In 1994 and 1995, the Company experienced rapid expansion, growing
from 40 stores to 59 stores. However, as a result of liquidity constraints and
the need for improved inventory controls, the Company was forced to suspend its
store expansion program in late 1995. In early 1996, a strengthened management
team led by Anthony Cuti, the Company's new Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer, took several measures to improve operations such as decreasing out-of
stock occurrences, creating a loss prevention function to control inventory
shrink and continuing to invest in MIS.

         The Company had sales per square foot of $956 and $1,010 in fiscal
1996 and fiscal 1997, respectively. The Company believes that sales per square
foot are a useful measure of comparing the Company's performance to that of its
competitors because it is a measure of a store's sales productivity. The
Company experienced a decline in sales per square foot from 1993 through 1995
as a result of the opening of additional stores in connection with the
Company's expansion plans during that period. The opening of such additional
stores resulted in a decline in sales per square foot principally because (i)
the average square footage for the new stores was greater than that of the
existing store base and (ii) new stores generally take some time to reach a
mature level of sales. The Company currently expects that its sales per square
foot may decline as it embarks on its plan to increase new store openings
during 1998 and 1999. The Company believes that its competitors in the industry
experience increases and decreases in sales per square foot for similar
reasons.

         In 1997, the Company resumed its store expansion program, opening
seven stores. Generally a new Duane Reade store requires an investment of
approximately $1.1 million in capital expenditures and working capital. Since
1993, all of the Company's new stores have become profitable on an operating
basis within the first full year of operation. Over the next two years, the
Company plans to open approximately 30 to 40 stores, primarily in New York
City.

         Over the past two years, Third Party Plans, including managed care
providers and insurance companies, have comprised an increasing percentage of
the Company's pharmacy business as the health care industry shifts to managed
care. While sales to customers covered by 


                                     -17-
<PAGE>

Third Party Plans results in lower gross profit rates due to competitive
pricing, the Company believes that such lower rates are offset by increased
volume of pharmacy sales and the opportunity to leverage fixed expenses.

         The Company includes stores that have been in operation for at least
13 months for purposes of calculating comparable store sales figures.

         The Company's predecessor was founded in 1960. In 1992, Bain Capital
formed the Company to acquire the Company's predecessor from its founders
through a leveraged buyout, financed primarily with the proceeds from the Zero
Coupon Notes and the Senior Notes. In June 1997, investment funds affiliated
with DLJMBPII (the "DLJMB Entities"), an affiliate of DLJ, acquired
approximately 91.5% of the outstanding capital stock of the Company from Bain
Capital and certain other selling securityholders, for approximately $78.7
million in cash, pursuant to a Recapitalization Agreement, dated June 18, 1997
(the "Recapitalization Agreement"). Upon consummation of such purchase, the
Company reclassified all of its outstanding capital stock (then consisting of
four classes) into one class of common stock, $0.01 par value per share.

         Prior to the consummation of the Offering in February 1998, the
Company's primary asset was all of the outstanding common stock of Daboco,
Inc., a New York corporation ("Daboco"), with Daboco and DRI I, Inc. ("DRI"), a
direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Daboco, together owning all of the
outstanding partnership interest of Duane Reade, a New York general partnership
("Duane Reade") (Daboco owns a 99% partnership interest and DRI owns the
remaining 1% partnership interest). Substantially all of the operations of the
Company are conducted through Duane Reade. Concurrently with the consummation
of the Offering, Daboco was merged with and into the Company (the "Merger"),
resulting in the Company directly owning 99% of the partnership interests of
Duane Reade (the "Partnership Interests") and DRI continuing to own a 1%
partnership interest. Following the consummation of the Merger, the primary
assets of the Company are the Partnership Interest and 100% of the outstanding
common stock of DRI.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

         The following sets forth the results of operations as a percentage of
sales for the periods indicated.

                                              Fiscal Year
                              --------------------------------------------------
                               1997              1996               1995

Net Sales..................... 100.0%            100.0%             100.0%
Cost of Sales.................  75.0              75.6               77.1
                                ----              ----               ----
Gross profit..................  25.0              24.4               22.9
                                ----              ----               ----
Selling, general and
   administrative expenses....  15.2              15.5               14.9
Amortization..................   1.2               4.3                3.5
Depreciation..................   0.8               0.8                0.6
Store pre-opening expenses....   0.2               0.0                0.3


                                     -18-
<PAGE>

Nonrecurring charges..........   3.0                --                 --
                                 ---                --                 --
Operating income..............   4.6                3.8                3.6
Net interest expense..........   8.0                8.5                9.0
                                 ---                ---                ---
Net loss......................  (3.4)%             (4.7)%             (5.4)%
                                ======             ======             ======

FISCAL 1997 COMPARED TO FISCAL 1996

         Net sales in 1997 were $429.8 million, an increase of 12.7% over 1996
net sales of $381.5 million. The increase was attributable to increased
comparable store sales of 7.6% and the inclusion of one new store opened during
1996 for the entire 1997 period and seven new stores opened in 1997.

         Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales decreased to 75.0% for 1997
from 75.6% for 1996, resulting in an increase in gross profit margin to 25.0%
for 1997 from 24.4% during 1996. The increase in gross margin resulted from a
number of factors including (i) increased contribution from the sale of higher
margin merchandise such as cosmetics, vitamins, general merchandise, generic
drugs and private label products, (ii) higher promotional allowances received
from venders and (iii) occupancy costs that increased at a lesser rate than the
rate at which sales increased.

                Selling, general and administrative expenses were $65.4 million
or 15.2% of net sales and $59.0 million or 15.5% of net sales in 1997 and 1996,
respectively. The percentage decrease in 1997 compared to 1996 resulted
principally from lower general and administrative expense as a percentage of
net sales including the elimination of agreements requiring the annual payment
of $1.0 million in management fees to Bain Capital, partially offset by higher
selling expenses related to higher store salaries as a percentage of net sales
(principally from new stores during the early months of operation). The Company
believes, that as the Company's new stores mature, salaries will increase at a
lesser rate than store sales.

                  Amortization of goodwill and other intangibles in 1997 and
1996 was $5.3 million and $16.2 million, respectively. The decrease in
amortization is principally a result of the completion in 1996 of amortization
of covenants not to compete and the related write-off of the balance of such
amounts during the fourth quarter of 1996.

                  Depreciation was $3.5 million and $3.0 million in 1997 and
1996, respectively.

                  Store pre-opening expenses increased to $0.8 million in 1997
from $0.1 in 1996 due to the opening of seven new store locations in 1997
compared to one in 1996.

                  Net interest expense was $34.5 million in 1997 compared to
$32.4 million in 1996. The increase in interest expense was principally due to
(i) higher non-cash accretion of the Zero Coupon Notes, (ii) interest related
to financing of third party accounts receivable and (iii) increased interest on
borrowings under the revolving credit facility, partially offset by (a) reduced
interest on term loan borrowings caused by the decrease in average balance from
$72.0 million for 1996 to $67.4 million for 1997 and a decrease in the average
interest rate from 9.1% to 8.7% and (b) reduced interest on capital lease
obligations.

                                     -19-
<PAGE>

                  The net loss for the Company decreased by $3.2 million from
$17.9 million in 1996 to $14.7 million in 1997 primarily as a result of an
increase in sales and gross profit margin and a reduction in amortization
expense, partially offset by nonrecurring charges (see Note 12 of Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements). The Company's EBITDA improved by $7.8
million or 22.0% to $43.1 million in 1997 compared to $35.3 million in 1996.
EBITDA as a percentage of sales increased to 10.0% in 1997 from 9.3% in 1996.

     FISCAL 1996 COMPARED TO FISCAL 1995

                  Net sales in 1996 were $381.5 million, an increase of 13.2%
over 1995 net sales of $336.9 million. The increase was due to increased
comparable store sales of 8.3% and the inclusion of eight stores opened during
1995 for the entire 1996 period and of one store opened in 1996. The increase
in comparable store sales was primarily attributable to increased pharmacy
sales, which increased to 21.8% of total sales in 1996 compared to 19.0% of
total sales in 1995.

                  Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales decreased to 75.6%
for 1996 from 77.1% for 1995, resulting in an increase in gross profit margin
to 24.4% for 1996 from 22.9% for 1995. The increase in gross margin resulted
from a number of factors including (i) lower inventory shrink losses, (ii)
increased contribution from the sale of generic drugs and private label
products, (iii) less promotional activity and (iv) lower rent-to-sales ratios 
in stores opened during 1995 and 1994. The increases were partially offset by
lower gross margins resulting from sales to customers covered by Third Party
Plans.

                  Selling, general and administrative expenses were $59.0
million or 15.5% of net sales and $50.3 million or 14.9% of net sales in 1996
and 1995, respectively. The percentage increase in 1996 compared to 1995
resulted principally from higher administrative expenses, including (i)
operating costs related to the Company's management information systems
department, (ii) administrative salaries and one time executive search and
severance expenses and (iii) professional and consulting fees principally for
the warehouse and loss prevention areas. The increases were partially offset by
lower store operating expenses as a percentage of net sales primarily due to a
higher volume of pharmacy sales, which allows the Company to leverage other
fixed store operating expenses.

                  Amortization of goodwill and other intangibles in 1995 and
1996 was $11.6 million and $16.2 million, respectively. The increase in
amortization was caused by an increase in the amortization of covenants not to
compete from $8.1 million in 1995 to $11.4 million in 1996 and amortization of
systems installation and integration costs in an amount of $1.4 million in
1996. The increase in amortization of covenants not to compete was caused by
the write-off of the balance of such intangibles in 1996 resulting from the
termination of the related agreements. Amortization of systems installation and
integration costs began in 1996.

                  The increase in depreciation from $1.9 million in 1995 to
$3.0 million in 1996 resulted principally from (i) depreciation of data
processing equipment which began in 1996 and (ii) a full year's depreciation in
1996 of assets of eight stores that were opened in 1995.

                                     -20-
<PAGE>

                  Store pre-opening expenses decreased from $1.1 million in
1995 to $0.1 million in 1996 due to the opening of one new store in 1996 
compared to eight in 1995.

                  Net interest expense increased 7.2% to $32.4 million in 1996
from $30.2 million in 1995. The increase in interest expense was principally
due to the higher non-cash accretion of the Zero Coupon Notes offset, in part,
by reduced interest on term loan borrowings resulting from the decrease in
average outstanding balance from $75.1 million to $72.0 million and a decrease
in the average interest rate from 9.5% to 9.1%.

                  The net loss for the Company decreased by $0.2 million or
1.1% from $18.1 million in 1995 to $17.9 million in 1996 primarily as a result
of increased sales and gross profit margin offset, in part, by increases in
selling, general and administrative expenses and amortization of intangibles.
The Company's EBITDA increased by $7.9 million or 28.6% to $35.3 million in
1996 compared to $27.4 million in 1995. EBITDA as a percentage of sales
increased to 9.3% in 1996 from 8.2% in 1995.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

                  On September 30, 1997, the Company entered into the Old
Credit Agreement, which provided for, among other things, $65.5 million
of term loans and up to $30.0 million of revolving loans. As of December 27,
1997, outstanding balances thereunder totaled $89.8 million. The Company
utilizes cash flow from operations, together with borrowings under the
revolving portion of the Old Credit Agreement, to fund working capital
needs, investing activities (consisting primarily of capital expenditures) and
financing activities (normal debt service requirements, interest payments and
repayment of term and revolving loans outstanding).

                  In February 1998, the Company successfully completed an
initial public offering of its stock which was part of a plan to refinance all
of the Company's existing indebtedness (the "Refinancing Plan") in order to
enhance the Company's financial flexibility to pursue growth opportunities and
implement capital improvements. The Refinancing Plan resulted in a reduction in
the Company's overall indebtedness, a simplification of the Company's capital
structure and access to additional borrowings. The principal components of the
Refinancing Plan were; (i) the sale by the Company of 6.7 million shares of
common stock for net proceeds of approximately $102 million; (ii) the execution
of a new secured credit agreement (the "Existing Credit Agreement") which
provides for borrowings up to approximately $160 million ($130 million of term
loans and up to $30 million of revolving loans); (iii) the issuance of $80
million aggregate principal amount of the Company's 9 1/4% Senior Subordinated
Notes due 2008 (the "Senior Notes") for net proceeds of approximately 
$77 million; (iv) the repayment of all outstanding borrowings under the 
Old Credit Agreement, the outstanding principal amount of which was 
$89.8 million as of December 27, 1997; (v) the redemption of the
Company's outstanding Zero Coupon Notes; (vi) the redemption of the Company's
outstanding 12% Senior Notes due 2002; and the (vii) Merger of Daboco with and
into the Company. The Company believes the Refinancing Plan will result in a
reduction in overall interest expense because total interest expense associated
with the Existing Credit Agreement and the New Senior 


                                     -21-
<PAGE>

Subordinated Notes will be less than the total interest expense associated with
the 12% Senior Notes due 2002 and the Zero Coupon Notes. The interest rates
under the Existing Credit Agreement will be approximately the same as interest
rates under the Old Existing Credit Agreement.

                  Working capital was $37.5 million and $9.9 million as of
December 27, 1997 and December 28, 1996, respectively The increase is primarily
due to the Company's investing in forward-buy inventory and increases in
inventory related to the opening of additional stores in the first quarter or
1998. The Company's capital requirements primarily result from opening and
stocking new stores and from the continuing development of new MIS. The
Company's ability to open stores in 1996 was limited to a certain degree by
liquidity considerations. The Company believes that there are significant
opportunities to open additional stores, and currently plans to open 30 to 40
stores in the next two years. The Company expects to spend approximately $16
million in 1998 on capital expenditures primarily for new and replacement
stores. Working capital is also required to support inventory for the Company's
existing stores. Historically, the Company has been able to lease its store
locations The Company has experienced a significant increase in accounts
receivable due to increased pharmacy sales in connection with Third Party
Plans, as compared to non-Third Party Plan sales which are generally paid by
cash or credit card. However, the Company believes that it has adequately
provided for liquidity by entering into a non-recourse factoring arrangement
whereby the Company resells accounts receivable associated with Third Party
Plans.

                  For the fiscal year ended December 28, 1996, net cash
provided by operating activities was $12.6 million, compared to $6.7 million
for the fiscal year ended December 30, 1995. The primary reasons for this
increase relate to an increase in operating earnings before the amortization of
goodwill and other intangibles, depreciation and amortization of property and
equipment and interest expenses, partially offset by a decrease in working
capital primarily due to a decrease in accounts payable. For the fiscal year
ended December 28, 1996, net cash used in investing activities was $3.8
million, compared to $12.8 million for the fiscal year ended December 30,1995.
This reduction primarily resulted form a decrease in capital expenditures and
decreases in systems development costs. For the fiscal year ended December 28,
1996, net cash used in financing activities was $10.7 million, compared to $4.8
million provided by financing activities for the fiscal year ended December 30,
1995. This reduction primarily resulted from decreased borrowings under the
Company's then existing credit facility and a decrease in capital lease
financing.

                  For the fiscal year ended December 27, 1997, net cash used in
operating activities was $3.8 million, compared to $12.6 million provided by
operating activities during the fiscal year ended December 28, 1996. The
primary reasons for this decrease are (i) an increase in inventory and (ii) an
increase in accounts receivable due to increased pharmacy sales in connection
with Third Party Plans. The Company's significant increase in inventory
resulted from management's decision to take advantage of a number of forward
purchasing opportunities, accumulate inventory in advance of additional store
openings and seasonal inventory buildup during 1997. The Company believes that
the activities did not and will not materially adversely affect its liquidity.
For the fiscal year ended December 27, 1997, net cash used in investing

                                     -22-
<PAGE>

activities was $12.4 million, compared to $3.8 million for the fiscal year
ended December 28, 1996. This increase primarily resulted from an increase in
capital expenditures during 1997 partially offset by a decrease in systems
development costs. For the fiscal year ended December 27, 1997, net cash
provided by financing activities was $16.2 million, compared to $10.7 million
used in financing activities for the fiscal year ended December 28, 1996. This
increase primarily resulted from borrowings under the Old Credit Agreement 
which provided for a term loan of $65.5 million and borrowings of 
$24.5 million on a revolving credit facility of $30 million. These proceeds 
were used to repay the outstanding term loan balance of $69.5 million and 
the revolving loan balance of $2.5 million.

                  Leases for seven of the Company's stores that generated
approximately 10.7% of the Company's net sales for the fiscal year ended
December 27, 1997 are scheduled to expire before the end of the year 2000. The
Company believes that it will be able to renew such leases on economically
favorable terms or, alternatively, find other economically attractive locations
to lease.

                  As of December 27, 1997, approximately 1,800 of the Company's
approximately 2,000 employees were represented by various labor unions and were
covered by collective bargaining agreements. Pursuant to the terms of such
collectively bargaining agreements, the Company is required to pay certain
annual increases in salary and benefits to such employees. The Company does not
believe that such increases will have a material impact on the Company's
liquidity or results of operations.

                  Following the implementation of the Refinancing Plan, the
Company believes that, based on current levels of operations and anticipated
growth, cash flow from operations, together with other available sources of
funds, including borrowings under the Existing Credit Agreement, will be 
adequate for at least the next two years to make required payments of 
principal and interest on the Company's indebtedness, to fund anticipated 
capital expenditures and working capital requirements and to comply with the 
terms of its debt agreements. The ability of the Company to meet its debt 
service obligations and reduce its total debt will be dependent upon the future
performance of the Company and its subsidiaries which, in turn, will be subject
to general economic, financial, business, competitive, legislative, regulatory
and other conditions, many of which are beyond the Company's control. In
addition, there can be no assurance that the Company's operating results, cash
flow and capital resources will be sufficient for repayment of its indebtedness
in the future. Substantially all of the Company's borrowings under the Existing
Credit Agreement bear interest at floating rates; therefore, the Company's
financial condition will be affected by the changes in prevailing interest
rates. The Company expects to enter into interest rate protection agreements to
minimize the impact from a rise in interest rates.

TAX BENEFITS FROM NET OPERATING LOSSES

                                     -23-
<PAGE>

                  At December 27, 1997, the Company had net operating loss
carryforwards ("NOLs") of approximately $71.0 million, which are due to expire
in the years 2007 through 2012. These NOLs may be used to offset future taxable
income through 2012 and thereby reduce or eliminate the Company's federal
income taxes otherwise payable. The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the "Code"), imposes significant limitations on the utilization of NOLs in the
event of an "ownership change," as defined in Section 382 of the Code (the
"Section 382 Limitation"). The Section 382 Limitation is an annual limitation
on the amount of pre-ownership change NOLs that a corporation may use to offset
its post-ownership change income. The Section 382 Limitation is calculated by
multiplying the value of a corporation's stock immediately before an ownership
change by the long-term tax-exempt rate (as published by the Internal Revenue
Service). Generally, an ownership change occurs with respect to a corporation
if the aggregate increase in the percentage of stock ownership (by value) of
that corporation by one or more 5% shareholders (including certain groups of
shareholders who in the aggregate own at least 5% of that corporation's stock)
exceeds 50 percentage points over a three-year testing period. The
Recapitalization caused the Company to experience an ownership change. As a
result, the Company currently is subject to an annual Section 382 Limitation of
approximately $5.0 million on the amount of NOLs generated prior to the
Recapitalization that the Company may utilize to offset future taxable income.
In addition, the Company believes that it will generate approximately $42.0
million of NOLs in connection with the Refinancing Plan. Such NOLs will not be
subject to the Section 382 Limitation and may be utilized to offset future
taxable income. However, there can be no assurance that any NOLs will be able
to be utilized by the Company to offset future taxable income or that such NOLs
will not become subject to limitation due to future ownership changes

YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE

                  The Company has several computer software systems which will
require modification or upgrading to accommodate the year 2000 and thereafter.
The Company believes that all systems can be changed by the end of 1999 and
does not expect the cost of the changes to be material to the Company's
financial condition or results of operations.

SEASONALITY

                  In general, sales of drugstores items such as prescription
drugs, OTC drugs and health and beauty care products exhibit limited
seasonality in the aggregate, but do vary by product category. Quarterly
results are primarily affected by the timing of new store openings and the sale
of seasonable products. In view of the Company's recent expansion of seasonal
merchandising, the Company expects slightly greater revenue sensitivity
relating to seasonality in the future.

INFLATION

                  The Company believes that inflation has not had a material
impact on results of operations for the Company during the three years ended
December 27 1997.

RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS

                                     -24-
<PAGE>

                  In February 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board
issued SFAS No. 128, "Earnings per Share," which requires the presentation of
basic and diluted earnings per share in a company's financial statements for
reporting periods ending subsequent to December 15, 1997. As of December 27, 
1997, there were outstanding options to purchase an aggregate of 1.65 million
shares of Common Stock, which shares are not included in the 
calculation of earnings per share for the 52 weeks ended December 27, 1997 
and would not be included in such calculation under the guidance prescribed 
by SFAS No. 128 because of the anit-dilutive nature of these instruments.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.



                                     -25-


<PAGE>


                         REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTS

To the Board of Directors and
Stockholders of Duane Reade Inc.

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related
consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity/(deficiency) and
cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of
Duane Reade Inc. (formerly known as Duane Reade Holding Corp.) and its 
subsidiaries at December 27, 1997 and December 28, 1996 and the results of 
their operations and their cash flows for each of the 52 week periods ended 
December 27, 1997, December 28, 1996 and December 30, 1995 in conformity with 
generally accepted accounting principles. These financial statements are the 
responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express 
an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our 
audits of these statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing 
standards which 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, assessing 
the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management 
and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that 
our audits provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above.

Price Waterhouse LLP
New York, New York

March 6, 1998



                                      -26-
<PAGE>


DUANE READE INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                      FOR THE 52 WEEKS ENDED

                                                   ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    DECEMBER 27,             DECEMBER 28,        DECEMBER 30,      
                                                        1997                     1996                1995
                                                   --------------------    ------------------    ------------------

<S>                                                     <C>                       <C>                   <C>       
Net sales                                               $      429,816            $  381,466            $  336,922
Cost of  sales                                                 322,340               288,505               259,827
                                                   --------------------    ------------------    ------------------

Gross profit                                                   107,476                92,961                77,095
                                                   --------------------    ------------------    ------------------


Selling, general & administrative expenses                      65,414                59,048                50,326
Amortization                                                     5,303                16,217                11,579
Depreciation                                                     3,507                 3,015                 1,929
Store pre-opening expenses                                         767                   139                 1,095
Nonrecurring charges                                            12,726                     -                     -
                                                   --------------------    ------------------    ------------------
                                                                87,717                78,419                64,929
                                                   --------------------    ------------------    ------------------
Operating income                                                19,759                14,542                12,166
Interest expense, net                                           34,473                32,396                30,224
                                                   --------------------    ------------------    ------------------
Loss before income taxes                                       (14,714)              (17,854)              (18,058)
Income taxes                                                         -                     -                     -
                                                   --------------------    ------------------    ------------------
     Net loss                                           $      (14,714)          $   (17,854)            $ (18,058)
                                                   ====================    ==================    ==================
Net loss per common share:
       Basic                                            $        (1.45)          $     (1.77)           $    (1.77)
                                                   ====================    ==================    ==================
       Diluted                                          $        (1.45)          $     (1.77)           $    (1.77)
                                                   ====================    ==================    ==================

Weighted average common shares outstanding:
       Basic                                                    10,161                10,103                10,178
                                                   ====================    ==================    ==================
       Diluted                                                  10,161                10,103                10,178
                                                   ====================    ==================    ==================
</TABLE>


  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

                                      -27-
<PAGE>


DUANE READE INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                              DECEMBER 27,          DECEMBER 28,
                                                                                   1997                   1996
                                                                            ------------------    ------------------
<S>                                                                              <C>                    <C>        
   ASSETS
   Current assets
       Cash                                                                      $        261           $       216
       Receivables                                                                      9,592                 7,171
       Inventories                                                                     66,665                47,914
       Prepaid expenses                                                                 2,556                 1,165
                                                                            ------------------    ------------------
          TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS                                                         79,074                56,466

   Property and equipment, net                                                         32,557                23,065
   Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization $18,264 and                              120,890               124,369
    $14,785

   Other assets                                                                        17,000                18,576
                                                                             ------------------    ------------------
            TOTAL ASSETS                                                        $    249,521           $   222,476
                                                                            ==================    ==================

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIENCY
   Current liabilities
       Accounts payable                                                           $    23,510         $      20,015
       Accrued interest                                                                 4,634                 3,873
       Other accrued expenses                                                          10,873                 8,157
       Current portion of long-term debt                                                  660                12,000
       Current portion of capital lease obligations                                     1,903                 2,504
                                                                            ------------------    ------------------
            TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES                                                  41,580                46,549

   Senior debt, less current portion                                                  179,043               149,975
   Subordinated zero coupon debt, net of unamortized discount of
    $30,827 and $43,899                                                                92,553                79,481
   Capital lease obligations, less current portion                                      3,926                 1,697
   Other non-current liabilities                                                        6,528                 4,170
                                                                            ------------------    ------------------
             TOTAL LIABILITIES                                                        323,630               281,872
                                                                            ------------------    ------------------

   COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 8)

   Stockholders' deficiency
      Common stock, $0.01 par; authorized 30,000,000 shares;  issued
       and outstanding 10,260,577 and 10,062,497 shares                                   103                   101
   Paid-in capital                                                                     24,563                24,564
   Accumulated deficit                                                                (98,775)              (84,061)
                                                                            ------------------    ------------------

             TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIENCY                                           (74,109)              (59,396)
                                                                            ------------------    ------------------
             TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIENCY                       $   249,521         $    222,476
                                                                            ==================    ==================
</TABLE>

  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


                                      -28-
<PAGE>


DUANE READE INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIENCY)
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AMOUNTS)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                               COMMON STOCK        
                                        ---------------------------      PAID-IN        ACCUMULATED                  
                                              SHARES        AMOUNT       CAPITAL           DEFICIT            TOTAL
                                        -------------    ----------    ------------    ----------------    -------------
<S>                                       <C>            <C>            <C>              <C>               <C>          
Balance, December 31, 1994                10,164,214     $     102      $   24,877       $     (48,149)    $    (23,170)
Sale of common stock to executives            40,692             -             100                   -              100
Repurchase of common stock                   (20,341)            -             (68)                  -              (68)
Net loss                                           -             -               -             (18,058)         (18,058)
                                        -------------    ----------    ------------    ----------------    -------------

Balance, December 30, 1995                10,184,565           102          24,909             (66,207)         (41,196)
Repurchase of common stock                  (122,068)           (1)           (345)                  -             (346)
Net loss                                           -             -               -             (17,854)         (17,854)
                                        -------------    ----------    ------------    ----------------    -------------

Balance, December 28, 1996                10,062,497           101          24,564             (84,061)         (59,396)
Issuance of common stock                     198,080             2              (1)                  -                1
Net loss                                           -             -               -             (14,714)         (14,714)
                                        -------------    ----------    ------------    ----------------    -------------
Balance, December 27, 1997                10,260,577     $     103      $   24,563     $       (98,775)     $   (74,109)
                                        =============    ==========    ============    ================    =============
</TABLE>

  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


                                      -29-
<PAGE>







DUANE READE INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (IN THOUSANDS)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       FOR THE 52 WEEKS ENDED
                                                      -------------------------------------------------------------
                                                        DECEMBER 27,          DECEMBER 28,         DECEMBER 30,
                                                            1997                  1996                 1995
                                                      -----------------     -----------------    ------------------
<S>                                                   <C>                    <C>                 <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net loss                                             $       (14,714)       $      (17,854)        $      (18,058)
    Adjustments to reconcile net loss to
     net cash provided by operating activities:
     Depreciation and amortization of property
    and equipment                                                3,507                 3,015                 1,929
      Amortization of goodwill and other
     intangibles                                                 9,542                18,897                13,940
      Accretion of principal of zero coupon debt                13,081                11,249                 9,628
      Other                                                      1,761                 1,526                 1,769
  Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
     Receivables                                                (2,421)               (1,431)               (1,962)
     Inventories                                               (18,751)               (4,767)               (6,745)
     Accounts payable                                            3,495                  (412)                7,382
     Prepaid and accrued expenses                                2,086                 2,321                  (658)
   Increase in other (liabilities) assets - net                 (1,392)                   51                  (491)
                                                      -----------------     -----------------    ------------------
      NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY OPERATING

     ACTIVITIES                                                 (3,806)               12,595                 6,734
                                                      -----------------     -----------------    ------------------
 Cash flows from investing activities:
    Proceeds from sales of capital assets                        1,075                     -                     -
    Capital expenditures                                       (13,493)               (1,247)               (6,868)
    Systems development costs                                        -                (2,566)               (6,268)
    Sale of government securities -net                               -                    44                   382
                                                      -----------------     -----------------    ------------------
    NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES                      (12,418)               (3,769)              (12,754)
                                                      -----------------     -----------------    ------------------
  Cash flows from financing activities:
     Proceeds from new term loan                                65,475                     -                     -
     Borrowings from new revolving credit
    facility                                                    24,500                     -                     -
     Repayments of old term loan                               (69,475)               (5,625)              (15,000)
     Net borrowings (repayments) - old revolving
    credit facility                                             (2,500)               (1,500)                4,000
     Repayments of other long-term borrowings                     (116)                    -                     -
     Financing costs                                            (3,079)                 (952)                 (885)
     Repayments of new term loan                                  (165)                    -                     -
     Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt                        -                     -                15,000
     Proceeds from issuance of stock                                 1                     -                    25
     Repurchase of stock                                             -                   (95)                  (68)
     Capital lease financing                                     4,133                   274                 4,329
     Repayments of capital lease obligations                    (2,505)               (2,845)               (2,617)
                                                      -----------------     -----------------    ------------------
       NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN)
       FINANCING ACTIVITIES                                     16,269               (10,743)                4,784
                                                      -----------------     -----------------    ------------------
  Net increase (decrease) in cash                                   45                (1,917)               (1,236)
  Cash at beginning of year                                        216                 2,133                 3,369
                                                      -----------------     -----------------    ------------------
  CASH AT  END OF YEAR                                 $           261       $           216      $          2,133
                                                      =================     =================    ==================
Supplementary disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest                                 $        17,601       $        18,391      $         18,298
                                                      =================     =================    ==================
</TABLE>


  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

                                      -30-
<PAGE>




1.   ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

     Duane Reade Inc. (the "Company") was formed on June 16, 1992 for the
     purpose of acquiring Daboco, Inc. ("Daboco"). The acquisition took place
     on September 25, 1992. Daboco and Duane Reade Inc. ("DR Inc."), a
     subsidiary of Daboco, are general partners in Duane Reade, which operates
     a chain of retail drug stores (67 at December 27, 1997) in the New York
     City area.

     Also in June 1997 the Company entered into a recapitalization agreement 
     (Note 10). 

     Significant accounting policies followed in the preparation of the 
     consolidated financial statements are as follows:

     PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION: The consolidated financial statements include
     the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All intercompany 
     transactions and balances have been eliminated. Certain prior period 
     amounts have been reclassified to conform with the current presentation.

     REPORTING YEAR: The fiscal year for the Company is the 52/53 week
     reporting period ending on the last Saturday in December.

     RECEIVABLES: Receivables consist primarily of amounts due from various
     insurance companies and governmental agencies under third party payment
     plans for prescription sales and amounts due from vendors, a majority of
     which relate to promotional programs. The Company has not provided an
     allowance for doubtful accounts as its historical write-offs have been
     immaterial. The Company reflects promotional allowances from vendors as
     income when such allowances are earned. The carrying value of the 
     Company's receivables approximate fair value given the short-term maturity
     of these financial instruments.

     INVENTORIES AND COST OF SALES: Substantially all inventories are stated at
     the lower of cost, determined pursuant to the last-in, first-out retail
     dollar value method (LIFO), or market. When appropriate, provision is made
     for obsolete, slow-moving or damaged inventory. If current cost had been
     used, inventories at December 27, 1997 and December 28, 1996 would not be
     materially different from the amounts reflected on the accompanying
     balance sheets.

     Cost of sales includes distribution and occupancy costs.

     PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT: Property and equipment are stated at cost.
     Depreciation and amortization are provided using the straight-line method
     over estimated useful lives of assets as follows:

     Buildings and improvements ...........30 years
     Furniture, fixtures and equipment ....5-10 years

     Leasehold improvements ...............Life of lease or, if shorter, asset
     Property under capital leases ........7 years

     OTHER ASSETS: Deferred financing costs arose in connection with borrowings
     under the Term Loan and with the issuance of the Senior Subordinated 
     Notes and the Zero Coupon Notes and are amortized using the straight-line
     method, the results of which are not materially different from the 
     interest method, over the term of the respective debt issue. Deferred 
     financing costs which arose in connection with the September 30, 1997 
     credit agreement are amortized utilizing the interest method, over the 
     term of the debt. Deferred financing costs which arose in connection 
     with the Old Credit Agreement are amortized utilizing the interest 
     method over the term of the debt.




                                      -31-
<PAGE>


     Systems development costs, consisting principally of costs relating to the
     new management information systems, are amortized using the straight-line
     method commencing in 1996 over a period of seven years.

     INTANGIBLE ASSETS: In September 1992, Holdings and Duane Reade entered
     into agreements with certain former members of management of Duane Reade,
     former shareholders of Daboco and shareholders of former partners of Duane
     Reade (collectively, the "Group") precluding such persons from competing
     with the operations of Duane Reade for a period of five years. The
     covenants not to compete were recorded at acquisition cost and were being
     amortized over the period of benefit using an accelerated method. During
     the first quarter of 1997, Holdings and Duane Reade entered into
     agreements in which the Company received consideration from the Group to
     terminate the non-compete agreements. In accordance with APB Opinion No.
     17, Intangible Assets, the remaining carrying value of the non-compete
     agreements of $4.86 million as of December 28, 1996 was written off and
     has been included in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations
     as amortization expense.

     Goodwill is amortized on the straight-line method over 40 years. The
     carrying value of goodwill is periodically reviewed and evaluated by the
     Company based principally on its expected future undiscounted operating
     cash flows. Should such evaluation result in the Company concluding that
     the carrying amount of goodwill has been impaired, an appropriate
     write-down would be made.

     PRE-OPENING EXPENSES: Store pre-opening costs, other than capital
     expenditures, are expensed when incurred.

     INCOME TAXES: Income taxes are accounted for under the liability method
     prescribed by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109.

     RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS: The Financial Accounting Standards
     Board (FASB) has issued several accounting pronouncements which the
     company will be required to adopt in future periods.

     FASB Statement No. 130 "Reporting Comprehensive Income," which the Company
     will adopt during the first quarter of 1998, establishes standards for
     reporting and display of comprehensive income and its components in
     financial statements. Comprehensive income generally represents all
     changes in shareholders' equity except those resulting from investments by
     or distributions to shareholders. With the exception of net earnings, such
     changes are generally not significant to the Company and the adoption of
     Statement No. 130, including the required comparative presentation for
     prior periods, is not expected to have a material impact on the
     consolidated financial statements.

     FASB Statement No. 131 "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and
     Related Information" requires that a publicly-held company report
     financial and descriptive information about its operating segments in the
     consolidated financial statements issued to shareholders for interim and
     annual periods. In addition, the Statement also requires additional
     disclosures with respect to products and services, geographic areas of
     operation, and major customers which have not previously been presented in
     the consolidated financial statements and related notes. The Company will
     adopt Statement No. 131 in 1998.



                                      -32-
<PAGE>


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

     NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE: Net loss per common share is based on the
     weighted average shares outstanding during each period (10,160,851 for the
     52 weeks ended December 27, 1997; 10,103,186 for the 52 weeks ended 
     December 28, 1996 and 10,177,782 for the 52 weeks ended December 30, 
     1995). The Company adopted the provisions of FASB Statement No. 128 
     "Earnings per Share" in 1997. Basic earnings per share is computed based 
     on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the 
     period. Diluted earnings per share gives effect to all dilutive potential 
     common shares outstanding during the period. Potential common shares 
     include shares issuable upon exercise of the Company's stock options.

     Potential common shares relating to options to purchase common stock were
     not included in the weighted average number of shares for the fiscal years
     1997, 1996 and 1995 because their effect would have been anti-dilutive.

2.    PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

     Property and equipment are summarized as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                         DECEMBER 27,                 DECEMBER 28,
                                                                             1997                         1996
                                                                  -----------------------      ----------------------

<S>                                                                    <C>                          <C>      
       Land......................................................      $      312                   $     489
       Buildings and building improvements ......................           4,323                       4,523
       Furniture, fixtures and equipment ........................          11,367                       6,881
       Leasehold improvements....................................          17,620                      13,134
       Property under capital leases.............................           9,410                       5,063
                                                                  -----------------------      ----------------------
                                                                           43,032                      30,090
       Less--Accumulated depreciation and amortization ..........          10,475                       7,025
                                                                  -----------------------      ----------------------
                                                                       $   32,557                    $ 23,065    
                                                                  =======================      ======================

</TABLE>

                                      -33-
<PAGE>





3.    OTHER ASSETS

     Other assets are summarized as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                   DECEMBER 27,              DECEMBER 28, 1996
                                                                                       1997
                                                                            -----------------------     -----------------------
<S>                                                                         <C>                         <C>   
       Deferred financing costs (net of accumulated amortization of $4,117
       and $10,417) .......................................................         $        6,651             $         7,811
       Systems and integration costs (net of accumulated amortization 
       of $3,009 and $1,461) ..............................................                  8,231                       9,798
       Other...............................................................                  2,118                         967
                                                                            -----------------------     -----------------------
                                                                                    $       17,000             $        18,576
                                                                            =======================     =======================
</TABLE>

Included in other assets are notes receivable from executives in the amount of
$237,000 at December 27, 1997 and $381,000 at December 28, 1996.

4.    DEBT

     Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                        DECEMBER 27,                DECEMBER 28,
                                                                            1997                        1996
                                                                      ------------------     -----------------------
<S>                                                                   <C>                         <C>              
       Senior debt
             Term loan facility (A)................................   $          65,310           $          69,475
             Notes payable bank--revolving credit (A) .............              24,500                       2,500
             12% Senior Notes due September 15, 2002 (B) ..........              89,893                      90,000
       Subordinated debt
             15% Senior Subordinated Zero Coupon Notes due
             September 15, 2004 (C)................................              92,553                      79,481
                                                                      ------------------     -----------------------
                                                                                272,256                     241,456
             Less--Current portion ................................                 660                      12,000
                                                                      ------------------     -----------------------
                                                                       $        271,596            $        229,456
                                                                      ==================     =======================

</TABLE>

     Amounts presented above are classified based upon their scheduled
maturity dates. As noted below, all amounts were repaid during the first 
quarter of 1998 in connection with the Company's Existing Credit Agreement and
the issuance of Common Stock and Senior Notes.


                                      -34-
<PAGE>




     (A)      Outstanding balances under a credit agreement dated as of
              September 24, 1992, as amended, with a syndicate of lending
              institutions bear interest at floating rates, which at December
              27, 1997 averaged 8.9%. On September 30, 1997, the Company
              entered into a credit agreement (the "Old Credit Agreement")
              with an affiliate of the DLJMB Entities and various financial 
              institutions providing for a term loan of $65.5 million and 
              a revolving credit facility of $30 million. Proceeds of the 
              term loan were used to repay outstanding term loans 
              ($63.5 million) and revolving loans ($2 million).

              The term loan is payable in quarterly installments of $165,000
              from December 1997 through March 2001, with additional payments
              as outlined in schedule below. The balance of the term loan at
              December 27, 1997 of $65.3 million reflects the above amount less
              the first quarterly payment made in December. As of December 27,
              1997, the borrowings outstanding under the revolving credit
              facility were $24.5 million (classified as a noncurrent
              liability); in addition, $285,000 in letters of credit had been
              issued.

              At December 27, 1997, the aggregate principal amount of the term
              loan matures as follows (in thousands):

              1998..............................          $       660
              1999..............................                  660
              2000..............................                  660
              2001..............................               31,495
              2002..............................               31,835
                                                    ------------------
                                                          $    65,310
                                                    ==================



              Subject to certain conditions, voluntary prepayments of the Term
              Loan are permitted without premium or penalty. Mandatory
              prepayments are required with respect to asset sales, permitted
              issuance of debt or equity and 75% of excess cash flows, as
              defined in the Credit Agreement, as amended.

              Obligations under the Old Credit Agreement are secured by a 
              pledge of all of Duane Reade's tangible and intangible assets 
              and are guaranteed by the Company, which has pledged 100% of 
              its partnership interests in support of such guarantees. The 
              guarantees are joint and several and full and unconditional. 
              The Old Credit Agreement contains restrictions on indebtedness, 
              asset sales, dividends and other distributions, capital 
              expenditures, transactions with affiliates and other unrelated 
              business activities. Financial performance covenants include 
              interest coverage, leverage ratio, minimum net worth and
              fixed charge coverage. At December 27, 1997, the Company is in
              compliance with all of the covenants in the Old Credit Agreement.



                                     -35-
<PAGE>


     (B)      On September 25, 1992, Duane Reade issued $90,000,000 aggregate
              principal amount of 12% Senior Notes due September 15, 2002, at
              face value. Interest is payable at 12% semiannually. The Senior
              Notes are guaranteed by Daboco and DR Inc. All of Daboco's assets
              are pledged to secure indebtedness under the Credit Agreement
              discussed in (A) above. As a result, such indebtedness will have
              claim on those assets that is prior to the claim of holders of
              the Senior Notes. To the extent that the amount of senior
              indebtedness exceeds the value of the collateral securing such
              indebtedness, the Senior Notes will rank pari passu with the Term
              Loans.

              Duane Reade is required to make a sinking fund payment on
              September 15, 2001 sufficient to retire 50% of the aggregate
              principal amount of Senior Notes originally issued. The Senior
              Notes are subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at
              104.5% of par, plus accrued interest, at the end of 1997,
              declining to par, plus accrued interest, at the end of 2000. In
              the event of a change in control, Duane Reade shall be obligated
              to make an offer to purchase all outstanding Senior Notes at a
              repurchase price of 101% of the principal amount.

     (C)      On September 25, 1992, Holdings issued $123,380,000 aggregate
              principal amount of 15% Senior Subordinated Zero Coupon Notes due
              September 15, 2004 (the "Zero Coupon Notes"), net of an
              $81,909,000 discount. The discount accretes through the Final
              Accretion Date of September 15, 1999. Thereafter, cash interest
              is payable at 15% semi-annually through maturity. Interest
              expense is determined using the effective interest method, which
              applies a constant yield to carrying value over the life of the
              Zero Coupon Notes.

              The Credit Agreement and the Senior Note Indenture referred to in
              (A) and (B) above provide for subordination of Holdings' debt to
              partnership debt.

              The notes are redeemable at the option of the issuer, in whole or
              in part, at 107.5% of Accreted Value (as defined in the Zero
              Coupon Note Indenture), plus accrued interest, at the end of 1997
              declining to par, plus accrued interest, at the end of 2002. In
              the event of a change in control, Holdings shall be obligated to
              make an offer to purchase all outstanding Zero Coupon Notes at a
              repurchase price of 101% of Accreted Value (as defined in the
              Indenture) or principal amount, as applicable. The Accreted Value
              of the Zero Coupon Notes was $96,400,000 at December 27, 1997.

              Purchasers of the Zero Coupon Notes received 15% of the fully
              diluted common stock of the Company, with registration rights, 
              for aggregate consideration of $3,529,000.

              The Indentures governing the Zero Coupon Notes and the Senior
              Notes include certain restrictive covenants. Subject to certain
              exceptions, the Indentures restrict transactions with affiliates,
              the incurrence of additional indebtedness, the payment of
              dividends, the creation of liens, certain asset sales, mergers
              and consolidations and certain other payments.

              The Company's debt is thinly traded in the market place.
              Accordingly, management is unable to determine fair market values
              for such debt at December 27, 1997.


                                     -36-
<PAGE>


              The Zero Coupon Notes and the Senior Notes were issued pursuant
              to Registration Rights Agreements under which Holdings and Duane
              Reade consummated registered exchange offers pursuant to which
              Holdings and Duane Reade exchanged the Zero Coupon Notes and the
              Senior Notes, respectively, for identical notes which have been
              registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

     In connection with the Company's new Credit Agreement (the "Existing
     Credit Agreement") issuance of common stock and Senior Notes in 
     February 1998, all outstanding amounts under (A), (B) and (C) above 
     were repaid in full (see Note 15).

5.   CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS

     As of December 27, 1997, the present value of capital lease obligations
     was $5.8 million (of which $1.9 million was payable during the next twelve
     months). Such obligations are payable in monthly installments over three
     to five year periods and bear interest at an average rate of 12.8%.

6.   INCOME TAXES



                                     -37-
<PAGE>



     Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on the difference
     between book and tax bases of the respective assets and liabilities at
     December 27, 1997, December 28, 1996 and December 30, 1995 and are
     comprised of (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S><C>

                                                    DECEMBER 27,              DECEMBER 28,              DECEMBER 30,
                                                        1997                      1996                      1995
                                              -------------------------   ----------------------    ----------------------
      Inventories                                        $     (3,884)             $     (3,501)             $     (3,238)
                                              -------------------------   ----------------------    ----------------------
      Gross deferred tax liabilities                           (3,884)                   (3,501)                   (3,238)
                                              -------------------------   ----------------------    ----------------------

      Covenants not to compete                                      --                     1,851                     4,318
      Zero Coupon debt discount                                 19,838                    14,041                     9,885
      Other                                                      4,474                     3,558                     2,479
      Net operating loss carryforward                           32,255                    50,072                    49,217
                                              -------------------------   ----------------------    ----------------------

      Gross deferred tax assets                                 56,567                    69,522                    65,899
                                              -------------------------   ----------------------    ----------------------

      Net deferred tax assets                                   52,683                    66,021                    62,661
      Valuation allowance                                      (52,683)                  (66,021)                  (62,661)
                                              -------------------------   ----------------------    ----------------------

                                                         $         ---             $         ---             $         ---
                                              =========================   ======================    ======================
</TABLE>
     The Company deducted for income tax purposes for the period September 25
     to December 31, 1992 approximately $88 million of payments made to former
     partners of Duane Reade (the "Retirement Payments"). Approximately $22.2
     million of the valuation allowance relates to the Retirement Payments.
     The Retirement Payments and other current tax deductions resulted in an
     available net operating loss of approximately $68.6 million which may be
     used to offset future taxable income of the Company through 2012. Due to
     the nature of the Retirement Payments, future reductions in that portion
     of the valuation allowance related to the Retirement Payments will be
     credited to goodwill. Further, due to the change in ownership arising as a
     result of the recapitalization, certain income tax law provisions apply 
     which limit the ability of the Company to utilize the available net 
     operating loss carryforwards. It is estimated that the annual limitation 
     will be $5.1 million.

                                     -38-
<PAGE>

     The provision for income taxes for the 52 weeks ended December 27, 1997,
     December 28, 1996 and December 30, 1995 differs from the amounts of income
     tax determined by applying the applicable U.S. statutory federal income
     tax rate to pretax loss as a result of the following (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                               52 WEEKS ENDED                52 WEEKS ENDED                52 WEEKS ENDED
                                              DECEMBER 27, 1997             DECEMBER 28, 1996             DECEMBER 30, 1995
                                       ----------------------------   ----------------------------  ----------------------------
<S>                                    <C>                   <C>       <C>                 <C>       <C>                 <C>   
    Pretax accounting loss             $        (14,714)      100.0%    $     (17,854)      100.0%    $     (18,058)      100.0%
                                       =================  ==========  ================  ==========  ================  ==========
    Statutory rate                               (5,150)      (35.0)           (6,249)      (35.0)           (6,320)      (35.0)
    State and local taxes, net 
    of federal tax                                 (332)       (2.3)           (1,201)       (6.7)           (1,233)       (6.8)
    Goodwill amortization                         1,218         8.3             1,218         6.8             1,218         6.7
    Net operating losses
    not utilized                                  1,530        10.4             5,534        31.0             5,828        32.3
    Nondeductible
    interest expense                                796         5.4               684         3.8               585         3.2
    Nondeductible recapitalization                1,915        13.0                 0         0.0                 0         0.0
    Other                                            23         0.2                14         0.1               (78)       (0.4)
                                       -----------------  ----------  ----------------  ----------  ----------------  ----------
    Effective tax rate                 $            ---         --%     $         ---        ---%     $         ---        ---%
                                       =================  ==========  ================  ==========  ================  ==========
</TABLE>
7.   STORE PRE-OPENING EXPENSES

     Duane Reade opened seven new store locations during the 52 weeks ended
     December 27, 1997, one new store location during the 52 weeks ended
     December 28, 1996 and eight new store locations during the 52 weeks ended
     December 30, 1995.

8.   COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

     LEASES

     Duane Reade leases all of its store facilities under operating lease 
     agreements expiring on various dates through the year 2022. In addition 
     to minimum rentals, certain leases provide for annual increases based 
     upon real estate tax increases, maintenance cost increases and inflation. 
     Rent expense for the 52 weeks ended December 27, 1997, December 28, 1996 
     and December 30, 1995 was $26,587,000, $24,420,000 and $22,703,000,
     respectively.


                                     -39-
<PAGE>


     Minimum annual rentals at December 27, 1997 (including obligations under
     new store leases entered into but not opened as of December 27, 1997) are
     as follows (in thousands):

           1998............................    $    28,899
           1999............................         29,300
           2000............................         28,512
           2001............................         28,204
           2002............................         27,682
           Remaining lease terms ..........        155,071
                                           ----------------

           Total...........................    $   297,668
                                           ================


     LITIGATION

     The Company from time to time is involved in routine legal matters
     incidental to its business. In the opinion of management, the ultimate
     resolution of such matters will not have a material adverse effect on the
     Company's financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

     MANAGEMENT AGREEMENTS

     The Company has employment agreements with several of its executives
     providing, among other things, for employment terms of up to three years.
     Pursuant to the terms of such employment and related agreements, the
     Company and various executives entered into agreements pursuant to which
     (i) executives' salary and bonuses were established and (ii) executives
     purchased shares of common stock. In the event of employment termination, 
     all of the stock may be repurchased by the Company. As a result of the 
     recapitalization and the reverse stock split (Note 10), all outstanding 
     shares were converted into common stock. As of December 27, 1997, an 
     aggregate 287,578 shares of common stock are held by employees and former 
     employees.

     COMMITMENTS

     The Company has established a Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan 
     ("SERP") which presently covers only its Chairman. Such SERP provides 
     for vesting over a twenty year period. However, if the Chairman's 
     employment is terminated without cause, as defined, or if the Chairman 
     resigns with cause, as defined, such vesting becomes immediate, in which 
     event the Company would be liable to the Chairman (in addition to amounts 
     accrued in the financial statements) in the amount of approximately 
     $700,000.

     The Company is subject to a loan agreement between the Company, certain of
     the DLJMB Entities and an executive of the Company whereby the Company
     has an obligation to assume a $1 million loan made to said executive, 
     should certain of the DLJMB Entities elect. At December 27, 1997, the 
     such DLJMB Entities have not exercised such election.

                                     -40-
<PAGE>

9.   EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

     On October 12, 1992, the Company adopted the 1992 Stock Option Plan of
     Duane Reade Holding Corp. (the "Plan"). Under the Plan, a committee
     designated by the Board of Directors to administer the Plan (the
     "Committee") may grant, to executive and other key employees of the
     Company, nonqualified stock options to purchase up to an aggregate of
     510,757 (adjusted for the recapitalization--See Note 10--and the reverse
     stock split--see Note 15) shares of common stock of the Company at an
     exercise price fixed by the Committee. The options are exercisable at such
     time or times as the Committee determines at or subsequent to grant. The
     term of the options set by the Committee shall not exceed 10 years.

     At December 27, 1997, there were outstanding nonqualified stock options to
     purchase up to an aggregate of 635,207 (adjusted for the recapitalization 
     and the reverse stock split, Note 10) shares of common stock (including 
     options granted outside the Plan), all of which are vested.

     Changes in options outstanding (including options granted outside the
     Plan) during 1997 and 1996 are summarized as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          OPTION PRICE PER SHARE
                                                          -------------------------------------------------      Total
                                                          $.58        $7.34-$12.77      $29.37      $40.86      Options
                                                          ----        ------------      ------      ------      -------
<S>                                                          <C>              <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>    
      Options outstanding, December 30, 1995                 40,110           40,109       40,109      40,109      160,437
      Options granted                                       723,662            2,745        2,745       2,745      731,897
      Options canceled                                      (13,728)         (13,726)     (13,726)    (13,726)     (54,906)
                                                           --------         --------     --------    --------     --------
      Options outstanding, December 28, 1996                750,044           29,128       29,128      29,128      837,428
      Options granted                                           851           68,953          851         851       71,506
      Options exercised                                      (2,745)             ---          ---         ---       (2,745)
      Options canceled                                     (262,747)          (2,745)      (2,745)     (2,745)    (270,982)
                                                           --------         --------     --------    --------     --------

      Options outstanding, December 27, 1997                485,403           95,336       27,234      27,234      635,207
                                                           ========         ========     ========    ========     ========

      Weighted average remaining life on
           outstanding options                            8.2 years         8.3 years    6.2 years    6.2 years   8.1 years

</TABLE>

     During the second quarter of 1997, the Company adopted an Equity
     Participation Plan under which options for a total of 1,321,181 (adjusted
     for the recapitalization and the reverse stock split, Note 10) shares of 
     common stock of the Company may be granted to employees, consultants and 
     non-employee directors of the Company if the Company meets specific 
     performance targets. At December 27, 1997, options for 1,019,284 shares 
     have been granted to employees.



                                     -41-
<PAGE>


     Changes in options outstanding under the Equity Participation Plan during
     the 52 weeks ended December 27, 1997 are summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                        Number
                                                                       of Options                    Option Price
                                                             ------------------------------     -----------------------
<S>                                                          <C>                                <C>                    
      Options outstanding, December 28, 1996                                            --                          --
      Options granted                                                            1,019,284                  $     8.33
                                                             ------------------------------     -----------------------
      Options outstanding, December 27, 1997                                     1,019,284                  $     8.33
                                                             ==============================     =======================

</TABLE>

     As permitted, the Company applies Accounting Principles Board Opinion No.
     25 and related Interpretations in accounting for its stock-based
     compensation plan. Had compensation cost for the Company's stock-based
     compensation plan been determined based on the fair value at the grant
     dates for awards under the Plan, consistent with the alternative method of
     Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, "Accounting for
     Stock-Based Compensation," the proforma effect on the Company's net loss 
     for the 52 weeks ended December 27, 1997 and December 28, 1996 would have 
     been less than $100,000 and $200,000, respectively. The proforma 
     compensation expense for stock options has been estimated using the 
     Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following assumptions:
     dividend yield of 0.0%, expected volatility of 60.0%, risk free interest
     rate of 6.0% and an expected term of 8 years. These proforma disclosures
     may not be representative of the effects on reported net income for future
     years since options vest over several years and options granted prior to
     1995 are not considered.

     The Company maintains an employee savings plan pursuant to Section 401(k)
     (the "401(k) Plan") of the Internal Revenue Code ("IRC") which covers
     substantially all non-union employees other than key employees as defined
     by IRC. Eligible participating employees may contribute up to 10% of their
     pretax salaries, subject to certain IRC limitations. The 401(k) Plan, as
     amended, provides for employer matching provisions at the discretion of
     the Company (to a maximum of 1% of pretax salaries) and has a feature
     under which the Company may contribute additional amounts for all eligible
     employees. The Company's policy is to fund such costs under the 401(k)
     Plan as accrued. For the 52 weeks ended December 27, 1997 and December 28,
     1996, there were no employer contributions to the 401(k) Plan. For the 52
     weeks ended December 30, 1995, employer contributions to the 401(k) Plan
     were $166,000.

     Duane Reade is under contract with local unions to contribute to
     multi-employer pension and welfare benefit plans for certain of its
     employees. For the 52 weeks ended December 27, 1997, December 28, 1996 and
     December 30, 1995, contributions to such plans were $6,751,000, $5,783,000
     and $5,200,000, respectively.

10.  RECAPITALIZATION

     During June 1997, the Company entered into a recapitalization agreement
     (the "Agreement") with its stockholders ("Stockholders") and certain
     investors ("Investors"). The Agreement provided for (i) the purchase by
     Investors from the Stockholders of substantially all their stock holdings
     in the Company, (ii) a conversion of all of the outstanding shares of the
     Company into a newly authorized class of Class B Common stock and (iii)
     the creation of a new authorized class of preferred stock which will carry
     the rights and preferences granted by the Company's Board of Directors
     when issued.


                                     -42-
<PAGE>

     Shares were converted as follows:

                                               
                                               
                                                           Approximate      
                   Prior Class                           Conversion Rate    
                   -----------                           ----------------
     Common and Common Class A  .........................         28/1
     Common Class P and Common Class P-1 ................        355/1

     In addition, because of the change in control, the Company was obligated
     to and made offers to repurchase all outstanding Senior Notes and Zero
     Coupon Notes at 101% of the principal amount or accreted value thereof,
     respectively. Such offers expired on September 12, 1997. The Company
     repurchased an aggregate of $107,000 principal amount of Senior Notes and
     $9,000 of Zero Coupon Notes pursuant to the offers.

     These financial statements do not reflect any adjustments as a result of
     the June 1997 change in control.

     On January 14, 1998, the Company effected an 8.326 reverse stock split of
     its common stock. All references to common stock amounts, shares and per
     share data included herein have been adjusted to give retroactive effect
     to such reverse stock split.

                                     -43-
<PAGE>


11.  NONRECURRING CHARGES

     During the first quarter of 1997, the Company considered a public offering
     of its common stock and took certain steps in connection with these plans.
     Such plans were abandoned upon consummation of the transaction discussed
     in Note 10.

     Costs and expenses incurred in connection with the abandoned public
     offering, the recapitalization and the exchange offers referred to in Note
     10 aggregated approximately $12.7 million, including investment banking
     fees of $7.7 million (including $3.5 million to an affiliate of the
     Investors and $0.6 million to the Stockholders), write-off of unamortized
     deferred financing costs relating to the old credit agreement of $1.8
     million, legal and accounting fees of $1.6 million, stand-by commitment
     fees relating to the exchange offers of $1.2 million to an affiliate of
     the Investors, and other costs of $0.4 million. The Company has treated
     these expenses as non-recurring because such expenses related to financing
     activities in connection with the Recapitalization and related events,
     which the Company does not expect to repeat.

12.  RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

     In 1992, the Company and the then principal stockholder of the Company
     (who has subsequently sold most of its shares, Note 10) entered into a
     professional services agreement whereby consulting, advisory, financial
     and other services were provided at the Company's request, for a five year
     term. During the 52 weeks ended December 28, 1996 and December 30, 1995,
     such fees aggregated approximately $1.0 million.

     In addition, the Investors paid an executive approximately $0.8 million
     for advisory services rendered and a former executive approximately $1.6
     million for the repurchase and cancellation of exercisable stock options.
     The accompanying financial statements do not reflect such payments.

     Costs incurred in connection with the Old Credit Agreement aggregated 
     approximately $2.7 million (including a funding fee of $2.4 million to 
     an affiliate of the DLJMB Entities).

13.  SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

     On February 13, 1998, the Company issued 6,700,000 shares of common stock 
     in an initial public offering for net proceeds of approximately $101.8
     million. In addition to the issuance of common stock, the Company entered
     into the Existing Credit Agreement which provides for borrowings of up to 
     approximately $160 million and issued $80 million of new Senior Notes. The
     net proceeds of the common stock and the sale of the Senior Notes and 
     borrowings under the Existing Credit Agreement were used for the (i)
     redemption of all of the Zero Coupon Notes for $99.8 million (including a
     redemption premium of $7.0 million), (ii) redemption of all the Senior
     Notes for $93.9 million (including a redemption premium of $4.0 million),
     (iii) repayment of the outstanding term loan indebtedness of $65.3
     million, (iv) repayment of outstanding revolving indebtedness of $27.5
     million and (v) payment of fees and expenses in connection with the
     Company's refinancing plan.

     The early payment of the Zero Coupon and Senior Notes will result in an
     extraordinary loss of approximately $23.6 million in the first quarter of
     1998.

                                     -44-
<PAGE>

14.  SELECTED QUARTERLY INFORMATION (UNAUDITED) 
     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S><C>

QUARTER                                             1997                 1996                   1995
SALES
First                                    $        99,740     $         90,594      $          77,985
Second                                           107,423               96,438                 84,141
Third                                            106,633               94,061                 84,157
Fourth                                           116,020              100,373                 90,639
                                         ================    =================     ==================
   Year                                  $       429,816     $        381,466      $         336,922
                                         ================    =================     ==================

GROSS PROFIT

First                                    $        23,837     $         19,965      $          19,007
Second                                            25,941               22,723                 21,073
Third                                             27,605               22,608                 19,775
Fourth                                            30,093               27,665                 17,240
                                         ----------------    -----------------     ------------------
   Year                                  $       107,476     $         92,961      $          77,095
                                         ================    =================     ==================

NET LOSS
First                                    $         (2,165)   $         (5,135)     $          (3,436)
Second                                            (10,192)             (3,225)                (3,783)
Third                                              (1,808)             (4,125)                (4,669)
Fourth                                               (549)             (5,369)                (6,170)
                                         ----------------    -----------------     ------------------
   Year                                  $       (14,714)    $        (17,854)     $         (18,058)
                                         ================    =================     ==================

NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE (BASIC
AND DILUTED)
First                                    $          (.21)    $           (.50)     $            (.34)
Second                                             (1.01)                (.32)                  (.37)
Third                                               (.18)                (.41)                  (.46)
Fourth                                              (.05)                (.54)                  (.60)
                                         ----------------    -----------------     ------------------
   Year                                  $         (1.45)    $          (1.77)     $           (1.77)
                                         ================    =================     ==================
</TABLE>
                                     -45-
<PAGE>



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

None.






                                     -46-
<PAGE>


                                    PART III

ITEM 10.        DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.

         DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

                The following table sets forth the directors and executive
officers of the Company:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

         Name                               Age                          Position
         ----                               ---                          ---------
<S>                                        <C>         <C>                                                     
Anthony J. Cuti.............................52         Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President
William Tennant.............................50         Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Gary Charboneau.............................53         Senior Vice President - Sales and Merchandising
Jerry M. Ray................................50         Senior Vice President - Store Operations
Nicole S. Arnaboldi.........................39         Director
David L. Jaffe..............................39         Director
Andrew J. Nathanson.........................40         Director
Kevin Roberg................................46         Director
David W. Johnson............................65         Director
</TABLE>
                ANTHONY J. CUTI has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
of the Company since April 1996. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Cuti served
as President and as a member of the Board of Directors of Supermarkets General
and Pathmark from 1993 to 1996 and, prior to being named President of
Supermarkets General and Pathmark, Mr. Cuti was Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer of Supermarkets Generals. From 1984 to 1990, he was the
Chief Financial Officer of the Bristol-Myers International Group of the
Bristol-Myers Company and prior to that was employed by the Revlon Corporation.

                WILLIAM TENNANT has been Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of the Company since February 1997. Prior to joining the
Company, Mr. Tennant was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
Tops Appliance City, a consumer electronics retailer, from 1993 to 1996. From
1986 to 1993, Mr. Tennant served as Vice President and Controller for the Great
Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company.

                GARY CHARBONEAU has been Senior Vice President in charge of
Sales and Merchandising of the Company since February 1993. Prior to joining
the Company, Mr. Charboneau held various positions at CVS, a retail drugstore
chain, from 1978 to February 1993, most recently as Executive Vice President.

                JERRY M. RAY has been Senior Vice President in charge of Store
Operations since July 1996 and served as Vice President of Pharmacy Operations
from April 1995 to June 1996. From 1991 to 1994, Mr. Ray served as President
and CEO of Begley Drugstores, Inc.

                                     -47-
<PAGE>

                NICOLE S. ARNABOLDI has been a Director of the Company since
June 1997. Ms. Arnaboldi is a Managing Director of DLJMB. She joined the DLJ
Merchant Banking Group in March 1993 after six years with The Sprout Group,
DLJ's venture capital affiliate.

                DAVID L. JAFFE has been a Director of the Company since June
1997. Mr. Jaffe is a Managing Director of DLJMB. Mr. Jaffe joined DLJ Merchant
Banking in 1984 and became a Managing Director in 1995. He currently sits on
the Board of Directors of each of EZ Buy and EZ Sell Recycler Corporation, OHA
Financial, Inc., OSF, Inc., Terra Nova Group, Pharmaceutical Fine Chemicals SA
and Brand Scaffold Services, Inc.

                ANDREW J. NATHANSON has been a Director of the Company since
June 1997. Mr. Nathanson is a Managing Director of DLJ. Mr. Nathanson joined
DLJ in 1989 from Drexel Burnham Lambert, and has been a Managing Director of
DLJ since 1991. Mr. Nathanson also serves on the Board of Directors of
Specialty Foods, Inc.

                KEVIN ROBERG has been a Director of the Company since February
1998. Mr. Roberg currently serves as Chief Executive Officer and President of
ValueRx. Prior to serving in this position, Mr. Roberg served as Chief
Executive Officer and President of Medintell Systems Corporation during 1995
and as President - Western Health Plans and President - PRIMExtra, Inc. for EBP
Health Plans, Inc. from 1994 to 1995. Mr. Roberg served as President-Self
Funded and Private Label Division from 1993 to 1993 for Diversified
Pharmaceutical Services (a subsidiary of United HealthCare Corporation)
("Diversified") and prior to that served as Chief Operating Officer of
Diversified.

                DAVID W. JOHNSON has been a Director of the Company since
February 1998. Since 1993, Mr. Johnson has served as Chairman of the Board of
Campbell Soup Company. Prior to holding this position, Mr. Johnson served as
President and Chief Executive Officer of Campbell Soup Company. Mr. Johnson
also serves on the Board of Directors of Colgate Palmolive Company.

         COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

                The members of the Compensation Committee are Messrs. Jaffe and
Johnson. The duties of the Compensation Committee are to provide a general
review of the Company's compensation and benefit plans to ensure that they meet
corporate objectives. In addition, the Compensation Committee will review
management's recommendations on (i) compensation of all officers of the Company
and (ii) adopting and changing major Company compensation policies and
practices, and report its recommendations to the entire Board of Directors for
approval and authorization. The Compensation Committee will administer the
Company's stock plans.

                The Board of Directors may also establish other committees to
assist in the discharge of its responsibilities.

                                     -48-
<PAGE>

ITEM 11.

                EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

                The following table summarizes the principal components of
compensation of the Chief Executive Officer and the other four highest
compensated executive officers of the Company (the "Named Executive Officers")
for the fiscal year ended December 27, 1997. The compensation set forth below
fully reflects compensation for services performed on behalf of the Company and
its subsidiaries.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                    LONG-TERM
                                                     ANNUAL COMPENSATION            COMPENSATION
                                            -------------------------------------   -------------
                                                                                    SECURITIES

NAME AND                         FISCAL                              OTHER ANNUAL   UNDERLYING    ALL OTHER
PRINCIPAL POSITION               YEAR       SALARY     BONUS         COMPENSATION   OPTIONS(#)    COMPENSATION

<S>                             <C>        <C>        <C>                <C>        <C>             <C>
Anthony J. Cuti..................1997      $386,000     $475,000           $--        496,569         $--
   Chief Executive Officer
Gary Charboneau..................1997       243,000      121,600            --        141,877          --
   Senior Vice President-Sales
   and Merchandising
Jerry M. Ray`....................1997       200,000      100,000            --        118,231          --
   Senior Vice President-Store
   Operations
William J. Tennant...............1997       151,000(1)    61,300            --        115,393          --
   Senior Vice President-Chief
   Financial Officer
Joseph S. Lacko..................1997       150,000       52,500           --          11,823          --
   Vice President-Management
   Information Systems
</TABLE>

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

(1)      Reflects Mr. Tennant's salary for the partial year from February 18,
         1997 (when he joined the Company) through December 27, 1997.




                                     -49-
<PAGE>

                       OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR

                The following table discloses options granted during fiscal
year 1997 to the Named Executive Officers.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S><C>
                                              INDIVIDUAL GRANTS
                           --------------------------------------------------------
                           NUMBER OF        % OF TOTAL                                 POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE AT
                           SECURITIES       OPTIONS                                    ASSUMED RATES OF STOCK PRICE
                           UNDERLYING       GRANTED TO      EXERCISE OR                APPRECIATION FOR OPTION TERM(2)
                           OPTIONS          EMPLOYEES IN    BASE PRICE    EXPIRATION   -------------------------------
                           GRANTED(1)       FISCAL YEAR     PER SHARE     DATE                 5%            10&

Anthony J. Cuti..........  496,569           45.5%            $8.33      6/18/07           $2,602,022   $6,594,436
Gary Charboneau(3).......  141,877           13.0              8.33      6/18/07              743,435    1,884,127
Jerry M. Ray(3)..........  118,231           10.8              8.33      6/18/07              619,530    1,570,081
William J. Tennant(4)....  115,393           10.6           7.34-8.33 2/18/07-6/18/07         561,964(5) 1,425,104(5)
Joseph S. Lacko .........   11,823            1.1              8.33      6/18/07               61,953      157,009
- ------------------
(1)    Except for 68,101 options grated to Mr. Tennant under a separate
       program, all of such options vest fully on the eighth anniversary of the
       grant date and may vet sooner based on the Company's achievement of
       certain specified targets.

(2)    Amounts reflect certain assumed rates of appreciation for the term of
       the option as set forth in the executive compensation disclosure rules
       of the Securities and Exchange Commission and are not intended to
       forecast future appreciation of the Common Stock. Actual gains, if any,
       on stock option exercises depend on future performance of the Company's
       stock and overall market conditions. For each Named Executive Officer
       other than Mr. Tennant, at an annual rate of appreciation of 5% per year
       for the option term, the price of the Common Stock would be
       approximately $13.57 per share as of the expiration date, and for Mr.
       Tennant such price would be approximately $12.62 per share. For each
       Named Executive Officer other than Mr. Tennant, at an annual rate of
       appreciation of 10% per year for the option term, the price of the
       Common Stock would be approximately $21.61 per share as of the
       expiration date, and for Mr. Tennant such price would be approximately
       $20.10 per share.

(3)    All of such options were granted under the Equity Plan (as defined
       below). The options granted under such plan are subject to repurchase
       provisions upon termination of employment. See "-- Stock Options."

(4)    68,101 of Mr. Tennant's options were granted pursuant to a separate
       program with the Company, and the remaining 47,292 options were granted
       pursuant to the Equity Plan.

(5)    Amounts for Mr. Tennant are calculated based on a weighted average exercise price of $7.75 per share.

</TABLE>



                                     -50-
<PAGE>

                         FISCAL YEAR END OPTION VALUES

                The following table summarizes the number and value of all
unexercised options held by the Named Executive Officers at the end of 1997.
There were no options exercised in the Company's last fiscal year.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                NUMBER OF
                                                                SECURITIES
                                                                UNDERLYING
                                                                UNEXERCISED             VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                           SHARES                               OPTIONS                 IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
NAME                       ACQUIRED         VALUE REALIZED      FISCAL YEAR END         AT FISCAL YEAR END ($)(1)
- ----                       --------         --------------      ---------------         -------------------------
                                                                EXERCISABLE/                 EXERCISABLE/
                                                                UNEXERCISABLE                UNEXERCISABLE
<S>                          <C>              <C>              <C>                             <C>              
Anthony J. Cuti............  --                   --           409,931/451,168                $2,825,108/0
Gary Charboneau............  --                   --            68,985/128,905                   306,443/0
Jerry M. Ray...............  --                   --            55,842/107,421                   285,161/0
William J. Tennant.........  --                   --            72,425/42,968                     67,420/0
Joseph S. Lacko............  --                   --            18,917/9,931                     131,944/0
</TABLE>

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

(1)      Assumes the value of the Common Stock as of December 27, 1997 is equal
         to $8.33 per share.

                Mr. Barry Weston, the Company's former Chief Executive Officer,
resigned from the Company effective as of February 28, 1997. In connection with
Mr. Weston's severance from the Company and the Recapitalization, Mr. Weston
received approximately $1.6 million from DLJMB and all of his unexercised
options were effectively canceled. In addition, Mr. Weston received
approximately $412,000 from the Company during 1997, a portion of which was
attributable to his 1995 and 1996 bonus and the remainder of which was
attributable to severance payments.

         COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS

                Directors of the Company who are employees of the Company, DLJ
or DLJMB or their respective subsidiaries are not compensated for serving as
directors. As of the date of their election to the Board of Directors, each of
Messrs. Roberg and Johnson received 5,000 options to purchase Common Stock at
$21.5625 per share. The Company plans to compensate future Directors who are
not employees of the Company, DLJ or DLJMB ("Non-Employee Directors") with
option grants for serving in such capacity and for serving on committees of the
Board of Directors and to reimburse Non-Employee Directors for out-of-pocket
expenses incurred in such capacity.

         COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

         Prior to the consummation of its initial public offering, the Company
did not have a compensation committee. Instead, compensation decisions
regarding the Company's executive officers were made by the Board of Directors.
Each executive officer of the Company has an 


                                     -51-
<PAGE>

employment agreement with the Company that establishes his annual compensation.
See "--Employment Agreements."

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS

         Effective June 18, 1997, the Company entered into an employment
agreement with Anthony J. Cuti (the "Cuti Employment Agreement"). Pursuant to
the Cuti Employment Agreement, Mr. Cuti serves as Chairman, President and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company. The Cuti Employment Agreement provides for
(i) a base salary of $425,000 per year, which will increase to $500,000 in 1998
and $550,000 in 1999 if certain EBITDA targets (as defined in the Cuti
Employment Agreement) are met and will increase every 18 months commencing July
1, 2001 by not less than the percentage increase in a designated consumer price
index for such 18-month period, (ii) an annual incentive bonus of up to 200% of
base salary based on certain EBITDA targets and (iii) participation in all
benefit plans generally available to executive officers of the Company.

         Pursuant to the Cuti Employment Agreement and the Equity Plan
described below, on June 18, 1997, Mr. Cuti was granted non-qualified stock
options to purchase an aggregate of 496,569 shares of Common Stock at an
exercise price of $8.33 per share. Subject to Mr. Cuti's continued employment
with the Company, the options generally will become 100% vested on the eighth
anniversary of the date of grant, but may vest sooner based on the Company's
achievement of certain specified financial targets. Furthermore, the vesting of
options will accelerate upon the occurrence of a sale of the Company (as
defined in the Cuti Employment Agreement) on or prior to December 30, 2001,
based on the Company's achievement of specified financial targets prior to the
date of any such sale of the Company.

         The Cuti Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Cuti may generally 
only transfer up to 10% of his shares of Common Stock in each calendar year 
while he is an employee of the Company, except pursuant to certain rights and 
obligations (i) to transfer ("put") his shares to the Company upon termination 
of employment and (ii) to transfer shares in connection with certain transfers 
of Common Stock by DLJMBPII. The Cuti Employment Agreement also provides that 
Mr. Cuti will be given the opportunity to invest additional amounts in stock 
of the Company in the event that DLJMBPII invests new equity in the Company 
or creates an instrument that may be dilutive to Mr. Cuti's equity position 
relative to DLJMBPII.

         Mr. Cuti's initial term of employment is for three years and, unless
terminated by notice of non-renewal by either the Company or Mr. Cuti, will
continue thereafter for successive one-year periods. Pursuant to the Cuti
Employment Agreement, if the Company terminates Mr. Cuti without "cause" (as
defined in the Cuti Employment Agreement) or by notice of non-renewal or Mr.
Cuti resigns with "good reason" (as defined in the Cuti Employment Agreement),
Mr. Cuti will be entitled to continued base salary and incentive bonus payments
(at the rate of two times base salary and bonus for the year prior to
termination, which can be increased to three times base salary and bonus upon
the occurrence of certain events, including a sale of 


                                     -52-
<PAGE>

the Company) and employee benefits for a two year period, which, under certain
circumstances, including Mr. Cuti's termination of employment prior to June 18,
2003 and within one year following a Sale of the Company, may be extended by
one year. Additionally, the vesting of Mr. Cuti's options may accelerate upon
such a termination of employment, based on the Company's financial performance
prior to such termination and whether a Sale of the Company has occurred. The
Cuti Employment Agreement also contains certain non-compete, non-solicitation
and confidentiality provisions. See also "Certain Relationships and Related
Transaction-Cuti Loan Agreement."

         The Company has also entered into agreements with Messrs. Charboneau
and Ray and certain other executives that provide for their initial base salary
as well as annual incentive bonuses based on certain EBITDA targets. Mr.
Charboneau's employment agreement provides for an annual base salary of
$220,000 and for additional increases from time to time as the Company may
determine. Mr. Ray's employment agreement provides for an annual base salary of
$150,000 and for additional increases from time to time as the Company may
determine. Each of Messrs. Charboneau and Ray are entitled to severance
payments equalling 12 months of their respective salaries if they are
terminated without "cause" (as respectively defined in the agreements).

         The Company's agreement with Mr. Lacko provides for payment of an
annual base salary of $150,000 as well as for payment of annual incentive
bonuses based upon achievement of certain corporate and financial objectives.
Mr. Lacko's agreement also provides for the grant of stock options to acquire
an aggregate of 6,805 shares of Common Stock. These options vested on June 18,
1997 and have an exercise price of $8.33 per share. In addition, Mr. Lacko's
agreement provides for 12 months of salary continuation in the event Mr. Lacko
is terminated without cause.

         The Company's agreement with Mr. Tennant provides for payment of an
annual base salary of $175,000 per year as well as for payment of annual
incentive bonuses based upon achievements of certain financial targets. Mr.
Tennant's agreement also provides for the grant of stock options to acquire an
aggregate of 68,101 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $7.34 per
share. These options vested on June 18, 1997. The agreement also provides for
12 months of salary continuation in the event Mr. Tennant is terminated without
cause.

SUPPLEMENTAL EXECUTIVE RETIREMENT PLAN

         The Company has established the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan
("SERP"), an unfunded retirement plan that provides a lump sum benefit equal to
the actuarial present value of a life annuity commencing at the later of age 65
or termination of employment for any reason other than for "cause." The SERP
benefit is calculated as a percentage of a participant's Final Average Earnings
(defined as the average base salary and bonus for the five years which produce
the greatest amount multiplied by the participant's years of services with the
Company). Currently, Mr. Cuti is the only SERP participant. Mr. Cuti's
estimated SERP benefit, based on his annualized 1996 includable compensation
and upon discount rates effective for termination of employment in December
1997, is estimated to be $619,000, if termination of employment occurs after 10
years when Mr. Cuti will be age 60 1/2, or $1,263,000 if termination of
employment occurs after 14 1/2 years, when Mr. Cuti will be age 65. Pursuant to
the Cuti 


                                     -53-
<PAGE>

Employment Agreement, the Company is required to set aside funds in a "rabbi
trust" to pay Mr. Cuti's SERP benefit in specified circumstances, including a
sale of the Company, termination without "cause" and resignation for "good
reason" (as respectively defined in the Cuti Employment Agreement).
Furthermore, in the event of his termination without "cause" or by reason of
the Company's non-renewal, his resignation for "good reason," or his death or
disability, Mr. Cuti's SERP benefit will be calculated on the basis of 20 years
of employment regardless of his actual number of years of employment with the
Company (the present value of which was approximately $700,000 as of December
27, 1997).

STOCK OPTIONS

         1992 STOCK OPTION PLAN. The Board of Directors adopted and the
Company's stockholders approved the 1992 Stock Option Plan (the "1992 Plan") in
September 1992. Under the 1992 Plan, the Board of Directors may grant to
executive and other key employees of the Company nonqualified stock options to
purchase up to an aggregate of 510,757 shares of Common Stock of the Company at
exercise prices and terms specified by the Board of Directors.

         At December 27, 1997, there were outstanding nonqualified stock
options issued under the 1992 Plan to purchase up to an aggregate of 281,657
shares of Common Stock of the Company at exercise prices ranging from $0.58 to
$40.88 per share. The 1992 Plan was frozen as to the future grants following
the initial public offering of the Company's Common Stock. All options issued
under the 1992 Plan are 100% vested.

         1997 EQUITY PARTICIPATION PLAN. As of June 18, 1997, the Board of
Directors and stockholders of the Company approved the 1997 Equity
Participation Plan (the "Equity Plan"). Since consummation of the initial
public offering of the Company's Common Stock, the Equity Plan has been
administered by the Compensation Committee. The Board of Directors is
authorized under the Equity Plan to select the individuals to whom awards will
be made (the "Participants") and determine the terms and conditions of the
awards under the Equity Plan. The Equity Plan provides that the Board of
Directors may grant or issue stock options, stock appreciation rights,
restricted stock, deferred stock, dividend equivalents, performance awards,
stock payments and other stock related benefits, or any combination thereof,
to any eligible employee or consultant. Each such award will be set forth in a
separate a agreement with the person receiving the award and will indicate the
type, terms, and conditions of the award. An aggregate of 1,321,181 shares of
Common Stock of the Company have been reserved for issuance under the Equity
Plan, subject to certain adjustments reflecting changes in the Company's
capitalization. The Equity Plan provides that no Participant may receive awards
relating to more than 480,429 shares of Common Stock per year.

         SECTION 162(M) LIMITATION. In general, under Section 162(m) of the
Code ("Section 162(m)"), income tax deductions of publicly-held corporations
may be limited to the extent total compensation including base salary, annual
bonus, stock option exercises and non-qualified benefits for certain executive
officers exceeds $1 million (less the amount of any "excess parachute payments"
as defined in Section 280G of the Code) in any one year. Under a Section 162(m)
transition rule for compensation plans of corporations which are privately held
and which 


                                     -54-
<PAGE>

become publicly held in an initial public offering, the Equity Plan will not be
subject to Section 162(m) until the "Transition Date" which is defined as the
earliest of (i) the material modification of the Equity Plan; (ii) the issuance
of all Common Stock and other compensation that has been allocated under the
Equity Plan; and (iii) the first meeting of stockholders at which directors are
to be elected that occurs after December 31, 2001. After the Transition Date,
rights and awards granted under the Equity Plan will not qualify as
"performance-based compensation" for purposes of Section 162(m) unless such
rights and awards are granted by an independent compensation committee, and
such awards are granted or vest upon pre-established objective performance
goals, the material terms of which are disclosed to and approved by the
stockholders of the Company. The transition rule will also apply to base salary
and bonus payments made pursuant to employment agreements in effect at the time
of the initial public offering of the Company's Common Stock.

         The Board of Directors generally will have the power and authority to
amend the equity Plan at any time without approval of the Company's
stockholders, subject to applicable federal securities and tax law limitations
(including rules and regulations of the New York Stock Exchange).



                                     -55-
<PAGE>


ITEM 12.

                         SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN

                        BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

         The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
beneficial ownership (as defined by the regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission) of the Company's Common Stock (which constitutes the only
class of voting capital stock of the Company) by (i) each person known to the
Company to be the beneficial owner of 5% or more of the Common Stock, (ii) each
director, (iii) each Named Executive Officer and (iv) all executive officers
and directors as a group, based on data as of March 15, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                      SHARES BENEFICIALLY OWNED (1)
                                                                      -----------------------------
NAME                                                      NO OF SHARES                                PERCENT
- ----                                                      ------------                                -------
<S>                                                          <C>                                        <C> 
DLJ Merchant Banking Partners II, L.P. and related
  investors(2)..............................              8,292,162                                    48.9%  
Anthony J. Cuti.............................                409,931                                     2.4%
David L. Jaffe(3)...........................                   __                                        __
Nicole S. Arnaboldi(3)......................                   __                                        __
Andrew J. Nathanson(3)......................                   __                                        __
Gary Charboneau.............................                272,436                                     1.6%
Jerry M. Ray................................                 96,532                                      *
William J. Tennant..........................                 72,425                                      *
Joseph S. Lacko.............................                 18,917                                      *
Kevin Roberg................................                  5,000                                      *
David W. Johnson............................                  5,000                                      *

All executive officers and directors as a group
  (10 persons)(3)...........................                861,324                                    4.9        
</TABLE>
- --------------------

* Less than one percent

(1)      For purposes of this table, a person is deemed to have "beneficial
ownership" of any shares that such person has the right to acquire within 60
days after the date of this Prospectus. For purposes of calculating the
percentage of outstanding shares held by each person named above, any shares
that such person has the right to acquire within 60 days after the date of this
prospectus are deemed to be outstanding, but not for the purposes of
calculating the percentage ownership of any other person.

(2)      Consists of shares held directly by the following related investors,
each of whom is affiliated with DLJ: DLJ Merchant Banking Partners II, L.P.
("DLJMBPII"), 5,223,192 shares; DLJ Merchant Banking Partners II-A, L.P.
("DLJMBPII-A"), 208,012 shares; DLJ Offshore Partners II, C.V. ("DLJOPII"),
256,849 shares; DLJ 



                                     -56-
<PAGE>

Diversified Partners, L.P. ("DLJ"), 305,371 shares; DLJ Diversified Partners-A,
L.P. ("DLJDPA"), 113,405 shares; DLJMB Funding II, Inc. ("DLJMBFII"), 927,352
shares; DLJ Millennium Partners, L.P. ("Millennium"), 84,453 shares; DLJ
Millennium-A, L.P. :("Millennium-A"), 16,471 shares; DLJ EAB Partners, L.P.
("DLJEAB"), 23,452 shares; UK Investment Plan 1997 Partners ("UK Investment"),
138,196 shares; and DLJ First ESC L.P. ("DLJ ESC" and, collectively with the
aforementioned entities, the "DLJMBPII Entities") 995,009 shares. See "Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions--DLJMB Relationships." The address of
each DLJMBPII, DLJMBIIA, DLJDP, DLJDPA, DLJMBFII, Millennium, Millennium-A,
DLJEAB, and DLJ ESC is 277 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10172. The address
of DLJOPII is c/o John B. Gorsiraweg, 14 Willemstad, Curacao, Netherlands
Antilles. The address of UK Investment is 2121 Avenue of the Stars, Fox Plaza,
Suite 3000, Los Angeles, California 90067. As a general partner of each of
DLJMBPII, DLJMBIIA, DLJOPII, DLJDP, DLJDPA, DLJEAB, Millennium and
Millennium-A, DLJMB may be deemed to beneficially own indirectly all of the
shares held directly by DLJMBPII, DLJMBIIA, DLJOPII, DLJDP, DLJDPA, DLJEAB,
Millennium and Millennium-A, and as the parent of each of DLJMB, DLJMBFII and
DLJLBO Plans Management Corporation (the General partner of DLJ ESC and UK
Investment), Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Inc., the parent of DLJ ("DLJ Inc.")
may be deemed to beneficially own indirectly all of the shares held by
DLJMBPII, DLJMBIIA, DLJOPII, DLJDP, DLJDPA, DLJEAB, Millennium, Millennium-A,
DLJMBFII, DLJESC and UK investment. The address of DLJ Merchant Banking, Inc.
is 277 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10172.

(3)      Mr. Nathanson is a Managing Director of DLJ and, as a result may be
deemed to beneficially own the shares of Common Stock held by the DLJMBPII
Entities. Mr. Nathanson expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares
of Common Stock. Ms. Arnaboldi and Mr. Jaffe are managing directors of DLJMB
and DLJ Diversified Partners, Inc. ("DLJDPI"). DLJMB is the managing general
partner of DLJMBII, DLJMBIIA, DLJOPII, Millennium and Millennium-A. DLJDPI is
the managing general partner of DLJDP and DLJDPA. As a result, Ms. Arnaboldi
and Mr. Jaffe may be deemed to beneficially own the shares of Common Stock held
by each of DLJMBPII, DLJMBIIA, DLJOPII, DLJDP, DLJDPA, Millennium,
Millennium-A. Ms. Arnaboldi and Mr. Jaffe expressly disclaim beneficial
ownership of such shares of Common Stock.



                                     -57-
<PAGE>


ITEM 13.

                 CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

DLJMB RELATIONSHIPS

                In connection with the Recapitalization, DLJMBPII and certain
of its affiliates (the "DLJ Entities") purchased an aggregate of 9, 383,420
shares of Common Stock, certain members of management retained an aggregate of
284,832 shares of Common Stock and certain other stockholders retained an
aggregate of 589,577 shares of Common Stock. The aggregate purchase price for
the shares acquired by the DLJ Entities was approximately $78.7 million or
approximately $8.33 per share. Each of these shareholders other than members of
management signed the Stockholders and Registration Rights Agreement. See
"--Stockholders and Registration Rights Agreement." Mr. Jaffe and Ms.
Arnaboldi, directors of the Company, are managing Directors of DLJMB, and Mr.
Nathanson, also a director of the Company, is a Managing Director of DLJ.

                On September 30, 1997, the Company entered into a credit
agreement (the "Old Existing Credit Agreement") in which DLJ Capital Funding,
Inc., an affiliate of DLJMBPII, ("DLJ Funding") acted as the arranger and
syndication agent. In connection with the Old Credit Agreement, DLJ Funding
received a customary funding fee of approximately $2.4 million. On February 13,
1998, the Company entered into its existing credit agreement (the "Existing
Credit Agreement") for which DLJ Funding acted as the manager and syndication
agent. In connection with the Existing Credit Agreement, DLJ Funding received a
customary funding fee of approximately $1.9 million.

               DLJ (an affiliate of DLJMBPII) acted as financial advisor to the
Company in connection with the structuring of the Recapitalization and received
customary fees for such services of approximately $3.5 million and
reimbursement for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and affiliates of DLJ
received standby commitment fees of approximately $1.2 million in connection
with change of control offers for the Zero Coupon Notes and the Senior Notes,
which were required as a result of the Recapitalization. The Company agreed to
indemnify DLJ in connection with its acting as financial advisor. In addition,
DLJ received its pro rata portion of the underwriters compensation
(approximately $4.258 million) in connection with its services as lead
underwriter in the initial public offering of the Company's Common Stock that
was consummated on February 13, 1998. DLJ also served as sole underwriter in
connection with the offering of the Company's 9 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes
due 2008 that was consummated on February 13, 1998, for which DLJ received 
$2.4 million of underwriting compensation payable in connection therewith and
$50,000 in connection with services relating to the defeasance of the Zero
Coupon Notes and the Senior Notes. In addition, the DLJ Entities received
$16.75 million from the sale of 1,091,658 shares of Common Stock in connection
with the exercise by the Underwriters of their overallotment option in
connection with the initial public offering of the Company's Common Stock.



                                     -58-
<PAGE>



CUTI LOAN AGREEMENT

                Pursuant to the terms of the Cuti Employment Agreement and a
Secured Loan Agreement and related agreements among Mr. Cuti, the Company and
DLJ (the "Loan Documents"), on November 20, 1997, Mr. Cuti borrowed $1 million
from DLJ (the "Loan"). The Loan is secured by Mr. Cuti's pledge to DLJ of his
options granted under the equity Plan and his option to purchase 496,569 shares
of Common Stock, and all Common Stock and other proceeds payable upon exercise
or other disposition thereof (the "Pledged Security"). The Loan is subject to
interest at the Federal Mid-Term Rate as in effect from time to time and is
generally payable in five equal installments commencing within 30 days after
Mr. Cuti has the ability to receive cash in exchange for any of the Pledged
Security. In addition, the Company may apply any amounts to which Mr. Cuti is
entitled upon termination of employment to repayment of the Loan. The Cuti
Employment Agreement and the Loan Documents further provide that in the event
of termination of Mr. Cuti's employment by reason of termination by the Company
without "cause" or the Company's non-renewal or his resignation with "good
reason" (as such terms are defined in the Cuti Employment Agreement), the
Company will reimburse Mr. Cuti for all interest accrued as of the date of such
termination if the Company has achieved certain specified financial targets for
the year prior to termination and the year of such termination. The Loan
Documents permits DLJ to assign the Loan to certain of its affiliates,
including the Company, and the Company is obligated pursuant to the Cuti
Employment Agreement to assume the Loan from DLJ as soon as practicable after
the Company and DLJ agree that the Company may do so. At December 27, 1997, the
DLJ Investors had not exercised such election.

OTHER RELATIONSHIPS

         The Company incurred aggregate fees owing to Credit Suisse First
Boston for financial services rendered from March 1995 through the consummation
of the Recapitalization in the aggregate among of $3.6 million, of which $1.4
million was paid upon consummation of the Recapitalization and the remaining
$2.2 million was paid in connection with the consummation of the initial public
offering of the Company's Common Stock.

STOCKHOLDERS AND REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

         In connection with the Recapitalization, certain of the shareholders
of the Company (the "Initial Shareholders") entered into a Stockholders and
Registration Rights Agreement, pursuant to which the Company has granted the
Initial Shareholders the right to cause the Company to register shares of
Common Stock (the "registrable securities") under the Securities Act. Upon
consummation of the Offering, 9,395,278 outstanding shares of Common Stock will
constitute registrable securities and therefore will be eligible for
registration pursuant to the Stockholders and Registration Rights Agreement.
Under the terms of the Stockholders and Registration Rights Agreement, at any
time after the one year anniversary date of the Offering, (i) the holders of at
least a majority of the registrable securities held by the DLJ Entities can
require the Company, subject to certain limitations, to file a registration
statement under the Securities Act covering all or part of the registrable
securities held by the DLJ Entities and (ii) the remaining 


                                     -59-
<PAGE>

Initial Shareholders can require the Company, subject to certain limitations,
to file a registration statement covering all or part of the registrable
securities held by such Initial Shareholders (each, a "demand registration").
The Company is obligated to pay all registration expenses (other than
underwriting discounts and commissions and subject to certain limitations)
incurred in connection with the demand registrations. In addition, the
Stockholders and Registration Rights Agreement provides the Initial
Shareholders with "piggyback" registration rights, subject to certain
limitations, whenever the Company files a registration statement on a
registration form that cam be used to register securities held by such Initial
Shareholders.



                                     -60-
<PAGE>


PART IV

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

                  (a)      The following documents are filed as a part of this 
                           report:

                           (i)      Financial Statements

                           (ii)     Exhibits:

EXHIBIT NO.                 DESCRIPTION

3.1(i)      Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company
            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1(i) to the Common Stock
            S-1).

3.1(ii)     Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company (incorporated by
            reference to Exhibit 3.1(i) to the Common Stock S-1).

3.2(i)      Certificate of Incorporation of DRI I Inc. (incorporated by
            reference to Exhibit 3.2(i) to the S-1 with respect to the
            Company's 9 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2008 (the "Notes
            S-1")).

3.2(ii)     By-laws of DRI I Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2(ii)
            of the Notes S-1)

3.3         Second Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement of Duane Reade.
            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 of the Notes S-1)


4.1         Form of Indenture. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the
            Notes S-1)


10.1        Duane Reade Inc. 1997 Equity Participation Plan (incorporated by
            reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Form S-1 registration
            Statement (File No. 333-41239), the "Common Stock S-1").

10.2        Duane Read Inc. Holding Corp. 1992 Stock Incentive Plan
            (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Common Stock
            S-1).

10.3        Employment Agreement, dated as of October 27, 1997, between the
            Company and Anthony J. Cuti (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
            10.3 to the Common Stock S-1).

10.4        Employment Agreement, dated as of February 22, 1993, as amended,
            between the Company and Gary Charboneau (incorporated by reference
            to Exhibit 10.4 to the Common Stock S-1).

10.5        Employment Agreement, dated as of April 10, 1995, as amended,
            between Duane Reade and Jerry M. Ray (incorporated by reference to
            Exhibit 10.5 to the Common Stock S-1).

10.6        Employment Letter Agreement, dated as of October 9, 1996, between
            Duane Read and Joseph Lacko (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
            10.6 to the Common Stock S-1).

                                     -61-
<PAGE>

10.7        Employment Letter Agreement, dated as of February 12, 1997, between
            the Company and William Tennant (incorporated by reference to
            Exhibit 10.7 to the Common Stock S-1).

10.8        Agreement, dated as of November 22, 1996 between Duane Reade and
            Drug, Chemical, Cosmetic, Plastics and Affiliated Industries
            Warehouse Employees Local 815 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
            10.8 to the Common Stock S-1).

10.9        Agreement, dated July 16, 1992, as amended, between Duane Reade and
            Allied Trades Council (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.9 to
            the Common Stock S-1).

10.10       Agreement, dated February 4, 1997, as amended between Duane Reade
            and The Pharmacy fund, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
            10.10 to the Common Stock S-1).

10.11       Stockholders and Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of June
            18, 1997, among the Company, DLJMB Funding II, Inc., DLJ Merchant
            Banking Partners II, L.P., DLJ Diversified Partners, L.P., DLJ
            First ESC L.L.C., DLJ Offshore Partners, II, C.V., DLJ EAB
            Partners, L.P., UK Investment Plan 1997 Partners, Bankers Trust New
            York Corporation, Conac & Co., Muico & Co., Roton & Co. , Putnam
            high Yield Trust, PaineWebber Managed Investment Trust on behalf of
            PaineWebber High Income Fund, USL Capital Corporation, Pearlman
            Family Partners, The Marion Trust, Bruce L. Weitz, BCIP Associates,
            BCIP Trust Associates, L.P., Tyler Capital fund L.P., Tyler
            International, L.P.-II, and Tyler Massachusetts, L.P. (incorporated
            by reference to Exhibit 10.13 to the Common Stock S-1).

10.12*      Credit Agreement, dated as of February 13, 1998, among Duane Reade,
            as the Borrower, Duane Reade Inc. and DRI I Inc., as the Parent
            Guarantors, Various Financial Institutions set forth therein, as
            the Lenders, DLJ Capital Funding, Inc., as the Syndication Agent
            for the Lenders, Fleet National Bank, as the Administrative Agent
            for the Lenders and Credit Lyonnais New York Branch, as the
            Documentation Agent for the Lenders.

10.13*      Partnership Security Agreement, dated as of February 13, 1998,
            among Duane Reade Inc. and DRI I Inc. and Fleet National Bank, as
            Administrative Agent.

10.14*      Borrower Security Agreement, dated as of February 13, 1998 between
            Duane Reade and Fleet National Bank as Administrative Agent.

10.15*      Holdings Pledge Agreement, dated as of February 13, 1997, among
            Duane Reade Inc. and Fleet National Bank, as Administrative Agent.

10.16       Form of Irrevocable Trust Agreement with respect to Senior Notes
            and Zero Coupon Notes between the Company and State Street Bank and
            Trust, as trustee.


                                     -62-
<PAGE>

21.1        Subsidiaries of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
            3.1(i) to the Common Stock S-1).

27.1*       Financial Data Schedule.

* Filed herewith.

(b)      Reports on Form 8-K.   None.

(c)      Financial Statement Schedules:    None

Schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulations
of the Commission are either not required under the related instructions, are
in applicable or not material, or the information called for thereby is
otherwise included in the financial statements and therefore has been omitted.


                                     -63-
<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES

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

Dated:  March 27, 1998

                                     DUANE READE INC.

                                     (Registrant)

                                     By: /s/ William J. Tennant
                                         ------------------------------
                                         Name:  William J. Tennant
                                         Title:  Chief Financial Officer

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant in the capacities indicated on March 27, 1998:

         SIGNATURES                          TITLES
         ----------                          ------
/s/ Anthony J. Cuti
- ------------------------   President and Chief Executive Officer and Director
Anthony J. Cuti            (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ William J. Tennant
- ------------------------   Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
William J. Tennant         (Principal Financial Officer; Principal Accounting
                           Officer)


/s/ Nicole S. Arnaboldi     Director
- ------------------------
Nicole S. Arnaboldi


/s/ David L. Jaffe          Director
- ------------------------
David L. Jaffe

                            Director
- ------------------------
David W. Johnson


/s/ Andrew J. Nathanson     Director
- ------------------------
Andrew J. Nathanson

                            Director
- ------------------------
Kevin Roberg






                                  -64-


<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES

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

Dated:  March 27, 1998

                                     DRI I Inc.



                                     By: /s/ William J. Tennant
                                         ------------------------------
                                         Name:  William J. Tennant
                                         Title:  Senior Vice President and
                                                 Chief Financial Officer

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
this report has been signed below on March 27, 1998 by the following persons 
in the capacities indicated with respect to DRI I Inc.:

         SIGNATURE                          CAPACITY
         ---------                          --------
/s/ Anthony J. Cuti
- ------------------------   President and Chief Executive Officer and Director
Anthony J. Cuti             (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ William J. Tennant
- ------------------------   Vice President,
William J. Tennant          (principal accounting and financial officer)


/s/ Nicole S. Arnaboldi     Director
- ------------------------
Nicole S. Arnaboldi


/s/ David L. Jaffe          Director
- ------------------------
David L. Jaffe


/s/ Andrew J. Nathanson     Director
- ------------------------
Andrew J. Nathanson


                                  -65-


<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES

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

Dated:  March 27, 1998

                                         DUANE READE INC.


By: DRI I Inc., a general partner        By: Duane Reade Inc.


By: /s/ William J. Tennant               By: /s/ William J. Tennant
    ---------------------------              ------------------------------
    Name:  William J. Tennant                Name:  William J. Tennant
    Title: Senior Vice President and         Title: Senior Vice President and
           Chief Financial Officer                  Chief Financial Officer

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
this report has been signed below on March 27, 1998 by the following persons 
in the capacities indicated with respect to Duane Reade Inc. and DRI I Inc.,
the general partners of Duane Reade, on behalf of Duane Reade:

         SIGNATURE                          CAPACITY
         ---------                          --------
/s/ Anthony J. Cuti
- ------------------------   President and Chief Executive Officer and Director
Anthony J. Cuti             (Principal Executive Officer)

/s/ William J. Tennant
- ------------------------   Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
William J. Tennant          (principal accounting and financial officer)


/s/ Nicole S. Arnaboldi     Director
- ------------------------
Nicole S. Arnaboldi


/s/ David L. Jaffe          Director
- ------------------------
David L. Jaffe


                            Director*
- ------------------------
Kevin Roberg


/s/ Andrew J. Nathanson     Director
- ------------------------
Andrew J. Nathanson


                            Director*
- ------------------------
David W. Johnson

*Duane Reade Inc. only.

                                  -66-




                                  
<PAGE>

                                                         [Execution Copy]


                               U.S. $160,000,000

                               CREDIT AGREEMENT,

                         dated as of February 13, 1998,


                                     among


                                  DUANE READE,
                                as the Borrower,

                                DUANE READE INC.
                 (formerly known as Duane Reade Holding Corp.)
                                      and
                                   DRI I INC.
                     (formerly known as Duane Reade Inc.),
                           as the Parent Guarantors,


                        VARIOUS FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS,
                                as the Lenders,


                           DLJ CAPITAL FUNDING, INC.,
                   as the Syndication Agent for the Lenders,


                              FLEET NATIONAL BANK,
                  as the Administrative Agent for the Lenders,

                                      and

                        CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH,
                  as the Documentation Agent for the Lenders.


                                  ARRANGED BY:
              DONALDSON, LUFKIN & JENRETTE SECURITIES CORPORATION



<PAGE>



                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Section                                                                                     Page
- -------                                                                                     ----
<S>                 <C>                                                                     <C>
                                   ARTICLE I

                        DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

   1.1.             Defined Terms..............................................................3
   1.2.             Use of Defined Terms......................................................31
   1.3.             Cross-References..........................................................31
   1.4.             Accounting and Financial Determinations...................................32

                                   ARTICLE II

                COMMITMENTS, BORROWING AND ISSUANCE PROCEDURES,
                          NOTES AND LETTERS OF CREDIT

   2.1.             Commitments...............................................................32
   2.1.1.           Term Loan Commitments.....................................................33
   2.1.2.           Revolving Loan Commitment and Swing Line Loan Commitment..................33
   2.1.3.           Letter of Credit Commitment...............................................34
   2.1.4.           Lenders Not Permitted or Required to Make the Loans.......................34
   2.1.5.           Issuer Not Permitted or Required to Issue Letters of Credit...............34
   2.2.             Reduction of the Commitment Amounts.......................................34
   2.2.1.           Optional..................................................................34
   2.2.2.           Mandatory.................................................................35
   2.3.             Borrowing Procedures and Funding Maintenance..............................35
   2.3.1.           Term Loans and Revolving Loans............................................35
   2.3.2.           Swing Line Loans..........................................................36
   2.4.             Continuation and Conversion Elections.....................................37
   2.5.             Funding...................................................................38
   2.6.             Issuance Procedures.......................................................38
   2.6.1.           Other Lenders' Participation..............................................39
   2.6.2.           Disbursements; Conversion to Revolving Loans..............................39
   2.6.3.           Reimbursement.............................................................40
   2.6.4.           Deemed Disbursements......................................................40
   2.6.5.           Nature of Reimbursement Obligations.......................................41
   2.6.6.           Indemnity.................................................................41
   2.6.7.           Borrower's Guaranty of Reimbursement Obligations under Letters of Credit
                         Issued for the Account of its Subsidiaries...........................41
   2.7.             Register; Notes...........................................................45



<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE III

                   REPAYMENTS, PREPAYMENTS, INTEREST AND FEES

   3.1.             Repayments and Prepayments; Application...................................47
   3.1.1.           Repayments and Prepayments................................................47
   3.1.2.           Application...............................................................51
   3.2.             Interest Provisions.......................................................51
   3.2.1.           Rates.....................................................................51
   3.2.2.           Post-Maturity Rates.......................................................52
   3.2.3.           Payment Dates.............................................................52
   3.3.             Fees .....................................................................52
   3.3.1.           Commitment Fee............................................................53
   3.3.2.           Syndication Agent's, Administrative Agent's and Arranger's Fees...........53
   3.3.3.           Letter of Credit Fee......................................................53

                                   ARTICLE IV

                     CERTAIN LIBO RATE AND OTHER PROVISIONS

   4.1.             LIBO Rate Lending Unlawful................................................54
   4.2.             Deposits Unavailable......................................................54
   4.3.             Increased LIBO Rate Loan Costs, etc.......................................54
   4.4.             Funding Losses............................................................54
   4.5.             Increased Capital Costs...................................................55
   4.6.             Taxes.....................................................................55
   4.7.             Payments, Computations, etc...............................................56
   4.8.             Sharing of Payments.......................................................57
   4.9.             Setoff....................................................................57
   4.10.            Replacement of Lenders....................................................58

                                   ARTICLE V

                        CONDITIONS TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS

   5.1.             Initial Credit Extension..................................................58
   5.1.1.           Corporate and Partnership Documents, etc..................................59
   5.1.2.           Consummation of Transaction...............................................59
   5.1.3.           Closing Date Certificates.................................................60
   5.1.4.           Delivery of Notes.........................................................60
   5.1.5.           Pledge Agreement..........................................................60
   5.1.6.           Security Agreements.......................................................60
   5.1.7.           Mortgage..................................................................61
   5.1.8.           Financial Information, etc................................................61
   5.1.9.           Solvency, etc.............................................................62
   5.1.10.          Payment of Outstanding Indebtedness, etc..................................62
   5.1.11.          Litigation................................................................62
   5.1.12.          Material Adverse Change...................................................62
   5.1.13.          Opinions of Counsel.......................................................62
   5.1.14.          Insurance.................................................................63

<PAGE>

   5.1.15.          Perfection Certificate....................................................63
   5.1.16.          Approvals.................................................................63
   5.1.17.          Closing Fees, Expenses, etc...............................................63
   5.1.18.          Satisfactory Legal Form...................................................63
   5.2.             All Credit Extensions.....................................................63
   5.2.1.           Compliance with Warranties, No Default, etc...............................63
   5.2.2.           Credit Extension Request..................................................64

                                   ARTICLE VI

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

   6.1.             Organization, etc.........................................................64
   6.2.             Due Authorization, Non-Contravention, etc.................................65
   6.3.             Government Approval, Regulation, etc......................................65
   6.4.             Validity, etc.............................................................65
   6.5.             Financial Information.....................................................65
   6.6.             No Material Adverse Change................................................66
   6.7.             Litigation, Labor Controversies, etc......................................66
   6.8.             Subsidiaries..............................................................66
   6.9.             Ownership of Properties...................................................66
   6.10.            Taxes.....................................................................66
   6.11.            Pension and Welfare Plans.................................................67
   6.12.            Environmental Warranties..................................................67
   6.13.            Regulations G, U and X....................................................68
   6.14.            Accuracy of Information...................................................68
   6.15.            Solvency..................................................................69
   6.16.            Pharmaceutical Laws.......................................................69
   6.17.            Seniority of the Obligations and Permitted Indebtedness under the
                         Indentures...........................................................70



<PAGE>



                                  ARTICLE VII

                                   COVENANTS

   7.1.             Affirmative Covenants.....................................................70
   7.1.1.           Financial Information, Reports, Notices, etc..............................71
   7.1.2.           Compliance with Laws, etc.................................................73
   7.1.3.           Maintenance of Properties.................................................73
   7.1.4.           Insurance.................................................................73
   7.1.5.           Books and Records.........................................................74
   7.1.6.           Environmental Covenant....................................................74
   7.1.7.           Future Subsidiaries.......................................................75
   7.1.8.           Future Leased Property and Future Acquisitions of Real Property; Future
                         Acquisition of Other Property........................................76
   7.1.9.           Use of Proceeds, etc......................................................77
   7.1.10.          Hedging Obligations.......................................................77
   7.1.11.          Redemptions...............................................................77
   7.1.12.          Maintenance of Corporate Separateness.....................................78
   7.1.13.          Borrower Indebtedness.....................................................78
   7.2.             Negative Covenants........................................................78
   7.2.1.           Business Activities.......................................................78
   7.2.2.           Indebtedness..............................................................79
   7.2.3.           Liens.....................................................................80
   7.2.4.           Financial Covenants.......................................................82
   7.2.5.           Investments...............................................................83
   7.2.6.           Restricted Payments, etc..................................................84
   7.2.7.           Capital Expenditures, etc.................................................86
   7.2.8.           Consolidation, Merger, etc................................................86
   7.2.9.           Asset Dispositions, etc...................................................87
   7.2.10.          Modification of Certain Agreements........................................88
   7.2.11.          Transactions with Affiliates..............................................88
   7.2.12.          Negative Pledges, Restrictive Agreements, etc.............................88
   7.2.13.          Stock of Subsidiaries.....................................................89
   7.2.14.          Sale and Leaseback........................................................89

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                               EVENTS OF DEFAULT

   8.1.             Listing of Events of Default..............................................89
   8.1.1.           Non-Payment of Obligations................................................89
   8.1.2.           Breach of Warranty........................................................89
   8.1.3.           Non-Performance of Certain Covenants and Obligations......................90
   8.1.4.           Non-Performance of Other Covenants and Obligations........................90
   8.1.5.           Default on Other Indebtedness.............................................90
   8.1.6.           Judgments.................................................................90
   8.1.7.           Pension Plans.............................................................90

<PAGE>

   8.1.8.           Change in Control.........................................................90
   8.1.9.           Bankruptcy, Insolvency, etc...............................................91
   8.1.10.          Impairment of Security, etc...............................................91
   8.2.             Action if Bankruptcy, etc.................................................92
   8.3.             Action if Other Event of Default..........................................92

                                   ARTICLE IX

                                    GUARANTY

   9.1.             Guaranty..................................................................92
   9.2.             Acceleration of Parent Guaranty...........................................93
   9.3.             Guaranty Absolute, etc....................................................93
   9.4.             Reinstatement, etc........................................................94
   9.5.             Waiver, etc...............................................................94
   9.6.             Postponement of Subrogation, etc..........................................94
   9.7.             Successors, Transferees and Assigns; Transfers of Notes, etc..............95

                                   ARTICLE X

                                   THE AGENTS

   10.1.            Actions...................................................................96
   10.2.            Funding Reliance, etc.....................................................96
   10.3.            Exculpation...............................................................97
   10.4.            Successor.................................................................97
   10.5.            Credit Extensions by each Agent...........................................97
   10.6.            Credit Decisions..........................................................98
   10.7.            Copies, etc...............................................................98
   10.8.            The Swing Line Lender, the Issuer, the Documentation Agent, the
                         Syndication Agent and the Administrative Agent.......................98

                                   ARTICLE XI

                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

   11.1.            Waivers, Amendments, etc..................................................99
   11.2.            Notices..................................................................100
   11.3.            Payment of Costs and Expenses............................................100
   11.4.            Indemnification..........................................................101
   11.5.            Survival.................................................................102
   11.6.            Severability.............................................................102
   11.7.            Headings.................................................................102
   11.8.            Execution in Counterparts, Effectiveness, etc............................103
   11.9.            Governing Law; Entire Agreement..........................................103
   11.10.           Successors and Assigns...................................................103
   11.11.           Sale and Transfer of Loans and Notes; Participations in Loans and Notes..103
   11.11.1.         Assignments..............................................................103
   11.11.2.         Participations...........................................................105
   11.12.           Other Transactions.......................................................106
   11.13.           Independence of Covenants................................................106

<PAGE>

   11.14.           Confidentiality..........................................................107
   11.15.           Forum Selection and Consent to Jurisdiction..............................107
   11.16.           Waiver of Jury Trial.....................................................108

</TABLE>




<PAGE>


SCHEDULE I        -        Disclosure Schedule
SCHEDULE II       -        Percentages and Administrative Information
SCHEDULE III      -        Existing Letters of Credit

EXHIBIT A-1       -        Form of Revolving Note
EXHIBIT A-2       -        Form of Term A Note
EXHIBIT A-3       -        Form of Term B Note
EXHIBIT A-4       -        Form of Registered Note
EXHIBIT A-5       -        Form of Swing Line Note
EXHIBIT B-1       -        Form of Borrowing Request
EXHIBIT B-2       -        Form of Issuance Request
EXHIBIT C         -        Form of Continuation/Conversion Notice
EXHIBIT D-1       -        Form of Holdings Closing Date Certificate
EXHIBIT D-2       -        Form of Borrower Closing Date Certificate
EXHIBIT E         -        Form of Compliance Certificate
EXHIBIT F-1       -        Form of Partnership Security Agreement
EXHIBIT F-2       -        Form of Borrower Security Agreement
EXHIBIT F-3       -        Form of Subsidiary Security Agreement
EXHIBIT G-1       -        Form of Holdings Pledge Agreement
EXHIBIT G-2       -        Form of Borrower Pledge Agreement
EXHIBIT G-3       -        Form of Subsidiary Pledge Agreement
EXHIBIT H         -        Form of Subsidiary Guaranty
EXHIBIT I         -        Form of Perfection Certificate
EXHIBIT J         -        Form of Lender Assignment Agreement
EXHIBIT K         -        Form of Opinion of New York Counsel to the Obligors
EXHIBIT L-1       -        Form of Solvency Certificate of Holdings
EXHIBIT L-2       -        Form of Solvency Certificate of the Borrower

<PAGE>



                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


         THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of February 13, 1998, is made among
DUANE READE, a New York general partnership (the "Borrower"), DUANE READE INC.
(formerly known as Duane Reade Holding Corp.), a Delaware corporation
("Holdings"), DRI I INC. (formerly known as Duane Reade Inc.), a Delaware
corporation ("DRI I" and, together with Holdings, collectively, the "Parent
Guarantors"), the various financial institutions as are or may become parties
hereto (collectively, the "Lenders"), DLJ CAPITAL FUNDING, INC. ("DLJ"), as
syndication agent (in such capacity, the "Syndication Agent") for the Lenders,
FLEET NATIONAL BANK ("Fleet"), as administrative agent (in such capacity, the
"Administrative Agent") for the Lenders and CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH
("Credit Lyonnais"), as the documentation agent (in such capacity, the
"Documentation Agent") for the Lenders.


                              W I T N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS, Holdings and the Borrower have proposed a refinancing (the
"Refinancing") of their existing Indebtedness, and in connection with such
refinancing, Daboco Inc., a New York corporation, a Wholly-owned Subsidiary of
Holdings and a general partner of the Borrower ("Daboco"), will merge with and
into Holdings (the "Merger"), with Holdings being the surviving corporation of
such Merger;

         WHEREAS, approximately $320,550,000 will be required to consummate the
Refinancing including fees and expenses related to the Transaction (as defined
below), which Holdings and the Borrower propose to raise through:

                  (a) the issuance by Holdings of 9 1/4% senior subordinated
         notes due 2008 (the "Senior Subordinated Notes") for gross cash
         proceeds of at least $80,000,000;

                  (b) the issuance and sale by Holdings of approximately
         6,700,000 shares of its common stock in an initial public offering
         (the "IPO") for gross cash proceeds of at least $110,550,000; and

                  (c)  a Borrowing hereunder of approximately $130,000,000;

         WHEREAS, such proceeds will be used:

                  (a) to defease and redeem Holdings' $123,368,000 aggregate
         principal amount at maturity (approximately $100,100,000 Accreted
         Value) of outstanding 15% Senior Subordinated Zero Coupon Notes due
         2004 (the "Holdings Subordinated Notes");




<PAGE>



                  (b) to defease and redeem the Borrower's $89,893,000
         aggregate principal amount of outstanding 12% Senior Notes due
         September 15, 2002, Series B (the "Senior Notes");

                  (c) to refinance approximately $90,000,000 of Indebtedness
         outstanding under the Borrower's existing senior credit facilities,
         evidenced by that certain credit agreement, dated as of September 30,
         1997 (as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise
         modified prior to the Closing Date, the "Existing Credit Agreement"),
         among the Borrower, Holdings, Daboco, DRI I, the lenders parties
         thereto, DLJ, as the syndication agent, Fleet, as the administrative
         agent, and Credit Lyonnais New York Branch, as the documentation
         agent; and

                  (d) to pay accrued interest, prepayment premiums and
         reasonable fees and expenses associated with the Refinancing, the
         Merger, the issuance of the Senior Subordinated Notes, the IPO, the
         financing contemplated hereunder and all other transactions related
         thereto (collectively, the "Transaction") of approximately
         $32,000,000;

         WHEREAS, in connection with the Refinancing and the ongoing working
capital and general corporate needs of the Borrower, the Borrower desires to
obtain the following financing facilities from the Lenders:

                  (a) a Term A Loan Commitment pursuant to which Borrowings of
         Term A Loans will be made to the Borrower on the Closing Date in a
         maximum, original principal amount of $50,000,000;

                  (b) a Term B Loan Commitment pursuant to which Borrowings of
         Term B Loans will be made to the Borrower on the Closing Date in a
         maximum, original principal amount of $80,000,000;

                  (c) a Revolving Loan Commitment (to include availability for
         Revolving Loans, Swing Line Loans and Letters of Credit) pursuant to
         which Borrowings of Revolving Loans, in a maximum aggregate
         outstanding principal amount (together with the aggregate outstanding
         amount of all Swing Line Loans and Letter of Credit Outstandings) not
         to exceed $30,000,000 will be made to the Borrower from time to time
         on and subsequent to the Closing Date but prior to the Revolving Loan
         Commitment Termination Date;

                  (d) a Letter of Credit Commitment pursuant to which the
         Issuer will issue Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrower
         from time to time on and subsequent to the Closing Date but prior to
         the Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date in a maximum aggregate
         Stated Amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed $10,000,000
         (provided, that the aggregate outstanding amount of all Revolving
         Loans, Swing Line Loans and Letter of Credit Outstandings at any time
         shall not exceed the then existing Revolving Loan Commitment Amount);
         and

                                      -2-


<PAGE>



                  (e) a Swing Line Loan Commitment pursuant to which Borrowings
         of Swing Line Loans in an aggregate outstanding principal amount not
         to exceed $5,000,000 will be made to the Borrower on and from time to
         time subsequent to the Closing Date but prior to the Revolving Loan
         Commitment Termination Date (provided, that the aggregate outstanding
         amount of all Swing Line Loans, Revolving Loans and Letter of Credit
         Outstandings at any time shall not exceed the then existing Revolving
         Loan Commitment Amount);

with the proceeds of the Credit Extensions to be used for the purposes set
forth in Section 7.1.9; and

         WHEREAS, the Lenders and the Issuer are willing, on the terms and
subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth (including Article V), to
extend the Commitments and make the Loans described herein to the Borrower and
issue (or participate in) Letters of Credit for the account of the Borrower;

         NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:


                                   ARTICLE I

                        DEFINITIONS AND ACCOUNTING TERMS

         SECTION 1.1. Defined Terms. The following terms (whether or not
underscored) when used in this Agreement, including its preamble and recitals,
shall, except where the context otherwise requires, have the following meanings
(such meanings to be equally applicable to the singular and plural forms
thereof):

         "Accreted Value" is defined in the indenture relating to the Holdings
Subordinated Notes and entered into by and between Holdings and The Connecticut
National Bank, as trustee thereunder, as in effect on the date hereof.

         "Administrative Agent" is defined in the preamble and includes each
other Person as shall have subsequently been appointed as the successor
Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 10.4.

         "Administrative Agent's Fee Letter" means the confidential fee letter,
dated as of February 13, 1998, between the Borrower and the Administrative
Agent.

         "Affected Lender" is defined in Section 4.10.

         "Affiliate" of any Person means any other Person which, directly or
indirectly, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such
Person (excluding any trustee under, or any committee with responsibility for
administering, any Plan). A Person shall be deemed to be 

                                      -3-


<PAGE>

"controlled by" any other Person if such other Person possesses, directly or 
indirectly, power (a) to vote 10% or more of the securities (on a fully 
diluted basis) having ordinary voting power for the election of directors or 
managing general partners, or (b) to direct or cause the direction of the 
management and policies of such Person whether by contract or otherwise.

         "Agent" means, as the context may require, the Administrative Agent
and/or the Syndication Agent.

         "Agreement" means, on any date, this Credit Agreement as originally in
effect on the Closing Date and as thereafter from time to time amended,
supplemented, amended and restated, or otherwise modified and in effect on such
date.

         "Alternate Base Rate" means, for any day and with respect to all Base
Rate Loans, the higher of: (a) 0.50% per annum above the Federal Funds Rate
most recently determined by the Administrative Agent; and (b) the rate of
interest in effect for such day as most recently publicly announced or
established by the Administrative Agent in Boston, Massachusetts, as its "prime
rate." (The "prime rate" is a rate set by the Administrative Agent based upon
various factors including the Administrative Agent's costs and desired return,
general economic conditions and other factors, and is used as a reference point
for pricing some loans, which may be priced at, above or below such announced
rate.) Any change in the reference rate established or announced by the
Administrative Agent shall take effect at the opening of business on the day of
such establishment or announcement.

         "Applicable Commitment Fee" means, (a) for each day from the Closing
Date through (but excluding) the date upon which the Compliance Certificate for
the second full Fiscal Quarter following the Closing Date is delivered or
required to be delivered by Holdings to the Administrative Agent pursuant to
clause (d) of Section 7.1.1, a fee which shall accrue at a rate of 1/2 of 1%
per annum, and (b) for each day thereafter, a fee which shall accrue at the
applicable rate per annum set forth below under the column entitled "Applicable
Commitment Fee", determined by reference to the Leverage Ratio as in effect for
the Fiscal Quarter last ended as of such time of determination:


                                                           APPLICABLE
                      LEVERAGE RATIO                     COMMITMENT FEE
                      --------------                     --------------
               greater than or equal to 3.5                  0.500%
                      less than 3.5                          0.375%

With respect to any time of determining the Applicable Commitment Fee, the
Leverage Ratio used to compute the Applicable Commitment Fee shall be equal to
the Leverage Ratio set forth in the Compliance Certificate most recently
delivered by Holdings to the Administrative Agent, as of such time of
determination pursuant to clause (d) of Section 7.1.1. Changes in the
Applicable Commitment Fee resulting from a change in the Leverage Ratio shall
become effective upon delivery by Holdings to the Administrative Agent of a new
Compliance Certificate pursuant to clause (d) of Section 7.1.1. If Holdings
fails to deliver a Compliance 

                                      -4-
 


<PAGE>


Certificate within the number of days required pursuant to clause (d) of 
Section 7.1.1, the Applicable Commitment Fee from and including the first day 
after the date on which such Compliance Certificate was required to be 
delivered through (but excluding) the date Holdings actually delivers to the 
Administrative Agent an appropriately completed Compliance Certificate shall 
conclusively equal the highest Applicable Commitment Fee set forth above.

         "Applicable Margin" means at all times during the applicable periods
         set forth below,

                  (a) with respect to the unpaid principal amount of each Term
         B Loan maintained as a (i) Base Rate Loan, 1.75% per annum and (ii)
         LIBO Rate Loan, 2.75% per annum;

                  (b) from the Closing Date through (but excluding) the date
         upon which the Compliance Certificate for the second full Fiscal
         Quarter following the Closing Date is delivered by Holdings to the
         Administrative Agent pursuant to clause (d) of Section 7.1.1, with
         respect to the unpaid principal amount of (i) each Swing Line Loan
         (each of which shall be borrowed and maintained only as a Base Rate
         Loan), 1.50% per annum, and (ii) each Term A Loan and each Revolving
         Loan maintained as (A) a Base Rate Loan, 1.50% per annum, and (B) a
         LIBO Rate Loan, 2.50% per annum; and

                  (c) at all times after the date of such delivery of the
         Compliance Certificate described in clause (b) above, with respect to
         the unpaid principal amount of each Swing Line Loan (each of which
         shall be borrowed and maintained only as a Base Rate Loan), each Term
         A Loan and each Revolving Loan, by reference to the Leverage Ratio and
         at the applicable percentage per annum set forth below under the
         column entitled "Applicable Margin for Base Rate Loans", in the case
         of Swing Line Loans or Term A Loans or Revolving Loans maintained as
         Base Rate Loans, or by reference to the Leverage Ratio and at the
         applicable percentage per annum set forth below under the column
         entitled "Applicable Margin for LIBO Rate Loans" in the case of Term A
         Loans or Revolving Loans maintained as LIBO Rate Loans:

         APPLICABLE MARGIN FOR TERM A LOANS, REVOLVING LOANS AND SWING LINE
         LOANS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                      APPLICABLE                   APPLICABLE
                                                                      MARGIN FOR                   MARGIN FOR
                       LEVERAGE RATIO                               BASE RATE LOANS              LIBO RATE LOANS
                       --------------                               ---------------              ---------------
<S>                                     <C>                              <C>                          <C>  
               greater than or equal to 4.00                             1.50%                        2.50%
      less than 4.00 and greater than or equal to 3.50                   1.00%                        2.00%
      less than 3.50 and greater than or equal to 3.00                   0.50%                        1.50%
                       less than 3.00                                    0.25%                        1.25%
</TABLE>

The Leverage Ratio used to compute the Applicable Margin for Swing Line Loans,
Term A Loans and Revolving Loans shall be equal to the Leverage Ratio set forth
in the Compliance Certificate most recently delivered by Holdings to the
Administrative Agent pursuant to clause (d) of Section 7.1.1. Changes in the
Applicable Margin for such Loans resulting from a 

                                      -5-


<PAGE>



         change in the Leverage Ratio shall become effective upon delivery by
         Holdings to the Administrative Agent of a new Compliance Certificate
         pursuant to clause (d) of Section 7.1.1. If Holdings fails to deliver
         a Compliance Certificate within the number of days required pursuant
         to clause (d) of Section 7.1.1, the Applicable Margin for Swing Line
         Loans, Term A Loans and Revolving Loans from and including the first
         day after the date on which such Compliance Certificate was required
         to be delivered through (but excluding) the date Holdings delivers to
         the Administrative Agent an appropriately completed Compliance
         Certificate shall conclusively equal the highest Applicable Margin for
         Swing Line Loans, Term A Loans and Revolving Loans of the same type
         set forth above.

         "Arranger" means Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation,
a Delaware corporation.

         "Assigned Amount" is defined in Section 11.11.1.

         "Assignee Lender" is defined in Section 11.11.1.

         "Assignor Lender" is defined in Section 11.11.1.

         "Authorized Officer" means, relative to any Obligor, those of its
officers whose signatures and incumbency shall have been certified to the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders pursuant to Section 5.1.1.

         "Base Financial Statements" is defined in clause (a) of Section 5.1.8.

         "Base Rate Loan" means a Loan bearing interest at a fluctuating rate
determined by reference to the Alternate Base Rate.

         "Borrower" is defined in the preamble.

         "Borrower Closing Date Certificate" means a certificate of an
Authorized Officer of the Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit D-2
hereto, delivered pursuant to Section 5.1.3.

         "Borrower Defeasement/Redemption Documents" is defined in clause (f) of
Section 5.1.2.

         "Borrower Partnership Agreement" means the Second Amended and Restated
Agreement of Partnership of Duane Reade, dated as of September 25, 1992,
between Daboco and DRI I, as in effect on the Closing Date and as amended or
otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with the terms hereof and
thereof.

         "Borrower Pledge Agreement" means the Pledge Agreement executed and
delivered by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower pursuant to Section 7.1.7,
substantially in the form of 



                                      -6-
<PAGE>

Exhibit G-2 hereto, as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise
modified from time to time.

         "Borrower Security Agreement" means the Security Agreement executed
and delivered by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower pursuant to Section
5.1.6, substantially in the form of Exhibit F-2 hereto, as amended,
supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

         "Borrowing" means Loans of the same type and, in the case of LIBO Rate
Loans, having the same Interest Period made by the relevant Lenders on the same
Business Day and pursuant to the same Borrowing Request in accordance with
Section 2.1.

         "Borrowing Request" means a loan request and certificate duly executed
by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit
B-1 hereto.

         "Business Day" means any day which is neither a Saturday or Sunday nor
a legal holiday on which banks are authorized or required to be closed in New
York City or Boston, Massachusetts and, with respect to Borrowings of, interest
rate determinations with respect to, Interest Periods with respect to, payments
of principal and interest in respect of, conversions of Base Rate Loans into,
and continuations of LIBO Rate Loans as, LIBO Rate Loans, on which dealings in
Dollars are carried on in the London interbank market.

         "Capital Expenditures" means, with respect to any Person, for any
period, the sum (without duplication) of (a) the aggregate amount of all
expenditures of such Person and its Subsidiaries for fixed or capital assets
made during such period which, in accordance with GAAP, would be classified as
capital expenditures, and (b) the aggregate amount of all Capitalized Lease
Liabilities incurred during such period by such Person and its Subsidiaries.

         "Capital Stock" means, with respect to any Person, (a) any and all
shares, interests, participations, rights or other equivalents of or interests
in (however designated) corporate or capital stock, including shares of
preferred or preference stock of such Person, (b) all partnership interests
(whether general or limited) in such Person, (c) all membership interests or
limited liability company interests in such Person, and (d) all other equity or
ownership interests in such Person of any other type.

         "Capitalized Lease Liabilities" means (without duplication) all
monetary obligations of Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries under any leasing
or similar arrangement which, in accordance with GAAP, would be classified as
capitalized leases, and, for purposes of this Agreement and each other Loan
Document, the amount of such obligations shall be the capitalized amount
thereof, determined in accordance with GAAP, and the stated maturity thereof
shall be the date of the last payment of rent or any other amount due under
such lease prior to the first date upon which such lease may be terminated by
the lessee without payment of a penalty.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>

         "Cash Equivalent Investment" means, at any time:

                  (a) any evidence of Indebtedness, maturing not more than one
         year after such time, issued directly, or guaranteed, by the United
         States of America or any agency thereof;

                 (b) commercial paper, maturing not more than nine months from
         the date of issue, which is issued by (i) a corporation (other than an
         Affiliate of any Obligor) organized under the laws of any state of the
         United States or of the District of Columbia and rated at least A-l by
         S&P or P-l by Moody's, or (ii) any Lender (or its holding company);

                  (c) any time deposit, certificate of deposit or banker's
         acceptance, maturing not more than one year after such time,
         maintained with or issued by either (i) a commercial banking
         institution (including U.S. branches of foreign banking institutions)
         that is a member of the Federal Reserve System and has a combined
         capital and surplus and undivided profits of not less than
         $500,000,000, or (ii) any Lender;

                  (d) short-term tax-exempt securities rated not lower than
         MIG-1/1+ by either Moody's or S&P with provisions for liquidity or
         maturity accommodations of 183 days or less;

                  (e) repurchase agreements which (i) are entered into with any
         entity referred to in clause (b) or (c) above or any other financial
         institution whose unsecured long-term debt (or the unsecured long-term
         debt of whose holding company) is rated at least A- or better by S&P
         or Baa1 or better by Moody's and maturing not more than one year after
         such time, (ii) are secured by a fully perfected security interest in
         securities of the type referred to in clauses (a) through (c) above
         and (iii) have a market value at the time of such repurchase agreement
         is entered into of not less than 100% of the repurchase obligation of
         such counterparty entity with whom such repurchase agreement has been
         entered into; or

                  (e) shares of investment companies that are registered under
         the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended and invest solely in
         one or more of the types of securities described in clauses (a)
         through (d) above.

         "Casualty Event" means the damage, destruction or condemnation, as the
case may be, of any property of the Borrower, any Parent Guarantor or any of
their respective Subsidiaries.

         "Casualty Proceeds" means, with respect to any Casualty Event, the
amount of any insurance proceeds or condemnation awards received by the
Borrower, any Parent Guarantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries in
connection therewith, but excluding any proceeds or awards required to be paid
to a creditor (other than the Lenders) which holds a first-priority Lien
permitted by Section 7.2.3 on the property which is the subject of such
Casualty Event.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>

         "CERCLA" means the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation
and Liability Act of 1980, as amended.

         "CERCLIS" means the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation
Liability Information System List.

         "Change in Control" means

                  (a) (i) the failure of Holdings or DRI I to be a general
         partner of the Borrower, or (ii) the failure of Holdings or DRI I at
         any time to own, free and clear of all Liens (other than the Liens
         granted in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the
         Secured Parties under the Loan Documents) and encumbrances, all right,
         title and interest in 100% of the partnership interests of the
         Borrower;

                  (b) the failure of Holdings at any time to own, free and
         clear of all Liens (other than the Liens granted in favor of the
         Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties under the
         Loan Documents) and encumbrances, all right, title and interest in
         100% of the Capital Stock of DRI I on a fully diluted basis;

                  (c) a "person" or "group" (within the meaning of Sections
         13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) (other than the DLJMB Entities
         and their controlled Affiliates) (i) becomes the "beneficial owner"
         (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of more than 35% of
         the total then outstanding voting power of the Voting Stock of
         Holdings or (ii) has the right or the ability by voting right,
         contract or otherwise to direct or control, directly or indirectly,
         the management or policies of Holdings;

                  (d) during any period of twenty-four months, individuals who
         at the beginning of such period constituted the board of directors of
         Holdings (together with any new directors whose election or
         appointment by such board of directors, or whose nomination for
         election by the shareholders of Holdings, as the case may be, was
         approved by a vote of 662/3% of the directors then still in office who
         were either directors at the beginning of such period or whose
         election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease
         for any reason to constitute a majority of the board of directors then
         in office; or

                  (e) any "Change of Control" as such term is defined in the
         Senior Subordinated Note Indenture.

         "Closing Date" means the date of the initial Credit Extension.

         "Closing Date Certificate" means, as the context may require, the
Holdings Closing Date Certificate and/or the Borrower Closing Date Certificate.

         "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

                                      -9-
<PAGE>

         "Commitment" means, as the context may require, (a) a Lender's Term
Loan Commitment, Revolving Loan Commitment and/or Letter of Credit Commitment
and/or (b) the Swing Line Lender's Swing Line Loan Commitment.

         "Commitment Amount" means, as the context may require, the Term Loan
Commitment Amount, the Revolving Loan Commitment Amount, the Letter of Credit
Commitment Amount and/or the Swing Line Loan Commitment Amount.

         "Commitment Letter" means the commitment letter, dated January 14,
1998, among the Borrower, the Arranger and the Syndication Agent, together with
all annexes thereto.

         "Commitment Termination Date" means, as the context may require, the
Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date and/or the Term Loan Commitment
Termination Date.

         "Commitment Termination Event" means (a) the occurrence of any Event
of Default described in clauses (a) through (d) of Section 8.1.9, or (b) the
occurrence and continuance of any other Event of Default and either (i) the
declaration of the Loans to be due and payable pursuant to Section 8.3, or (ii)
in the absence of such declaration, the giving of notice to the Borrower by the
Administrative Agent, acting at the direction of the Required Lenders, that the
Commitments have been terminated.

         "Compliance Certificate" means a certificate duly completed and
executed by the chief financial or accounting Authorized Officer of Holdings,
substantially in the form of Exhibit E hereto.

         "Contingent Liability" means any agreement, undertaking or arrangement
by which any Person guarantees, endorses or otherwise becomes or is
contingently liable upon (by direct or indirect agreement, contingent or
otherwise, to provide funds for payment, to supply funds to, or otherwise to
invest in, a debtor, or otherwise to assure a creditor against loss) the
indebtedness, obligation or any other liability of any other Person (other than
by endorsements of instruments in the course of collection), or guarantees the
payment of dividends or other distributions upon the shares of any other
Person. The amount of any Person's obligation under any Contingent Liability
shall (subject to any limitation set forth therein) be deemed to be the
outstanding principal amount of the debt, obligation or other liability
guaranteed thereby.

         "Continuation/Conversion Notice" means a notice of continuation or
conversion and certificate duly executed by an Authorized Officer of the
Borrower, substantially in the form of Exhibit C hereto.

         "Controlled Group" means all members of a controlled group of
corporations and all members of a controlled group of trades or businesses
(whether or not incorporated) under common control which, together with
Holdings, are treated as a single employer under Section 414(b) or 414(c) of
the Code or Section 4001 of ERISA, or for purposes of Section 412 of the Code,
Section 414(m) or Section 414(o) of the Code.

                                     -10-
<PAGE>

         "Credit Extension" means, as the context may require, (a) the making
of a Loan by a Lender and/or (b) the issuance of any Letter of Credit, or the
extension of any Stated Expiry Date of any previously issued Letter of Credit,
by the Issuer.

         "Credit Extension Request" means, as the context may require, any
Borrowing Request and/or Issuance Request.

         "Credit Lyonnais" is defined in the preamble.

         "Daboco" is defined in the first recital.

         "Debt" means (without duplication) the aggregate amount of all
Indebtedness of Holdings and its Subsidiaries that is of the type referred to
in clauses (a), (b), (c) and (f) of the definition of "Indebtedness" and any
Contingent Liability in respect of such Indebtedness.

         "Default" means any Event of Default or any condition, occurrence or
event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would, unless cured or
waived, constitute an Event of Default.

         "Defeasement/Redemption Documents" means the Holdings
Defeasement/Redemption Documents and the Borrower Defeasement/Redemption
Documents.

         "Disbursement" is defined in Section 2.6.2.

         "Disbursement Date" is defined in Section 2.6.2.

         "Disbursement Due Date" is defined in Section 2.6.2.

         "Disclosure Schedule" means the Disclosure Schedule attached hereto as
Schedule I, as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time
to time by the Borrower with the written consent of the Required Lenders.

         "DLJ" is defined in the preamble.

         "DLJMB Entities" means DLJMB Funding II, Inc., DLJ Merchant Banking
Partners II, L.P., DLJ Merchant Banking Partners II-A, L.P., DLJ Diversified
Partners, L.P., DLJ Diversified Partners-A, L.P., DLJ First ESC L.L.C., DLJ
Offshore Partners II, C.V., DLJ EAB Partners, L.P., DLJ Millennium Partners,
L.P., DLJ Millennium-A Partners, L.P. and UK Investment Plan 1997 Partners.

         "Documentation Agent" is defined in the preamble and includes each
other Person as shall have subsequently been appointed as the successor
Documentation Agent pursuant to Section 10.4.

         "Dollar" and the symbol "$" mean lawful money of the United States.

                                     -11-
<PAGE>

         "DRI I" is defined in the preamble.

         "EBITDA" means, for any applicable period, the sum (without
duplication) for Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis of

                  (a)  Net Income,

plus

                  (b) the amount deducted in determining Net Income
         representing non-cash charges, including depreciation, amortization
         and deferred rent,

plus

                  (c) the amount deducted in determining Net Income
         representing income taxes (whether actually paid or deferred),

plus

                  (d) the amount deducted in determining Net Income
         representing Interest Expense,

plus

                  (e) the amount deducted in determining Net Income
         representing extraordinary or non-recurring expenses,

minus

                  (f) an amount equal to the amount of all extraordinary or
         non-recurring non-cash credits included in determining Net Income.

         "Environmental Laws" means all applicable federal, state or local
statutes, laws, ordinances, codes, rules and regulations (including consent
decrees and administrative orders) relating to public health and safety and
protection of the environment.

         "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended.

         "Event of Default" is defined in Section 8.1.

         "Excess Cash Flow" means, for any applicable period, the excess (if
any), of

                  (a) EBITDA for such applicable period;

                                     -12-
<PAGE>

over

                  (b) the sum (without duplication) (for such applicable
         period) of

                  (i) the cash portion of Interest Expense (net of interest
         income) for such applicable period;

         plus

                           (ii) scheduled payments and optional and mandatory
                  prepayments, to the extent actually made, of the principal
                  amount of the Term Loans or any other term Debt (including
                  the principal component of payments in respect of Capitalized
                  Lease Liabilities but excluding scheduled payments and
                  optional and mandatory prepayments of (A) Indebtedness
                  evidenced by the Holdings Subordinated Notes and the Senior
                  Notes and (B) the Term Loans (as defined in the Existing
                  Credit Agreement)) and mandatory prepayments of the principal
                  amount of the Revolving Loans pursuant to clause (f) of
                  Section 3.1.1 in connection with a permanent reduction of the
                  Revolving Loan Commitment Amount, in each case for such
                  applicable period;

         plus

                           (iii) all federal, state and foreign income taxes
                  paid or payable by Holdings and its Subsidiaries during such
                  applicable period;

         plus

                           (iv) Capital Expenditures of the Borrower and its
                  Subsidiaries actually made during such applicable period
                  pursuant to clause (a) of Section 7.2.7 (excluding Capital
                  Expenditures of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
                  constituting Capitalized Lease Liabilities and by way of the
                  incurrence of Indebtedness permitted pursuant to clause (e)
                  of Section 7.2.2 to a vendor of any assets permitted to be
                  acquired pursuant to Section 7.2.7 to finance the acquisition
                  of such assets);

         plus

                           (v) Investments permitted and actually made, in 
                  cash, pursuant to clauses (d) and (i) of Section 7.2.5 
                  during such applicable period;

         plus



                                     -13-
<PAGE>

                           (vi) the amount of the net increase (or minus a net
                  decrease) of current assets, other than cash and Cash
                  Equivalent Investments, over current liabilities of Holdings
                  and its Subsidiaries for such applicable period;

         minus

                           (vii) the amount of tax refunds received by Holdings
                  and its Subsidiaries during such applicable period.

         "Existing Credit Agreement" is defined in clause (c) of the third
recital.

         "Federal Funds Rate" means, for any period, a fluctuating interest
rate per annum equal for each day during such period to (a) the weighted
average of the rates on overnight federal funds transactions with members of
the Federal Reserve System arranged by federal funds brokers, as published for
such day (or, if such day is not a Business Day, for the next preceding
Business Day) by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or (b) if such rate is
not so published for any day which is a Business Day, the average of the
quotations for such day on such transactions received by the Administrative
Agent from three federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by it.

         "Fee Letter" means the confidential fee letter, dated February 6,
1998, among the Borrower, the Arranger and the Syndication Agent, which fee
letter superseded the confidential fee letter, dated January 14, 1998, among
such parties.

         "Fiscal Quarter" means any fiscal quarter of a Fiscal Year, which
fiscal quarters shall end on the last Saturday of each March, June, September
or December of such Fiscal Year.

         "Fiscal Year" means any period of twelve consecutive months ending on
the last Saturday of December of any calendar year.

         "Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" means, at the end of any Fiscal Quarter,
the ratio computed for the period consisting of such Fiscal Quarter and each of
the three immediately prior Fiscal Quarters of

                  (a) EBITDA for all such Fiscal Quarters
to

                  (b)  the sum (without duplication) of

                           (i) Capital Expenditures of Holdings and its
                  Subsidiaries actually made during all such Fiscal Quarters
                  pursuant to clause (a) of Section 7.2.7 (excluding Capital
                  Expenditures of Holdings and its Subsidiaries constituting
                  Capitalized Lease Liabilities and by way of the incurrence of
                  Indebtedness permitted pursuant to clause (e) of Section
                  7.2.2 to a vendor of any assets permitted to be acquired
                  pursuant to Section 7.2.7 to finance the acquisition of such
                  assets);

                                     -14-
<PAGE>

         plus

                           (ii) the cash portion of Interest Expense (net of
                  cash interest income) for all such Fiscal Quarters;

         plus

                           (iii) all scheduled payments of principal of the
                  Term Loans and other term Debt (including the principal
                  component of payments in respect of any Capitalized Lease
                  Liabilities) during all such Fiscal Quarters;

         plus

                           (iv) all federal, state and foreign income taxes
                  paid or payable by Holdings and its Subsidiaries during such
                  applicable period;

         plus

                           (v) Restricted Payments of the types described in
                  clause (e) of Section 7.2.6 made during such applicable
                  period.

         "Fleet" is defined in the preamble.

         "Foreign Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary of the Borrower (a) which is
organized under the laws of any jurisdiction outside of the United States of
America, (b) which conducts the major portion of its business outside of the
United States of America and (c) all or substantially all of the property and
assets of which are located outside of the United States of America.

         "F.R.S. Board" means the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve
System or any successor thereto.

         "GAAP" is defined in Section 1.4.

         "Guarantees" means, as the context may require, the Parent Guaranty
and/or the Subsidiary Guaranty.

         "Guarantors" means, collectively, the Parent Guarantors and the
Subsidiary Guarantors, if any.

         "Hazardous Material" means

                  (a)  any "hazardous substance", as defined by CERCLA;

                                     -15-
<PAGE>

                  (b) any "hazardous waste", as defined by the Resource
         Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended;

                  (c)  any petroleum product; or

                  (d) any pollutant or contaminant or hazardous, dangerous or
         toxic chemical, material or substance within the meaning of any other
         applicable federal, state or local law, regulation, ordinance or
         requirement (including consent decrees and administrative orders)
         relating to or imposing liability or standards of conduct concerning
         any hazardous, toxic or dangerous waste, substance or material, all as
         amended or hereafter amended.

         "Hedging Obligations" means, with respect to any Person, all
liabilities of such Person under interest rate swap agreements, interest rate
cap agreements and interest rate collar agreements, and all other agreements or
arrangements designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in interest
rates or currency exchange rates.

         "herein", "hereof", "hereto", "hereunder" and similar terms contained
in this Agreement or any other Loan Document refer to this Agreement or such
other Loan Document, as the case may be, as a whole and not to any particular
Section, paragraph or provision of this Agreement or such other Loan Document.

         "Holdings" is defined in the preamble.

         "Holdings Closing Date Certificate" means a certificate of an
Authorized Officer of Holdings substantially in the form of Exhibit D-1 hereto,
delivered pursuant to Section 5.1.3.

         "Holdings Defeasement/Redemption Documents" is defined in clause (e) of
Section 5.1.2.

         "Holdings Pledge Agreement" means the Pledge Agreement executed and
delivered by an Authorized Officer of Holdings pursuant to Section 5.1.5,
substantially in the form of Exhibit G-1 hereto, as amended, supplemented,
amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

         "Holdings Subordinated Notes" is defined in clause (a) of the third
recital.

         "Impermissible Qualification" means, relative to the opinion or
certification of any independent public accountant as to any financial
statement of any Obligor, any qualification or exception to such opinion or
certification (a) which is of a "going concern" or similar nature, (b) which
relates to the limited scope of examination of matters relevant to such
financial statement, or (c) which relates to the treatment or classification of
any item in such financial statement and which, as a condition to its removal,
would require an adjustment to such item the



                                     -16-
<PAGE>

effect of which would be to cause such Obligor to be in default of any of its
obligations under Section 7.2.4.

         "including" means including without limiting the generality of any
description preceding such term, and, for purposes of this Agreement and each
other Loan Document, the parties hereto agree that the rule of ejusdem generis
shall not be applicable to limit a general statement, which is followed by or
referable to an enumeration of specific matters, to matters similar to the
matters specifically mentioned.

         "Indebtedness" of any Person means (without duplication):

                  (a) all obligations of such Person for borrowed money and all
         obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or
         other similar instruments;

                 (b) all obligations, contingent or otherwise, relative to the
         face amount of all letters of credit, whether or not drawn, and
         banker's acceptances issued for the account of such Person;

                  (c) all obligations of such Person as lessee under leases
         which have been or should be, in accordance with GAAP, recorded as
         Capitalized Lease Liabilities;

                  (d) all other items which, in accordance with GAAP, would be
         included as liabilities on the liability side of the balance sheet of
         such Person as of the date at which Indebtedness is to be determined;

                  (e) net liabilities of such Person under all Hedging
         Obligations;

                  (f) whether or not so included as liabilities in accordance
         with GAAP, all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase
         price of property or services, and indebtedness (excluding prepaid
         interest thereon) secured by a Lien on property owned or being
         purchased by such Person (including indebtedness arising under
         conditional sales or other title retention agreements), whether or not
         such indebtedness shall have been assumed by such Person or is limited
         in recourse; provided, however, that, to the extent such Indebtedness
         is limited in recourse to the assets securing such Indebtedness, the
         amount of such Indebtedness shall be limited to the fair market value
         of such assets;

                  (g)  Redeemable Capital Stock; and

                  (h) all Contingent Liabilities of such Person in respect of
         any of the foregoing.

For all purposes of this Agreement, the Indebtedness of any Person shall
include the Indebtedness of any partnership or joint venture in which such
Person is a general partner or a joint venturer (to the extent such Person is
liable for such Indebtedness).

                                     -17-
<PAGE>

         "Indemnified Liabilities" is defined in Section 11.4.

         "Indemnified Parties" is defined in Section 11.4.

         "Interest Coverage Ratio" means, at the end of any Fiscal Quarter, the
ratio computed for the period consisting of such Fiscal Quarter and each of the
three immediately prior Fiscal Quarters of:

                  (a)  EBITDA (for all such Fiscal Quarters)

to

                  (b) the cash portion of Interest Expense (for all such Fiscal
         Quarters).

         "Interest Expense" means, for any applicable period, the aggregate
consolidated interest expense of Holdings and its Subsidiaries for such
applicable period, as determined in accordance with GAAP, including the portion
of any payments made in respect of Capitalized Lease Liabilities allocable to
interest expense.

         "Interest Period" means, as to any LIBO Rate Loan, the period
commencing on the Borrowing date of such Loan or on the date on which the Loan 
is converted into or continued as a LIBO Rate Loan, and ending on the date 
one, two, three or six months thereafter as selected by the Borrower in its 
Borrowing Request or its Conversion/Continuation Notice; provided, however 
that:

                  (a) if any Interest Period would otherwise end on a day that
         is not a Business Day, that Interest Period shall be extended to the
         following Business Day unless the result of such extension would be to
         carry such Interest Period into another calendar month, in which event
         such Interest Period shall end on the immediately preceding Business
         Day;

                  (b) any Interest Period that begins on the last Business Day
         of a calendar month (or on a day for which there is no numerically
         corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such Interest
         Period) shall end on the last Business Day of the calendar month at
         the end of such Interest Period;

                  (c) no Interest Period for any Loan shall extend beyond the
         Stated Maturity Date for such Loan;

                  (d) no Interest Period applicable to a Term Loan or any
         portion thereof shall extend beyond any date upon which is due any
         scheduled principal payment in respect of the Term Loans unless the
         aggregate principal amount of Term Loans represented by Base Rate
         Loans, or by LIBO Rate Loans having Interest Periods that will expire
         on or before such date, equals or exceeds the amount of such principal
         payment; and

                                     -18-
<PAGE>

                  (e) there shall be no more than five Interest Periods in
         effect at any one time.

         "Investment" means, relative to any Person, (a) any loan or advance
made by such Person to any other Person (excluding commission, travel and
similar advances to officers, directors and employees (or individuals acting in
similar capacities) made in the ordinary course of business), and (b) any
ownership or similar interest held by such Person in any other Person. The
amount of any Investment shall be the original principal or capital amount
thereof less all returns of principal or equity thereon (and without adjustment
by reason of the financial condition of such other Person) and shall, if made
by the transfer or exchange of property other than cash, be deemed to have been
made in an original principal or capital amount equal to the fair market value
of such property at the time of such transfer or exchange.

         "IPO" is defined in clause (b) of the second recital.

         "Issuance Request" means a Letter of Credit request and certificate
duly executed by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower, substantially in the
form of Exhibit B-2 hereto.

         "Issuer" means Fleet, in its capacity as issuer of Letters of Credit
and any Lender as may be designated by the Borrower (and consented to by the
Agents and such Lender, such consent by the Agents not to be unreasonably
withheld), in its capacity as issuer of Letters of Credit.

         "Lender Assignment Agreement" means a Lender Assignment Agreement,
substantially in the form of Exhibit J hereto.

         "Lenders" is defined in the preamble.

         "Letter of Credit" is defined in Section 2.1.3.

         "Letter of Credit Commitment" means, with respect to the Issuer, the
Issuer's obligation to issue Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 2.1.3 and,
with respect to each of the other Lenders that has a Revolving Loan Commitment,
the obligation of each such Lender to participate in such Letters of Credit
pursuant to Section 2.6.1.

         "Letter of Credit Commitment Amount" means, on any date, $10,000,000,
as such amount may be reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.2.

                  "Letter of Credit Outstandings" means, on any date, an amount
         equal to the sum of

                  (a) the then aggregate amount which is undrawn and available
         under all issued and outstanding Letters of Credit,

plus

                                     -19-
<PAGE>

                  (b) the then aggregate amount of all unpaid and outstanding
         Reimbursement Obligations in respect of such Letters of Credit.

         "Leverage Ratio" means, at the end of any Fiscal Quarter, the ratio of

                  (a) total Debt of Holdings and its Subsidiaries on a
         consolidated basis outstanding at such time;

to

                  (b) EBITDA for the period of four consecutive Fiscal Quarters
         ended on such date.

         "LIBO Rate" means, relative to any Interest Period for LIBO Rate
Loans, the interest rate per annum for deposits in Dollars, if any, for a
period equal to the relevant Interest Period which appears on Telerate Page
3750 at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time, prior to the commencement of
such Interest Period. If such a rate does not appear on Telerate Page 3750, the
LIBO Rate shall be the rate of interest per annum determined by the
Administrative Agent to be the arithmetic mean (rounded upward to the next
1/16th of 1%) of the rates of interest per annum at which dollar deposits in
the approximate amount of the Loan to be made or continued as, or converted
into, a LIBO Rate Loan by the Administrative Agent and having a maturity
comparable to such Interest Period would be offered to the Administrative Agent
in the London interbank market at its request at approximately 11:00 a.m.,
London time, two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest
Period.

         "LIBO Rate Loan" means a Loan bearing interest, at all times during an
Interest Period applicable to such Loan, at a fixed rate of interest determined
by reference to the LIBO Rate (Reserve Adjusted).

         "LIBO Rate (Reserve Adjusted)" means, relative to any Loan to be made,
continued or maintained as, or converted into, a LIBO Rate Loan for any
Interest Period, the rate of interest per annum (rounded upwards to the next
1/16th of 1%) determined by the Administrative Agent as follows:



        LIBO Rate                              LIBO Rate
         (Reserve        =    -------------------------------------------- 
        Adjusted)                  1.00 - LIBOR Reserve Percentage  
                              
                        

         The LIBO Rate (Reserve Adjusted) for any Interest Period for LIBO Rate
Loans will be adjusted automatically as to all LIBO Rate Loans then outstanding
as of the effective date of any change in the LIBOR Reserve Percentage.

                                     -20-
<PAGE>

         "LIBOR Office" means, relative to any Lender, the office of such
Lender designated as such on Schedule II hereto or designated in the Lender
Assignment Agreement pursuant to which such Lender became a Lender hereunder or
such other office of a Lender as shall be so designated from time to time by
notice from such Lender to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent, which
shall be making or maintaining LIBO Rate Loans of such Lender hereunder.

         "LIBOR Reserve Percentage" means, relative to any Interest Period for
LIBO Rate Loans, the percentage (expressed as a decimal, rounded upward to the
next 1/16th of 1%) in effect on such day (whether or not applicable to any
Lender) under regulations issued from time to time by the F.R.S. Board for
determining the maximum reserve requirement (including any emergency,
supplemental or other marginal reserve requirement) with respect to
Eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as "Eurocurrency Liabilities" in
Regulation D of the F.R.S.
Board).

         "Lien" means any security interest, mortgage, pledge, hypothecation,
assignment, deposit arrangement, encumbrance, lien (statutory or otherwise),
charge against or interest in property, or any filing or recording of any
instrument or document in respect of the foregoing, to secure
payment of a debt or performance of an obligation or any other priority or
preferential treatment of any kind or nature whatsoever that has the practical
effect of creating a security interest in property.

         "Loan" means, as the context may require, a Revolving Loan, a Term
Loan and/or a Swing Line Loan, of any type.

         "Loan Document" means this Agreement, the Notes, the Letters of
Credit, each Rate Protection Agreement, each Borrowing Request, each Issuance
Request, the Fee Letter, each Pledge Agreement, the Subsidiary Guaranty, each
Mortgage (upon execution and delivery thereof), each Security Agreement and
each other agreement, document or instrument delivered in connection with this
Agreement or any other Loan Document, whether or not specifically mentioned
herein or therein.

         "Material Adverse Effect" means (a) a material adverse effect on the
business, assets, debt service capacity, tax position, environmental liability,
financial condition, operations, properties or prospects of the Borrower and
its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or Holdings and its Subsidiaries, taken as
a whole, (b) a material impairment of the ability of the Borrower or any other
Obligor to perform its respective material obligations under the Loan Documents
to which it is or will be a party, or (c) an impairment of the validity or
enforceability of, or a material impairment of the rights, remedies or benefits
available to the Issuer, the Agents, the Documentation Agent, the Arranger or
the Lenders under this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

         "Material Documents" means the Merger Documents, the Senior
Subordinated Note Documents, the Recapitalization Agreement, the
Defeasement/Redemption Documents, the Rapid Remit Program Documents and the
Borrower Partnership Agreement, each as amended or otherwise modified from time
to time in accordance with the terms thereof and hereof.

                                     -21-
<PAGE>

         "Merger" is defined in the first recital.

         "Merger Documents" means the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of
February 2, 1998, between Holdings and Daboco and the Certificate of Merger of
Daboco Inc. into Duane Reade Inc. referred to therein, in each case as in
effect on the Closing Date and as the same may be amended or otherwise modified
from time to time thereafter in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof.

         "Moody's" means Moody's Investors Service, Inc.

         "Mortgage" means, collectively, each Mortgage or Deed of Trust
executed and delivered pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, including
Section 5.1.7 or 7.1.8(b), in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Agents.

         "Net Debt Proceeds" means, with respect to the incurrence, sale or
issuance by the Borrower, any Parent Guarantor or any of their respective
Subsidiaries of any Debt (other than Debt permitted by Section 7.2.2 as in
effect on the date hereof), the excess of:

                  (a) the gross cash proceeds received by the Borrower, any
         Parent Guarantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries from such
         incurrence, sale or issuance,

over

                  (b) all reasonable and customary underwriting commissions and
         legal, investment banking, brokerage and accounting and other
         professional fees, sales commissions and disbursements and all other
         reasonable fees, expenses and charges, in each case actually incurred
         in connection with such incurrence, sale or issuance.

         "Net Disposition Proceeds" means, with respect to any sale, transfer
or other disposition of any assets of the Borrower, any Parent Guarantor or any
of their respective Subsidiaries (other than sales permitted pursuant to clause
(a), (b) or (c) of Section 7.2.9), the excess of

                  (a) the gross cash proceeds received by the Borrower, any
         Parent Guarantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries from any such
         sale, transfer or other disposition and any cash payments received in
         respect of promissory notes or other non-cash consideration delivered
         to the Borrower, such Parent Guarantor or such Subsidiary in respect
         thereof,

less

                  (b) the sum (without duplication) of (i) all reasonable and
         customary fees and expenses with respect to legal, investment banking,
         brokerage, accounting and other professional fees, sales commissions
         and disbursements and all other reasonable fees, 

                                     -22-

<PAGE>

         expenses and charges, in each case actually incurred in connection
         with such sale, transfer or other disposition, (ii) all taxes and
         other governmental costs and expenses actually paid or estimated by
         Holdings (in good faith) to be payable in cash in connection with such
         sale, transfer or other disposition, and (iii) payments made by the
         Borrower, any Parent Guarantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries
         to retire Indebtedness (other than the Credit Extensions) of the
         Borrower, such Parent Guarantor or such Subsidiary where payment of
         such Indebtedness is required in connection with such sale, transfer
         or other disposition;

provided, however, that if, after the payment of all taxes with respect to such
sale, transfer or other disposition, the amount of estimated taxes, if any,
pursuant to clause (b)(ii) above exceeded the tax amount actually paid in cash
in respect of such sale, transfer or other disposition, the aggregate amount of
such excess shall, at such time, constitute Net Disposition Proceeds.

         "Net Equity Proceeds" means with respect to the sale or issuance by
the Borrower, any Parent Guarantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries to
any Person, whether pursuant to a public or private offering, of any of its
Capital Stock or any warrants or options with respect to its Capital Stock or
the exercise of any such warrants or options after the Closing Date (other than
pursuant to any subscription agreement, incentive plan or similar arrangement
with any officer, employee or director of the Borrower, such Parent Guarantor
or such Subsidiary), the excess of:

                  (a) the gross cash proceeds received by the Borrower, such
         Parent Guarantor or such Subsidiary from such sale, exercise or
         issuance,

over

                  (b) all reasonable and customary underwriting commissions and
         legal, investment banking, brokerage, accounting and other
         professional fees, sales commissions and disbursements and all other
         reasonable fees, expenses and charges, in each case actually incurred
         in connection with such sale, exercise or issuance.

         "Net Income" means, for any period, the net income of Holdings and its
Subsidiaries for such period on a consolidated basis, excluding extraordinary
and non-recurring gains and extraordinary losses incurred in connection with
the Transaction.

         "Net Worth" means the consolidated net worth of Holdings and its
Subsidiaries.

         "Note" means, as the context may require, a Revolving Note, a Term
Note, a Swing Line Note and/or a Registered Note.

         "Obligations" means all obligations (monetary or otherwise) of the
Borrower and each other Obligor arising under or in connection with this
Agreement, any Rate Protection Agreement, the Notes, each Letter of Credit and
each other Loan Document.

                                     -23-
<PAGE>

         "Obligor" means the Borrower or any other Person (other than any
Agent, the Documentation Agent, the Arranger, the Issuer or any Lender)
obligated under any Loan Document.

         "Organic Document" means, relative to any Obligor, its partnership
agreement, its certificate of incorporation, its by-laws and all shareholder or
equity holder agreements, voting trusts and similar arrangements to which such
Obligor is a party or which is applicable to any of its Capital Stock, its
partnership agreement and all other arrangements relating to the control or
management of such entity.

         "Paid Visit" is defined in Section 7.1.5.

         "Parent Guarantors" is defined in the preamble.

         "Parent Guaranty" means the Obligations of the Parent Guarantors under
Article IX.

         "Participant" is defined in Section 11.11.2.

         "Partnership Security Agreement" means the Security Agreement executed
and delivered by an Authorized Officer of each of Holdings and DRI I pursuant
to Section 5.1.6, substantially in the form of Exhibit F-1 hereto, as amended,
supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

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

         "Pension Plan" means a "pension plan", as such term is defined in
section 3(2) of ERISA, which is subject to Title IV of ERISA (other than a
multiemployer plan as defined in section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA), and to which
Holdings or any corporation, trade or business that is, along with Holdings, a
member of a Controlled Group, has or within the prior six years has had any
liability, including any liability by reason of having been a substantial
employer within the meaning of section 4063 of ERISA at any time during the
preceding five years, or by reason of being deemed to be a contributing sponsor
under section 4069 of ERISA.

         "Percentage" means, relative to any Lender, the applicable percentage
relating to Term A Loans, Term B Loans or Revolving Loans, as the case may be,
as set forth opposite its name on Schedule II hereto under the applicable
column heading or set forth in Lender Assignment Agreement(s) under the
applicable column heading, as such percentage may be adjusted from time to time
pursuant to Lender Assignment Agreement(s) executed by such Lender and its
Assignee Lender(s) and delivered pursuant to Section 11.11. A Lender shall not
have any Commitment to make Term A Loans, Term B Loans or Revolving Loans (as
the case may be) if its percentage under the respective column heading is zero.
As used herein, "Percentage" as it relates to a Lender's Percentage of Letter
of Credit Outstandings or Swing Line Loans shall be equal to such Lender's
Percentage of Revolving Loans.

                                     -24-
<PAGE>

         "Perfection Certificate" means the Perfection Certificate executed and
delivered by an Authorized Officer of each Obligor that is a party to a
Security Agreement pursuant to Section 5.1.15 or 7.1.7, substantially in the
form of Exhibit I hereto, as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or
otherwise modified from time to time.

         "Person" means any natural person, corporation, partnership, firm,
association, trust, government, governmental agency, limited liability company
or any other entity, whether acting in an individual, fiduciary or other
capacity.

         "Pharmaceutical Laws" means Federal, state and local laws, rules or
regulations, codes, orders, decrees, judgments or injunctions issued,
promulgated, approved or entered, relating to dispensing, storing or
distributing prescription medicines or products, including laws, rules or
regulations relating to the qualifications of Persons employed to do the same.

         "Pharmacy Fund" means Pharmacy Fund Receivables, Inc., a New York
corporation, and any successor thereto.

         "Plan" means any Pension Plan or Welfare Plan.

         "Pledge Agreement" means, as the context may require, the Holdings
Pledge Agreement, the Borrower Pledge Agreement and/or the Subsidiary Pledge
Agreement.

         "Prescription Receivables" is defined in clause (b) of Section 7.2.9.

         "Pro Forma Balance Sheets" is defined in clause (b) of Section 5.1.8.

         "Quarterly Payment Date" means the fifteenth day of each February,
May, August and November, or, if any such day is not a Business Day, the next
succeeding Business Day.

         "Rapid Remit Program" shall mean the program pursuant to which
Prescription Receivables are sold by the Borrower to Pharmacy Fund for cash
pursuant to the Rapid Remit Program Documents.

         "Rapid Remit Program Documents" shall mean (a) the Purchase Agreement,
dated as of March 10, 1997, between the Borrower and Pharmacy Fund and each
other document or agreement entered into in connection therewith, in each case
as in effect on the Closing Date and as the same may be amended or otherwise
modified from time to time thereafter in accordance with the terms hereof and
thereof, and (b) each of the other documents and agreements entered into in
connection therewith after the Closing Date in form and substance satisfactory
to the Syndication Agent, and as each such other document and agreement may be
amended or otherwise modified from time to time thereafter in accordance with
the terms hereof and thereof.

                                     -25-
<PAGE>

         "Rate Protection Agreement" means, collectively, any interest rate
swap, cap, collar or similar agreement entered into by the Borrower in respect
of the Loans pursuant to the terms of this Agreement under which the
counterparty to such agreement is (or at the time such Rate Protection
Agreement was entered into, was) a Lender or an Affiliate of a Lender.

         "Real Property" means, with respect to any Person, all of the right,
title and interest of such Person in and to lands, improvements and fixtures,
including all of the rights, title and interest of such Person as Lessee or
licensee in, to and under leases or licenses of land, improvements and
fixtures.

         "Recapitalization Agreement" shall mean the Recapitalization
Agreement, dated as of June 18, 1997, among the DLJMB Entities and the
stockholders parties thereto and Holdings and each other document or agreement
entered into in connection therewith, in each case as in effect on the Closing
Date and as the same may be amended or otherwise modified from time to time
thereafter in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof.

         "Redeemable Capital Stock" means, with respect to any Person, any
class of Capital Stock of such Person or any of its Subsidiaries which, either
by its terms, by the terms of any security into which it is convertible or
exchangeable or otherwise, (a) is or upon the happening of an event or passage
of time would be required to be redeemed on or prior to the first anniversary
of the Stated Maturity Date for the Term B Loans, (b) is redeemable at the
option of the holder thereof at any time prior to such anniversary or (c) is
convertible into or exchangeable for debt securities of such Person or any of
its Subsidiaries at any time prior to such anniversary; provided, however, that
for purposes of clauses (a) and (b) of this definition, any issuances of equity
interests or the right to directly or indirectly acquire any equity interests
of such Person pursuant to any director or employee stock option or similar
plan of such Person shall be deemed not to be Redeemable Capital Stock.

         "Refinancing" is defined in the first recital.

         "Refunded Swing Line Loans" is defined in clause (b) of Section 2.3.2.

         "Register" is defined in clause (b) of Section 2.7.

         "Registered Note" means a promissory note of the Borrower payable to
the order of any Lender, in the form of Exhibit A-4 hereto (as such promissory
note may be amended, endorsed or otherwise modified from time to time in
accordance with the terms hereof and thereof), evidencing the aggregate
Indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from outstanding Term A
Loans or Term B Loans, and also means all other promissory notes accepted from
time to time in substitution therefor or renewal thereof.

         "Reimbursement Obligation" is defined in Section 2.6.3.

         "Reinstatement Date" is defined in Section 4.1.

                                     -26-
<PAGE>

         "Related Fund" means, with respect to any Lender that is a fund that
invests in loans, any other fund that invests in loans and is managed by the
same investment advisor or investment manager as such Lender.

         "Release" means a "release", as such term is defined in CERCLA.

         "Replacement Notice" is defined in Section 4.10.

         "Replacement Lender" is defined in Section 4.10.

         "Required Lenders" means, at any time, (a) prior to the making of the
initial Credit Extension hereunder, Lenders having greater than 50% of the sum
of the Revolving Loan Commitments and Term Loan Commitments and (b) on and
after the date of the initial Credit Extension, Lenders holding greater than
50% of (i) the Total Exposure Amount or (ii) if the Revolving Loan Commitments
shall have been terminated or expired for purposes of acceleration pursuant to
Section 8.3, the then outstanding Loans and Letter of Credit Outstandings.

         "Resource Conservation and Recovery Act" means the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act, 42 U.S.C. Section 6901, et seq., as in effect
from time to time.

         "Restricted Payments" is defined in Section 7.2.6.

         "Revolving Loan" is defined in clause (a) of Section 2.1.2.

         "Revolving Loan Commitment" is defined in clause (a) of Section 2.1.2.

         "Revolving Loan Commitment Amount" means, on any date, $30,000,000, as
such amount may be reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.2.

         "Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date" means the earliest of (a)
March 31, 1998 if the Term Loans have not been made on or prior to such date,
(b) February 15, 2004, (c) the date on which the Revolving Loan Commitment
Amount is terminated in full or reduced to zero pursuant to Section 2.2, and
(d) the date on which any Commitment Termination Event occurs.

         "Revolving Note" means a promissory note of the Borrower payable to
any Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 hereto (as such promissory
note may be amended, endorsed or otherwise modified from time to time in
accordance with the terms hereof and thereof), evidencing the aggregate
Indebtedness of the Borrower to such Lender resulting from outstanding
Revolving Loans, and also means all other promissory notes accepted from time
to time in substitution therefor or renewal thereof.

         "S&P" means Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, a division of The
McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

                                     -27-
<PAGE>

         "Secured Parties" means the Lenders, the Issuer, the Agents, the
Documentation Agent, each counterparty to a Rate Protection Agreement that is
(or at the time such Rate Protection Agreement was entered into, was) a Lender
or an Affiliate thereof and in each case, each of their respective successors,
transferees and assigns.


         "Security Agreement" means, as the context may require, the
Partnership Security Agreement, the Borrower Security Agreement and/or the
Subsidiary Security Agreement.

         "Senior Notes" is defined in clause (b) of the third recital.

         "Senior Subordinated Note Documents" means the Senior Subordinated
Note Indenture, the Senior Subordinated Notes Guarantee and the Senior
Subordinated Notes, in each case as in effect on the Closing Date and as the
same may be amended or otherwise modified from time to time thereafter in
accordance with the terms hereof and thereof.

         "Senior Subordinated Note Indenture" means that certain indenture
among Holdings and the Borrower and DRI I, as subsidiary guarantors, and State
Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, N.A., as Trustee, as in effect on
the Closing Date and as the same may be amended or otherwise modified from time
to time thereafter in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof.

         "Senior Subordinated Notes Guarantee" means the joint and several
guarantees of the Borrower, DRI I and each other Subsidiary of Holdings in
favor of the holders of the Senior Subordinated Notes as set forth in Article
11 of the Senior Subordinated Note Indenture and each Subsidiary Guarantee
delivered substantially in the form of Exhibit B to such indenture and, in each
case, subject to the Subordination provisions of Article 12 of such indenture
and as in effect on the Closing Date and as the same may be amended or
otherwise modified from time to time thereafter in accordance with the terms
hereof and thereof.

         "Senior Subordinated Notes" is defined in clause (a) of the second
recital.

         "Solvency Certificate" means, as the context may require, a Solvency
Certificate to be executed and delivered by the chief financial or accounting
Authorized Officer of Holdings, substantially in the form of Exhibit L-1 hereto
and/or a Solvency Certificate to be executed and delivered by the chief
financial or accounting Authorized Officer of the Borrower, substantially in
the form of Exhibit L-2 hereto.

         "Solvent" means, with respect to any Person and its Subsidiaries on a
particular date, that on such date (a) the fair value of the property of such
Person and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis is greater than the total
amount of liabilities, including contingent liabilities, of such Person and its
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, (b) the present fair salable value of the
assets of such Person and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis is not less
than the amount


                                     -28-
<PAGE>

that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Person and its
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis on its debts as they become absolute and
matured, (c) such Person does not intend to, and does not believe that it or
its Subsidiaries will, incur debts or liabilities beyond the ability of such
Person and its Subsidiaries to pay as such debts and liabilities mature, and
(d) such Person and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis is not engaged in
business or a transaction, and such Person and its Subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis is not about to engage in business or a transaction, for
which the property of such Person and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis
would constitute an unreasonably small capital. The amount of Contingent
Liabilities at any time shall be computed as the amount that, in light of all
the facts and circumstances existing at such time, can reasonably be expected
to become an actual or matured liability.

         "Stated Amount" of each Letter of Credit means the total amount
available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit upon the issuance thereof.

         "Stated Expiry Date" is defined in Section 2.6.

         "Stated Maturity Date" means (a) in the case of any Revolving Loan or
any Term A Loan, February 15, 2004, and (b) in the case of any Term B Loan,
February 15, 2005.

         "Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, any corporation,
partnership or other business entity of which more than 50% of the outstanding
Capital Stock (or other ownership interest) having ordinary voting power to
elect a majority of the board of directors, managers or other voting members of
the governing body of such entity (irrespective of whether at the time Capital
Stock (or other ownership interests) of any other class or classes of such
entity shall or might have voting power upon the occurrence of any contingency)
is at the time directly or indirectly owned by such Person, by such Person and
one or more other Subsidiaries of such Person, or by one or more other
Subsidiaries of such Person.

         "Subsidiary Guarantor" means any Subsidiary of the Borrower that,
pursuant to Section 7.1.7, executes and delivers a Subsidiary Guaranty or a
supplement to a Subsidiary Guaranty.

         "Subsidiary Guaranty" means the Guaranty executed and delivered by an
Authorized Officer of a Subsidiary Guarantor pursuant to Section 7.1.7,
substantially in the form of Exhibit H hereto, as amended, supplemented,
amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to time.

         "Subsidiary Pledge Agreement" means the Pledge Agreement executed and
delivered by an Authorized Officer of each Subsidiary of the Borrower that is
not a Foreign Subsidiary pursuant to Section 7.1.7, substantially in the form
of Exhibit G-3 hereto, as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or
otherwise modified from time to time.

                                     -29-
<PAGE>

         "Subsidiary Security Agreement" means the Security Agreement executed
and delivered by an Authorized Officer of each Subsidiary of the Borrower that
is not a Foreign Subsidiary pursuant to Section 7.1.7, substantially in the
form of Exhibit F-3 hereto, as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or
otherwise modified from time to time.

         "Swing Line Lender" means Fleet, in its capacity as Swing Line Lender
hereunder.

         "Swing Line Loan" is defined in clause (b) of Section 2.1.2.

         "Swing Line Loan Commitment" is defined in clause (b) of Section 2.1.2.

         "Swing Line Loan Commitment Amount" means, on any date, $5,000,000, as
such amount may be reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.2.

         "Swing Line Note" means a promissory note of the Borrower payable to
the Swing Line Lender, in the form of Exhibit A-5 hereto (as such promissory
note may be amended, endorsed or otherwise modified from time to time),
evidencing the aggregate Indebtedness of the Borrower to the Swing Line Lender
resulting from outstanding Swing Line Loans, and also means all other
promissory notes accepted from time to time in substitution therefor or renewal
thereof.

         "Syndication Agent" is defined in the preamble and includes each other
Person as shall have subsequently been appointed as the successor Syndication
Agent pursuant to Section 10.4.

         "Taxes" is defined in Section 4.6.

         "Telerate Page 3750" means the display designated as "Page 3750" on
the Telerate Service (or such other page as may replace Page 3750 on the
service or such other service as may be nominated by the British Bankers'
Association as the information vendor for the purpose of displaying British
Bankers' Association interest settlement rates for Dollar deposits).

         "Term A Loan" is defined in clause (a) of  Section 2.1.1.

         "Term A Loan Commitment" is defined in clause (a) of Section 2.1.1.

         "Term A Loan Commitment Amount" means $50,000,000.

         "Term A Note" means a promissory note of the Borrower payable to the
order of any Lender, in the form of Exhibit A-2 hereto (as such promissory note
may be amended, endorsed or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance
with the terms hereof and thereof), evidencing the aggregate Indebtedness of
the Borrower to such Lender resulting from outstanding Term A Loans, and also
means all other promissory notes accepted from time to time in substitution
therefor or renewal thereof.

         "Term B Loan" is defined in clause (b) of Section 2.1.1.

                                     -30-
<PAGE>

         "Term B Loan Commitment" is defined in clause (b) of Section 2.1.1.

         "Term B Loan Commitment Amount" means $80,000,000.

         "Term B Note" means a promissory note of the Borrower payable to the
order of any Lender, in the form of Exhibit A-3 hereto (as such promissory note
may be amended, endorsed or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance
with the terms hereof and thereof), evidencing the aggregate Indebtedness of
the Borrower to such Lender resulting from outstanding Term B Loans, and also
means all other promissory notes accepted from time to time in substitution
therefor or renewal thereof.

         "Term Loan" means, as the context may require, a Term A Loan and/or a
Term B Loan.

         "Term Loan Commitment" means, as the context may require, a Term A
Loan Commitment and/or a Term B Loan Commitment.

         "Term Loan Commitment Amount" means, as the context may require, the
Term A Loan Commitment Amount and/or the Term B Loan Commitment Amount.

         "Term Loan Commitment Termination Date" means the earliest of (a)
March 31, 1998, if any Term Loans have not been made on or prior to such date,
(b) the Closing Date (immediately after the making of the Term Loans on such
date), and (c) the date on which any Commitment Termination Event occurs.

         "Term Note" means, as the context may require, a Term A Note and/or a
Term B Note.

         "Total Exposure Amount" means, on any date of determination, the then
outstanding principal amount of all Term Loans and the Revolving Loan
Commitment Amount then in effect.

         "Tranche" means, as the context may require, the Loans constituting
Term A Loans, Term B Loans, Revolving Loans and/or Swing Line Loans.

         "Transaction" is defined in clause (d) of the third recital.

         "type" means, relative to any Loan, the portion thereof, if any, being
maintained as a Base Rate Loan or a LIBO Rate Loan.

         "UCC" means the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect from time to time
in the State of New York.

         "United States" or "U.S." means the United States of America, its
fifty states and the District of Columbia.

                                     -31-
<PAGE>

         "Waiver" means an agreement in favor of the Agents for the benefit of
the Lenders in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agents.

         "Welfare Plan" means a "welfare plan", as such term is defined in
section 3(1) of ERISA, and to which the Borrower has any liability.

         "Wholly-owned Subsidiary" shall mean, with respect to any Person, any
Subsidiary of such Person all of the Capital Stock (and all rights and options
to purchase such Capital Stock) of which, other than directors' qualifying
shares, are owned, beneficially and of record, by such Person and/or one or
more wholly-owned Subsidiaries of such Person.

         SECTION 1.2. Use of Defined Terms. Unless otherwise defined or the
context otherwise requires, terms for which meanings are provided in this
Agreement shall have such meanings when used in the Disclosure Schedule and in
each other Loan Document, notice and other communication delivered from time to
time in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

         SECTION 1.3. Cross-References. Unless otherwise specified, references
in this Agreement and in each other Loan Document to any Article or Section are
references to such Article or Section of this Agreement or such other Loan
Document, as the case may be, and, unless otherwise specified, references in
any Article, Section or definition to any clause are references to such clause
of such Article, Section or definition.

         SECTION 1.4. Accounting and Financial Determinations. (a) Unless
otherwise specified, all accounting terms used herein or in any other Loan
Document shall be interpreted, all accounting determinations and computations
hereunder or thereunder (including under Section 7.2.4) shall be made, and all
financial statements required to be delivered hereunder or thereunder shall be
prepared in accordance, and in a manner consistent, with those generally
accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), as in effect on December 28, 1996 and
as used to prepare the audited consolidated financial statements of Holdings
and its Subsidiaries for the Fiscal Year ending on such date and, unless
otherwise expressly provided herein, shall be computed or determined on a
consolidated basis and without duplication.

         (b) For purposes of calculating each of the Fixed Charge Coverage
Ratio, the Interest Coverage Ratio and the Leverage Ratio, each such ratio
shall be calculated giving pro forma effect to any acquisition, disposition,
merger, consolidation or discontinued operation (including any related
financing transaction) made by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries during
the period comprised of the Fiscal Quarters that are the subject of such
calculation as if such acquisition, disposition, merger, consolidation or
discontinued operation (including such related financing transaction) had been
made at the beginning of such period. Not in limitation of the immediately
preceding sentence but in furtherance thereof, for purposes of such
calculation, EBITDA for such period shall be calculated to (i) include the
EBITDA (adjusted to exclude the cost of any compensation, remuneration or other
benefit paid or provided to any employee, consultant, Affiliate or equity owner
of the acquired entities to the extent such costs are



                                     -32-
<PAGE>

eliminated and not replaced and as determined in good faith by the chief
financial or accounting Authorized Officer of Holdings) attributable to any
business or assets acquired by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
utilizing the actual revenues attributable to such business or assets for such
and the expenses that would have been attributable to such business or assets
had the Borrower acquired such business or assets at the beginning of such
period and (ii) exclude the EBITDA attributable to discontinued operations, as
determined in accordance with GAAP, and operations, businesses and assets
disposed of prior to the end of such period from such calculation, in each
case, as determined in good faith by the chief financial or accounting
Authorized Officer of Holdings.


                                   ARTICLE II

                COMMITMENTS, BORROWING AND ISSUANCE PROCEDURES,
                          NOTES AND LETTERS OF CREDIT

         SECTION 2.1. Commitments. On the terms and subject to the conditions
of this Agreement (including Sections 2.1.4 and 2.1.5 and Article V),

                  (a) each Lender severally agrees to make Loans (other than
         Swing Line Loans) pursuant to the Commitments and the Swing Line
         Lender agrees to make Swing Line Loans pursuant to the Swing Line Loan
         Commitment, in each case as described in this Section 2.1; and

                  (b) the Issuer agrees that it will issue Letters of Credit
         pursuant to Section 2.1.3, and each other Lender that has a Revolving
         Loan Commitment severally agrees that it will purchase participation
         interests in such Letters of Credit pursuant to Section 2.6.1.

         SECTION 2.1.1. Term Loan Commitments. Subject to compliance by the
Borrower with the terms hereof (including Sections 2.1.4, 5.1 and 5.2), on (but
solely on) the Closing Date (which shall be a Business Day) but prior to the
Term Loan Commitment Termination Date,

                  (a) each Lender that has a Percentage in excess of zero of
         the Term A Loan Commitment Amount will make loans (relative to such
         Lender, its "Term A Loans") to the Borrower equal to such Lender's
         Percentage of the aggregate amount of the Borrowing or Borrowings of
         Term A Loans requested by the Borrower to be made on the Closing Date
         (the commitment of each such Lender described in this Section 2.1.1 is
         herein referred to as its "Term A Loan Commitment"); and

                  (b) each Lender that has a Percentage in excess of zero of
         the Term B Loan Commitment Amount will make loans (relative to such
         Lender, its "Term B Loans") to the Borrower equal to such Lender's
         Percentage of the aggregate amount of the Borrowing or Borrowings of
         Term B Loans requested by the Borrower to be made on the 

                                     -33-
<PAGE>

         Closing Date (the commitment of each such Lender described in this
         Section 2.1.1 is herein referred to as its "Term B Loan Commitment").

No amounts paid or prepaid with respect to any Term Loans may be reborrowed.

         SECTION 2.1.2. Revolving Loan Commitment and Swing Line Loan
Commitment. Subject to compliance by the Borrower with the terms hereof
(including Sections 2.1.4, 5.1 and 5.2), from time to time on any Business Day
occurring on or after the Closing Date but prior to the Revolving Loan
Commitment Termination Date,

                  (a) each Lender that has a Percentage in excess of zero of
         the Revolving Loan Commitment Amount will make loans (relative to such
         Lender, its "Revolving Loans") to the Borrower equal to such Lender's
         Percentage of the aggregate amount of the Borrowing or Borrowings of
         Revolving Loans requested by the Borrower to be made on such day. The
         Commitment of each Lender described in this clause (a) is herein
         referred to as its "Revolving Loan Commitment". On the terms and
         subject to the conditions hereof, the Borrower may from time to time
         borrow, prepay and reborrow Revolving Loans.

                  (b) the Swing Line Lender will make loans (each a "Swing Line
         Loan") to the Borrower equal to the principal amount of the Swing Line
         Loan requested by the Borrower to be made on such day. The Commitment
         of the Swing Line Lender described in this clause (b) is herein
         referred to as its "Swing Line Loan Commitment". On the terms and
         subject to the conditions hereof, the Borrower may from time to time
         borrow, prepay and reborrow Swing Line Loans.

         SECTION 2.1.3. Letter of Credit Commitment. Subject to compliance by
the Borrower with the terms hereof (including Sections 2.1.5, 5.1 and 5.2),
from time to time on any Business Day occurring concurrently with (or after)
the Closing Date but prior to the Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date,
the Issuer will (a) issue one or more standby or commercial letters of credit
(each referred to as a "Letter of Credit") for the account of the Borrower in
the Stated Amount requested by the Borrower on such day, or (b) extend the
Stated Expiry Date of an existing standby or commercial Letter of Credit
previously issued hereunder.

         SECTION 2.1.4. Lenders Not Permitted or Required to Make the Loans. No
Lender shall be permitted or required to, and the Borrower shall not request
any Lender to, make

                  (a) any Term Loan if, after giving effect thereto, the
         aggregate original principal amount of all the Term Loans (i) of all
         Lenders would exceed the Term Loan Commitment Amount, or (ii) of such
         Lender would exceed such Lender's Percentage of the Term Loan
         Commitment Amount; or

                  (b) any Revolving Loan if, after giving effect thereto, the
         aggregate outstanding principal amount of all the Revolving Loans (i)
         of all Lenders, together with all Letter of



                                     -34-
<PAGE>

         Credit Outstandings and the aggregate outstanding principal amount of
         all Swing Line Loans, would exceed the Revolving Loan Commitment
         Amount, or (ii) of such Lender (other than the Swing Line Lender),
         together with its Percentage of all Letter of Credit Outstandings,
         would exceed such Lender's Percentage of the Revolving Loan Commitment
         Amount; or

                  (c) any Swing Line Loan if, after giving effect thereto, the
         aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Swing Line Loans (i)
         would exceed the Swing Line Loan Commitment Amount, or (ii) together
         with all Letter of Credit Outstandings and the aggregate outstanding
         principal amount of all Revolving Loans, would exceed the Revolving
         Loan Commitment Amount.

         SECTION 2.1.5. Issuer Not Permitted or Required to Issue Letters of
Credit. No Issuer shall be permitted or required to issue any Letter of Credit
if, after giving effect thereto, (a) the aggregate amount of all Letter of
Credit Outstandings would exceed the Letter of Credit Commitment Amount or (b)
the sum of the aggregate amount of all Letter of Credit Outstandings plus the
aggregate principal amount of all Revolving Loans and all Swing Line Loans then
outstanding would exceed the Revolving Loan Commitment Amount.

         SECTION 2.2. Reduction of the Commitment Amounts. The Commitment
Amounts are subject to reductions from time to time pursuant to this Section
2.2.

         SECTION 2.2.1. Optional. The Borrower may, from time to time on any
Business Day occurring after the time of the initial Credit Extension
hereunder, voluntarily reduce the Revolving Loan Commitment Amount; provided,
however, that all such reductions shall require at least three Business Days'
prior notice to the Administrative Agent and be permanent, and any partial
reduction of any Commitment Amount shall be in an aggregate amount of
$5,000,000 or any larger integral multiple of $1,000,000. Any such reduction of
the Revolving Loan Commitment Amount which reduces the Revolving Loan
Commitment Amount below the Letter of Credit Commitment Amount or the Swing
Line Loan Commitment Amount shall result in an automatic and corresponding
reduction of the Letter of Credit Commitment Amount or the Swing Line Loan
Commitment Amount, as the case may be, to an aggregate amount not in excess of
the Revolving Loan Commitment Amount, as so reduced, without any further action
on the part of the Issuer or the Swing Line Lender.

         SECTION 2.2.2. Mandatory. The Revolving Loan Commitment Amount shall,
without any further action, automatically and permanently be reduced

                  (a) on the Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date so that
         the Revolving Loan Commitment Amount equals $0; and

                  (b) following the prepayment in full of the Term Loans, on
         the date the Term Loans would otherwise have been required to be
         prepaid pursuant to clause (b), (c), (d), (e) or (f) of Section 3.1.1,
         in an amount equal to the amount by which the Term Loans 


                                     -35-
<PAGE>

         would otherwise have been required to be prepaid if any Term Loans had
         been outstanding. Any such reduction of the Revolving Loan Commitment
         Amount which reduces the Revolving Loan Commitment Amount below the
         Letter of Credit Commitment Amount or the Swing Line Loan Commitment
         Amount shall result in an automatic and corresponding permanent
         reduction of the Letter of Credit Commitment Amount or the Swing Line
         Loan Commitment Amount, as the case may be, to an aggregate amount not
         in excess of the Revolving Loan Commitment Amount, as so reduced,
         without any further action on the part of the Issuer or the Swing Line
         Lender.

         SECTION 2.3. Borrowing Procedures and Funding Maintenance. Loans
(other than Swing Line Loans) shall be made by the Lenders in accordance with
Section 2.3.1, and Swing Line Loans shall be made by the Swing Line Lender in
accordance with Section 2.3.2.

         SECTION 2.3.1. Term Loans and Revolving Loans. By delivering a
Borrowing Request to the Administrative Agent on or before 12:00 noon, New York
City time, on a Business Day, the Borrower may from time to time irrevocably
request, on not less than one Business Day's notice (in the case of Base Rate
Loans) or three Business Days' notice (in the case of LIBO Rate Loans) nor more
than five Business Days' notice (in the case of any Loans), that a Borrowing be
made, in the case of LIBO Rate Loans, in an aggregate amount of $1,000,000 or
any larger integral multiple of $500,000, and in the case of Base Rate Loans,
in an aggregate amount of $500,000 or any larger integral multiple of $100,000,
or, in either case, in the unused amount of the applicable Commitment. No
Borrowing Request shall be required, and the minimum aggregate amounts
specified under this Section 2.3.1 shall not apply, in the case of Revolving
Loans made under clause (b) of Section 2.3.2 to refund Refunded Swing Line
Loans or deemed made under Section 2.6.2 in respect of unreimbursed
Disbursements. On the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement,
each Borrowing shall be comprised of the type of Loans, and shall be made on
the Business Day, specified in such Borrowing Request. On or before 11:00 a.m.,
New York City time, on such Business Day each Lender shall deposit with the
Administrative Agent same day funds in an amount equal to such Lender's
Percentage of the requested Borrowing. Such deposit will be made to an account
which the Administrative Agent shall specify from time to time by notice to the
Lenders. To the extent funds are received from the Lenders, the Administrative
Agent shall make such funds available to the Borrower by wire transfer to the
accounts the Borrower shall have specified in its Borrowing Request. No
Lender's obligation to make any Loan shall be affected by any other Lender's
failure to make any Loan.

         SECTION 2.3.2. Swing Line Loans. (a) By telephonic notice, promptly
followed (within one Business Day) by the delivery of a confirming Borrowing
Request, to the Swing Line Lender and the Administrative Agent on or before
12:00 noon, New York City time, on the Business Day the proposed Swing Line
Loan is to be made, the Borrower may from time to time irrevocably request that
a Swing Line Loan be made by the Swing Line Lender in a minimum principal
amount of $100,000 or any larger integral multiple of $50,000. All Swing Line
Loans shall be made as Base Rate Loans and shall not be entitled to be
converted into LIBO Rate Loans. The proceeds of each Swing Line Loan shall be
made available by the Swing Line Lender, by 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on
the Business Day telephonic notice is received by 



                                     -36-
<PAGE>

it as provided in this clause (a), to the Borrower by wire transfer to the
account the Borrower shall have specified in its notice therefor.

         (b) If (i) any Swing Line Loan (A) shall be outstanding for more than
four Business Days or (B) is or will be outstanding on a date when the Borrower
requests that a Revolving Loan be made or (ii) any Default (other than a
Default of the nature set forth in Section 8.1.9) shall occur and be
continuing, each Lender with a Revolving Loan Commitment (other than the Swing
Line Lender) irrevocably agrees that it will, at the request of the Swing Line
Lender and upon notice from the Administrative Agent, make a Revolving Loan
(which shall initially be funded as a Base Rate Loan) in an amount equal to
such Lender's Percentage of the aggregate principal amount of all such Swing
Line Loans then outstanding (such outstanding Swing Line Loans hereinafter
referred to as the "Refunded Swing Line Loans"); provided, that the Swing Line
Lender shall not request, and no Lender with a Revolving Loan Commitment shall
make, any Refunded Swing Line Loan if, after giving effect to the making of
such Refunded Swing Line Loan, the sum of all Swing Line Loans and Revolving
Loans made by such Lender, plus such Lender's Percentage of the aggregate
amount of all Letter of Credit Outstandings, would exceed such Lender's
Percentage of the then existing Revolving Loan Commitment Amount. On or before
11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on the first Business Day following receipt by
each Lender of a request to make Revolving Loans as provided in the preceding
sentence, each such Lender with a Revolving Loan Commitment shall deposit in an
account specified by the Swing Line Lender the amount so requested in same day
funds and such funds shall be applied by the Swing Line Lender to repay the
Refunded Swing Line Loans. At the time the aforementioned Lenders make the
above referenced Revolving Loans, the Swing Line Lender shall be deemed to have
made, in consideration of the making of the Refunded Swing Line Loans, a
Revolving Loan in an amount equal to the Swing Line Lender's Percentage of the
aggregate principal amount of the Refunded Swing Line Loans. Upon the making
(or deemed making, in the case of the Swing Line Lender) of any Revolving Loans
pursuant to this clause (b), the amount so funded shall become outstanding
under such Lender's Revolving Note and shall no longer be owed under the Swing
Line Note. All interest payable with respect to any Revolving Loans made (or
deemed made, in the case of the Swing Line Lender) pursuant to this clause (b)
shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect the period of time during which the
Swing Line Lender had outstanding Swing Line Loans in respect of which such
Revolving Loans were made.

         (c) If, at any time prior to the making of Revolving Loans to replace
any outstanding Swing Line Loans pursuant to clause (b) above, any Default of
the nature of the nature set forth in Section 8.1.9 shall have occurred, each
Lender with a Revolving Loan Commitment (other than the Swing Line Lender)
irrevocably agrees that it will, at the request of the Swing Line Lender and
upon notice from the Administrative Agent, purchase an undivided participation
interest in all such Swing Line Loans in an amount equal to its Percentage of
the aggregate outstanding amount of such Swing Line Loans and transfer
immediately to an account identified by the Swing Line Lender, in immediately
available funds, the amount of its participation. The Swing Line Lender will
deliver to each such Lender, promptly following receipt of such funds, a
participation certificate, dated the date of receipt of such funds and in the
amount of such Lender's participation if requested to do so by such Lender.

                                     -37-
<PAGE>

         (d) The Borrower expressly agrees that, in respect of each Lender's
funded participation interest in any Swing Line Loan, such Lender shall be
deemed to be in privity of contract with the Borrower and have the same rights
and remedies against the Borrower under the Loan Documents as if such funded
participation interest in such Swing Line Loan were a Revolving Loan.

         (e) Each Lender's obligation (in the case of Lenders with a Revolving
Loan Commitment) to make Revolving Loans or purchase participation interests in
Swing Line Loans, as contemplated by clause (b) or (c) above, shall be absolute
and unconditional and without recourse to the Swing Line Lender and shall not
be affected by any circumstance, including (i) any set-off, counterclaim,
recoupment, defense or other right which such Revolving Lender may have against
the Swing Line Lender, the Borrower or any other Person for any reason
whatsoever; (ii) the occurrence or continuance of a Default, an Event of
Default or a Material Adverse Effect; (iii) the acceleration or maturity of any
Loans or the termination of any Commitment after the making of any Swing Line
Loan; (iv) any breach of this Agreement or any other Loan Document by the
Borrower, any other Obligor or any Lender; or (v) any other circumstance,
happening or event whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing.

         SECTION 2.4. Continuation and Conversion Elections. By delivering a
Continuation/Conversion Notice to the Administrative Agent on or before 12:00
noon, New York City time, on a Business Day, the Borrower may from time to time
irrevocably elect, on not less than one Business Day's notice (in the case of a
conversion of LIBO Rate Loans to Base Rate Loans) or three Business Days'
notice (in the case of a continuation of LIBO Rate Loans or a conversion of
Base Rate Loans into LIBO Rate Loans) nor more than five Business Days' notice
(in the case of any Loans) that all, or any portion (a) in a minimum amount of
$1,000,000 or any larger integral multiple of $500,000, be, in the case of Base
Rate Loans, converted into LIBO Rate Loans or, in the case of LIBO Rate Loans,
continued as LIBO Rate Loans or (b) in a minimum amount of $500,000 or any
larger integral multiple of $100,000, be, in the case of LIBO Rate Loans,
converted into Base Rate Loans (in the absence of delivery of a
Continuation/Conversion Notice with respect to any LIBO Rate Loan at least
three Business Days before the last day of the then current Interest Period
with respect thereto, such LIBO Rate Loan shall, on such last day,
automatically convert to a Base Rate Loan); provided, however, that (x) each
such conversion or continuation shall be pro rated among the applicable
outstanding Loans of the relevant Lenders, and (y) no portion of the
outstanding principal amount of any Loans may be continued as, or be converted
into, LIBO Rate Loans when any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing.

         SECTION 2.5. Funding. Each Lender may, if it so elects, fulfill its
obligation to make, continue or convert LIBO Rate Loans hereunder by causing
one of its foreign branches or Affiliates (or an international banking facility
created by such Lender) to make or maintain such LIBO Rate Loan, so long as
such action does not result in increased costs to the Borrower; provided,
however, that such LIBO Rate Loan shall nonetheless be deemed to have been made
and to be held by such Lender, and the obligation of the Borrower to repay such
LIBO Rate Loan 


                                     -38-
<PAGE>

shall nevertheless be to such Lender for the account of such foreign branch,
Affiliate or international banking facility; provided further, however, that,
except for purposes of determining whether any such increased costs are payable
by the Borrower, such Lender shall cause such foreign branch, Affiliate or
international banking facility to comply with the applicable provisions of
clause (b) of Section 4.6 with respect to such LIBO Rate Loan. In addition, the
Borrower hereby consents and agrees that, for purposes of any determination to
be made for purposes of Section 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 or 4.4, it shall be conclusively
assumed that each Lender elected to fund all LIBO Rate Loans by purchasing
Dollar deposits in its LIBOR Office's interbank Eurodollar market.

         SECTION 2.6. Issuance Procedures. By delivering to the Administrative
Agent an Issuance Request on or before 12:00 noon, New York City time, on a
Business Day, the Borrower may, from time to time irrevocably request, on not
less than three nor more than ten Business Days' notice (or such shorter or
longer notice as may be acceptable to the Issuer), in the case of an initial
issuance of a Letter of Credit, and not less than three nor more than ten
Business Days' notice (unless a shorter or longer notice period is acceptable
to the Issuer) prior to the then existing Stated Expiry Date of a Letter of
Credit, in the case of a request for the extension of the Stated Expiry Date of
a Letter of Credit, that the Issuer issue, or extend the Stated Expiry Date of,
as the case may be, an irrevocable Letter of Credit on behalf of the Borrower
(whether the account party on such Letter of Credit is the Borrower or a
Subsidiary of the Borrower) in such form as may be requested by the Borrower
and approved by the Issuer, for the purposes described in Section 7.1.9;
provided, however, that no extension of the Stated Expiry Date of an
outstanding Letter of Credit may provide for a Stated Expiry Date subsequent to
the earlier of (i) the Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date and (ii) one
year from the date of such extension. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained herein or in any separate application for any Letter of Credit, the
Borrower hereby acknowledges and agrees that it shall be obligated to reimburse
the Issuer upon each Disbursement paid under a Letter of Credit, and it shall
be deemed to be the obligor for purposes of each such Letter of Credit issued
hereunder (whether the account party on such Letter of Credit is the Borrower
or a Subsidiary of the Borrower). Upon receipt of an Issuance Request, the
Administrative Agent shall promptly notify the Issuer and each Lender thereof.
Each Letter of Credit shall by its terms be stated to expire on a date (its
"Stated Expiry Date") no later than the earlier to occur of (i) the Revolving
Loan Commitment Termination Date or (ii) one year from the date of its
issuance. The Issuer will make available to the beneficiary thereof the
original of each Letter of Credit which it issues hereunder.

         SECTION 2.6.1. Other Lenders' Participation. Upon the issuance of each
Letter of Credit issued by the Issuer pursuant hereto, and without further
action, each Lender (other than the Issuer) that has a Revolving Loan
Commitment shall be deemed to have irrevocably purchased from the Issuer, to
the extent of its Percentage in respect of Revolving Loans, and the Issuer
shall be deemed to have irrevocably granted and sold to such Lender a
participation interest in such Letter of Credit (including the Contingent
Liability and any Reimbursement Obligation and all rights with respect
thereto), and such Lender shall, to the extent of its Percentage in respect of
Revolving Loans, be responsible for reimbursing promptly (and in any 


                                     -39-
<PAGE>

event within one Business Day) the Issuer for Reimbursement Obligations which
have not been reimbursed by the Borrower in accordance with Section 2.6.3. In
addition, such Lender shall, to the extent of its Percentage in respect of
Revolving Loans, be entitled to receive a ratable portion of the Letter of
Credit fees payable pursuant to Section 3.3.3 with respect to each Letter of
Credit and of interest payable pursuant to Section 3.2 with respect to any
Reimbursement Obligation. To the extent that any Lender has reimbursed the
Issuer for a Disbursement as required by this Section, such Lender shall be
entitled to receive its ratable portion of any amounts subsequently received
(from the Borrower or otherwise) in respect of such Disbursement.

         SECTION 2.6.2. Disbursements; Conversion to Revolving Loans. The
Issuer will notify the Borrower and the Administrative Agent promptly of the
presentment for payment of any drawing under any Letter of Credit issued by the
Issuer, together with notice of the date (the "Disbursement Date") such payment
shall be made (each such payment, a "Disbursement"). Subject to the terms and
provisions of such Letter of Credit and this Agreement, the Issuer shall make
such payment to the beneficiary (or its designee) of such Letter of Credit.
Prior to 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the first Business Day following
the Disbursement Date (the "Disbursement Due Date"), the Borrower will
reimburse the Administrative Agent, for the account of the Issuer, for all
amounts which the Issuer has disbursed under such Letter of Credit, together
with interest thereon at the rate per annum otherwise applicable to Revolving
Loans (made as Base Rate Loans) from and including the Disbursement Date to but
excluding the Disbursement Due Date and, thereafter (unless such Disbursement
is converted into a Revolving Loan made as a Base Rate Loan on the Disbursement
Due Date), at a rate per annum equal to the rate per annum then in effect with
respect to overdue Revolving Loans (made as Base Rate Loans) pursuant to
Section 3.2.2 for the period from the Disbursement Due Date through the date of
such reimbursement; provided, however, that, if no Default shall have then
occurred and be continuing, unless the Borrower has notified the Administrative
Agent no later than one Business Day prior to the Disbursement Due Date that it
will reimburse the Issuer for the applicable Disbursement, then the amount of
the Disbursement shall be deemed to be a Borrowing of Revolving Loans
constituting Base Rate Loans and following the giving of notice thereof by the
Administrative Agent to the Lenders, each Lender with a Revolving Loan
Commitment (other than the Issuer) will deliver to the Issuer on the
Disbursement Due Date immediately available funds in an amount equal to such
Lender's Percentage of such Borrowing. Each conversion of Disbursement amounts
into Revolving Loans shall constitute a representation and warranty by the
Borrower that on the date of the making of such Revolving Loans all of the
statements set forth in Section 5.2.1 are true and correct.

         SECTION 2.6.3. Reimbursement. The obligation (a "Reimbursement
Obligation") of the Borrower under Section 2.6.2 to reimburse the Issuer with
respect to each Disbursement (including interest thereon) not converted into a
Revolving Loan made as a Base Rate Loan pursuant to Section 2.6.2, and, upon
the failure of the Borrower to reimburse the Issuer and the giving of notice
thereof by the Administrative Agent to the Lenders, each Lender's (to the
extent it has a Revolving Loan Commitment) obligation under Section 2.6.1 to
reimburse the Issuer or fund its Percentage of any Disbursement converted into
a Revolving Loan made as a Base Rate Loan, shall be absolute and unconditional
under any and all circumstances and irrespective of 


                                     -40-
<PAGE>

any setoff, counterclaim or defense to payment which the Borrower or such
Lender, as the case may be, may have or have had against the Issuer or any such
Lender, including any defense based upon the failure of any Disbursement to
conform to the terms of the applicable Letter of Credit (if, in the Issuer's
good faith opinion, such Disbursement is determined to be appropriate) or any
non-application or misapplication by the beneficiary of the proceeds of such
Letter of Credit; provided, however, that after paying in full its
Reimbursement Obligation hereunder, nothing herein shall adversely affect the
right of the Borrower or such Lender, as the case may be, to commence any
proceeding against the Issuer for any wrongful Disbursement made by the Issuer
under a Letter of Credit as a result of acts or omissions constituting gross
negligence or willful misconduct on the part of the Issuer.

         SECTION 2.6.4. Deemed Disbursements. Upon the occurrence and during
the continuation of any Event of Default of the type described in clauses (a)
through (d) of Section 8.1.9 or, with notice from the Administrative Agent
acting at the direction of the Required Lenders, upon the occurrence and during
the continuation of any other Event of Default,

                  (a) an amount equal to that portion of all Letter of Credit
         Outstandings attributable to the then aggregate amount which is
         undrawn and available under all Letters of Credit issued and
         outstanding shall, without demand upon or notice to the Borrower or
         any other Person, be deemed to have been paid or disbursed by the
         Issuer under such Letters of Credit (notwithstanding that such amount
         may not in fact have been so paid or disbursed); and

                  (b) upon notification by the Administrative Agent to the
         Borrower of its obligations under this Section, the Borrower shall be
         immediately obligated to reimburse the Issuer for the amount deemed to
         have been so paid or disbursed by the Issuer.

Any amounts so payable by the Borrower pursuant to this Section shall be
deposited in cash with the Administrative Agent and held as collateral security
for the Obligations in connection with the Letters of Credit issued by the
Issuer. At such time as the Events of Default giving rise to the deemed
disbursements hereunder shall have been cured or waived, the Administrative
Agent shall return to the Borrower all amounts then on deposit with the
Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section, together with accrued interest
at the Federal Funds Rate, which have not been applied to the satisfaction of
such Obligations.

         SECTION 2.6.5. Nature of Reimbursement Obligations. The Borrower and,
to the extent set forth in Section 2.6.1, each Lender with a Revolving Loan
Commitment, shall assume all risks of the acts, omissions or misuse of any
Letter of Credit by the beneficiary thereof. The Issuer (except to the extent
of its own gross negligence or willful misconduct) shall not be responsible for
(i) the form, validity, sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness or legal effect of
any Letter of Credit or any document submitted by any party in connection with
the application for and issuance of a Letter of Credit, even if it should in
fact prove to be in any or all respects invalid, insufficient, inaccurate,
fraudulent or forged, (ii) the form, validity, sufficiency, 


                                     -41-
<PAGE>

accuracy, genuineness or legal effect of any instrument transferring or
assigning or purporting to transfer or assign a Letter of Credit or the rights
or benefits thereunder or the proceeds thereof in whole or in part, which may
prove to be invalid or ineffective for any reason, (iii) failure of the
beneficiary to comply fully with conditions required in order to demand payment
under a Letter of Credit, (iv) errors, omissions, interruptions or delays in
transmission or delivery of any messages, by mail, cable, telegraph, telex or
otherwise, or (v) any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any
document or draft required in order to make a Disbursement under a Letter of
Credit. None of the foregoing shall affect, impair or prevent the vesting of
any of the rights or powers granted to the Issuer or any Lender with a
Revolving Loan Commitment hereunder. In furtherance and extension and not in
limitation or derogation of any of the foregoing, any action taken or omitted
to be taken by the Issuer in good faith (and not constituting gross negligence
or willful misconduct) shall be binding upon the Borrower, each Obligor and
each such Lender, and shall not put the Issuer under any resulting liability to
the Borrower, any Obligor or any such Lender, as the case may be.

         SECTION 2.6.6. Indemnity. In addition to amounts payable as elsewhere
provided herein, the Borrower hereby agrees to protect, indemnify, pay and save
the Issuer harmless from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities,
damages, losses, costs, charges and expenses (including reasonable attorneys'
fees and allocated costs of internal counsel) which the Issuer may incur or be
subject to as a consequence, direct or indirect, of (a) the issuance of the
Letters of Credit, other than as a result of the gross negligence or wilful
misconduct of the Issuer as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, or
(b) the failure of the Issuer to honor a drawing under any Letter of Credit as
a result of any act or omission, whether rightful or wrongful, of any present
or future de jure or de facto government or governmental authority.

         SECTION 2.6.7. Borrower's Guaranty of Reimbursement Obligations under
Letters of Credit Issued for the Account of its Subsidiaries. The Borrower
agrees as follows in respect of the reimbursement obligations under Letters of
Credit issued for the account of its Subsidiaries:

         (a)  The Borrower hereby absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably

                  (i) guarantees the full and punctual payment when due,
         whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, declaration,
         acceleration, demand or otherwise, of all such reimbursement
         obligations now or hereafter existing, of each of its Subsidiaries
         (the "Account Parties") that is an account party to a Letter of Credit
         which arise out of, or are incurred in connection with, such Letters
         of Credit, whether for principal, interest, fees, expenses or
         otherwise (including all such amounts which would become due but for
         the operation of the automatic stay under Section 362(a) of the United
         States Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. ss.362(a), and the operation of
         Sections 502(b) and 506(b) of the United States Bankruptcy Code, 11
         U.S.C. ss.502(b) and ss.506(b)), and

                  (ii) indemnifies and holds harmless each Secured Party and
         each holder of a Note for any and all costs and expenses (including
         reasonable attorney's fees and expenses)



                                     -42-
<PAGE>

         incurred by such Secured Party or such holder, as the case may be, in
         enforcing any rights under the guaranty set forth in this Section
         2.6.7.

The guaranty set forth in this Section 2.6.7 constitutes a guaranty of payment
when due and not of collection, and the Borrower specifically agrees that it
shall not be necessary or required that any Secured Party or any holder of any
Note exercise any right, assert any claim or demand or enforce any remedy
whatsoever against any Account Party or any other Obligor (or any other Person)
before or as a condition to the obligations of the Borrower under the guaranty
set forth in this Section 2.6.7 (such obligations hereinafter referred to as
the "Guaranteed Obligations").

         (b) The Borrower agrees that upon the occurrence of an Event of
Default of the nature set forth in clauses (a) through (d) of Section 8.1.9, at
a time when any of the Guaranteed Obligations of any Account Party may not then
be due and payable, then the Borrower agrees that it will pay to the
Administrative Agent for the account of the Secured Parties forthwith the full
amount which would be payable under the guaranty set forth in this Section
2.6.7 by the Borrower if all such Guaranteed Obligations were then due and
payable.

         (c) The guaranty set forth in this Section 2.6.7 shall in all respects
be a continuing, absolute, unconditional and irrevocable guaranty of payment,
and shall remain in full force and effect until all Guaranteed Obligations of
the Account Parties have been paid in full in cash, all Obligations of the
Borrower and each other Obligor hereunder have been paid in full in cash, all
Letters of Credit have been terminated or expired, all Rate Protection
Agreements have been terminated or expired and all Commitments shall have
terminated. The Borrower guarantees that the Guaranteed Obligations of the
Account Parties will be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement and each other Loan Document under which they arise, regardless of
any law, regulation or order now or hereafter in effect in any jurisdiction
affecting any of such terms or the rights of any Secured Party or any holder of
any Note with respect thereto. The liability of the Borrower under the guaranty
set forth in this Section 2.6.7 shall be absolute, unconditional and
irrevocable irrespective of:

                  (i) any lack of validity, legality or enforceability of this
         Agreement, any Note or any other Loan Document;

                           (ii) the failure of any Secured Party or any holder
                  of any Note

                           (A) to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any
                  right or remedy against any Account Party, any other Obligor
                  or any other Person (including any other guarantor (including
                  the Borrower)) under the provisions of this Agreement, any
                  Note, any other Loan Document or otherwise, or

                           (B) to exercise any right or remedy against any
                  other guarantor (including the Borrower) of, or collateral
                  securing, any Guaranteed Obligations of any Account Party;

                                     -43-
<PAGE>

                  (iii) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of,
         or in any other term of, all or any of the Guaranteed Obligations of
         any Account Party, or any other extension, compromise or renewal of
         any Guaranteed Obligation of any Account Party;

                  (iv) any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination of
         any Guaranteed Obligations of any Account Party for any reason,
         including any claim of waiver, release, surrender, alteration or
         compromise, and shall not be subject to (and the Borrower hereby
         waives any right to or claim of) any defense or setoff, counterclaim,
         recoupment or termination whatsoever by reason of the invalidity,
         illegality, nongenuineness, irregularity, compromise, unenforceability
         of, or any other event or occurrence affecting, any Guaranteed
         Obligations of any Account Party or otherwise;

                  (v) any amendment to, rescission, waiver, or other
         modification of, or any consent to departure from, any of the terms of
         this Agreement, any Note or any other Loan Document;

                  (vi) any addition, exchange, release, surrender or
         non-perfection of any collateral, or any amendment to or waiver or
         release or addition of, or consent to departure from, any other
         guaranty, held by any Secured Party or any holder of any Note securing
         any of the Guaranteed Obligations of any Account Party; or

                  (vii) any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute
         a defense available to, or a legal or equitable discharge of, any
         Account Party any surety or any guarantor.

         (d) The Borrower agrees that the guaranty set forth in this Section
2.6.7 shall continue to be effective or be reinstated, as the case may be, if
at any time any payment (in whole or in part) of any of the Guaranteed
Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by any Secured Party or
any holder of any Note, upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or reorganization of
any Account Party or otherwise, all as though such payment had not been made.

         (e) The Borrower hereby waives promptness, diligence, notice of
acceptance and any other notice with respect to any of the Guaranteed
Obligations of any Account Party or any other Obligor and the guaranty set
forth in this Section 2.6.7 and any requirement that the Administrative Agent,
any other Secured Party or any holder of any Note protect, secure, perfect or
insure any security interest or Lien, or any property subject thereto, or
exhaust any right or take any action against any Account Party, any other
Obligor or any other Person (including any other guarantor) or entity or any
collateral securing the Guaranteed Obligations of any Account Party.

         (f) The Borrower agrees that it will not exercise any rights which it
may acquire by way of rights of subrogation under the guaranty set forth in
this Section 2.6.7, by any payment made under the guaranty set forth in this
Section 2.6.7 or otherwise, until the prior payment in full in cash of all
Guaranteed Obligations of each Account Party, the prior payment in full in cash
of all Obligations of the Borrower, the termination or expiration of all
Letters of Credit, the 


                                     -44-
<PAGE>

         termination or expiration of all Rate Protection Agreements and the
         termination of all Commitments. Any amount paid to the Borrower on
         account of any such subrogation rights prior to the payment in full in
         cash of all Guaranteed Obligations of each Account Party shall be held
         in trust for the benefit of the Secured Parties and each holder of a
         Note and shall immediately be paid to the Administrative Agent for the
         benefit of the Secured Parties and each holder of a Note and credited
         and applied against the Guaranteed Obligations of each Account Party,
         whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of this
         Agreement; provided, however, that if

                  (i) the Borrower has made payment to the Secured Parties and
         each holder of a Note of all or any part of the Guaranteed Obligations
         of any Account Party, and

                  (ii) all Guaranteed Obligations of each Account Party have
         been paid in full in cash, all Obligations of the Borrower have been
         paid in full in cash, all Letters of Credit have been terminated or
         expired and all Commitments have been permanently terminated,

each Secured Party and each holder of a Note agrees that, at the Borrower's
request, the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties and the
holders of the Notes, will execute and deliver to the Borrower appropriate
documents (without recourse and without representation or warranty) necessary
to evidence the transfer by subrogation to the Borrower of an interest in the
Guaranteed Obligations of each Account Party resulting from such payment by the
Borrower. In furtherance of the foregoing, for so long as any Obligations
(including Guaranteed Obligations) or Commitments remain outstanding, the
Borrower shall refrain from taking any action or commencing any proceeding
against any Account Party(or its successors or assigns, whether in connection
with a bankruptcy proceeding or otherwise) to recover any amounts in the
respect of payments made under the guaranty set forth in this Section 2.6.7 to
any Secured Party or any holder of a Note.

         (g)  The guaranty set forth in this Section 2.6.7 shall:

                  (h) be binding upon the Borrower, and its successors,
         transferees and assigns; and

                  (i) inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the
         Administrative Agent and each other Secured Party.

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing clause (b), any Lender may
assign or otherwise transfer (in whole or in part) any Note or Credit Extension
held by it to any other Person or entity, and such other Person or entity shall
thereupon become vested with all rights and benefits in respect thereof granted
to such Lender under any Loan Document (including the guaranty set forth in
this Section 2.6.7) or otherwise, subject, however, to any contrary provisions
in such assignment or transfer, and to the provisions of Section 11.11 and
Article X.

         SECTION 2.6.8. Continued Letters of Credit. Notwithstanding anything
to the contrary herein, the Letters of Credit (as defined in the Existing
Credit Agreement) described in Schedule 


                                     -45-
<PAGE>

III attached hereto shall be deemed to be Letters of Credit issued hereunder by
the Issuer on the Closing Date.

         SECTION 2.7.  Register; Notes.

                  (a) Each Lender may maintain in accordance with its usual
         practice an account or accounts evidencing the Indebtedness of the
         Borrower to such Lender resulting from each Loan made by such Lender,
         including the amounts of principal and interest payable and paid to
         such Lender from time to time hereunder. In the case of a Lender that
         does not request, pursuant to clause (b)(ii) below, execution and
         delivery of a Note evidencing the Loans made by such Lender to the
         Borrower, such account or accounts shall, to the extent not
         inconsistent with the notations made by the Administrative Agent in
         the Register, be conclusive and binding on the Borrower absent
         manifest error; provided, however, that the failure of any Lender to
         maintain such account or accounts shall not limit or otherwise affect
         any Obligations of the Borrower or any other Obligor.

                  (b)(i) The Borrower hereby designates the Administrative
         Agent to serve as the Borrower's agent, solely for the purpose of this
         clause (b), to maintain a register (the "Register") on which the
         Administrative Agent will record each Lender's Commitment, the Loans
         made by each Lender and each repayment in respect of the principal
         amount of the Loans of each Lender and annexed to which the
         Administrative Agent shall retain a copy of each Lender Assignment
         Agreement delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section
         11.11.1. Failure to make any recordation, or any error in such
         recordation, shall not affect the Borrower's obligation in respect of
         such Loans. The entries in the Register shall be conclusive, in the
         absence of manifest error, and the Borrower, the Administrative Agent
         and the Lenders shall treat each Person in whose name a Loan (and as
         provided in clause (ii) the Note evidencing such Loan, if any) is
         registered as the owner thereof for all purposes of this Agreement,
         notwithstanding notice or any provision herein to the contrary. A
         Lender's Commitment and the Loans made pursuant thereto may be
         assigned or otherwise transferred in whole or in part only by
         registration of such assignment or transfer in the Register. Any
         assignment or transfer of a Lender's Commitment or the Loans made
         pursuant thereto shall be registered in the Register only upon
         delivery to the Administrative Agent of a Lender Assignment Agreement
         duly executed by the assignor thereof and the compliance by the
         parties thereto with the other requirements of Section 11.11.1. No
         assignment or transfer of a Lender's Commitment or the Loans made
         pursuant thereto shall be effective unless such assignment or transfer
         shall have been recorded in the Register by the Administrative Agent
         as provided in this Section.

                  (ii) The Borrower agrees that, upon the request to the
         Administrative Agent by any Lender, the Borrower will execute and
         deliver to such Lender, as applicable, a Revolving Note, a Term Note
         (or Registered Note) and/or a Swing Line Note evidencing the Loans
         made by such Lender. The Borrower hereby irrevocably authorizes each
         Lender to make (or cause to be made) appropriate notations on the grid
         attached to such 



                                     -46-
<PAGE>

         Lender's Notes (or on any continuation of such grid), which notations,
         if made, shall evidence, inter alia, the date of, the outstanding
         principal amount of, and the interest rate and Interest Period
         applicable to the Loans evidenced thereby. Such notations shall, to
         the extent not inconsistent with the notations made by the
         Administrative Agent in the Register, be conclusive and binding on the
         Borrower absent manifest error; provided, however, that the failure of
         any Lender to make any such notations shall not limit or otherwise
         affect any Obligations of the Borrower or any other Obligor. The Loans
         evidenced by any Registered Note and interest thereon shall at all
         times (including after assignment pursuant to Section 11.11.1) be
         payable to the order of the payee named therein and its registered
         assigns. A Registered Note and the obligation evidenced thereby may be
         assigned or otherwise transferred in whole or in part only by
         registration of such assignment or transfer of such Registered Note
         and the obligation evidenced thereby in the Register (and each
         Registered Note shall expressly so provide). Any assignment or
         transfer of all or part of an obligation evidenced by a Registered
         Note shall be registered in the Register only upon surrender for
         registration of assignment or transfer of the Registered Note
         evidencing such obligation, accompanied by a Lender Assignment
         Agreement duly executed by the assignor thereof and the compliance by
         the parties thereto with the other requirements of Section 11.11.1,
         and thereupon, if requested by the assignee, one or more new Notes
         shall be issued to the designated assignee and the old Registered Note
         shall be returned by the Administrative Agent to the Borrower marked
         "exchanged". No assignment of a Registered Note and the obligation
         evidenced thereby shall be effective unless it shall have been
         recorded in the Register by the Administrative Agent as provided in
         this Section.


                                  ARTICLE III

                   REPAYMENTS, PREPAYMENTS, INTEREST AND FEES

         SECTION 3.1. Repayments and Prepayments; Application.

         SECTION 3.1.1. Repayments and Prepayments. The Borrower shall repay in
full the unpaid principal amount of each Loan upon the Stated Maturity Date
therefor. Prior thereto, the Borrower

                  (a) may, from time to time on any Business Day, make a
         voluntary prepayment, in whole or in part, of the outstanding
         principal amount of any

                           (i) Loans (other than Swing Line Loans); provided,
                  however, that

                                    (A) any such prepayment of the Term Loans
                           shall be made pro rata among the Term Loans of the
                           same type and, if applicable, having the same
                           Interest Period of all Lenders that have made such
                           Term Loans, and any such prepayment of Revolving
                           Loans shall be made pro rata among 


                                     -47-
<PAGE>

                           the Revolving Loans of the same type and, if
                           applicable, having the same Interest Period of all
                           Lenders that have made such Revolving Loans;

                                    (B) the Borrower shall comply with Section
                           4.4 in the event that any LIBO Rate Loan is prepaid
                           on any day other than the last day of the Interest
                           Period for such Loan;

                                    (C) all such voluntary prepayments shall
                           require at least one Business Day's notice in the
                           case of Base Rate Loans, three Business Days' notice
                           in the case of LIBO Rate Loans, but no more than
                           five Business Days' notice in the case of any Loans,
                           in each case in writing to the Administrative Agent;
                           and

                                    (D) all such voluntary partial prepayments
                           shall be, in the case of LIBO Rate Loans, in an
                           aggregate amount of $1,000,000 or any larger
                           integral multiple of $500,000, and, in the case of
                           Base Rate Loans, in an aggregate amount of $500,000
                           or any larger integral multiple of $100,000, or, in
                           either case, in the aggregate principal amount of
                           all Loans of the applicable Tranche and type then
                           outstanding; or

                           (ii)  Swing Line Loans; provided, however, that

                                    (A) all such voluntary prepayments shall
                           require prior telephonic notice to the Swing Line
                           Lender on or before 12:00 noon, New York City time,
                           on the day of such prepayment (such notice to be
                           confirmed in writing by the Borrower within 24 hours
                           thereafter); and

                                    (B) all such voluntary partial prepayments
                           shall be in an aggregate amount of $100,000 and an
                           integral multiple of $50,000 or in the aggregate
                           principal amount of all Swing Line Loans then
                           outstanding;

                  (b) shall, no later than five Business Days following the
         delivery by the Borrower of its annual audited financial reports
         required pursuant to clause (c) of Section 7.1.1 (beginning with the
         financial reports delivered in respect of the 1998 Fiscal Year),
         deliver to the Administrative Agent a calculation of the Excess Cash
         Flow for the Fiscal Year last ended and, no later than five Business
         Days following the delivery of such calculation, make a mandatory
         prepayment of the Term Loans in an amount equal to 75% of the Excess
         Cash Flow (if any) for such Fiscal Year, to be applied as set forth in
         Section 3.1.2;

                  (c) shall, not later than one Business Day following the
         receipt of any Net Debt Proceeds by the Borrower, any Parent Guarantor
         or any of their respective Subsidiaries, deliver to the Administrative
         Agent a calculation of the amount of such Net Debt Proceeds and make a
         mandatory prepayment of the Term Loans in an amount equal to 100% of
         such Net Debt Proceeds to be applied as set forth in Section 3.1.2;

                                     -48-
<PAGE>


                  (d) shall, concurrently with the receipt of any Net Equity
         Proceeds by the Borrower, any Parent Guarantor or any of their
         respective Subsidiaries, deliver to the Administrative Agent a
         calculation of the amount of such Net Equity Proceeds, and no later
         than five Business Days following the delivery of such calculation,
         make a mandatory prepayment of the Term Loans in an amount equal to
         50% of such Net Equity Proceeds to be applied as set forth in Section
         3.1.2;

                  (e) shall, following the receipt by the Borrower, any Parent
         Guarantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries of any Casualty
         Proceeds in excess of $500,000 (individually or in the aggregate (when
         taken together with Net Disposition Proceeds) over the course of a
         Fiscal Year), deliver to the Administrative Agent a calculation of the
         amount of such Casualty Proceeds and make a mandatory prepayment of
         the Term Loans in an amount equal to 100% of such Casualty Proceeds
         within 60 days of the receipt thereof to be applied as set forth in
         Section 3.1.2; provided, however, that no mandatory prepayment on
         account of Casualty Proceeds shall be required under this clause if
         the Borrower informs the Agents in writing no later than 60 days
         following the occurrence of the Casualty Event resulting in such
         Casualty Proceeds of its, such Parent Guarantor's or such Subsidiary's
         good faith intention to apply such Casualty Proceeds to the rebuilding
         or replacement of the damaged, destroyed or condemned assets or
         property and the Borrower, such Parent Guarantor or such Subsidiary in
         fact uses such Casualty Proceeds to rebuild or replace such assets or
         property within 365 days following the receipt of such Casualty
         Proceeds, with the amount of such Casualty Proceeds unused after such
         365-day period being applied to the Term Loans pursuant to Section
         3.1.2; provided, further, however, that (i) at any time when any
         Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing, all
         Casualty Proceeds (together with Net Disposition Proceeds not applied
         as provided in clause (f) below) shall be deposited in an account
         maintained with the Administrative Agent to pay for such rebuilding or
         replacement whenever no Default or Event of Default is then continuing
         or except as otherwise agreed to by the Agents for disbursement at the
         request of the Borrower, such Parent Guarantor or such Subsidiary, as
         the case may be, or (ii) if all such Casualty Proceeds (together with
         Net Disposition Proceeds not applied as provided in clause (f) below)
         aggregating in excess of $1,000,000 have not yet been applied as
         described in the notice required above (or in accordance with clause
         (f) below), all such Casualty Proceeds and Net Disposition Proceeds
         shall be deposited in an account maintained with the Administrative
         Agent for disbursement at the request of the Borrower, such Parent
         Guarantor or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, to be used for the
         purpose(s) set forth in such written notice(s);

                  (f) shall, following the receipt by the Borrower, any Parent
         Guarantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries of any Net
         Disposition Proceeds in excess of $500,000 (individually or in the
         aggregate (when taken together with Casualty Proceeds) over the course
         of a Fiscal Year), deliver to the Administrative Agent a calculation
         of the amount of such Net Disposition Proceeds and make a mandatory
         prepayment of the Term Loans in an amount equal to 100% of such Net
         Disposition Proceeds within one Business Day of the receipt thereof to
         be applied as set forth in Section 3.1.2; provided, however, that 


                                     -49-
<PAGE>

         no mandatory prepayment on account of Net Disposition Proceeds shall
         be required under this clause if the Borrower informs the Agents in
         writing no later than one Business Day following the receipt of such
         Net Disposition Proceeds of its, such Parent Guarantor's or such
         Subsidiary's good faith intention to apply such Net Disposition
         Proceeds to the replacement of the sold, conveyed or transferred
         assets or property and the Borrower, such Parent Guarantor or such
         Subsidiary in fact uses such Net Disposition Proceeds to replace such
         assets or property within 365 days following the receipt of such Net
         Disposition Proceeds, with the amount of such Net Disposition Proceeds
         unused after such 365-day period being applied to the Term Loans
         pursuant to Section 3.1.2; provided, further, however, that (i) at any
         time when any Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be
         continuing, all Net Disposition Proceeds (together with Casualty
         Proceeds not applied as provided in clause (e) above) shall be
         deposited in an account maintained with the Administrative Agent to
         pay for such replacement whenever no Default or Event of Default is
         then continuing or except as otherwise agreed to by the Agents for
         disbursement at the request of the Borrower, such Parent Guarantor or
         such Subsidiary, as the case may be, or (ii) if all such Net
         Disposition Proceeds (together with Casualty Proceeds not applied as
         provided in clause (e) above) aggregating in excess of $1,000,000 have
         not yet been applied as described in the notice required above (or in
         accordance with clause (e) above), all such Net Disposition Proceeds
         and Casualty Proceeds shall be deposited in an account maintained with
         the Administrative Agent for disbursement at the request of the
         Borrower, such Parent Guarantor or such Subsidiary, as the case may
         be, to be used for the purpose(s) set forth in such written notice(s);

         (g) shall, on each date when any reduction in the Revolving Loan
         Commitment Amount shall become effective, make a mandatory prepayment
         of Revolving Loans and Swing Line Loans and (if necessary) deposit
         with the Administrative Agent cash collateral for Letter of Credit
         Outstandings in an aggregate amount equal to the excess, if any, of
         the sum of (i) the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all
         Revolving Loans and Swing Line Loans and (ii) the aggregate amount of
         all Letter of Credit Outstandings over the Revolving Loan Commitment
         Amount as so reduced;

                  (h) shall on each Quarterly Payment Date occurring during any
         period set forth below, make a scheduled repayment of the outstanding
         principal amount, if any, of Term A Loans in an amount equal to the
         amount set forth below opposite such period (in each case as such
         amounts may have otherwise been reduced pursuant to this Agreement):


                                                        SCHEDULED
                      PERIOD                       PRINCIPAL REPAYMENT
                      ------                       -------------------
               May 15, 1998 through
                November 15, 1998                        $250,000

               February 15, 1999 through
                November 15, 1999                      $1,000,000


                                     -50-
<PAGE>

                                                        SCHEDULED
                      PERIOD                       PRINCIPAL REPAYMENT
                      ------                       -------------------
            February 15, 2000 through
                November 15, 2000                      $2,000,000

            February 15, 2001 through
                November 15, 2002                      $2,500,000

            February 15, 2003 through                  $3,000,000
                November 15, 2003

            February 15, 2004                          $5,250,000;

                  (i) shall on each Quarterly Payment Date occurring during any
         period set forth below, make a scheduled repayment of the outstanding
         principal amount, if any, of Term B Loans in an amount equal to the
         amount set forth below opposite period (in each case as such amounts
         may have otherwise been reduced pursuant to this Agreement):


                                                         SCHEDULED
                      PERIOD                        PRINCIPAL REPAYMENT
                      ------                        -------------------
               May 15, 1998 through
                February 15, 2004                          $200,000

               May 15, 2004 through                    $18,800,000; and
                 February 15, 2005

                  (j) shall, immediately upon the occurrence of the Stated
         Maturity Date of any Loans or Obligations, whether by way of
         acceleration pursuant to Section 8.2 or 8.3 or otherwise, repay all
         outstanding Loans and other Obligations, unless, pursuant to Section
         8.3, only a portion of all Loans and other Obligations are so
         accelerated (in which case the portion so accelerated shall be so
         prepaid).


          Each prepayment of any Loans made pursuant to this Section shall be
without premium or penalty, except as may be required by Section 4.4. No
prepayment of principal of any Revolving Loans or Swing Line Loans pursuant to
clause (a) of this Section 3.1.1 shall cause a reduction in the Revolving Loan
Commitment Amount or the Swing Line Loan Commitment Amount, as the case may be.

         SECTION 3.1.2. Application. (a) Subject to clause (b) below, each
prepayment or repayment of principal of the Loans of any Tranche shall be
applied, to the extent of such prepayment or repayment, first, to the principal
amount thereof being maintained as Base Rate Loans, and second, to the
principal amount thereof being maintained as LIBO Rate Loans.

         (b) Each prepayment of Term Loans made pursuant to clauses (a), (b),
(c), (d), (e) and (f) of Section 3.1.1 shall be applied, on a pro rata basis,
to the outstanding principal amount of all 


                                     -51-
<PAGE>

remaining Term Loans and the remaining scheduled quarterly amortization
payments in respect thereof, until all such Term Loans have been paid in full;
provided, however, that in the case of any such prepayment of Term B Loans made
pursuant to clause (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) of Section 3.1.1, any Lender that
has Term B Loans may elect not to have such Loans prepaid by delivering a
notice to the Administrative Agent at least one Business Day prior to the date
that such prepayment is to be made in which notice such Lender shall decline to
have such Loans prepaid with the amounts set forth above, in which case the
amounts that would have been applied to a prepayment of such Lender's Term B
Loans shall instead be applied to a prepayment of the principal amount (if any)
of all outstanding Term A Loans until all outstanding Term A Loans have been
prepaid in full, then applied to a prepayment of the principal amount (if any)
of all outstanding Swing Line Loans until all outstanding Swing Line Loans have
been prepaid in full and then applied to a prepayment of the principal amount
(if any) of all outstanding Revolving Loans until all outstanding Revolving
Loans have been prepaid in full, with the balance (if any) being returned by
the Administrative Agent to the Borrower. No prepayment of principal of any
Revolving Loans or Swing Line Loans pursuant to the proviso of the immediately
preceding sentence shall cause a reduction in the Revolving Loan Commitment
Amount or the Swing Line Loan Commitment Amount, as the case may be.

         SECTION 3.2. Interest Provisions. Interest on the outstanding
principal amount of the Loans shall accrue and be payable in accordance with
this Section 3.2.

         SECTION 3.2.1. Rates. Each Base Rate Loan shall accrue interest on the
unpaid principal amount thereof for each day from and including the day upon
which such Loan was made or converted to a Base Rate Loan to but excluding the
date such Loan is repaid or converted to a LIBO Rate Loan at a rate per annum
equal to the sum of the Alternate Base Rate for such day plus the Applicable
Margin for such Loan on such day. Each LIBO Rate Loan shall accrue interest on
the unpaid principal amount thereof for each day from and including the first
day of the Interest Period applicable thereto to but excluding the date such
Loan is repaid or converted to a Base Rate Loan at a rate per annum equal to
the sum of the LIBO Rate (Reserve Adjusted) for such Interest Period plus the
Applicable Margin for such Loan on such day.

         SECTION 3.2.2. Post-Maturity Rates. After the date any principal
amount of any Loan shall have become due and payable (whether on the applicable
Stated Maturity Date, upon acceleration or otherwise), or any other monetary
Obligation (other than overdue Reimbursement Obligations which shall bear
interest as provided in Section 2.6.2) of the Borrower shall have become due
and payable, the Borrower shall pay, but only to the extent permitted by law,
interest (after as well as before judgment) on such amounts at a rate per annum
equal to (a) in the case of any overdue principal of Loans, overdue interest
thereon, overdue commitment fees or other overdue amounts in respect of Loans
or other obligations (or the related Commitments) under a particular Tranche,
the rate that would otherwise be applicable to Base Rate Loans under such
Tranche pursuant to Section 3.2.1 plus 2% and (b) in the case of other overdue
monetary Obligations, the rate that would otherwise be applicable to Revolving
Loans made as Base Rate Loans plus 2%.

                                     -52-
<PAGE>

         SECTION 3.2.3. Payment Dates. Interest accrued on each Loan shall be
payable, without duplication:

                  (a)  on the Stated Maturity Date therefor;

                  (b) on the date of any payment or prepayment, in whole or in
         part, of principal outstanding on such Loan, to the extent of the
         unpaid interest accrued through such date on the principal so paid or
         prepaid;

                  (c) with respect to Base Rate Loans, on each Quarterly
         Payment Date occurring after the Closing Date hereunder;

                  (d) with respect to LIBO Rate Loans, on the last day of the
         applicable Interest Period (and, if such Interest Period shall exceed
         three months, at intervals of three months after the first day of such
         Interest Period);

                  (e) with respect to the principal amount of any Base Rate
         Loans converted into LIBO Rate Loans on a day when interest would not
         otherwise have been payable pursuant to clause (c), on the date of
         such conversion; and

                  (f) on that portion of any Loans the Stated Maturity Date of
         which is accelerated pursuant to Section 8.2 or 8.3, immediately upon
         such acceleration.

Interest accrued on Loans, Reimbursement Obligations or other monetary
Obligations arising under this Agreement or any other Loan Document after the
date such amount is due and payable (whether on the Stated Maturity Date, upon
acceleration or otherwise) shall be payable upon demand.

         SECTION 3.3. Fees. The Borrower agrees to pay the fees set forth in
this Section 3.3. All such fees shall be non-refundable.

         SECTION 3.3.1. Commitment Fee. The Borrower agrees to pay to the
Administrative Agent for the account of each Lender that has a Revolving Loan
Commitment, for each day during the period (including any portion thereof when
any of the Lenders' Revolving Loan Commitments are suspended by reason of the
Borrower's inability to satisfy any condition of Article V) commencing on the
Closing Date and continuing to but excluding the Revolving Loan Commitment
Termination Date, a commitment fee on such Lender's Percentage of the unused
portion of the Revolving Loan Commitment Amount, whether or not then available,
for such day at a rate per annum equal to the Applicable Commitment Fee for
such day. Such commitment fees shall be payable by the Borrower in arrears on
each Quarterly Payment Date, commencing with the first such day following the
Closing Date, and on the Revolving Loan Commitment Termination Date. The making
of Swing Line Loans by the Swing Line Lender shall not constitute usage under
the Revolving Loan Commitment for the purpose of calculating the 


                                     -53-
<PAGE>

commitment fees to be paid by the Borrower to the Lenders (other than the Swing
Line Lender) pursuant to this Section 3.3.1.

         SECTION 3.3.2. Syndication Agent's, Administrative Agent's and
Arranger's Fees. The Borrower agrees to pay to each of the Syndication Agent,
the Administrative Agent and the Arranger for each such Person's own account,
the fees set forth in the Fee Letter and the Administrative Agent's Fee Letter
in accordance with their respective terms.

         SECTION 3.3.3.  Letter of Credit Fee.  The Borrower agrees to pay to

                  (a) the Administrative Agent, for the pro rata account of the
         Issuer and each other Lender that has a Revolving Loan Commitment, a
         Letter of Credit fee for each day on which there shall be any Letters
         of Credit outstanding in an amount equal to the product of (i) a rate
         per annum equal to the then Applicable Margin for Revolving Loans
         maintained as LIBO Rate Loans multiplied by (ii) the Stated Amount of
         each such Letter of Credit; and

                  (b) the Issuer (i) a Letter of Credit fronting fee for each
         day on which there shall be any Letters of Credit outstanding in an
         amount equal to 0.25% per annum on the Stated Amount of each such
         Letter of Credit, and (ii) from time to time promptly after demand,
         the normal issuance, presentation, amendment and other processing
         fees, and other standard administrative costs and charges of the
         Issuer relating to Letters of Credit as from time to time in effect.

Fees payable pursuant to this Section shall be payable quarterly in arrears on
each Quarterly Payment Date and on the Revolving Loan Commitment Termination
Date.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                     CERTAIN LIBO RATE AND OTHER PROVISIONS

         SECTION 4.1. LIBO Rate Lending Unlawful. If any Lender shall determine
(which determination shall, upon notice thereof to the Borrower and the
Lenders, be conclusive and binding on the Borrower) that the introduction of or
any change in or in the interpretation of any law makes it unlawful, or any
central bank or other governmental authority asserts that it is unlawful, for
such Lender to make, continue or maintain any Loan as, or to convert any Loan
into, a LIBO Rate Loan, the obligations of such Lender to make, continue,
maintain or convert any Loans as or to LIBO Rate Loans shall, upon such
determination, forthwith be suspended until such Lender shall notify the
Administrative Agent that the circumstances causing such suspension no longer
exist (with the date of such notice being the "Reinstatement Date"), and (a)
all LIBO Rate Loans previously made by such Lender shall automatically convert
into Base Rate Loans at the end of the then current Interest Periods with
respect thereto or sooner, if required by such law or assertion and (b) all
Loans thereafter made by such Lender and 


                                     -54-
<PAGE>

outstanding prior to the Reinstatement Date shall be made as Base Rate Loans,
with interest thereon being payable on the same date that interest is payable
with respect to the corresponding Borrowing of LIBO Rate Loans made by Lenders
not so affected.

         SECTION 4.2. Deposits Unavailable. If the Administrative Agent shall
have determined that (a) Dollar deposits in the relevant amount and for the
relevant Interest Period are not available to the Administrative Agent in its
relevant market, or (b) by reason of circumstances affecting the Administrative
Agent's relevant market, adequate means do not exist for ascertaining the
interest rate applicable hereunder to LIBO Rate Loans, then, upon notice from
the Administrative Agent to the Borrower and the Lenders, the obligations of
all Lenders under Sections 2.3 and 2.4 to make or continue any Loans as, or to
convert any Loans into, LIBO Rate Loans shall forthwith be suspended until the
Administrative Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Lenders that the
circumstances causing such suspension no longer exist.

         SECTION 4.3. Increased LIBO Rate Loan Costs, etc. The Borrower agrees
to reimburse each Lender for any increase in the cost to such Lender of, or any
reduction in the amount of any sum receivable by such Lender in respect of,
making, continuing or maintaining (or of its obligation to make, continue or
maintain) any Loans as, or of converting (or of its obligation to convert) any
Loans into, LIBO Rate Loans. Such Lender shall promptly notify the
Administrative Agent and the Borrower in writing of the occurrence of any such
event, such notice to state, in reasonable detail, the reasons therefor and the
additional amount required fully to compensate such Lender for such increased
cost or reduced amount. Such additional amounts shall be payable by the
Borrower directly to such Lender within five days of its receipt of such
notice, and such notice shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive
and binding on the Borrower.

         SECTION 4.4. Funding Losses. In the event any Lender shall incur any
loss or expense (including any loss or expense incurred by reason of the
liquidation or reemployment of deposits or other funds acquired by such Lender
to make, continue or maintain any portion of the principal amount of any Loan
as, or to convert any portion of the principal amount of any Loan into, a LIBO
Rate Loan) as a result of (i) any conversion or repayment or prepayment of the
principal amount of any LIBO Rate Loans on a date other than the scheduled last
day of the Interest Period applicable thereto, whether pursuant to Section 3.1
or otherwise, (ii) any Loans not being made as LIBO Rate Loans in accordance
with the Borrowing Request therefor, or (iii) any Loans not being continued as,
or converted into, LIBO Rate Loans in accordance with the
Continuation/Conversion Notice therefor, then, upon the written notice of such
Lender to the Borrower (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), the Borrower
shall, within five days of its receipt thereof, pay directly to such Lender
such amount as will (in the reasonable determination of such Lender) reimburse
such Lender for such loss or expense. Such written notice (which shall include
calculations in reasonable detail) shall, in the absence of manifest error, be
conclusive and binding on the Borrower.

         SECTION 4.5. Increased Capital Costs. If any change in, or the
introduction, adoption, effectiveness, interpretation, reinterpretation or
phase-in of, any law or regulation, directive, 


                                     -55-
<PAGE>

guideline, decision or request (whether or not having the force of law) of any
court, central bank, regulator or other governmental authority affects or would
affect the amount of capital required or expected to be maintained by any
Lender, the Issuer or any Person controlling such Lender or the Issuer, and
such Lender or the Issuer determines (in its sole and reasonable discretion)
that the rate of return on its or such controlling Person's capital as a
consequence of its Commitments, participation in, or the issuance or extension
of, any Letter of Credit or any Loan made by such Lender or the Issuer is
reduced to a level below that which such Lender, the Issuer or such controlling
Person could have achieved but for the occurrence of any such circumstance,
then, in any such case upon notice from time to time by such Lender or the
Issuer to the Borrower, the Borrower shall immediately pay directly to such
Lender or the Issuer additional amounts sufficient to compensate such Lender,
the Issuer or such controlling Person for such reduction in rate of return. A
statement of such Lender or the Issuer as to any such additional amount or
amounts (including calculations thereof in reasonable detail) shall, in the
absence of manifest error, be conclusive and binding on the Borrower. In
determining such amount, such Lender or the Issuer may use any method of
averaging and attribution that it (in its sole and absolute discretion) shall
deem applicable.

         SECTION 4.6. Taxes. (a) All payments by the Borrower of principal of,
and interest on, the Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder (including
Reimbursement Obligations, fees and expenses) shall be made free and clear of
and without deduction for any present or future income, excise, stamp or
franchise taxes and other taxes, fees, duties, withholdings or other charges of
any nature whatsoever imposed by any taxing authority, but excluding franchise
taxes and other taxes imposed on or measured by any Agent's, the Documentation
Agent's, the Issuer's or any Lender's net income or receipts (such non-excluded
items being called "Taxes"). In the event that any withholding or deduction
from any payment to be made by the Borrower hereunder is required in respect of
any Taxes pursuant to any applicable law, rule or regulation, then the Borrower
will (i) pay directly to the relevant taxing authority the full amount required
to be so withheld or deducted, (ii) promptly forward to the Administrative
Agent an official receipt or other documentation satisfactory to the
Administrative Agent evidencing such payment to such authority, and (iii) pay
to the Administrative Agent for the account of such Agent, the Documentation
Agent, the Issuer or such Lender such additional amount or amounts as is
necessary to ensure that the net amount actually received by such Agent, the
Documentation Agent, the Issuer or such Lender will equal the full amount such
Agent, the Documentation Agent, the Issuer or such Lender would have received
had no such withholding or deduction been required.

         Moreover, if any Taxes are directly asserted against any Agent, the
Documentation Agent, the Issuer or any Lender with respect to any payment
received by such Agent, the Documentation Agent, the Issuer or such Lender
hereunder, such Agent, the Documentation Agent, the Issuer or such Lender may
pay such Taxes and the Borrower will promptly pay to such Person such
additional amounts (including any penalties, interest or expenses) as is
necessary in order that the net amount received by such Person after the
payment of such taxes (including any Taxes on such additional amount) shall
equal the amount such Person would have received had such Taxes not been
asserted.

                                     -56-
<PAGE>

         If the Borrower fails to pay any Taxes when due to the appropriate
taxing authority or fails to remit to the Administrative Agent, for the account
of the respective Lenders, the required receipts or other required documentary
evidence, the Borrower shall indemnify the Lenders for any incremental Taxes,
interest or penalties that may become payable by any Lender as a result of any
such failure. For purposes of this Section 4.6, a distribution hereunder by the
Administrative Agent or any Lender to or for the account of any Lender shall be
deemed a payment by the Borrower.

         (b) Upon the request of the Borrower or the Administrative Agent, each
Lender that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than the United
States shall, on or prior to the due date of any payments under this Agreement
to such Lender, provide two or more (as the Borrower or the Administrative
Agent may reasonably request) United States Internal Revenue Service Forms 4224
or Forms 1001 or, solely if such Lender is claiming exemption from United
States withholding tax under Section 871(h) or 881(c) of the Code with respect
to payments of "portfolio interest", United States Internal Revenue Service
Forms W-8 and a certificate signed by a duly authorized officer of such Lender
representing that such Lender is not a "bank" within the meaning of Section
881(c)(3)(A) of the Code, or such other forms or documents (or successor forms
or documents), appropriately completed, as may be applicable to establish the
extent, if any, to which a payment to such Lender are exempt from withholding
or deduction of Taxes.

         SECTION 4.7. Payments, Computations, etc. Unless otherwise expressly
provided, all payments by or on behalf of the Borrower pursuant to this
Agreement, the Notes or any other Loan Document shall be made by the Borrower
to the Administrative Agent for the pro rata account of the Lenders, the
Documentation Agent, the Agents or the Arranger, as applicable, entitled to
receive such payment. All such payments required to be made to the
Administrative Agent shall be made, without setoff, deduction or counterclaim,
not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date due, in same day or
immediately available funds, to such account as the Administrative Agent shall
specify from time to time by notice to the Borrower. Funds received after that
time shall be deemed to have been received by the Administrative Agent on the
next succeeding Business Day. The Administrative Agent shall promptly remit in
same day funds to each Lender, the Documentation Agent, each Agent or the
Arranger, as the case may be, its share, if any, of such payments received by
the Administrative Agent for the account of such Lender, the Documentation
Agent, such Agent or the Arranger, as the case may be. All interest and fees
shall be computed on the basis of the actual number of days (including the
first day but excluding the last day) occurring during the period for which
such interest or fee is payable over a year comprised of 360 days (or, in the
case of interest on a Base Rate Loan that is not calculated at the Federal
Funds Rate, 365 days or, if appropriate, 366 days). Whenever any payment to be
made shall otherwise be due on a day which is not a Business Day, such payment
shall (except as otherwise required by clause (a) of the definition of the term
"Interest Period") be made on the next succeeding Business Day and such
extension of time shall be included in computing interest and fees, if any, in
connection with such payment.

                                     -57-
<PAGE>

         SECTION 4.8. Sharing of Payments. If any Lender shall obtain any
payment or other recovery (whether voluntary, involuntary, by application of
setoff or otherwise) on account of any Loan or Reimbursement Obligations (other
than pursuant to the terms of Sections 4.3, 4.4 and 4.5) in excess of its pro
rata share of payments then or therewith obtained by all Lenders entitled
thereto, such Lender shall purchase from the other Lenders such participations
in the Credit Extensions made by them as shall be necessary to cause such
purchasing Lender to share the excess payment or other recovery ratably with
each of them; provided, however, that if all or any portion of the excess
payment or other recovery is thereafter recovered from such purchasing Lender,
the purchase shall be rescinded and each Lender which has sold a participation
to the purchasing Lender shall repay to the purchasing Lender the purchase
price to the ratable extent of such recovery together with an amount equal to
such selling Lender's ratable share (according to the proportion of (i) the
amount of such selling Lender's required repayment to the purchasing Lender in
respect of such recovery, to (ii) the total amount so recovered from the
purchasing Lender) of any interest or other amount paid or payable by the
purchasing Lender in respect of the total amount so recovered. The Borrower
agrees that any Lender so purchasing a participation from another Lender
pursuant to this Section may, to the fullest extent permitted by law, exercise
all its rights of payment (including pursuant to Section 4.9) with respect to
such participation as fully as if such Lender were the direct creditor of the
Borrower in the amount of such participation. If under any applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law, any Lender receives a secured
claim in lieu of a setoff to which this Section applies, such Lender shall, to
the extent practicable, exercise its rights in respect of such secured claim in
a manner consistent with the rights of the Lenders entitled under this Section
to share in the benefits of any recovery on such secured claim.

         SECTION 4.9. Setoff. Each Lender shall, upon the occurrence of any
Event of Default described in clauses (a) through (d) of Section 8.1.9 or, with
the consent of the Required Lenders, upon the occurrence of any other Event of
Default, to the fullest extent permitted by law, have the right to appropriate
and apply to the payment of the Obligations then owing to it (whether or not
then due), and (as security for such Obligations) the Borrower hereby grants to
each Lender a continuing security interest in, any and all balances, credits,
deposits, accounts or moneys of the Borrower then or thereafter maintained with
or otherwise held by such Lender; provided, however, that any such
appropriation and application shall be subject to the provisions of Section
4.8. Each Lender agrees promptly to notify the Borrower and the Administrative
Agent after any such setoff and application made by such Lender; provided,
however, that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the validity of
such setoff and application. The rights of each Lender under this Section are
in addition to other rights and remedies (including other rights of setoff
under applicable law or otherwise) which such Lender may have.

         SECTION 4.10. Replacement of Lenders. Each Lender hereby severally
agrees as set forth in this Section. If any Lender (an "Affected Lender") makes
demand upon the Borrower for (or if the Borrower is otherwise required to pay)
amounts pursuant to Section 4.3, 4.5 or 4.6 and the payment of such additional
amounts are, and are likely to continue to be, more onerous in the reasonable
judgment of the Borrower than with respect to the other Lenders, the Borrower
may, within 30 days of receipt by the Borrower of such demand or notice (or the
occurrence of 
                                     -58-
<PAGE>

such other event causing the Borrower to be required to pay such compensation),
as the case may be, give notice (a "Replacement Notice") in writing to the
Agents and such Affected Lender of its intention to replace such Affected
Lender with a financial institution (a "Replacement Lender") designated in such
Replacement Notice. If the Agents shall, in the exercise of their reasonable
discretion and within 30 days of their receipt of such Replacement Notice,
notify the Borrower and such Affected Lender in writing that the designated
financial institution is satisfactory to the Agents (such consent not being
required where the Replacement Lender is already a Lender), then such Affected
Lender shall, subject to the payment of any amounts due pursuant to Section
4.4, assign, in accordance with Section 11.11.1, all of its Commitments, Loans,
Notes and other rights and obligations under this Agreement and all other Loan
Documents (including Reimbursement Obligations, if applicable) to such
designated financial institution; provided, however, that (i) such assignment
shall be without recourse, representation or warranty and shall be on terms and
conditions reasonably satisfactory to such Affected Lender and such designated
financial institution, (ii) the purchase price paid by such designated
financial institution shall be in the amount of such Affected Lender's Loans
and its Percentage of outstanding Reimbursement Obligations, together with all
accrued and unpaid interest and fees in respect thereof, plus all other amounts
(including the amounts demanded and unreimbursed under Sections 4.3, 4.5 and
4.6), owing to such Affected Lender hereunder and (iii) the Borrower shall pay
to the Affected Lender and the Agents all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by the Affected Lender and the Agents in connection with such
assignment and assumption (including the processing fees described in Section
11.11.1). Upon the effective date of an assignment described above, the
Replacement Lender shall become a "Lender" for all purposes under this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents.


                                   ARTICLE V

                        CONDITIONS TO CREDIT EXTENSIONS

         SECTION 5.1. Initial Credit Extension. The obligations of the Lenders
and, if applicable, the Issuer to fund the initial Credit Extension shall be
subject to the prior or concurrent satisfaction of each of the conditions
precedent set forth in this Section 5.1.

         SECTION 5.1.1. Corporate and Partnership Documents, etc. The Agents
shall have received, with a copy for each Lender,

                  (a) from each Obligor that is a corporation a certificate,
         dated the Closing Date, of its Secretary or Assistant Secretary as to
         (i) resolutions of its Board of Directors then in full force and
         effect authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of each
         Loan Document to be executed by it, (ii) the incumbency and signatures
         of those of its officers authorized to act with respect to each Loan
         Document executed by it and (iii) the full force and validity of its
         Organic Documents and true and complete copies thereof, upon which
         certificate each Agent, the Documentation Agent, the Issuer and each
         Lender may 



                                     -59-
<PAGE>

         conclusively rely until it shall have received a further certificate
         of the Secretary or Assistant Secretary of such Obligor canceling or
         amending such prior certificate; and

                  (b) from each Obligor that is a partnership, a certificate,
         dated the Closing Date, of each of its general partners as to (i) all
         partnership action then in full force and effect authorizing the
         execution, delivery and performance of each Loan Document to be
         executed by it, (ii) the incumbency and signatures of those officers
         of its general partners authorized to act with respect to each Loan
         Document executed by it and (iii) the full force and validity of its
         Organic Documents and true and complete copies thereof, upon which
         certificate each Agent, the Documentation Agent, the Issuer and each
         Lender may conclusively rely until it shall have received a further
         certificate canceling or amending such prior certificate.

         SECTION 5.1.2. Consummation of Transaction. (a) The Transaction shall
have been consummated for an aggregate amount not to exceed $320,550,000,
including the payment of accrued interest, prepayment premiums and reasonable
fees and expenses associated therewith in an amount not to exceed $35,000,000.

         (b) The Merger shall have been consummated on terms and conditions
(including in respect of all documentation related thereto) reasonably
satisfactory to the Syndication Agent.

         (c) Holdings shall have received gross cash proceeds of at least
$80,000,000 from the issuance of the Senior Subordinated Notes, on terms and
conditions (including in respect of all documentation related thereto
(including the Senior Subordinated Notes Guarantee)) reasonably satisfactory to
the Syndication Agent.

         (d) Holdings shall have received gross cash proceeds of at least
$110,550,000 from the IPO, on terms and conditions (including in respect of all
documentation related thereto) reasonably satisfactory to the Syndication
Agent.

         (e) Holdings shall have deposited at least $106,427,535.00 (which
amount is sufficient to redeem all of its outstanding Holdings Subordinated
Notes in full in cash) in an irrevocable trust for the purpose of defeasing all
such Holdings Subordinated Notes and shall have concurrently issued redemption
notices pursuant to which Holdings will redeem all such Holdings Subordinated
Notes no later than March 16, 1998, at a redemption price of no more than
107.5% of the Accreted Value thereof, in each case on terms and conditions
(including in respect of all documentation related thereto (a copy of such
notice, together with such documentation, collectively, the "Holdings
Defeasement/Redemption Documents") reasonably satisfactory to the Syndication
Agent.

         (f) The Borrower shall have deposited at least $99,017,468.05 (which
amount is sufficient to redeem all of its outstanding Senior Notes in full in
cash) in an irrevocable trust for the purpose of defeasing all such Senior
Notes and shall have concurrently issued redemption notices pursuant to which
the Borrower will redeem all such Senior Notes no later than March 16, 1998, 


                                     -60-
<PAGE>

at a redemption price of no more than 104.5% of the principal amount thereof,
in each case on terms and conditions (including in respect of all documentation
related thereto) (including in respect of all documentation related thereto (a
copy of such notice, together with such documentation, collectively, the
"Borrower Defeasement/Redemption Documents") reasonably satisfactory to the
Syndication Agent.

         SECTION 5.1.3. Closing Date Certificates. The Agents shall have
received, with counterparts for each Lender, the Closing Date Certificates,
substantially in the forms of Exhibits D-1 and D-2 hereto, dated the Closing
Date and duly executed and delivered by the chief executive, financial or
accounting (or equivalent) Authorized Officers of Holdings and the Borrower, in
which certificates Holdings and the Borrower, respectively, shall agree and
acknowledge that the statements made therein shall be deemed to be true and
correct representations and warranties of Holdings and the Borrower made as of
such date under this Agreement, and, at the time such certificates are
delivered, such statements shall in fact be true and correct.

         SECTION 5.1.4. Delivery of Notes. The Agents shall have received, for
the account of each Lender that shall have requested a Note not less than two
Business Days prior to the Closing Date, a Note of each applicable Tranche duly
executed and delivered by an Authorized Officer of the Borrower.

         SECTION 5.1.5. Pledge Agreement. The Agents shall have received
executed counterparts of the Holdings Pledge Agreement, dated as of the Closing
Date, duly executed and delivered by an Authorized Officer of Holdings,
together with the certificates evidencing all of the issued and outstanding
shares of Capital Stock (or similar equity interests) of each direct Subsidiary
of Holdings (in which a security interest is not concurrently granted under the
Partnership Security Agreement) which shall be pledged pursuant to the Holdings
Pledge Agreement, which certificates shall in each case be accompanied by
undated stock powers duly executed in blank.

         SECTION 5.1.6. Security Agreements. The Agents shall have received
executed counterparts of the Partnership Security Agreement and the Borrower
Security Agreement, each dated as of the Closing Date and duly executed and
delivered by an Authorized Officer of each of Holdings and DRI I and the
Borrower, together with

                  (a) executed Uniform Commercial Code financing statements
         (Form UCC-1) naming Holdings, DRI I or the Borrower as the debtor and
         the Administrative Agent as the secured party, or other similar
         instruments or documents, to be filed under the Uniform Commercial
         Code of all jurisdictions as may be necessary or, in the opinion of
         the Administrative Agent, desirable to perfect the security interest
         of the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Security Agreements; and

                  (b) certified copies of Uniform Commercial Code Requests for
         Information or Copies (Form UCC-11), or a similar search report
         certified by a party acceptable to the 


                                     -61-
<PAGE>

         Agents, dated a date reasonably near to the Closing Date, listing all
         effective financing statements which name Holdings, DRI I or the
         Borrower (under its present name and any previous names) as the debtor
         and which are filed in the jurisdictions in which filings were made
         pursuant to clause (a) above, together with copies of such financing
         statements.

         SECTION 5.1.7. Mortgage. The Agents shall have received counterparts
of each Mortgage relating to each property listed on Item 6.9 ("Real Property")
of the Disclosure Schedule and designated as being the property to which a
Mortgage relates, each dated the date hereof, duly executed by the Borrower or
the applicable Parent Guarantor, together with

                  (a) evidence of the completion of all recordings and filings
         of such Mortgage as may be necessary or, in the reasonable opinion of
         the Agents, desirable effectively to create a valid, perfected first
         priority Lien against the properties purported to be covered thereby;

                  (b) mortgagee's title insurance policies in favor of the
         Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties in amounts
         and in form and substance and issued by insurers, reasonably
         satisfactory to the Agents, with respect to the property purported to
         be covered by such Mortgage, insuring that title to such property is
         marketable and that the interests created by the Mortgage constitute
         valid first Liens thereon free and clear of all defects and
         encumbrances other than as approved by the Agents, and such policies
         shall also include a revolving credit endorsement and such other
         endorsements as the Agents shall request and shall be accompanied by
         evidence of the payment in full of all premiums thereon; and

                  (c) such other approvals or documents as the Agents may
         reasonably request.

         SECTION 5.1.8. Financial Information, etc. The Agents shall have
received, with counterparts for each Lender,

                  (a) the (i) audited consolidated financial statements of
         Holdings and its Subsidiaries and Daboco and its Subsidiaries for the
         Fiscal Years ended on December 31, 1994, December 30, 1995 and
         December 28, 1996, (ii) unaudited consolidated financial statements of
         Holdings and its Subsidiaries and Daboco and its Subsidiaries for the
         Fiscal Quarters ended on March 29, 1997, June 28, 1997 and September
         27, 1997 and (iii) unaudited consolidated financial statements of
         Holdings and its Subsidiaries and Borrower and its Subsidiaries for
         the fiscal months ended on October 25, 1997 and November 29, 1997
         (collectively, the "Base Financial Statements"); and

                  (b) pro forma consolidated balance sheets of Holdings and its
         Subsidiaries and the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, as at November 29,
         1997 (the "Pro Forma Balance Sheets"), certified by the chief
         financial or accounting Authorized Officers of Holdings and the
         Borrower, respectively, giving effect to the consummation of the
         Transaction and 



                                     -62-
<PAGE>

         reflecting the proposed legal and capital structures of Holdings and
         its Subsidiaries and the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, in each case,
         as at the Closing Date, which legal and capital structure shall be
         satisfactory in all respects to the Syndication Agent.

         SECTION 5.1.9. Solvency, etc. The Agents shall have received, with
copies for each Lender, Solvency Certificates, executed and delivered by the
chief financial or accounting Authorized Officer of each of Holdings and the
Borrower and dated the Closing Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit L-1
and L-2 hereto.

         SECTION 5.1.10. Payment of Outstanding Indebtedness, etc. All
Indebtedness identified in Item 7.2.2(b) ("Indebtedness to be Paid") of the
Disclosure Schedule, together with all interest, prepayment premiums and other
amounts due and payable with respect thereto, shall have been paid or defeased
in full (including, to the extent necessary, from proceeds of the initial
Credit Extension); and all Liens securing payment of any such Indebtedness have
been released or, in each Agent's discretion, assigned, and the Administrative
Agent shall have received all Uniform Commercial Code Form UCC-3 termination
statements or other instruments or documents as may be suitable or appropriate
in connection therewith in the determination of the Agents.

         SECTION 5.1.11. Litigation. There shall exist no pending or threatened
material litigation, proceedings or investigations which (x) contests the
consummation of the Transaction or the legality or validity of the Credit
Agreement, any other Loan Document or any Material Document or (y) could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         SECTION 5.1.12. Material Adverse Change. Except as set forth in Item
6.6 ("Material Adverse Change") of the Disclosure Schedule, there shall have
occurred no material adverse change in the business, assets, debt service
capacity, tax position, environmental liability, financial condition,
operations, properties or prospects of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken
as a whole, or Holdings and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, in each case
since December 28, 1996.

         SECTION 5.1.13. Opinions of Counsel. (a) The Agents shall have
received opinions, dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Agents, the
Documentation Agent and all of the Lenders from Latham & Watkins, special New
York counsel to each of the Obligors, in substantially the form of Exhibit K
hereto.

         (b) The Agents shall have received such reliance letters as they may
reasonably request with respect to opinions delivered in connection with the
Transaction, in each case dated the Closing Date and addressed to the Agents
and all of the Lenders.

         SECTION 5.1.14. Insurance. The Agents shall have received satisfactory
evidence of the existence of insurance in compliance with Section 7.1.4
(including all endorsements included therein), and the Administrative Agent
shall be named additional insured or loss payee, on behalf of the Lenders,
pursuant to documentation reasonably satisfactory to the Syndication Agent.

                                     -63-
<PAGE>

         SECTION 5.1.15. Perfection Certificate. The Agents shall have received
Perfection Certificates, dated as of the Closing Date, duly executed and
delivered by an Authorized Officer of each of Holdings, DRI I, the Borrower and
each other Obligor that is a party to a Security Agreement.

         SECTION 5.1.16. Approvals. All necessary governmental, shareholders'
and third-party approvals in connection with the Transaction, the financing
contemplated hereby, the continued operations of any Parent Guarantor, the
Borrower and each of their respective Subsidiaries and the execution, delivery
and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall have been
duly obtained and all applicable waiting periods shall have expired without, in
all such cases, any action being taken or threatened by any competent authority
that would restrain, prevent or otherwise imposes adverse conditions on the
Transaction, the financing contemplated hereby or the continued operations of
any Parent Guarantor, the Borrower or any of their respective Subsidiaries.

         SECTION 5.1.17. Closing Fees, Expenses, etc. Each Agent and the
Arranger shall have received, each for its own respective account, all fees,
costs and expenses due and payable to such Agent or the Arranger, as the case
may be, pursuant to Sections 3.3 and 11.3, to the extent then invoiced.

         SECTION 5.1.18. Satisfactory Legal Form. All documents executed or
submitted pursuant hereto by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries or any other Obligors shall be reasonably satisfactory in form and
substance to the Agents and their counsel; the Agents and their counsel shall
have received all information, approvals, opinions, documents or instruments as
the Agents or their counsel may reasonably request.

         SECTION 5.2. All Credit Extensions. The obligation of each Lender and,
if applicable, the Issuer, to make any Credit Extension (including its initial
Credit Extension) shall be subject to the satisfaction of each of the
conditions precedent set forth in this Section 5.2.

         SECTION 5.2.1. Compliance with Warranties, No Default, etc. Both
before and after giving effect to any Credit Extension the following statements
shall be true and correct:

                  (a) the representations and warranties set forth in Article
         VI (excluding, however, those contained in Section 6.7) and each other
         Loan Document shall, in each case, be true and correct with the same
         effect as if then made (unless stated to relate solely to an earlier
         date, in which case such representations and warranties shall be true
         and correct as of such earlier date);

                  (b) except as disclosed by the Borrower or any Parent
         Guarantor to the Agents, the Documentation Agent and the Lenders
         pursuant to Section 6.7

                                     -64-
<PAGE>

                           (i) no labor controversy, litigation, arbitration or
                  governmental investigation or proceeding (including any
                  relating to any Pharmaceutical Law) shall be pending or, to
                  the knowledge of the Borrower or any Parent Guarantor,
                  threatened against the Borrower, any Parent Guarantor or any
                  of their respective Subsidiaries which could reasonably be
                  expected to have a Material Adverse Effect or which purports
                  to affect the legality, validity or enforceability of this
                  Agreement, the Notes or any other Loan Document; and

                           (ii) no development shall have occurred in any labor
                  controversy, litigation, arbitration or governmental
                  investigation or proceeding (including any relating to any
                  Pharmaceutical Law) disclosed pursuant to Section 6.7 which
                  could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
                  Effect; and

                  (c) no Default shall have then occurred and be continuing,
         and neither the Borrower, any Parent Guarantor nor any of their
         respective Subsidiaries are in material violation of any law or
         governmental regulation or court order or decree (including any
         Pharmaceutical Law).

         SECTION 5.2.2. Credit Extension Request. The Agents shall have
received a Borrowing Request if Loans are being requested, or an Issuance
Request if a Letter of Credit is being requested or extended. Each of the
delivery of a Borrowing Request or Issuance Request and the acceptance by the
Borrower of proceeds of any Credit Extension shall constitute a representation
and warranty by the Borrower that on the date of such Credit Extension (both
immediately before and after giving effect thereto and the application of the
proceeds thereof) the statements made in Section 5.2.1 are true and correct.


                                   ARTICLE VI

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         In order to induce the Lenders, the Documentation Agent, the Issuer
and the Agents to enter into this Agreement and to make Credit Extensions
hereunder, each of the Borrower and each Parent Guarantor represents and
warrants unto the Agents, the Documentation Agent, the Issuer and each Lender
as set forth in this Article VI.

         SECTION 6.1. Organization, etc. Each of the Borrower, each Parent
Guarantor and each of their respective Subsidiaries (a) is a corporation or
partnership validly organized and existing and in good standing to the extent
required under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or formation,
is duly qualified to do business and is in good standing as a foreign
corporation or partnership to the extent required under the laws of each
jurisdiction where the nature of its business requires such qualification, and
(b) has full power and authority and holds all requisite governmental licenses,
permits and other approvals to (i) enter into and perform its Obligations in
connection with the Transaction and under this Agreement, the Notes and each



                                     -65-
<PAGE>

other Loan Document to which it is a party and (ii) own and hold under lease
its property and to conduct its business substantially as currently conducted
by it.

         SECTION 6.2. Due Authorization, Non-Contravention, etc. The execution,
delivery and performance by each of the Borrower, each Parent Guarantor and
each of their respective Subsidiaries of this Agreement, the Notes and each
other Loan Document executed or to be executed by it, and the Borrower's and,
where applicable, each such other Obligor's participation in the consummation
of the Transaction, are within the Borrower's and each such Obligor's corporate
or partnership powers, have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate or
partnership action, and do not (i) contravene the Borrower's or any such
Obligor's Organic Documents, (ii) contravene any contractual restriction, law
or governmental regulation or court decree or order binding on or affecting the
Borrower or any such Obligor, or (iii) result in, or require the creation or
imposition of, any Lien on any of the Borrower's or any other Obligor's
properties, except pursuant to the terms of a Loan Document.

         SECTION 6.3. Government Approval, Regulation, etc. No authorization or
approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any governmental
authority or regulatory body or other Person, is required for the due
execution, delivery or performance by any of the Borrower, any Parent Guarantor
or any of their respective Subsidiaries of this Agreement, the Notes or any
other Loan Document to which it is a party, or for the Borrower's and each such
other Obligor's participation in the consummation of the Transaction, except as
have been duly obtained or made and are in full force and effect. None of the
Borrower, any Parent Guarantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries is an
"investment company" within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended, or a "holding company", or a "subsidiary company" of a "holding
company", or an "affiliate" of a "holding company" or of a "subsidiary company"
of a "holding company", within the meaning of the Public Utility Holding
Company Act of 1935, as amended.

         SECTION 6.4. Validity, etc. This Agreement constitutes, and the Notes
and each other Loan Document executed, or to be executed, by any of the
Borrower, any Parent Guarantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries, as the
case may be, constitutes, or will on the due execution and delivery thereof
constitute, the legal, valid and binding obligations of the Borrower and such
other Obligor enforceable in accordance with their respective terms.

         SECTION 6.5. Financial Information. Holdings has delivered to the
Agents, the Documentation Agent and each Lender copies of each of (a) the Base
Financial Statements, and (b) the Pro Forma Balance Sheets. Each of the
financial statements described in clause (a) above has been prepared in
accordance with GAAP consistently applied and presents fairly the consolidated
financial condition of the corporations and partnerships covered thereby as at
the date thereof and the results of their operations for the periods then
ended, and each of the financial statements described in clause (b) above has
been prepared on a basis substantially consistent with the basis used to
prepare the financial statements referred to in clause (a), and includes
appropriate pro forma adjustments to give pro forma effect to the Transaction.

                                     -66-
<PAGE>

         SECTION 6.6. No Material Adverse Change. Except as set forth in Item
6.6 ("Material Adverse Change") of the Disclosure Schedule, since December 28,
1996, there has been no material adverse change in the business, assets, debt
service capacity, tax position, environmental liability, financial condition,
operations, properties or prospects of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken
as a whole, or Holdings and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.

         SECTION 6.7. Litigation, Labor Controversies, etc. There is no pending
or, to the knowledge of the Borrower or any Parent Guarantor, threatened
litigation, action, proceeding, labor controversy, arbitration or governmental
investigation or proceeding (including any relating to any Pharmaceutical Law)
affecting the Borrower, any Parent Guarantor or any of their respective
Subsidiaries, or any of their respective properties, businesses, assets or
revenues, which might have a Material Adverse Effect or which purports to
affect the legality, validity or enforceability of this Agreement, the Notes or
any other Loan Document, except as disclosed in Item 6.7 ("Litigation") of the
Disclosure Schedule.

         SECTION 6.8. Subsidiaries. Holdings has no direct Subsidiaries other
than DRI I and the Borrower (of which it is a general partner and directly
holds a 99% general partnership interest). DRI I has no direct Subsidiaries
other than the Borrower (of which it is a general partner and holds a 1%
general partnership interest). The Borrower has no Subsidiaries, except those
Subsidiaries which are permitted to have been acquired in accordance with
Section 7.2.5 or 7.2.8.

         SECTION 6.9. Ownership of Properties. Each of the Borrower, each
Parent Guarantor and each of their respective Subsidiaries owns (except where
the failure to own such property would not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect) good and marketable title to all of its properties and
assets, real and personal, tangible and intangible, of any nature whatsoever
(including patents, trademarks, trade names, service marks and copyrights),
free and clear of all Liens, charges or claims (including infringement claims
with respect to patents, trademarks, copyrights and the like), except as
permitted pursuant to Section 7.2.3. All Real Property owned or leased by any
of the Borrower, each Parent Guarantor and each of their respective
Subsidiaries and the nature of the interest therein is described in Item 6.9
("Real Property") of the Disclosure Schedule.

         SECTION 6.10. Taxes. Each of the Borrower, each Parent Guarantor and
each of their respective Subsidiaries has filed all tax returns and reports
required by law to have been filed by it and has paid all taxes and
governmental charges thereby shown to be owing, except any such taxes or
charges which are being diligently contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings and for which adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP shall have
been set aside on its books.

         SECTION 6.11. Pension and Welfare Plans. During the
twelve-consecutive-month period prior to the date of the execution and delivery
of this Agreement and prior to the Closing Date, no steps have been taken to
terminate any Pension Plan (other than pursuant to a "standard termination" in
accordance with section 4041(B) of ERISA), and no contribution failure has
occurred with respect to any Pension Plan sufficient to give rise to a Lien
under section 302(f) of 


                                     -67-
<PAGE>

ERISA. No condition exists or event or transaction has occurred with respect to
any Pension Plan which could reasonably be expected to result in the incurrence
by Holdings or any member of the Controlled Group of any material liability,
fine or penalty. Except as disclosed in Item 6.11 ("Employee Benefit Plans") of
the Disclosure Schedule, neither Holdings nor any member of the Controlled
Group has any contingent liability with respect to any post-retirement benefit
under a Welfare Plan, other than liability for continuation coverage described
in Part 6 of Title I of ERISA.

         SECTION 6.12. Environmental Warranties. Except as set forth in Item
6.12 ("Environmental Matters") of the Disclosure Schedule:

                  (a) all facilities and property (including underlying
         groundwater) owned or leased by the Borrower, any Parent Guarantor or
         any of their respective Subsidiaries have been, and continue to be,
         owned or leased by the Borrower, such Parent Guarantor or such
         Subsidiary in material compliance with all Environmental Laws;

                  (b) there have been no past, and there are no pending or, to
         the best of each of the Borrower's and each Parent Guarantor's
         knowledge after due inquiry, threatened

                           (i) claims, complaints, notices or requests for
                  information received by the Borrower, any Parent Guarantor or
                  any of their respective Subsidiaries with respect to any
                  alleged violation of any Environmental Law, or

                           (ii) complaints, notices or inquiries to the
                  Borrower, any Parent Guarantor or any of their respective
                  Subsidiaries regarding potential liability under any
                  Environmental Law;

                  (c) there have been no Releases of Hazardous Materials at, on
         or under any property now or previously owned or leased by the
         Borrower, any Parent Guarantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries
         that, singly or in the aggregate, have, or could reasonably be
         expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect;

                  (d) the Borrower, each Parent Guarantor and each of their
         respective Subsidiaries have been issued and are in material
         compliance with all permits, certificates, approvals, licenses and
         other authorizations relating to environmental matters and necessary
         or desirable for their businesses;

                  (e) no property now or previously owned or leased by the
         Borrower, any Parent Guarantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries
         is listed or, to the best of each of the Borrower's and each Parent
         Guarantor's knowledge after due inquiry, proposed for listing (with
         respect to owned property only) on the National Priorities List
         pursuant to CERCLA, on the CERCLIS or on any similar state list of
         sites requiring investigation or clean-up;

                                     -68-
<PAGE>

                  (f) there are no underground storage tanks, active or
         abandoned, including petroleum storage tanks, on or under any property
         now or previously owned or leased by the Borrower, any Parent
         Guarantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries that, singly or in
         the aggregate, have, or could reasonably be expected to have, a
         Material Adverse Effect;

                  (g) neither the Borrower, any Parent Guarantor nor any of
         their respective Subsidiaries has directly transported or directly
         arranged for the transportation of any Hazardous Material to any
         location which is listed or proposed for listing on the National
         Priorities List pursuant to CERCLA, on the CERCLIS or on any similar
         state list or which is the subject of federal, state or local
         enforcement actions or other investigations which may lead to claims
         against the Borrower, such Parent Guarantor or such Subsidiary thereof
         for any remedial work, damage to natural resources or personal injury,
         including claims under CERCLA that, singly or in the aggregate, have,
         or could reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect;

                  (h) there are no polychlorinated biphenyls or friable
         asbestos present at any property now or previously owned or leased by
         the Borrower, any Parent Guarantor or any of their respective
         Subsidiaries that, singly or in the aggregate, have, or could
         reasonably be expected to have, a Material Adverse Effect; and

                  (i) no conditions exist at, on or under any property now or
         previously owned or leased by the Borrower, any Parent Guarantor or
         any of their respective Subsidiaries which, with the passage of time,
         or the giving of notice or both, would give rise to liability under
         any Environmental Law that could reasonably be expected to have a
         Material Adverse Effect.

         SECTION 6.13. Regulations G, U and X. Neither the Borrower, any Parent
Guarantor nor any of their respective Subsidiaries is engaged in the business
of extending credit for the purpose of purchasing or carrying margin stock, and
no proceeds of any Credit Extension will be used to acquire any "margin stock".
Terms for which meanings are provided in F.R.S. Board Regulation G, U or X or
any regulations substituted therefor, as from time to time in effect, are used
in this Section with such meanings.

         SECTION 6.14. Accuracy of Information. All material factual
information concerning the financial condition, operations or prospects of the
Borrower, each Parent Guarantor and their respective Subsidiaries heretofore or
contemporaneously furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower, any Parent
Guarantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries in writing to the Agents, the
Documentation Agent, the Arranger, the Issuer or any Lender for purposes of or
in connection with this Agreement or any transaction contemplated hereby or
with respect to the Transaction is, and all other such factual information
hereafter furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower, any Parent Guarantor or
any of their respective Subsidiaries to the Agents, the Documentation Agent,
the Arranger, the Issuer or any Lender will be, taken as a whole, true and
accurate in all material respects on the date as of which such information is
dated or certified and 


                                     -69-
<PAGE>

such information is not, or shall not be, taken as a whole, as the case may be,
incomplete by omitting to state any material fact necessary to make such
information not misleading at such time in light of the circumstances under
which such statements were made. Any term or provision of this Section to the
contrary notwithstanding, insofar as any of the factual information described
above includes assumptions, estimates, projections or opinions, no
representation or warranty is made herein with respect thereto; provided,
however, that to the extent any such assumptions, estimates, projections or
opinions are based on factual matters, the Borrower and each Parent Guarantor
have reviewed such factual matters and nothing has come to the attention of any
such Person in the context of such review which would lead it to believe that
such factual matters were not or are not true and correct in all material
respects or that such factual matters omit to state any material fact necessary
to make such assumptions, estimates, projections or opinions not misleading in
any material respect.

         SECTION 6.15. Solvency. The Transaction (including, among other
things, the incurrence of the initial Credit Extension hereunder and the
execution and delivery by the Guarantors of the Guarantees) will not involve or
result in any fraudulent transfer or fraudulent conveyance under the provisions
of Section 548 of the Bankruptcy Code (11 U.S.C. ss.101 et seq., as from time
to time hereafter amended, and any successor or similar statute) or any
applicable state law respecting fraudulent transfers or fraudulent conveyances.
On the Closing Date, after giving effect to the Transaction, Holdings and its
Subsidiaries and the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, in each case taken as a
whole, are Solvent.

         SECTION 6.16. Pharmaceutical Laws. (a) The Borrower, each Parent
Guarantor and each of their respective Subsidiaries has obtained all permits,
licenses and other authorizations which are required with respect to the
ownership and operations of its business under any Pharmaceutical Law, except
where the failure to obtain such permits, licenses or other authorizations
would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         (b) The Borrower, each Parent Guarantor and each of their respective
Subsidiaries is in compliance with all terms and conditions of all such
permits, licenses, orders and authorizations, and is also in compliance with
all Pharmaceutical Laws, including all other limitations, restrictions,
conditions, standards, prohibitions, requirements, obligations, schedules and
timetables contained in the Pharmaceutical Laws, except where the failure to
comply with such terms, conditions or laws would not reasonably be expected to
have a Material Adverse Effect.

         (c) Other than as set forth in Item 6.16(c) ("Pharmaceutical
Liabilities") of the Disclosure Schedule, none of the Borrower, any Parent
Guarantor nor any of their respective Subsidiaries has any liabilities, any
claims against it and presently any outstanding notices imposed or based upon
any provision of any Pharmaceutical Law, except for such liabilities, claims,
citations or notices which individually or in the aggregate would not
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         SECTION 6.17. Seniority of the Obligations and Senior Debt under the
Senior Subordinated Indenture. (a) The Senior Subordinated Notes have been
issued and sold to the 


                                     -70-
<PAGE>

underwriters thereof on the Closing Date in accordance with and pursuant to the
Senior Subordinated Note Indenture and the other Senior Subordinated Note
Documents and in compliance with all laws, including the Securities Act of
1933, as amended and all other applicable federal and state securities laws.
The issuance of the Senior Subordinated Notes and the execution of the Senior
Subordinated Note Indenture and the other Senior Subordinated Note Documents
have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of
Holdings, the Borrower and DRI I and will not require any consent or approval
of any governmental agency or authority that has not been obtained prior to the
Closing Date. The issuance of the Senior Subordinated Notes and the execution
of the Senior Subordinated Note Indenture and the other Senior Subordinated
Note Documents do not conflict with (i) any material provision of any material
law, (ii) the Organic Documents of Holdings, the Borrower or DRI I, (iii) any
material agreement binding upon Holdings, the Borrower or DRI I, or (iv) any
material court or administrative order or decree applicable to Holdings, the
Borrower or DRI I, and do not and will not require, or result in, the creation
or imposition of any Lien on any asset of Holdings, the Borrower or DRI I. All
representations and warranties of Holdings, the Borrower or DRI I contained in
the Senior Subordinated Note Indenture and the other Senior Subordinated Note
Documents are true and correct in all material respects as of the Closing Date.

         (b) Each Senior Subordinated Note Document (including the Senior
Subordinated Notes and the Senior Subordinated Notes Guarantee) constitutes the
legal, valid and binding obligation of each of Holdings and the Borrower, as
the case may be, enforceable against each of Holdings and the Borrower, as the
case may be, in accordance with its terms. The subordination provisions of each
such Senior Subordinated Note Document will be enforceable against the holders
of the Senior Subordinated Notes by the holder of any "Senior Debt" (as defined
in the Senior Subordinated Note Indenture). All Obligations, including those to
pay principal of and interest (including post-petition interest) on the Loans
and Reimbursement Obligations, and fees and expenses in connection therewith,
constitute "Senior Debt" (as defined in the Senior Subordinated Note Indenture)
and all such Obligations are entitled to the benefits of the subordination
created by such Senior Subordinated Note Document. Each of Holdings and the
Borrower acknowledges that the Agents, the Documentation Agent, the Issuer and
each Lender is entering into this Agreement, and is extending its Commitments,
in reliance upon the subordination provisions of such Senior Subordinated Note
Documents and this Section.





                                  ARTICLE VII

                                   COVENANTS

         SECTION 7.1. Affirmative Covenants. Each of the Borrower and each
Parent Guarantor agrees with the Agents, the Documentation Agent, the Issuer
and each Lender that, until all Commitments have terminated, all Letters of
Credit have terminated or expired and all 


                                     -71-
<PAGE>

Obligations have been paid and performed in full, each of the Borrower and each
Parent Guarantor will perform, or cause to be performed by their respective
Subsidiaries, the obligations set forth in this Section 7.1.

         SECTION 7.1.1. Financial Information, Reports, Notices, etc. Holdings
will furnish, or will cause to be furnished, to each Lender, the Documentation
Agent, the Issuer and each Agent copies of the following financial statements,
reports, notices and information:

                  (a) as soon as available and in any event within 30 days
         after the end of each fiscal month other than the last such month of
         any Fiscal Quarter of Holdings, a consolidated balance sheet of
         Holdings and its Subsidiaries as at the end of such month, together,
         in each case, with the related consolidated statements of income and
         cash flows for such month and for the period commencing at the end of
         the previous Fiscal Year and ending with the last day of such month,
         certified by the chief financial or accounting Authorized Officer of
         Holdings;

                  (b) as soon as available and in any event within 60 days
         after the end of each of the first three Fiscal Quarters of each
         Fiscal Year of Holdings (or, if Holdings is required to file such
         information on a Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange
         Commission, promptly following such filing), a consolidated balance
         sheet of Holdings and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such Fiscal
         Quarter, together, in each case, with the related consolidated
         statements of income and cash flows for such Fiscal Quarter and for
         the period commencing at the end of the previous Fiscal Year and
         ending with the end of such Fiscal Quarter, certified by the chief
         financial or accounting Authorized Officer of Holdings;

                  (c) as soon as available and in any event within 90 days
         after the end of each Fiscal Year of Holdings (or, if Holdings is
         required to file such information on a Form 10-K with the Securities
         and Exchange Commission, promptly following such filing), a copy of
         the annual audit report for such Fiscal Year for Holdings and its
         Subsidiaries, including therein a consolidated balance sheet for
         Holdings and its Subsidiaries as of the end of such Fiscal Year,
         together with the related consolidated statements of income and cash
         flows for such Fiscal Year certified (without any Impermissible
         Qualification) by Price Waterhouse LLP or another nationally
         recognized firm of independent public accountants acceptable to the
         Agents, together with a certificate from such accountants as to
         whether, in making the examination necessary for the signing of such
         annual report by such accountants, they have not become aware of any
         Default that has occurred and is continuing or, if in the opinion of
         such accounting firm such a Default has occurred and is continuing, a
         statement as to the nature thereof;

                  (d) together with the delivery of the financial information
         required pursuant to clauses (b) and (c), a Compliance Certificate, in
         substantially the form of Exhibit E, executed by the chief financial
         or accounting Authorized Officer of Holdings, showing (in reasonable
         detail and with appropriate calculations and computations in all
         respects

                                     -72-

<PAGE>



         satisfactory to the Agents) compliance with, among other things, the
         financial covenants set forth in Section 7.2.4;

                  (e) (i) as soon as available and in any event no later than
         60 days after the first day of each Fiscal Year of Holdings, an annual
         budget, setting forth on a monthly basis and in reasonable detail for
         such Fiscal Year of Holdings and its Subsidiaries containing
         consolidated and consolidating projected statements of earnings and
         cash flow and (ii) together with the delivery of financial statements
         pursuant to clause (a), (b) or (c) above, a comparison of the current
         year to date financial results (other than in respect of the balance
         sheets included therein) against the budgets required to be submitted
         pursuant to this clause (e);

                  (f) as soon as possible and in any event within five Business
         Days after obtaining knowledge of the occurrence of any Default, a
         statement of the president, chief executive officer, treasurer,
         assistant treasurer, controller or chief financial or accounting
         Authorized Officer of the Borrower or Holdings setting forth details
         of such Default and the action which the Borrower or Holdings, as the
         case may be, has taken or proposes to take with respect thereto;

                  (g) as soon as possible and in any event within five Business
         Days after (x) the occurrence of any material adverse development with
         respect to any litigation, action, proceeding, labor controversy,
         arbitration or governmental investigation or proceeding described in
         Section 6.7 or (y) the commencement of any labor controversy,
         litigation, action, proceeding of the type described in Section 6.7,
         notice thereof and of the action which the Borrower or Holdings has
         taken or proposes to take with respect thereto;

                  (h) promptly after the sending or filing thereof, copies of
         all reports and registration statements (other than exhibits thereto
         and any registration statement on Form S-8 or its equivalent) which
         the Borrower, any Parent Guarantor or any of their respective
         Subsidiaries files with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any
         national securities exchange;

                  (i) as soon as practicable after the chief executive or chief
         financial or accounting Authorized Officer of Holdings or the chief
         executive or chief financial or accounting officer of a member of
         Holdings' Controlled Group becomes aware of (i) formal steps in
         writing to terminate any Pension Plan or (ii) the occurrence of any
         event with respect to a Pension Plan which, in the case of (i) or
         (ii), could reasonably be expected to result in a contribution to such
         Pension Plan by (or a liability to) Holdings or a member of the
         Holdings' Controlled Group in excess of $1,000,000, (iii) the failure
         to make a required contribution to any Pension Plan if such failure is
         sufficient to give rise to a Lien under section 302(f) of ERISA, (iv)
         the taking of any action with respect to a Pension Plan which could
         reasonably be expected to result in the requirement that Holdings or
         any of its Subsidiaries furnish a bond to the PBGC or such Pension
         Plan or (v) any material increase in the contingent liability of
         Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries with respect to

                                     -73-
<PAGE>



         any post-retirement Welfare Plan benefit, notice thereof and copies of
         all documentation relating thereto;

                  (j) as soon as possible and in any event within five Business
         Days after the delivery thereof, copies of all notices, agreements or
         documents delivered pursuant to the Senior Subordinated Note Documents
         and each other agreement for borrowed money to which any Parent
         Guarantor, the Borrower or any their respective Subsidiaries is a
         party and with a commitment or outstandings exceeding $3,000,000,
         except for such notices, agreements or documents delivered pursuant to
         the terms hereof; and

                  (k) such other information respecting the condition or
         operations, financial or otherwise, of the Borrower, any Parent
         Guarantor or any of their respective Subsidiaries as any Lender
         through any Agent may from time to time reasonably request.

         SECTION 7.1.2. Compliance with Laws, etc. Each of the Borrower and
each Parent Guarantor will, and will cause each of their respective
Subsidiaries to, comply in all material respects with all applicable laws,
rules, regulations, orders, decrees, judgments and injunctions, such compliance
to include (a) the maintenance and preservation of its corporate or partnership
existence and qualification as a foreign corporation or partnership, (b) the
payment, before the same become delinquent, of all material taxes, assessments
and governmental charges imposed upon it or upon its property except to the
extent being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which
adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP shall have been set aside on its
books and (c) compliance with all Pharmaceutical Laws.

         SECTION 7.1.3. Maintenance of Properties. Each of the Borrower and
each Parent Guarantor will, and will cause each of their respective
Subsidiaries to, maintain, preserve, protect and keep its material properties
in good repair, working order and condition (ordinary wear and tear excepted),
and make necessary and proper repairs, renewals and replacements so that its
business carried on in connection therewith may be properly conducted at all
times unless the Borrower determines in good faith that the continued
maintenance of any of such properties is no longer economically desirable.

         SECTION 7.1.4. Insurance. Each of the Borrower and each Parent
Guarantor will, and will cause each of their respective Subsidiaries to,
maintain or cause to be maintained with insurance companies rated A- or better
by A.M. Best Company insurance with respect to its properties and business
against such casualties and contingencies and of such types and in such amounts
as is customary in the case of similar businesses in similar geographic
locations and with such provisions and endorsements as the Agents may
reasonably request (provided that in no event will any deductible or
self-insured retention in respect of liability claims or in respect of casualty
damage exceed, in each such case, $500,000 per occurrence) and will, upon
request of the Agents, furnish to the Agents, the Documentation Agent and each
Lender a certificate of an Authorized Officer of the Borrower setting forth the
nature and extent of all insurance maintained by each of the Borrower, each
Parent Guarantor and each of their respective Subsidiaries in accordance with
this Section. Without limiting the foregoing, each of the


                                     -74-
<PAGE>





Borrower and each Parent Guarantor will, and will cause each of their
respective Subsidiaries to, ensure that:

                  (a) Each policy for property insurance shall show the
         Administrative Agent as loss payee.

                  (b) Each policy for liability insurance shall show the
         Administrative Agent as an additional insured.

                  (c) With respect to each life insurance policy, the Borrower,
         such Parent Guarantor or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall
         execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent a collateral
         assignment, notice of which has been acknowledged in writing by the
         insurer.

                  (d) Each insurance policy shall provide that at least 30
         days' prior written notice of cancellation or of lapse shall be given
         to the Administrative Agent by the insurer.

                  (e) The Borrower, such Parent Guarantor or such Subsidiary,
         as the case may be, shall, if so requested by the Administrative
         Agent, deliver to the Administrative Agent a copy of each insurance
         policy.

         SECTION 7.1.5. Books and Records. Each of the Borrower and each Parent
Guarantor will, and will cause each of their respective Subsidiaries to, (a)
keep books and records which accurately reflect in all material respects all of
its business affairs and transactions and (b) permit the Agents, the
Documentation Agent, the Issuer and each Lender or any of their respective
representatives, at reasonable times and intervals, and upon reasonable notice,
(i) to visit all of its offices, (ii) to discuss its financial matters with its
officers and, after notice to the Borrower and provision of an opportunity for
the Borrower to participate in such discussion, its independent public
accountant (and each of the Borrower and each Parent Guarantor hereby
authorizes, and will cause each of their respective Subsidiaries to authorize,
such independent public accountant to discuss the Borrower's, such Parent
Guarantor's or such Subsidiary's financial matters with the Issuer and each
Lender or its representatives whether or not any representative of the
Borrower, such Parent Guarantor or such Subsidiary is present, so long as the
Borrower, such Parent Guarantor or such Subsidiary has been afforded a
reasonable opportunity to be present) and (iii) to examine, and photocopy
extracts from, any of its books or other corporate or partnership records. The
cost and expense of one such visit (the "Paid Visit") by each Agent in each
Fiscal Year shall be borne by the Borrower; provided, however, that the cost
and expenses of any visit made by such Agent after a Default or an Event of
Default has occurred and is then continuing shall be for the account of the
Borrower and shall not count as the Paid Visit made by such Agent.

         SECTION 7.1.6. Environmental Covenant. Each of the Borrower and each
Parent Guarantor will, and will cause each of their respective Subsidiaries to,


                                     -75-
<PAGE>

 

                  (a) use and operate all of its facilities and properties in
         material compliance with all Environmental Laws, keep all necessary
         permits, approvals, certificates, licenses and other authorizations
         relating to environmental matters in effect and remain in material
         compliance therewith, and handle all Hazardous Materials in material
         compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws;

                  (b) (i) ensure that the 10,000 gallon steel underground
         storage tank located at the Borrower's facility at 49-29 30th Place,
         Long Island City, New York, is tested in accordance with accepted
         industry procedures within three months from the Closing Date by an
         environmental consulting firm reasonably acceptable to the Syndication
         Agent and (ii) take corrective measures in accordance with accepted
         industry procedures to ensure the Borrower's compliance with all
         applicable federal and state rules and regulations if leakage is
         found;

                  (c) immediately notify the Agents and provide copies upon
         receipt of all written claims, complaints, notices or inquiries
         relating to the condition of its facilities and properties or
         compliance with Environmental Laws; and

                  (d) provide such information and certifications which the
         Agents may reasonably request from time to time to evidence compliance
         with this Section 7.1.6.

         SECTION 7.1.7. Future Subsidiaries. Each of the Borrower and each
Parent Guarantor hereby covenants and agrees that, upon any Person becoming,
after the Closing Date, a Subsidiary of the Borrower, or (in the case of clause
(b) below only) upon the Borrower or any Subsidiary acquiring additional
Capital Stock of any existing Subsidiary, the Borrower shall notify the Agents
of such acquisition, and

                  (a) the Borrower shall promptly cause such Subsidiary to
         execute and deliver to the Administrative Agent, with counterparts for
         each Lender, a Subsidiary Guaranty (or a supplement thereto in the
         form of the exhibit thereto), the Subsidiary Security Agreement (or a
         supplement thereto in the form of the exhibit thereto) (and, if such
         Subsidiary owns any real property, a Mortgage) and a Perfection
         Certificate, together with Uniform Commercial Code financing
         statements (form UCC-1) executed and delivered by the Subsidiary
         naming the Subsidiary as the debtor and the Administrative Agent as
         the secured party, or other similar instruments or documents, in
         appropriate form for filing under the Uniform Commercial Code and any
         other applicable recording statutes, in the case of real property, of
         all jurisdictions as may be necessary or, in the opinion of the
         Administrative Agent, desirable to perfect the security interest of
         the Administrative Agent pursuant to the Subsidiary Security Agreement
         or a Mortgage, as the case may be; and

                  (b) the Borrower shall promptly deliver the Borrower Pledge
         Agreement to the Agents, duly executed and delivered by an Authorized
         Officer of the Borrower (unless so executed and delivered previously),
         and shall promptly deliver, or cause to be delivered, 


                                     -76-
<PAGE>

         the Subsidiary Pledge Agreement to the Agents, duly executed and
         delivered by an Authorized Officer of the relevant Subsidiary (unless
         so executed and delivered previously), and shall promptly deliver, or
         cause to be delivered, to the Administrative Agent under a Pledge
         Agreement (or a supplement thereto) certificates (if any) representing
         all of the issued and outstanding shares of Capital Stock of such
         Subsidiary owned by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower, as
         the case may be, along with undated stock powers for such
         certificates, executed in blank, or, if any securities subject thereto
         are uncertificated securities or are held through a financial
         intermediary, confirmation and evidence satisfactory to the Agents
         that appropriate book entries have been made in the relevant books or
         records of a financial intermediary or the issuer of such securities,
         as the case may be, or other appropriate steps shall have been taken
         under applicable law resulting in the perfection of the security
         interest granted in favor of the Administrative Agent pursuant to the
         terms of a Pledge Agreement;

together, in each case, with such opinions, in form and substance and from
counsel satisfactory to the Agents, as the Agents may reasonably request;
provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, no Foreign Subsidiary
shall be required to execute and deliver (x) a Mortgage or the Subsidiary
Security Agreement (or a supplement thereto) or (y) the Subsidiary Guaranty (or
a supplement thereto) in the event that such execution and delivery thereof
would result in a material increase in tax or similar liabilities for the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis, nor will the Borrower
or any Subsidiary of the Borrower be required to deliver in pledge pursuant to
a Pledge Agreement in excess of 65% of the total combined voting power of all
classes of Capital Stock of a Foreign Subsidiary entitled to vote in the event
that such pledge would result in a material increase in tax or similar
liabilities for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis.

         SECTION 7.1.8. Future Leased Property and Future Acquisitions of Real
Property; Future Acquisition of Other Property. (a) Prior to entering into any
new lease of real property or renewing any existing lease of real property
following the Closing Date, each of the Borrower and each Parent Guarantor
shall, and shall cause each of their respective Subsidiaries that is not a
Foreign Subsidiary to, use its (and their) commercially reasonable best efforts
(which shall not require the expenditure of cash or the making of any material
concessions under the relevant lease) to deliver to the Administrative Agent a
Waiver executed by the lessor of any real property that is to be leased by the
Borrower, such Parent Guarantor or such Subsidiary for a term in excess of one
year in any state which by statute grants such lessor a "landlord's" (or
similar) Lien which is superior to the Administrative Agent's.

         (b) In the event that the Borrower, any Parent Guarantor or any of
their respective Subsidiaries that is not Foreign Subsidiary shall acquire any
real property having a value as determined in good faith by the Agents in
excess of $1,000,000 in the aggregate, the Borrower, such Parent Guarantor or
such Subsidiary shall, promptly after such acquisition, execute a Mortgage and
provide the Agents with (i) evidence of the completion (or satisfactory
arrangements for the completion) of all recordings and filings of such Mortgage
as may be necessary or, in the reasonable opinion of the Agents, desirable
effectively to create a valid, 


                                     -77-
<PAGE>

perfected first priority Lien, subject to Liens permitted by Section 7.2.3,
against the properties purported to be covered thereby, (ii) mortgagee's title
insurance policies in favor of the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the
Secured Parties in amounts and in form and substance and issued by insurers,
reasonably satisfactory to the Agents, with respect to the property purported
to be covered by such Mortgage, insuring that title to such property is
marketable and that the interests created by the Mortgage constitute valid
first Liens thereon free and clear of all defects and encumbrances other than
as approved by the Agents, and such policies shall also include a revolving
credit endorsement and such other endorsements as the Agents shall request and
shall be accompanied by evidence of the payment in full of all premiums
thereon, and (iii) such other approvals, opinions, or documents as the Agents
may reasonably request.

         (c) In accordance with the terms and provisions of the Security
Documents, provide the Agents with evidence of all recordings and filings as
may be necessary or, in the reasonable opinion of the Agents, desirable to
create a valid, perfected first priority Lien, subject to the Liens permitted
by Section 7.2.3, against all property acquired after the Closing Date
(excluding leases of real property) and not otherwise subject to Section 5.1.7.

         SECTION 7.1.9. Use of Proceeds, etc. The Borrower shall, and each
Parent Guarantor shall cause the Borrower to,

                  (a)  apply the proceeds of the Loans

                                    (i) to (A) make a distribution on the
                           Closing Date to Holdings to enable Holdings to
                           defease and redeem the Holdings Subordinated Notes,
                           (B) defease and redeem the Senior Notes and (C)
                           refinance existing Indebtedness of the Borrower
                           under the Existing Credit Agreement and to pay any
                           and all accrued interest, prepayment premiums and
                           reasonable fees and expenses associated with the
                           Transaction; and

                                    (ii) in the case of Revolving Loans and
                           Swing Line Loans, for the general corporate purposes
                           of (A) the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, including
                           working capital needs and financing for store
                           expansions and acquisitions and (B) Holdings, to the
                           extent permitted under Section 7.2.6; and

                  (b) use Letters of Credit only for purposes of supporting
         working capital and general corporate purposes of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries.

         SECTION 7.1.10. Hedging Obligations. Within nine months following the
Closing Date, the Syndication Agent shall have received evidence satisfactory
to it that the Borrower has entered into Rate Protection Agreements designed to
protect the Borrower against fluctuations in interest rates with respect to the
Term Loans with terms reasonably satisfactory to the Syndication Agent.

                                     -78-
<PAGE>

         SECTION 7.1.11. Redemptions. (a) Holdings shall redeem all outstanding
Holdings Subordinated Notes at a price of no more than 107.5% of the Accreted
Value thereof no later than March 16, 1998, on terms and conditions (including
in respect of all documentation related thereto) reasonably satisfactory to the
Syndication Agent.

         (b) The Borrower shall redeem all of its outstanding Senior Notes at a
price of no more than 104.5% of the principal amount thereof no later than
March 16, 1998, on terms and conditions (including in respect of all
documentation related thereto) reasonably satisfactory to the Syndication
Agent.

         SECTION 7.1.12. Maintenance of Corporate Separateness. Each Parent
Guarantor will satisfy customary corporate formalities, including the
maintenance of corporate records. Each Parent Guarantor shall not make any
payment to a creditor of any other Obligor in respect of any liability of such
Obligor (other than pursuant to a Contingent Liability permitted hereunder),
and no bank account of such Parent Guarantor shall be commingled with any bank
account of any other Obligor. Any financial statements distributed to any
creditors of any Parent Guarantor shall, to the extent permitted by GAAP,
clearly establish the corporate separateness of such Parent Guarantor from each
other Obligor. Finally, each Parent Guarantor shall not take any action, or
conduct its affairs in a manner, which is likely to result in the corporate
existence of such Parent Guarantor on the one hand and of any other Obligor on
the other hand being ignored, or in the assets and liabilities of such other
Obligor being substantively consolidated with those of such Parent Guarantor in
a bankruptcy, reorganization or other insolvency proceeding.

         SECTION 7.1.13. Borrower Indebtedness. Any Indebtedness of the
Borrower now or hereafter held by any Parent Guarantor or any of their
respective Subsidiaries (other than the Borrower) is hereby subordinated to the
Indebtedness of the Borrower to the Agents, the Issuer and the Lenders; and
such indebtedness of the Borrower to such Parent Guarantor or such Subsidiary,
if the Agents, after an Event of Default has occurred, so requests, shall be
collected, enforced and received by such Parent Guarantor or such Subsidiary as
trustee for the Agents, the Issuer and the Lenders and be paid over to the
Administrative Agent on behalf of the Agents, the Issuer and the Lenders on
account of the indebtedness of the Borrower to the Agents, the Issuer and the
Lenders, but without affecting or impairing in any manner the obligations of
such Parent Guarantor or such Subsidiary hereunder or under each other Loan
Document to which it is a party. Prior to the transfer by any Parent Guarantor
or any their respective Subsidiaries (other than the Borrower) of any note or
negotiable instrument evidencing any indebtedness of the Borrower to such
Parent Guarantor or such Subsidiary, such Parent Guarantor or such Subsidiary
shall mark such note or negotiable instrument with a legend that the same is
subject to this subordination.

         SECTION 7.2. Negative Covenants. Each of the Borrower and each Parent
Guarantor agrees with the Agents, the Documentation Agent, the Issuer and each
Lender that, until all Commitments have terminated, all Letters of Credit have
terminated or expired and all 


                                     -79-
<PAGE>

Obligations have been paid and performed in full, each of the Borrower and each
Parent Guarantor will perform the obligations set forth in this Section 7.2.

         SECTION 7.2.1. Business Activities. (a) The Borrower will not, and
will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, engage in any business activity,
except business activities of the type in which the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries are engaged on the date hereof and such activities as may be
incidental, similar or related thereto.

         (b) No Parent Guarantor will engage in any business activity other
than (i) its continuing ownership of (A) in the case of Holdings, its 99%
general partnership interest in the Borrower and all the shares of Capital
Stock of DRI I and (B) in the case of DRI I, its 1% general partnership
interest in the Borrower, and (ii) its compliance with all applicable laws,
rules and regulations (including SEC reporting requirements) and the
obligations applicable to it under the Loan Documents and the Material
Documents to which such Parent Guarantor is a party. Without limiting the
generality of the immediately preceding sentence, no Parent Guarantor will take
any action, including the filing of any income tax return, that would result in
the Borrower ceasing to be treated as a partnership within meaning of Section
761(a) of the Code for Federal income tax purposes.

         SECTION 7.2.2. Indebtedness. Each of the Borrower and each Parent
Guarantor will not, and will not permit any of their respective Subsidiaries
to, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist or otherwise become or be liable
in respect of any Indebtedness, other than, without duplication, the following:

                  (a) Indebtedness in respect of the Credit Extensions and
         other Obligations;

                  (b) until the Closing Date, Indebtedness identified in Item
         7.2.2(b) ("Indebtedness to be Paid") of the Disclosure Schedule;

                  (c) Indebtedness identified in Item 7.2.2(c) ("Ongoing
         Indebtedness") of the Disclosure Schedule;

                  (d) (i) Indebtedness of Holdings evidenced by the Senior
         Subordinated Notes and (ii) Indebtedness of the Borrower, DRI I and
         each other Subsidiary of Holdings consisting of Contingent Liabilities
         under the Senior Subordinated Notes Guarantees in respect of the
         Indebtedness described in clause (d)(i);

                  (e) Indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount not to
         exceed $15,000,000 at any time outstanding which is, or has been,
         incurred by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (i) to a vendor of
         any assets permitted to be acquired pursuant to Section 7.2.7 to
         finance its acquisition of such assets or (ii) in respect of
         Capitalized Lease Liabilities to the extent permitted by Section
         7.2.7;

                  (f) Indebtedness of the Borrower owing to any Subsidiary
         Guarantor;



                                     -80-
<PAGE>

                  (g) Indebtedness of Subsidiary Guarantors that are
         Wholly-owned Subsidiaries of the Borrower owing to the Borrower or any
         other Subsidiary Guarantor;

                  (h) Indebtedness of Subsidiaries of the Borrower owing to the
         Borrower or a Subsidiary Guarantor to the extent permitted by clause
         (e) of Section 7.2.5;

                  (i) Hedging Obligations of the Borrower in respect of the
         Loans;

                  (j) unsecured Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of business (including
         open accounts extended by suppliers on normal trade terms in
         connection with purchases of goods and services, but excluding
         Indebtedness incurred through the borrowing of money or Contingent
         Liabilities);

                  (k) Indebtedness of the Borrower incurred under the Rapid
         Remit Program in an aggregate amount at any time outstanding not to
         exceed $5,000,000;

                  (l) Indebtedness which refinances Indebtedness permitted by
         clause (c) and (d) above; provided, however, that after giving effect
         to such refinancing, (i) the principal amount of outstanding
         Indebtedness is not increased (other than in the case of a refinancing
         of Indebtedness permitted by clause (d) above by the amount of
         reasonable fees and expenses incurred in connection with such
         refinancing), (ii) neither the tenor nor the average life thereof is
         reduced, (iii) the respective obligor or obligors shall be the same on
         the refinancing Indebtedness as on the Indebtedness being refinanced,
         (iv) the security, if any, for the refinancing Indebtedness shall be
         the same as that for the Indebtedness being refinanced (except to the
         extent that less security is granted to holders of such refinancing
         Indebtedness), (v) the holders of such refinancing Indebtedness are
         not afforded covenants, defaults, rights or remedies more burdensome
         to the obligor or obligors than those contained in the Indebtedness
         being refinanced and (vi) the refinancing Indebtedness is subordinated
         to the same degree, if any, as the Indebtedness being refinanced; and

                  (m) other unsecured Indebtedness of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount at any time outstanding not to
         exceed $7,500,000;

provided, however, that (i) no Indebtedness otherwise permitted by clause (e)
or (m) may be incurred if, after giving effect to the incurrence thereof, any
Default shall have occurred and be continuing and (ii) no Indebtedness
otherwise permitted hereunder by any of clauses (a) through (m) may be incurred
if, after giving effect to the application thereof, there shall be a "Default"
or "Event of Default" under and as defined in the Senior Subordinated Note
Indenture, as in effect on the Closing Date.

         SECTION 7.2.3. Liens. Each of the Borrower and each Parent Guarantor
will not, and will not permit any of their respective Subsidiaries to, create,
incur, assume or suffer to exist any 


                                     -81-
<PAGE>

Lien upon any of its property, revenues or assets, whether now owned or
hereafter acquired, except:

                  (a) Liens securing payment of the Obligations or any Hedging
         Obligations owed to any Lender or any Affiliate of any Lender, granted
         pursuant to any Loan Document;

                  (b) until the Closing Date, Liens securing payment of
         Indebtedness of the type permitted and described in clause (b) of
         Section 7.2.2;

                  (c) Liens granted prior to the Closing Date to secure payment
         of Indebtedness of the type permitted and described in clause (c) of
         Section 7.2.2;

                  (d) Liens granted to secure payment of Indebtedness of the
         type permitted and described in clause (e) of Section 7.2.2 and
         covering only those assets acquired with the proceeds of such
         Indebtedness;

                  (e) Liens for taxes, assessments or other governmental
         charges or levies not at the time delinquent or thereafter payable
         without penalty or being diligently contested in good faith by
         appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves in accordance
         with GAAP shall have been set aside on its books;

                  (f) Liens of carriers, warehousemen, mechanics, materialmen
         and landlords incurred in the ordinary course of business for sums not
         overdue or being diligently contested in good faith by appropriate
         proceedings and for which adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP
         shall have been set aside on its books;

                  (g) Liens incurred in the ordinary course of business in
         connection with workmen's compensation, unemployment insurance or
         other forms of governmental insurance or benefits, or to secure
         performance of tenders, statutory obligations, leases and contracts
         (other than for borrowed money) entered into in the ordinary course of
         business or to secure obligations on surety or appeal bonds;

                  (h) judgment Liens in existence less than 15 days after the
         entry thereof or with respect to which execution has been stayed or
         the payment of which is covered in full (subject to a customary
         deductible) by insurance maintained with insurance companies of the
         nature described in Section 7.1.4;

                  (i) Liens granted by the Borrower in favor of Pharmacy Fund
         (A) securing the recourse obligations owing to Pharmacy Fund pursuant
         to the Rapid Remit Program for rejected or adjusted Prescription
         Receivables, (B) consisting of the right of set-off granted to
         Pharmacy Fund in connection with rejected or adjusted receivables,
         other payments owing to Pharmacy Fund and administrative fees and
         expenses pursuant to the Rapid Remit Program and (C) consisting of
         precautionary liens on receivables, chattel paper, general intangibles
         and the proceeds thereof directly related to the Rapid Remit Program;
         and

                                     -82-
<PAGE>

                  (j) Liens with respect to minor imperfections of title and
         easements, rights-of-way, restrictions, reservations, permits,
         servitudes and other similar encumbrances on real property and
         fixtures which do not materially detract from the value or materially
         impair the use by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in the
         ordinary course of their business of the property subject thereto.

         SECTION 7.2.4. Financial Covenants. (a) Net Worth. Each of the
Borrower and each Parent Guarantor will not permit Net Worth at any time from
and after the last day of the 1998 Fiscal Year to be less than an amount equal
to 50% of the cumulative Net Income (in excess of zero) for the period from the
first day of the 1998 Fiscal Year to the end of the Fiscal Quarter most
recently ended on or prior to such date of determination.

         (b) Leverage Ratio. Each of the Borrower and each Parent Guarantor
will not permit the Leverage Ratio as of the end of any Fiscal Quarter ending
after the Closing Date and occurring during any period set forth below to be
greater than the ratio set forth opposite such period:


                 Period                                        Leverage Ratio
                 ------                                        --------------
 first Fiscal Quarter of the 1998
                  Fiscal Year through the                          5.50:1
                  Fiscal Quarter of the third
                  Fiscal Year 1998

 fourth Fiscal Quarter of the 1998
                  Fiscal Year through the                          5.00:1
                  Fiscal Quarter of the third
                  Fiscal Year  1999

 fourth Fiscal Quarter of the 1999
                  Fiscal Year through the                          4.00:1
                  Fiscal Quarter of the third
                  Fiscal Year 2000

 fourth Fiscal Quarter of the 2000                                 3.00:1
                  Fiscal Year and each Fiscal
                  Quarter thereafter

         (c) Interest Coverage Ratio. Each of the Borrower and each Parent
Guarantor will not permit the Interest Coverage Ratio as of the end of any
Fiscal Quarter ending after the Closing Date and occurring during any period
set forth below to be less than the ratio set forth opposite such period:


                                     -83-
<PAGE>

                 Period                                Interest Coverage Ratio
                 ------                                -----------------------
 first Fiscal Quarter of the 1998
                  Fiscal Year through the                       1.85:1
                  Fiscal Quarter of the third
                  Fiscal Year 1998

 fourth Fiscal Quarter of the 1998
                  Fiscal Year through the                       2.10:1
                  Fiscal Quarter of the third
                  Fiscal Year 1999

 fourth Fiscal Quarter of the 1999
                  Fiscal Year through the                       2.50:1
                  Fiscal Quarter of the third
                  Fiscal Year 2000

 fourth Fiscal Quarter of the 2000                              3.00:1
                  Fiscal Year and each Fiscal
                  Quarter thereafter

         (d) Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. Each of the Borrower and each Parent
Guarantor will not permit the Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio as of the end of any
Fiscal Quarter ending after the Closing Date to be less than 1.10:1.

         SECTION 7.2.5. Investments. Each of the Borrower and each Parent
Guarantor will not, and will not permit any of their respective Subsidiaries
to, make, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Investment in any other Person,
except:

                  (a) Investments existing on the Closing Date and identified
         in Item 7.2.5(a) ("Ongoing Investments") of the Disclosure Schedule;

                  (b) Cash Equivalent Investments;

                  (c) without duplication, Investments permitted as
         Indebtedness pursuant to Section 7.2.2;

                  (d) without duplication, Investments permitted as Capital
         Expenditures of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries pursuant to Section
         7.2.7;

                  (e) Investments by any Parent Guarantor, the Borrower or any
         Subsidiary Guarantor in the Borrower or Subsidiary Guarantors that are
         Wholly-owned Subsidiaries of the Borrower;

                                     -84-
<PAGE>

                  (f) Investments to the extent the consideration received
         pursuant to clause (c)(i) of Section 7.2.9 is not all cash;

                  (g) Investments in the form of loans to officers, directors
         and employees of Holdings and its Subsidiaries for the sole purpose of
         purchasing Capital Stock of Holdings (or purchases of such loans made
         by others) in an aggregate amount at any time outstanding not to
         exceed $3,000,000;

                  (h) other Investments made by the Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries, by way of contributions to capital, the making of loans
         or advances or the incurrence of Contingent Liabilities, in an
         aggregate amount not to exceed

                           (i) to the extent such Investments are made with the
                  Capital Stock of Holdings, $30,000,000 since the Closing Date
                  (such amounts in this clause (h)(i) to be determined based on
                  the fair market value of such Capital Stock at the time of
                  such Investments); and

                           (ii) to the extent such Investments are not made
                  with the Capital Stock of Holdings, $20,000,000 since the
                  Closing Date,

         which Investments shall result in the Borrower or the relevant
         Subsidiary acquiring (subject to Section 7.2.1) a majority controlling
         interest in the Person in which such Investment was made or increasing
         any such controlling interest maintained by it in such Person; or

                  (i) other Investments made by the Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries in an aggregate amount not to exceed $1,000,000 at any
         time outstanding;

provided, however, that

                  (j) any Investment which when made complies with the
         requirements of the definition of the term "Cash Equivalent
         Investment" may continue to be held notwithstanding that such
         Investment if made thereafter would not comply with such requirements;

                  (k) no Investment otherwise permitted by clause (c) (except
         to the extent permitted under Section 7.2.2), (f), (g), (h) or (i)
         shall be permitted to be made if, immediately before or after giving
         effect thereto, any Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

                  (l) no Investment otherwise permitted by clauses (a) through
         (i) may be made if, after giving effect to the application thereof,
         there shall be a "Default" or "Event of Default" under and as defined
         in the Senior Subordinated Note Indenture, in each case as in effect
         on the Closing Date.

                                     -85-
<PAGE>

         SECTION 7.2.6. Restricted Payments, etc. On and at all times after the
date hereof:

                  (a) each of the Borrower and each Parent Guarantor will not,
         and will not permit any of their respective Subsidiaries to, declare,
         pay or make any dividend, distribution or exchange (in cash, property
         or obligations) on or in respect of any shares of any class of Capital
         Stock (now or hereafter outstanding) of the Borrower or any Parent
         Guarantor or on any warrants, options or other rights with respect to
         any shares of any class of Capital Stock (now or hereafter
         outstanding) of the Borrower or any Parent Guarantor (other than
         (i) dividends or distributions payable in its common stock or warrants
         to purchase its common stock and (ii) splits or reclassifications of
         its stock into additional or other shares of its common stock) or
         apply, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to apply, any of its funds,
         property or assets to the purchase, redemption, exchange, sinking fund
         or other retirement of, or agree or permit any of its Subsidiaries to
         purchase, redeem or exchange, any shares of any class of Capital Stock
         (now or hereafter outstanding) of the Borrower or any Parent
         Guarantor, warrants, options or other rights with respect to any
         shares of any class of Capital Stock (now or hereafter outstanding) of
         the Borrower or any Parent Guarantor;

                  (b) each of the Borrower and each Parent Guarantor will not,
         and will not permit any of their respective Subsidiaries to, (i) make
         any payment or prepayment of principal of, or make any payment of
         interest on, any subordinated note (including any Senior Subordinated
         Note) on any day other than the stated, scheduled date for such
         payment or prepayment set forth in the documents and instruments
         memorializing such subordinated note, or which would violate the
         subordination provisions of such subordinated note, or (ii) redeem,
         purchase or defease any subordinated note (including any Senior
         Subordinated Note) (the foregoing prohibited acts referred to in
         clauses (a) and (b) above are herein collectively referred to as
         "Restricted Payments");

provided, however, that

                  (c) notwithstanding the provisions of clause (a) above, the
         Borrower shall be permitted to make Restricted Payments to DRI I
         (which shall in turn utilize all of any such Restricted Payment to
         make Restricted Payments to Holdings) and to Holdings to the extent
         necessary to enable Holdings to pay interest on the Senior
         Subordinated Notes, so long as (i) no Default or Event of Default
         exists or would result therefrom and (ii) the Restricted Payments
         referred to below are permitted to be paid at such time under the
         Senior Subordinated Note Indenture;

                  (d) notwithstanding the provisions of clause (a) above, the
         Borrower shall be permitted to make Restricted Payments to Holdings
         and to DRI I (which may in turn utilize all or part of any such
         Restricted Payment to make Restricted Payments to Holdings), in each
         case to the extent necessary to enable Holdings and DRI I

                           (i) to pay their overhead expenses to the extent
                  permitted under the Senior Subordinated Note Indenture as in
                  effect on the Closing Date; provided, that the


                                     -86-
<PAGE>

                  aggregate amount of Restricted Payments paid by the Borrower
                  pursuant to this clause (d)(i) in any Fiscal Year shall not
                  exceed $2,000,000; and

                           (ii) to pay their respective taxes based on income
                  and franchise taxes and other similar licensure expenses; and

                           (iii) to defease and redeem the Holdings
                  Subordinated Notes, as contemplated by Section 7.1.9(a); and

                  (e) so long as (i) no Default or Event of Default shall have
         occurred and be continuing on the date such Restricted Payment is
         declared or to be made, nor would a Default or an Event of Default
         result from the making of such Restricted Payment, (ii) after giving
         effect to the making of such Restricted Payment, Holdings shall be in
         pro forma compliance with the covenants set forth in Section 7.2.4 for
         the most recent fully ended Fiscal Quarter preceding the date of the
         making of such Restricted Payment for which the relevant financial
         information has been delivered pursuant to clause (b) or (c) of
         Section 7.1.1, and (iii) an Authorized Officer of Holdings shall have
         delivered a certificate to the Administrative Agent in form and
         substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (including a
         calculation of Holdings' compliance with the covenants set forth in
         Section 7.2.4 in reasonable detail) certifying as to the accuracy of
         subclauses (i) and (ii) above, the Borrower shall be permitted to make
         Restricted Payments to Holdings and to DRI I (which shall in turn
         utilize all of any such Restricted Payment to make Restricted Payments
         to Holdings), in each case to the extent necessary to enable Holdings
         to repurchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value any
         Capital Stock of Holdings held by any member of management of Holdings
         or any of its Subsidiaries pursuant to any management equity
         subscription agreement or stock option agreement, in each case as in
         effect on the date hereof; provided, however, that (A) the aggregate
         price paid for all such repurchased, redeemed, acquired or retired
         Capital Stock shall not exceed an amount equal to $2,000,000 in any
         twelve month period plus (B) the aggregate cash proceeds received by
         Holdings during such twelve month period from any reissuance of
         Capital Stock of Holdings by Holdings to members of management of
         Holdings or any of its Subsidiaries.

         SECTION 7.2.7. Capital Expenditures, etc. Each of the Borrower and
each Parent Guarantor will not, and will not permit any of their respective
Subsidiaries to, make or commit to make Capital Expenditures in any Fiscal
Year, except Capital Expenditures of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries which do
not aggregate in excess of $25,000,000 in such Fiscal Year; provided, however,
that, to the extent the amount of Capital Expenditures permitted to be made in
any Fiscal Year pursuant to this Section exceeds the aggregate amount of
Capital Expenditures actually made by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries during
such Fiscal Year, up to 50% of such excess amount may be carried forward to
(but only to) the next succeeding Fiscal Year (any such amount to be certified
by Holdings to the Agents in the Compliance Certificate delivered for the last
Fiscal Quarter of such Fiscal Year), and any such amount carried forward to a
succeeding Fiscal Year shall be deemed to be used prior to the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries using the


                                     -87-
<PAGE>

amount of Capital Expenditures permitted by this Section in such succeeding
Fiscal Year, without giving effect to such carry-forward.

         SECTION 7.2.8. Consolidation, Merger, etc. Each of the Borrower and
each Parent Guarantor will not, and will not permit any of their respective
Subsidiaries to, liquidate or dissolve, consolidate with, or merge into or
with, any other corporation, or purchase or otherwise acquire all or
substantially all of the assets of any Person (or of any division thereof)
except

                  (a) any Subsidiary of the Borrower may liquidate or dissolve
         voluntarily into, and may merge with and into, the Borrower (so long
         as the Borrower is the surviving entity of such combination or merger)
         or any other Subsidiary, and the assets or stock of any such
         Subsidiary may be purchased or otherwise acquired by the Borrower or
         any other Subsidiary; provided, that notwithstanding the above, a
         Subsidiary may only liquidate or dissolve into, or merge with and
         into, another Subsidiary of the Borrower if, after giving effect to
         such combination or merger, the Borrower continues to own (directly or
         indirectly), and the Administrative Agent continues to have pledged to
         it pursuant to a Pledge Agreement, a percentage of the issued and
         outstanding shares of Capital Stock (on a fully diluted basis) of the
         Subsidiary surviving such combination or merger that is equal to or in
         excess of the percentage of the issued and outstanding shares of
         Capital Stock (on a fully diluted basis) of the Subsidiary that does
         not survive such combination or merger that was (immediately prior to
         the combination or merger) owned by the Borrower or pledged to the
         Administrative Agent; and

                  (b) so long as no Default has occurred and is continuing or
         would occur after giving effect thereto, the Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries may purchase all or substantially all of the assets of
         any Person (or any division thereof) not then a Subsidiary, or acquire
         such Person by merger, if permitted (without duplication) pursuant to
         Section 7.2.7 or clause (i) of Section 7.2.5.

         SECTION 7.2.9. Asset Dispositions, etc. Each of the Borrower and each
Parent Guarantor will not, and will not permit any of their respective
Subsidiaries to, sell, transfer, lease, contribute or otherwise convey, or
grant options, warrants or other rights with respect to, all or any part of its
assets, whether now owned or hereafter acquired (including accounts receivable
and Capital Stock of Subsidiaries) to any Person, unless:

                  (a) such sale, transfer, lease, contribution or conveyance of
         such assets is (i) in the ordinary course of its business (and does
         not constitute a sale, transfer, lease, contribution or other
         conveyance of all or a substantial part of the Borrower's and its
         Subsidiaries' assets, taken as a whole) or is of obsolete or worn out
         property, (ii) permitted by Section 7.2.8, or (iii) between the
         Borrower and one of its Subsidiary Guarantors or between Subsidiary
         Guarantors of the Borrower;

                  (b) such sale, transfer, lease, contribution or conveyance
         consists of the sale by the Borrower of third party prescription
         receivables resulting from the sale of pharmaceutical



                                     -88-
<PAGE>

         products to customers covered by third party insurance or payment
         programs (the "Prescription Receivables") to Pharmacy Fund, in each
         case pursuant to, and in accordance with the terms of the Rapid Remit
         Program Documents;

                  (c) such sale, transfer, lease, contribution or conveyance by
         (i) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries constitutes (A) an
         Investment permitted under Section 7.2.5 or (B) a Lien permitted under
         Section 7.2.3 or (ii) any Parent Guarantor constitutes an Investment
         permitted under clause (b), (c) or (e) of Section 7.2.5; or

                  (d) (i) such sale, transfer, lease, contribution or
         conveyance by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of such assets
         is for fair market value and the consideration consists of no less
         than 80% in cash (other than assets sold, transferred, leased,
         contributed or conveyed in an individual amount not to exceed $50,000
         and in an aggregate amount not to exceed $500,000 since the Closing
         Date), (ii) the Net Disposition Proceeds received from such assets,
         together with the Net Disposition Proceeds of all other assets sold,
         transferred, leased, contributed or conveyed pursuant to this clause
         (d) since the Closing Date, does not exceed (individually or in the
         aggregate) $10,000,000 over the term of this Agreement and (iii) an
         amount equal to the Net Disposition Proceeds generated from such sale,
         transfer, lease, contribution or conveyance is applied to prepay the
         Loans pursuant to the terms of Sections 3.1.1 and 3.1.2.

         SECTION 7.2.10. Modification of Certain Agreements. Without the prior
written consent of the Required Lenders, each of the Borrower and each Parent
Guarantor will not, and will not permit any of their respective Subsidiaries
to, consent to any amendment, supplement, amendment and restatement, waiver or
other modification of any of the terms or provisions contained in, or
applicable to, any Material Document or any schedules, exhibits or agreements
related thereto, in each case which does not comply with the requirements set
forth in the proviso to clause (l) of Section 7.2.2 or would adversely affect
the rights or remedies of the Lenders, or the Borrower's, such Parent
Guarantor's or such Subsidiary's ability to perform hereunder or under any Loan
Document.

         SECTION 7.2.11. Transactions with Affiliates. Each of the Borrower and
each Parent Guarantor will not, and will not permit any of their respective
Subsidiaries to, enter into, or cause, suffer or permit to exist any
arrangement or contract with any of its other Affiliates unless such
arrangement or contract is fair and equitable to the Borrower, such Parent
Guarantor or such Subsidiary and is an arrangement or contract of the kind
which would be entered into by a prudent Person in the position of the
Borrower, such Parent Guarantor or such Subsidiary with a Person which is not
one of its Affiliates; provided, however that the Borrower, the Parent
Guarantors and their respective Subsidiaries shall be permitted to enter into
and perform their obligations under the Material Documents to which each is a
party as of the Closing Date and arrangements with DLJ and its Affiliates for
underwriting, investment banking and advisory services on usual and customary
terms.

                                     -89-
<PAGE>

         SECTION 7.2.12. Negative Pledges, Restrictive Agreements, etc. Each of
the Borrower and each Parent Guarantor will not, and will not permit any of
their respective Subsidiaries to, enter into any agreement prohibiting

                  (a) the (i) creation or assumption of any Lien upon its
         properties, revenues or assets, whether now owned or hereafter
         acquired (other than, in the case of any assets acquired with the
         proceeds of any Indebtedness, or subject to Capitalized Lease
         Liabilities, permitted under clause (e) of Section 7.2.2, customary
         limitations and prohibitions contained in such Indebtedness or
         Capitalized Lease), or (ii) ability of the Borrower, any Parent
         Guarantor or any other Obligor to amend or otherwise modify this
         Agreement or any other Loan Document; or

                  (b) any Subsidiary from making any payments, directly or
         indirectly, to the Borrower by way of dividends, advances, repayments
         of loans or advances, reimbursements of management and other
         intercompany charges, expenses and accruals or other returns on
         investments, or any other agreement or arrangement which restricts the
         ability of any such Subsidiary to make any payment, directly or
         indirectly, to the Borrower.

         SECTION 7.2.13. Stock of Subsidiaries. Each of the Borrower and each
Parent Guarantor will not permit any Subsidiary of the Borrower to issue any
Capital Stock (whether for value or otherwise) to any Person other than the
Borrower or another Wholly-owned Subsidiary of the Borrower.

         SECTION 7.2.14. Sale and Leaseback. Each of the Borrower and each
Parent Guarantor will not, and will not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
enter into any agreement or arrangement with any other Person providing for the
leasing by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of real or personal property
which has been or is to be sold or transferred by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries to such other Person or to any other Person to whom funds have
been or are to be advanced by such Person on the security of such property or
rental obligations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                               EVENTS OF DEFAULT

         SECTION 8.1. Listing of Events of Default. Each of the following
events or occurrences described in this Section 8.1 shall constitute an "Event
of Default".

         SECTION 8.1.1. Non-Payment of Obligations. (a) The Borrower shall
default in the payment or prepayment of any principal of any Loan when due or
any Reimbursement Obligations or any deposit of cash for collateral purposes
pursuant to Section 2.6.2 or Section 2.6.4, as the case may be, or (b) any
Obligor (including the Borrower) shall default (and 



                                     -90-
<PAGE>

such default shall continue unremedied for a period of three Business Days) in
the payment when due of any interest or commitment fee with respect to the
Loans or Commitments or of any other monetary Obligation.

         SECTION 8.1.2. Breach of Warranty. Any representation or warranty of
the Borrower or any other Obligor made or deemed to be made by it hereunder or
under any other Loan Document or any other writing or certificate furnished by
or on behalf of the Borrower or any other Obligor to the Agents, the
Documentation Agent, the Issuer, the Arranger or any Lender for the purposes of
or in connection with this Agreement or any such other Loan Document (including
any certificates delivered pursuant to Article V) is or shall be incorrect when
made in any material respect.

         SECTION 8.1.3. Non-Performance of Certain Covenants and Obligations.
The Borrower or any Parent Guarantor shall default in the due performance and
observance of any of its obligations under Section 7.1.4, 7.1.6(b), 7.1.9,
7.1.10, 7.1.11 or 7.2 (other than clause (a) of Section 7.2.1), or any other
Obligor shall default in the performance of any of its obligations in respect
of such Sections as such Sections are incorporated by reference or otherwise in
any Loan Document to which such Obligor is a party.

         SECTION 8.1.4. Non-Performance of Other Covenants and Obligations. Any
Obligor shall default in the due performance and observance of any other
agreement contained herein or in any other Loan Document executed by it, and
such default shall continue unremedied for a period of 30 days from the earlier
of the date an Authorized Officer of such Obligor has actual knowledge thereof
and the receipt by such Obligor of written notice thereof from the
Administrative Agent.

         SECTION 8.1.5. Default on Other Indebtedness. A default shall occur
(i) in the payment when due (subject to any applicable grace period), whether
by acceleration or otherwise, of any Indebtedness, other than Indebtedness
described in Section 8.1.1, of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any
other Obligor having a principal amount, individually or in the aggregate, in
excess of $3,000,000, or (ii) a default shall occur in the performance or
observance of any obligation or condition with respect to such Indebtedness if
the effect of such default is to accelerate the maturity of any such
Indebtedness or such default shall continue unremedied for any applicable
period of time sufficient to permit the holder or holders of such Indebtedness,
or any trustee or agent for such holders, to cause such Indebtedness to become
due and payable prior to its expressed maturity.

         SECTION 8.1.6. Judgments. Any judgment or order for the payment of
money in excess of $3,000,000 (not covered by insurance from an insurance
company rated A- or better by A.M. Best Company that is not denying its
liability with respect thereto) shall be rendered against the Borrower or any
of its Subsidiaries or any other Obligor and remain unpaid and either (a)
enforcement proceedings shall have been commenced by any creditor upon such
judgment or order, or (b) there shall be any period of 30 consecutive days
during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment or order, by reason of a
pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect.

                                     -91-
<PAGE>

         SECTION 8.1.7. Pension Plans. Any of the following events shall occur
with respect to any Pension Plan (a) the institution of any steps by Holdings,
any member of its Controlled Group or any other Person to terminate a Pension
Plan if, as a result of such termination, Holdings or any such member could be
required to make a contribution to such Pension Plan, or could reasonably
expect to incur a liability or obligation to such Pension Plan, in excess of
$1,000,000, or (b) a contribution failure occurs with respect to any Pension
Plan sufficient to give rise to a Lien under section 302(f) of ERISA.

         SECTION 8.1.8.  Change in Control.  Any Change in Control shall occur.

         SECTION 8.1.9. Bankruptcy, Insolvency, etc. The Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries or any other Obligor shall

                  (a) become insolvent or generally fail to pay, or admit in
         writing its inability or unwillingness to pay, debts as they become
         due;

                  (b) apply for, consent to, or acquiesce in, the appointment
         of a trustee, receiver, sequestrator or other custodian for the
         Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any other Obligor or any
         property of any thereof, or make a general assignment for the benefit
         of creditors;

                  (c) in the absence of such application, consent, acquiescence
         or assignment, permit or suffer to exist the appointment of a trustee,
         receiver, sequestrator or other custodian for the Borrower or any of
         its Subsidiaries or any other Obligor or for a substantial part of the
         property of any thereof, and such trustee, receiver, sequestrator or
         other custodian shall not be discharged within 60 days, provided that
         the Borrower, each Subsidiary and each other Obligor hereby expressly
         authorizes the Agents, the Documentation Agent, the Arranger, the
         Issuer and each Lender to appear in any court conducting any relevant
         proceeding during such 60-day period to preserve, protect and defend
         their rights under the Loan Documents;

                  (d) permit or suffer to exist the commencement of any
         bankruptcy, reorganization, debt arrangement or other case or
         proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency law, or any dissolution,
         winding up or liquidation proceeding, in respect of the Borrower or
         any of its Subsidiaries or any other Obligor, and, if any such case or
         proceeding is not commenced by the Borrower or such Subsidiary or such
         other Obligor, such case or proceeding shall be consented to or
         acquiesced in by the Borrower or such Subsidiary or such other Obligor
         or shall result in the entry of an order for relief or shall remain
         for 60 days undismissed, provided that the Borrower, each Subsidiary
         and each other Obligor hereby expressly authorizes the Agents, the
         Documentation Agent, the Arranger, the Issuer and each Lender to
         appear in any court conducting any such case or proceeding during such
         60-day period to preserve, protect and defend their rights under the
         Loan Documents; or

                                     -92-
<PAGE>

                  (e) take any action (partnership, corporate or otherwise)
         authorizing, or in furtherance of, any of the foregoing.

         SECTION 8.1.10. Impairment of Security, etc. Any Loan Document, or any
Lien granted thereunder, shall (except in accordance with its terms), in whole
or in part, terminate, cease to be in full force and effect or cease to be the
legally valid, binding and enforceable obligation of any Obligor party thereto;
the Borrower or any other Obligor shall, directly or indirectly, contest in any
manner the effectiveness, validity, binding nature or enforceability thereof;
or any Lien securing any Obligation shall, in whole or in part, cease to be a
perfected first priority Lien, subject only to those exceptions expressly
permitted by the Loan Documents.

         SECTION 8.2. Action if Bankruptcy, etc. If any Event of Default
described in clauses (a) through (d) of Section 8.1.9 shall occur, the
Commitments (if not theretofore terminated) shall automatically terminate and
the outstanding principal amount of all outstanding Loans and all other
Obligations (including Reimbursement Obligations) shall automatically be and
become immediately due and payable, without notice or demand and the Borrower
shall automatically and immediately be obligated to deposit with the
Administrative Agent cash collateral in an amount equal to the undrawn amount
of all Letters of Credit outstanding.

         SECTION 8.3. Action if Other Event of Default. If any Event of Default
(other than an Event of Default described in clauses (a), through (d) of
Section 8.1.9) shall occur for any reason, whether voluntary or involuntary,
and be continuing, the Administrative Agent, upon the direction of the Required
Lenders, shall by notice to the Borrower declare all or any portion of the
outstanding principal amount of the Loans and other Obligations (including
Reimbursement Obligations) to be due and payable, require the Borrower to
provide cash collateral to be deposited with the Administrative Agent in an
amount equal to the undrawn amount of all Letters of Credit outstanding and/or
declare the Commitments (if not theretofore terminated) to be terminated,
whereupon the full unpaid amount of such Loans and other Obligations which
shall be so declared due and payable shall be and become immediately due and
payable, without further notice, demand or presentment, and/or, as the case may
be, the Commitments shall terminate and the Borrower shall deposit with the
Administrative Agent cash collateral in an amount equal to the undrawn amount
of all Letters of Credit outstanding.


                                   ARTICLE IX

                                    GUARANTY

         SECTION 9.1. Guaranty. Each Parent Guarantor hereby jointly and
severally, absolutely, unconditionally and irrevocably

                  (a) guarantees the full and punctual payment when due,
         whether at stated maturity, by required prepayment, declaration,
         acceleration, demand or otherwise, of all Obligations of the Borrower
         now or hereafter existing, whether for principal, interest,



                                     -93-
<PAGE>

         fees, expenses or otherwise (including all such amounts which would
         become due but for the operation of the automatic stay under Section
         362(a) of the United States Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. ss.362(a), and
         the operation of Sections 502(b) and 506(b) of the United States
         Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. ss.502(b) and ss.506(b)), and

                  (b) indemnifies and holds harmless each Secured Party and
         each holder of a Note for any and all costs and expenses (including
         reasonable attorney's fees and expenses) incurred by such Secured
         Party or such holder, as the case may be, in enforcing any rights
         under the guaranty set forth in this Article IX.

The guaranty set forth in this Article IX constitutes a guaranty of payment
when due and not of collection, and each Parent Guarantor specifically agrees
that it shall not be necessary or required that any Secured Party or any holder
of any Note exercise any right, assert any claim or demand or enforce any
remedy whatsoever against the Borrower or any other Obligor (or any other
Person) before or as a condition to the obligations of each Parent Guarantor
under the guaranty set forth in this Article IX.

         SECTION 9.2. Acceleration of Parent Guaranty. Each Parent Guarantor
agrees that upon the occurrence of an Event of Default of the nature set forth
in clauses (a) through (d) of Section 8.1.9, at a time when any of the
Obligations of the Borrower and each other Obligor may not then be due and
payable, then each Parent Guarantor agrees that it will pay to the
Administrative Agent for the account of the Secured Parties forthwith the full
amount which would be payable under the guaranty set forth in this Article IX
by each Parent Guarantor if all such Obligations were then due and payable.

         SECTION 9.3. Guaranty Absolute, etc. The guaranty set forth in this
Article IX shall in all respects be a continuing, absolute, unconditional and
irrevocable guaranty of payment, and shall remain in full force and effect
until all Obligations of the Borrower and each other Obligor have been paid in
full in cash, all obligations of each Parent Guarantor under the guaranty set
forth in this Article IX shall have been paid in full in cash, all Letters of
Credit have been terminated or expired, all Rate Protection Agreements have
been terminated or expired and all Commitments shall have terminated. Each
Parent Guarantor guarantees that the Obligations of the Borrower will be paid
strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement and each other Loan
Document under which they arise, regardless of any law, regulation or order now
or hereafter in effect in any jurisdiction affecting any of such terms or the
rights of any Secured Party or any holder of any Note with respect thereto. The
liability of each Parent Guarantor under the guaranty set forth in this Article
IX shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable irrespective of:

                  (a) any lack of validity, legality or enforceability of this
         Agreement, any Note or any other Loan Document;

                  (b) the failure of any Secured Party or any holder of any
         Note

                                     -94-
<PAGE>

                           (i) to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any
                  right or remedy against the Borrower, any other Obligor or
                  any other Person (including any other guarantor (including
                  any Parent Guarantor)) under the provisions of this
                  Agreement, any Note, any other Loan Document or otherwise, or

                           (ii) to exercise any right or remedy against any
                  other guarantor (including any Parent Guarantor) of, or
                  collateral securing, any Obligations of the Borrower;

                  (c) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or
         in any other term of, all or any of the Obligations of the Borrower,
         or any other extension, compromise or renewal of any Obligation of the
         Borrower;

                  (d) any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination of
         any Obligations of the Borrower for any reason, including any claim of
         waiver, release, surrender, alteration or compromise, and shall not be
         subject to (and the each Parent Guarantor hereby waives any right to
         or claim of) any defense or setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or
         termination whatsoever by reason of the invalidity, illegality,
         nongenuineness, irregularity, compromise, unenforceability of, or any
         other event or occurrence affecting, any Obligations of the Borrower
         or otherwise;

                  (e) any amendment to, rescission, waiver, or other
         modification of, or any consent to departure from, any of the terms of
         this Agreement, any Note or any other Loan Document;

                  (f) any addition, exchange, release, surrender or
         non-perfection of any collateral, or any amendment to or waiver or
         release or addition of, or consent to departure from, any other
         guaranty, held by any Secured Party or any holder of any Note securing
         any of the Obligations of the Borrower; or

                  (g) any other circumstance which might otherwise constitute a
         defense available to, or a legal or equitable discharge of, the
         Borrower, any surety or any guarantor.

         SECTION 9.4. Reinstatement, etc. Each Parent Guarantor agrees that the
guaranty set forth in this Article IX shall continue to be effective or be
reinstated, as the case may be, if at any time any payment (in whole or in
part) of any of the Obligations is rescinded or must otherwise be restored by
any Secured Party or any holder of any Note, upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or
reorganization of the Borrower or otherwise, all as though such payment had not
been made.

         SECTION 9.5. Waiver, etc. Each Parent Guarantor hereby waives
promptness, diligence, notice of acceptance and any other notice with respect
to any of the Obligations of the Borrower and the guaranty set forth in this
Article IX and any requirement that the Administrative Agent, any other Secured
Party or any holder of any Note protect, secure, perfect or insure any security
interest or Lien, or any property subject thereto, or exhaust any right or 


                                     -95-
<PAGE>

take any action against the Borrower, any other Obligor or any other Person
(including any other guarantor) or entity or any collateral securing the
Obligations of the Borrower.

         SECTION 9.6. Postponement of Subrogation, etc. Each Parent Guarantor
agrees that it will not exercise any rights which it may acquire by way of
rights of subrogation under the guaranty set forth in this Article IX, by any
payment made under the guaranty set forth in this Article IX or otherwise,
until the prior payment in full in cash of all Obligations of the Borrower and
each other Obligor, the termination or expiration of all Letters of Credit, the
termination or expiration of all Rate Protection Agreements and the termination
of all Commitments. Any amount paid to any Parent Guarantor on account of any
such subrogation rights prior to the payment in full in cash of all Obligations
of the Borrower and each other Obligor shall be held in trust for the benefit
of the Secured Parties and each holder of a Note and shall immediately be paid
to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties and each
holder of a Note and credited and applied against the Obligations of the
Borrower and each other Obligor, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement; provided, however, that if

                  (a) each Guarantor has made payment to the Secured Parties
         and each holder of a Note of all or any part of the Obligations of the
         Borrower, and

                  (b) all Obligations of the Borrower and each other Obligor
         have been paid in full in cash, all Letters of Credit have been
         terminated or expired, all Rate Protection Agreements have been
         terminated or expired and all Commitments have been permanently
         terminated,

each Secured Party and each holder of a Note agrees that, at any Parent
Guarantor's request, the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties
and the holders of the Notes, will execute and deliver to the applicable Parent
Guarantor appropriate documents (without recourse and without representation or
warranty) necessary to evidence the transfer by subrogation to such Parent
Guarantor of an interest in the Obligations of the Borrower resulting from such
payment by such Parent Guarantor. In furtherance of the foregoing, for so long
as any Obligations or Commitments remain outstanding, each Parent Guarantor
shall refrain from taking any action or commencing any proceeding against the
Borrower (or its successors or assigns, whether in connection with a bankruptcy
proceeding or otherwise) to recover any amounts in the respect of payments made
under the guaranty set forth in this Article IX to any Secured Party or any
holder of a Note.

         SECTION 9.7. Successors, Transferees and Assigns; Transfers of Notes,
etc. The guaranty set forth in this Article IX shall:

                  (a) be binding upon each Parent Guarantor and its successors,
         transferees and assigns; and

                                     -96-
<PAGE>

                  (b) inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the
         Administrative Agent and each other Secured Party.

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing clause (b), any Lender may
assign or otherwise transfer (in whole or in part) any Note or Credit Extension
held by it to any other Person or entity, and such other Person or entity shall
thereupon become vested with all rights and benefits in respect thereof granted
to such Lender under any Loan Document (including the guaranty set forth in
this Article IX) or otherwise, subject, however, to any contrary provisions in
such assignment or transfer, and to the provisions of Section 11.11 and Article
X.


                                   ARTICLE X

                                   THE AGENTS

         SECTION 10.1. Actions. Each Lender hereby appoints DLJ as its
Syndication Agent and Fleet as its Administrative Agent under and for purposes
of this Agreement, the Notes and each other Loan Document. Each Lender
authorizes the Agents to act on behalf of such Lender under this Agreement, the
Notes and each other Loan Document and, in the absence of other written
instructions from the Required Lenders received from time to time by the Agents
(with respect to which each of the Agents agrees that it will comply, except as
otherwise provided in this Section or as otherwise advised by counsel), to
exercise such powers hereunder and thereunder as are specifically delegated to
or required of the Agents by the terms hereof and thereof, together with such
powers as may be reasonably incidental thereto. Each Lender hereby indemnifies
(which indemnity shall survive any termination of this Agreement) the Agents,
ratably in accordance with their respective Term Loans outstanding and
Commitments (or, if no Term Loans or Commitments are at the time outstanding
and in effect, then ratably in accordance with the principal amount of Term
Loans held by such Lender, and their respective Commitments as in effect in
each case on the date of the termination of this Agreement), from and against
any and all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, claims, costs or
expenses of any kind or nature whatsoever which may at any time be imposed on,
incurred by, or asserted against, any of the Agents in any way relating to or
arising out of this Agreement, the Notes and any other Loan Document, including
reasonable attorneys' fees, and as to which any Agent is not reimbursed by the
Borrower or any other Obligor (and without limiting the obligation of the
Borrower or any other Obligor to do so); provided, however, that no Lender
shall be liable for the payment of any portion of such liabilities,
obligations, losses, damages, claims, costs or expenses which are determined by
a court of competent jurisdiction in a final proceeding to have resulted solely
from such Agent's gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Agents shall not
be required to take any action hereunder, under the Notes or under any other
Loan Document, or to prosecute or defend any suit in respect of this Agreement,
the Notes or any other Loan Document, unless it is indemnified hereunder to its
satisfaction. If any indemnity in favor of any of the Agents shall be or
become, in such Agent's determination, inadequate, such Agent may call for
additional indemnification from the Lenders and cease to do the acts
indemnified against hereunder until such additional indemnity is given.

                                     -97-
<PAGE>

         SECTION 10.2. Funding Reliance, etc. Unless the Administrative Agent
shall have been notified by telephone, confirmed in writing, by any Lender by
5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the day prior to a Borrowing that such Lender
will not make available the amount which would constitute its Percentage of
such Borrowing on the date specified therefor, the Administrative Agent may
assume that such Lender has made such amount available to the Administrative
Agent and, in reliance upon such assumption, make available to the Borrower a
corresponding amount. If and to the extent that such Lender shall not have made
such amount available to the Administrative Agent, such Lender severally agrees
and the Borrower agrees to repay the Administrative Agent forthwith on demand
such corresponding amount together with interest thereon, for each day from the
date the Administrative Agent made such amount available to the Borrower to the
date such amount is repaid to the Administrative Agent, at the interest rate
applicable at the time to Loans comprising such Borrowing.

         SECTION 10.3. Exculpation. None of the Agents, the Swing Line Lender,
the Issuer or the Arranger nor any of their respective directors, officers,
employees or agents shall be liable to any Lender for any action taken or
omitted to be taken by it under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or
in connection herewith or therewith, except for its own willful misconduct or
gross negligence, nor responsible for any recitals or warranties herein or
therein, nor for the effectiveness, enforceability, validity or due execution
of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, nor for the creation, perfection
or priority of any Liens purported to be created by any of the Loan Documents,
or the validity, genuineness, enforceability, existence, value or sufficiency
of any collateral security, nor to make any inquiry respecting the performance
by the Borrower of its obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document.
Any such inquiry which may be made by any Agent, the Swing Line Lender or the
Issuer shall not obligate it to make any further inquiry or to take any action.
The Agents, the Swing Line Lender and the Issuer shall be entitled to rely upon
advice of counsel concerning legal matters and upon any notice, consent,
certificate, statement or writing which the Agents, the Swing Line Lender or
the Issuer, as applicable, believe to be genuine and to have been presented by
a proper Person.

         SECTION 10.4. Successor. The Syndication Agent may resign as such upon
one Business Day's notice to the Borrower and the Administrative Agent. The
Administrative Agent may resign as such at any time upon at least 30 days'
prior notice to the Borrower and all Lenders. If the Administrative Agent at
any time shall resign, the Required Lenders may, with the prior consent of the
Borrower (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), appoint another
Lender as a successor Administrative Agent which shall thereupon become the
Administrative Agent hereunder. If no successor Administrative Agent shall have
been so appointed by the Required Lenders, and shall have accepted such
appointment, within 30 days after the retiring Administrative Agent's giving
notice of resignation, then the retiring Administrative Agent may, on behalf of
the Lenders, appoint a successor Administrative Agent, which shall be one of
the Lenders or a commercial banking institution organized under the laws of the
United States or a United States branch or agency of a commercial banking
institution, and having a combined capital and surplus of at least
$500,000,000. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Administrative Agent
hereunder by a successor Administrative Agent, such 


                                     -98-
<PAGE>

successor Administrative Agent shall be entitled to receive from the retiring
Administrative Agent such documents of transfer and assignment as such
successor Administrative Agent may reasonably request, and shall thereupon
succeed to and become vested with all rights, powers, privileges and duties of
the retiring Administrative Agent, and the retiring Administrative Agent shall
be discharged from its duties and obligations under this Agreement. After any
retiring Administrative Agent's resignation hereunder as the Administrative
Agent, the provisions of (i) this Article X shall inure to its benefit as to
any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was the Administrative
Agent under this Agreement, and (ii) Section 11.3 and Section 11.4 shall
continue to inure to its benefit.

         SECTION 10.5. Credit Extensions by each Agent. Each Agent, the Swing
Line Lender and the Issuer shall have the same rights and powers with respect
to (x) (i) in the case of the Agents and the Swing Line Lender, the Credit
Extensions made by it or any of its Affiliates and (ii) in the case of the
Issuer, the Loans made by it or any of its Affiliates, and (y) the Notes held
by such Agent, the Swing Line Lender, the Issuer or any of their respective
Affiliates as any other Lender and may exercise the same as if it were not an
Agent or the Issuer. Each Agent, the Swing Line Lender, the Issuer and each and
their respective Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to, and
generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary or
Affiliate of the Borrower as if such Agent, the Swing Line Lender or Issuer
were not an Agent, the Swing Line Lender or the Issuer hereunder.

         SECTION 10.6. Credit Decisions. Each Lender acknowledges that it has,
independently of each Agent, the Documentation Agent, the Arranger, the Swing
Line Lender, the Issuer and each other Lender, and based on such Lender's
review of the financial information of the Borrower, this Agreement, the other
Loan Documents (the terms and provisions of which being satisfactory to such
Lender) and such other documents, information and investigations as such Lender
has deemed appropriate, made its own credit decision to extend its Commitments.
Each Lender also acknowledges that it will, independently of each Agent, the
Documentation Agent, the Arranger, the Swing Line Lender, the Issuer and each
other Lender, and based on such other documents, information and investigations
as it shall deem appropriate at any time, continue to make its own credit
decisions as to exercising or not exercising from time to time any rights and
privileges available to it under this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

         SECTION 10.7. Copies, etc. The Administrative Agent shall give prompt
notice to each Lender and the Issuer of each notice or request required or
permitted to be given to the Administrative Agent by the Borrower pursuant to
the terms of this Agreement (unless concurrently delivered to the Lenders and
the Issuer by the Borrower). The Administrative Agent will distribute to each
Lender and the Issuer each document or instrument received for such Lender's or
the Issuers's account and copies of all other communications received by the
Administrative Agent from the Borrower for distribution to the Lenders and/or
the Issuer by the Administrative Agent in accordance with the terms of this
Agreement.

         SECTION 10.8. The Swing Line Lender, the Issuer, the Documentation
Agent, the Syndication Agent and the Administrative Agent. Notwithstanding
anything else to the contrary 


                                     -99-
<PAGE>

contained in this Agreement or any other Loan Document, the Swing Line Lender,
the Issuer, the Documentation Agent and the Agents, in their respective
capacities as such, each in such capacity, shall have no duties or
responsibilities under this Agreement or any other Loan Document nor any
fiduciary relationship with any Lender, and no implied covenants, functions,
responsibilities, duties, obligations or liabilities shall be read into this
Agreement or otherwise exist against the Swing Line Lender, the Issuer, the
Documentation Agent or any Agent, as applicable, in such capacity except as are
explicitly set forth herein or in the other Loan Documents.

                                   ARTICLE XI

                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

         SECTION 11.1. Waivers, Amendments, etc. The provisions of this
Agreement and of each other Loan Document may from time to time be amended,
modified or waived, if such amendment, modification or waiver is in writing and
consented to by the Borrower and each Obligor party thereto and by the Required
Lenders; provided, however, that no such amendment, modification or waiver
which would:

                  (a) modify any requirement hereunder that any particular
         action be taken by all the Lenders or by the Required Lenders shall be
         effective unless consented to by each Lender;

                  (b) modify this Section 11.1, or clause (a) of Section 11.10,
         change the definition of "Required Lenders", increase any Commitment
         Amount or the Percentage of any Lender, reduce, or extend the due date
         for, any fees described in Section 3.3 (other than any fee referred to
         in Section 3.3.2), release any Guarantor from its obligations under
         any Guaranty, or release all or substantially all of the collateral
         security (except in each case as otherwise specifically provided in
         this Agreement, any such Guaranty, a Security Agreement or a Pledge
         Agreement) or extend any Commitment Termination Date shall be made
         without the consent of each Lender adversely affected thereby;

                  (c) extend the due date for, or reduce the amount of, (i) any
         scheduled repayment or prepayment of principal of or interest on any
         Loan (or reduce the principal amount of or rate of interest on any
         Loan) or (ii) any repayment of any Reimbursement Obligation (or reduce
         the amount of or rate of interest on any Reimbursement Obligation)
         shall be made without the consent of the holder of the Note evidencing
         such Loan or, in the case of a Reimbursement Obligation, the Issuer
         owed, and those Lenders participating in, such Reimbursement
         Obligation;

                  (d) affect adversely the interests, rights or obligations of
         any Agent, the Swing Line Lender, the Issuer or the Arranger (in its
         capacity as Agent, the Swing Line Lender,


                                     -100-
<PAGE>

         the Issuer or the Arranger), unless consented to by such Agent, the
         Swing Line Lender, the Issuer or the Arranger, as the case may be; or

                  (e) have the effect (either immediately or at some later
         time) of enabling the Borrower to satisfy a condition precedent to the
         making of a Revolving Loan, the Swing Line Loan or the issuance of a
         Letter of Credit without the consent of Lenders holding at least 51%
         of the Revolving Loan Commitments; or

                  (f) amend, modify or waive the provisions of clause (a)(i) of
         Section 3.1.1 or clause (b) of Section 3.1.2 or effect any amendment,
         modification or waiver that by its terms adversely affects the Lenders
         participating in any Tranche differently from those of Lenders
         participating in other Tranches, without the consent of the holders of
         the Notes evidencing greater than 50% of the aggregate amount of Loans
         outstanding under each Tranche affected by such modification, or, in
         the case of a modification affecting the Revolving Loan Commitment
         Amount, the Lenders holding greater than 50% of the Revolving Loan
         Commitments.

No failure or delay on the part of any Agent, the Issuer, any Lender or the
holder of any Note in exercising any power or right under this Agreement or any
other Loan Document shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any single or
partial exercise of any such power or right preclude any other or further
exercise thereof or the exercise of any other power or right. No notice to or
demand on the Borrower in any case shall entitle it to any notice or demand in
similar or other circumstances. No waiver or approval by any Agent, the Issuer,
any Lender or the holder of any Note under this Agreement or any other Loan
Document shall, except as may be otherwise stated in such waiver or approval,
be applicable to subsequent transactions. No waiver or approval hereunder shall
require any similar or dissimilar waiver or approval thereafter to be granted
hereunder.

         SECTION 11.2. Notices. All notices and other communications provided
to any party hereto under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be in
writing or by facsimile and addressed, delivered or transmitted to such party
at its address or facsimile number set forth on its signature page hereto or on
Schedule II hereto or, in the case of a Lender that becomes a party hereto
after the date hereof, as set forth in the Lender Assignment Agreement pursuant
to which such Lender becomes a Lender hereunder or at such other address or
facsimile number as may be designated by such party in a notice to the other
parties. Any notice, if mailed and properly addressed with postage prepaid or
if properly addressed and sent by pre-paid courier service, shall be deemed
given when received; any notice, if transmitted by facsimile, shall be deemed
given when transmitted (and electronic confirmation of receipt thereof has been
received).

         SECTION 11.3. Payment of Costs and Expenses. The Borrower agrees to
pay on demand all reasonable expenses of each of the Agents and the Arranger
(including the reasonable fees and out-of-pocket expenses of counsel to the
Agents and the Arranger and of local or foreign counsel, if any, who may be
retained by counsel to the Agents) in connection with

                                     -101-
<PAGE>

                  (a) the syndication by the Syndication Agent and the Arranger
         of the Loans, the negotiation, preparation, execution and delivery of
         this Agreement and of each other Loan Document, including schedules
         and exhibits, and any amendments, waivers, consents, supplements or
         other modifications to this Agreement or any other Loan Document as
         may from time to time hereafter be required, whether or not the
         transactions contemplated hereby are consummated;

                  (b) the filing, recording, refiling or rerecording of each
         Pledge Agreement and each Security Agreement and/or any Uniform
         Commercial Code financing statements relating thereto and all
         amendments, supplements and modifications to any thereof and any and
         all other documents or instruments of further assurance required to be
         filed or recorded or refiled or rerecorded by the terms hereof or of
         such Pledge Agreement, Security Agreement or Uniform Commercial Code
         financial statements; and

                  (c) the preparation and review of the form of any document or
         instrument relevant to this Agreement or any other Loan Document.

The Borrower further agrees to pay, and to save the Agents, the Documentation
Agent, the Arranger, the Issuer and the Lenders harmless from all liability
for, any stamp or other similar taxes which may be payable in connection with
the execution or delivery of this Agreement, the Credit Extensions made
hereunder or the issuance of the Notes or Letters of Credit or any other Loan
Documents. The Borrower also agrees to reimburse each Agent, the Documentation
Agent, the Arranger, the Issuer and each Lender upon demand for all reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees and legal
expenses) incurred by such Agent, the Documentation Agent, the Arranger, the
Issuer or such Lender in connection with (x) the negotiation of any
restructuring or "work-out", whether or not consummated, of any Obligations and
(y) the enforcement of any Obligations.

         SECTION 11.4. Indemnification. In consideration of the execution and
delivery of this Agreement by each Lender and the extension of the Commitments,
the Borrower hereby, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law,
indemnifies, exonerates and holds each Agent, the Documentation Agent, the
Arranger, the Issuer, and each Lender and each of their respective Affiliates,
and each of their respective partners, officers, directors, trustees, employees
and agents, and each other Person controlling any of the foregoing within the
meaning of either Section 15 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or
Section 20 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (collectively,
the "Indemnified Parties"), free and harmless from and against any and all
actions, causes of action, suits, losses, costs, liabilities and damages, and
expenses actually incurred in connection therewith (irrespective of whether any
such Indemnified Party is a party to the action for which indemnification
hereunder is sought), including reasonable attorneys' fees and disbursements
(collectively, the "Indemnified Liabilities"), incurred by the Indemnified
Parties or any of them as a result of, or arising out of, or relating to

                  (a) any transaction financed or to be financed in whole or in
         part, directly or indirectly, with the proceeds of any Credit
         Extension;

                                     -102-
<PAGE>

                  (b) the entering into and performance of this Agreement and
         any other Loan Document by any of the Indemnified Parties (including
         any action brought by or on behalf of the Borrower as the result of
         any determination by any Lender to make any Credit Extension
         hereunder);

                  (c) any investigation, litigation or proceeding related to
         any acquisition or proposed acquisition by the Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries of all or any portion of the stock or assets of any
         Person, whether or not such Agent, the Documentation Agent, the
         Issuer, the Arranger or such Lender is party thereto;

                  (d) any investigation, litigation or proceeding related to
         any environmental cleanup, audit, compliance or other matter relating
         to the Borrower's or any of its Subsidiaries' compliance with or
         liability under Environmental Law or the Release by the Borrower or
         any of its Subsidiaries of any Hazardous Material; or

                  (e) the presence on or under, or the escape, seepage,
         leakage, spillage, discharge, emission or release from, any real
         property owned or operated by the Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof
         of any Hazardous Material present on or under such property in a
         manner giving rise to liability at or prior to the time the Borrower
         or such Subsidiary owned or operated such property (including any
         losses, liabilities, damages, injuries, costs, expenses or claims
         asserted or arising under any Environmental Law), regardless of
         whether caused by, or within the control of, the Borrower or such
         Subsidiary,

except for any such Indemnified Liabilities arising for the account of a
particular Indemnified Party by reason of the relevant Indemnified Party's
gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Borrower and its permitted
successors and assigns hereby waive, release and agree not to make any claim,
or bring any cost recovery action against, any Agent, the Documentation Agent,
the Issuer, the Arranger or any Lender under CERCLA or any state equivalent, or
any similar law now existing or hereafter enacted, except to the extent arising
out of the gross negligence or willful misconduct of any Indemnified Party. It
is expressly understood and agreed that to the extent that any of such Persons
is strictly liable under any Environmental Laws, the Borrower's obligation to
such Person under this indemnity shall likewise be without regard to fault on
the part of the Borrower, to the extent permitted under applicable law, with
respect to the violation or condition which results in liability of such
Person. If and to the extent that the foregoing undertaking may be
unenforceable for any reason, the Borrower hereby agrees to make the maximum
contribution to the payment and satisfaction of each of the Indemnified
Liabilities which is permissible under applicable law.

         SECTION 11.5. Survival. The obligations of the Borrower under Sections
2.6.7(a)(ii), 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 11.3 and 11.4, the obligations of each Parent
Guarantor under Section 9.1(b) and the obligations of the Lenders under
Sections 4.8 and 10.1, shall in each case survive any assignment or
participation pursuant to Section 11.11, any termination of this Agreement, the
payment in full of all Obligations and the termination of all Commitments. The
representations 


                                     -103-
<PAGE>

and warranties made by the Borrower and each other Obligor in this Agreement
and in each other Loan Document shall survive the execution and delivery of
this Agreement and each such other Loan Document.

         SECTION 11.6. Severability. Any provision of this Agreement or any
other Loan Document which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction
shall, as to such provision and such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent
of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the remaining
provisions of this Agreement or such Loan Document or affecting the validity or
enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

         SECTION 11.7. Headings. The various headings of this Agreement and of
each other Loan Document are inserted for convenience only and shall not affect
the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement or such other Loan Document or
any provisions hereof or thereof.

         SECTION 11.8. Execution in Counterparts, Effectiveness, etc. This
Agreement may be executed by the parties hereto in several counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed to be an original and all of which shall constitute
together but one and the same agreement.

         SECTION 11.9. Governing Law; Entire Agreement. THIS AGREEMENT, THE
NOTES AND, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY PROVIDED THEREIN, EACH
OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT SHALL EACH BE DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACT MADE UNDER AND
GOVERNED BY THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK. This Agreement, the
Notes and the other Loan Documents constitute the entire understanding among
the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede any
prior agreements, written or oral, with respect thereto.

         SECTION 11.10. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding
upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective
successors and assigns; provided, however, that (a) the Borrower may not assign
or transfer its rights or obligations hereunder without the prior written
consent of each of the Agents and all Lenders, and (b) the rights of sale,
assignment and transfer of the Lenders are subject to Section 11.11.

         SECTION 11.11. Sale and Transfer of Loans and Notes; Participations in
Loans and Notes. Each Lender may assign, or sell participations in, its Loans
and Commitments to one or more other Persons, on a non pro rata basis (except
as provided below), in accordance with this Section 11.11.

         SECTION 11.11.1.  Assignments.  Any Lender (the "Assignor Lender"),

                  (a) with the written consents of the Borrower, the Agents and
         (in the case of any assignment of participations in Letters of Credit
         or Revolving Loan Commitments) the Issuer (which consents shall not be
         unreasonably delayed or withheld and which consents of the Agents and
         the Issuer shall not be required in the case of assignments made by or


                                     -104-
<PAGE>

         to DLJ or any of its Affiliates and which consent of the Borrower
         shall not be required if a Default or an Event of Default shall have
         occurred and be continuing), may at any time assign and delegate to
         one or more commercial banks or other financial institutions or funds
         which are regularly engaged in making, purchasing or investing in
         loans or securities, and

                  (b) with notice to the Borrower, the Agents, and (in the case
         of any assignment of participations in Letters of Credit or Revolving
         Loan Commitments) the Issuer, but without the consent of the Borrower,
         the Agents or the Issuer, may assign and delegate to any of its
         Affiliates or Related Funds or to any other Lender

(each Person described in either of the foregoing clauses as being the Person
to whom such assignment and delegation is to be made, being hereinafter
referred to as an "Assignee Lender"), all or any fraction of such Lender's
total Loans, participations in Letters of Credit and Letter of Credit
Outstandings with respect thereto and Commitments (which assignment and
delegation shall be, as among Revolving Loan Commitments, Revolving Loans and
participations in Letters of Credit, of a constant, and not a varying,
percentage) (the "Assigned Amount") in a minimum aggregate amount of (i)
$1,000,000 in the case of an assignment to an existing Lender or an Affiliate
or Related Fund thereof and $5,000,000 in the case of an assignment to an
Assignee Lender that is not an existing Lender or an Affiliate or Related Fund
thereof or (ii) the then remaining amount of such Lender's Loans and
Commitments; provided, however, that any such Assignee Lender will comply, if
applicable, with the provisions contained in Section 4.6 and the Borrower, each
other Obligor, the Agents and the Issuer shall be entitled to continue to deal
solely and directly with such Assignor Lender in connection with the interests
so assigned and delegated to an Assignee Lender until

                  (c) written notice of such assignment and delegation,
         together with payment instructions, addresses and related information
         with respect to such Assignee Lender, shall have been given to the
         Borrower and the Agents by such Assignor Lender and such Assignee
         Lender;

                  (d) such Assignee Lender shall have executed and delivered to
         the Borrower and the Agents a Lender Assignment Agreement, accepted by
         the Agents;

                  (e) the processing fees described below shall have been paid;
         and

                  (f) the Administrative Agent shall have registered such
         assignment and delegation in the Register pursuant to clause (b) of
         Section 2.7.

From and after the date that the Agents accept such Lender Assignment Agreement
and such assignment and delegation is registered in the Register pursuant to
clause (b) of Section 2.7, (i) the Assignee Lender thereunder shall be deemed
automatically to have become a party hereto and to the extent that rights and
obligations hereunder have been assigned and delegated to such Assignee Lender
in connection with such Lender Assignment Agreement, shall have the rights 


                                     -105-
<PAGE>

and obligations of a Lender hereunder and under the other Loan Documents, and
(ii) the Assignor Lender, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder
have been assigned and delegated by it in connection with such Lender
Assignment Agreement, shall be released from its obligations hereunder and
under the other Loan Documents. Subject to the provisions of Section 2.7,
within ten Business Days after its receipt of notice that the Agent has
received an executed Lender Assignment Agreement, the Borrower shall execute
and deliver to the Administrative Agent (for delivery to the relevant Assignee
Lender) new Notes evidencing such Assignee Lender's assigned Loans and
Commitments and, if the Assignor Lender has retained Loans and Commitments
hereunder, replacement Notes in the principal amount of the Loans and
Commitments retained by the Assignor Lender hereunder (such Notes to be in
exchange for, but not in payment of, those Notes then held by such Assignor
Lender). Each such Note requested shall be dated the date of the predecessor
Notes, if any. The Assignor Lender shall mark such predecessor Notes
"exchanged" and deliver them to the Borrower. Unless otherwise specified in the
Lender Assignment Agreement, interest and fees in respect of the Assigned
Amount that (A) have accrued prior to the date of such assignment shall be for
the account of the Assignor Lender and (B) accrue on and subsequent to the date
of such assignment shall be for the account of the Assignee Lender. Accrued
interest and fees shall be paid at the same time or times provided in this
Agreement. Such Assignor Lender or such Assignee Lender (unless the Assignor
Lender or the Assignee Lender is DLJ or any of its Affiliates) must also pay a
processing fee to the Administrative Agent upon delivery of any Lender
Assignment Agreement in the amount of $3,500, unless such assignment and
delegation is by a Lender to its Affiliate or Related Fund or if such
assignment and delegation consists of a pledge by a Lender to a Federal Reserve
Bank (or in the case of a Lender that is an investment fund, to the trustee
under the indenture to which such fund is a party), as provided below or is
otherwise consented to by the Administrative Agent. Any attempted assignment
and delegation not made in accordance with this Section 11.11.1 shall be null
and void. Nothing contained in this Section 11.11.1 shall prevent or prohibit
any Lender from pledging its rights (but not its obligations to make Loans or
participate in Letters of Credit or Letter of Credit Outstandings) under this
Agreement and/or its Loans and/or its Notes hereunder (i) to a Federal Reserve
Bank in support of borrowings made by such Lender from such Federal Reserve
Bank, or (ii) in the case of a Lender that is an investment fund, to the
trustee under the indenture to which such fund is a party in support of its
obligations to such trustee, in either case without notice to or consent of the
Borrower or the Agents; provided, however, that (A) such Lender shall remain a
"Lender" under this Agreement and shall continue to be bound by the terms and
conditions set forth in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and (B)
any assignment by such trustee shall be subject to the provisions of clause (a)
of this Section 11.11.1. In the event that S&P, Moody's or Thompson's BankWatch
(or InsuranceWatch Ratings Service, in the case of Lenders that are insurance
companies (or Best's Insurance Reports, if such insurance company is not rated
by Insurance Watch Ratings Service)) shall, after the date that any Lender with
a Commitment to make Revolving Loans or participate in Letters of Credit
becomes a Lender, downgrade the long-term certificate of deposit rating or
long-term senior unsecured debt rating of such Lender, and the resulting rating
shall be below BBB-, Baa3 or C (or BB, in the case of Lender that is an
insurance company (or B, in the case of an insurance company not rated by
InsuranceWatch Ratings Service)) respectively, then the Issuer or the Borrower
(with the consent of the Agents and the Issuer) shall have the right, 


                                     -106-
<PAGE>

but not the obligation, upon notice to such Lender and the Agents, to replace
such Lender with an Assignee Lender in accordance with and subject to the
restrictions contained in this Section, and such Lender hereby agrees to
transfer and assign without recourse (in accordance with and subject to the
restrictions contained in this Section) all its interests, rights and
obligations in respect of its Revolving Loan Commitment under this Agreement to
such Assignee Lender; provided, however, that (i) no such assignment shall
conflict with any law, rule and regulation or order of any governmental
authority and (ii) such Assignee Lender shall pay to such Lender in immediately
available funds on the date of such assignment the principal of and interest
and fees (if any) accrued to the date of payment on the Loans made, and Letters
of Credit participated in, by such Lender hereunder and (iii) the Borrower
shall have paid such Lender all other amounts accrued for such Lender's account
or owed to it hereunder or under any other Loan Document.

         SECTION 11.11.2. Participations. Any Lender may at any time sell to
one or more commercial banks or other financial institution (each such
commercial bank and other financial institution being herein called a
"Participant") participating interests in any of the Loans, Commitments,
participations in Letters of Credit and Letters of Credit Outstandings or other
interests of such Lender hereunder; provided, however, that

                  (a) no participation contemplated in this Section shall
         relieve such Lender from its Commitments or its other obligations
         hereunder or under any other Loan Document;

                  (b) such Lender shall remain solely responsible for the
         performance of its Commitments and such other obligations;

                  (c) the Borrower and each other Obligor, the Agents and the
         Issuer shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender in
         connection with such Lender's rights and obligations under this
         Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents;

                  (d) no Participant, unless such Participant is an Affiliate
         or Related Fund of such Lender, or is itself a Lender, shall be
         entitled to require such Lender to take or refrain from taking any
         action hereunder or under any other Loan Document, except that such
         Lender may agree with any Participant that such Lender will not,
         without such Participant's consent, agree to (i) any reduction in the
         interest rate or amount of fees that such Participant is otherwise
         entitled to, (ii) a decrease in the principal amount, or an extension
         of the final Stated Maturity Date, of any Loan in which such
         Participant has purchased a participating interest or (iii) a release
         of all or substantially all of the collateral security under the Loan
         Documents or any Guarantor under any Guaranty, in each case except as
         otherwise specifically provided in a Loan Document; and

                  (e) the Borrower shall not be required to pay any amount
         under Sections 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 11.3 and 11.4 that is greater than
         the amount which it would have been required to pay had no
         participating interest been sold.

                                     -107-
<PAGE>

The Borrower acknowledges and agrees, subject to clause (e) above, that, to the
fullest extent permitted under applicable law, each Participant, for purposes
of Sections 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.8, 4.9, 11.3 and 11.4, shall be considered a
Lender.

         SECTION 11.12. Other Transactions. Nothing contained herein shall
preclude any Agent, the Documentation Agent, the Issuer, the Arranger or any
other Lender from engaging in any transaction, in addition to those
contemplated by this Agreement or any other Loan Document, with the Borrower or
any of its Affiliates in which the Borrower or such Affiliate is not restricted
hereby from engaging with any other Person.

         SECTION 11.13. Independence of Covenants. All covenants contained in
this Agreement and each other Loan Document shall be given independent effect
such that, in the event a particular action or condition is not permitted by
any of such covenants, the fact that it would be permitted by an exception to,
or be otherwise within the limitations of, another covenant shall not, unless
expressly so provided in such first covenant, avoid the occurrence of a Default
or an Event of Default if such action is taken or such condition exists.

         SECTION 11.14. Confidentiality. The Agents, the Documentation Agent,
the Issuer, the Arranger and the Lenders shall hold all non-public information
obtained pursuant to or in connection with this Agreement or obtained by them
based on a review of the books and records of Holdings or any of its
Subsidiaries in accordance with their customary procedures for handling
confidential information of this nature, but may make disclosure to any of
their examiners, regulators (including the National Association of Insurance
Commissioners), Affiliates, outside auditors, counsel and other professional
advisors in connection with this Agreement or as reasonably required by any
potential bona fide transferee, participant or assignee, or in connection with
the exercise of remedies under a Loan Document, or as requested by any
governmental agency or representative thereof or pursuant to legal process;
provided, however, that

                  (a) unless specifically prohibited by applicable law or court
         order, each Agent, the Documentation Agent, the Issuer, the Arranger
         and each Lender shall promptly notify the Borrower of any request by
         any governmental agency or representative thereof (other than any such
         request in connection with an examination of the financial condition
         of such Agent, the Documentation Agent, the Issuer, Arranger and
         Lender by such governmental agency) for disclosure of any such
         non-public information and, where practicable, prior to disclosure of
         such information;

                  (b) prior to any such disclosure pursuant to this Section
         11.14, each Agent, the Documentation Agent, the Issuer, the Arranger
         and each Lender shall require any such bona fide transferee,
         participant and assignee receiving a disclosure of non-public
         information to agree, for the benefit of Holdings and its
         Subsidiaries, in writing

                           (i)  to be bound by this Section 11.14; and

                                     -108-
<PAGE>

                           (ii) to require such Person to require any other
                  Person to whom such Person discloses such non-public
                  information to be similarly bound by this Section 11.14;

                  (c) disclosure may, with the consent of the Agents and the
         Borrower, be made by any Lender to any direct or indirect contractual
         counterparties of such Lender in swap agreements or such contractual
         counterparties' professional advisors; provided that such contractual
         counterparty or professional advisor agrees in writing to keep such
         information confidential to the same extent required of the Lenders
         hereunder; and

                  (d) except as may be required by an order of a court of
         competent jurisdiction and to the extent set forth therein, no Lender
         shall be obligated or required to return any materials furnished by
         the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

         SECTION 11.15. Forum Selection and Consent to Jurisdiction. ANY
LITIGATION BASED HEREON, OR ARISING OUT OF, UNDER, OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THIS
AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT, OR ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT, COURSE OF
DEALING, STATEMENTS (WHETHER VERBAL OR WRITTEN) OR ACTIONS OF THE AGENTS, THE
DOCUMENTATION AGENT, THE ARRANGER, THE LENDERS, THE ISSUER, THE BORROWER OR ANY
PARENT GUARANTOR RELATING THERETO SHALL BE BROUGHT AND MAINTAINED EXCLUSIVELY
(TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED UNDER APPLICABLE LAW) IN THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF
NEW YORK, OR IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF
NEW YORK, IN EACH CASE LOCATED IN NEW YORK COUNTY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK;
PROVIDED, HOWEVER, THAT ANY SUIT SEEKING ENFORCEMENT AGAINST ANY COLLATERAL OR
OTHER PROPERTY MAY BE BROUGHT, AT THE AGENTS' OPTION, IN THE COURTS OF ANY
JURISDICTION WHERE SUCH COLLATERAL OR OTHER PROPERTY MAY BE FOUND. THE BORROWER
AND EACH PARENT GUARANTOR HEREBY EXPRESSLY AND IRREVOCABLY SUBMIT TO THE
JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AND OF THE UNITED STATES
DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, IN EACH CASE LOCATED IN
NEW YORK COUNTY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, FOR THE PURPOSE OF ANY SUCH
LITIGATION AS SET FORTH ABOVE AND IRREVOCABLY AGREES TO BE BOUND BY ANY
JUDGMENT RENDERED THEREBY IN CONNECTION WITH SUCH LITIGATION. THE BORROWER AND
EACH PARENT GUARANTOR IRREVOCABLY CONSENT TO THE SERVICE OF PROCESS BY
REGISTERED MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, OR BY PERSONAL SERVICE WITHIN OR WITHOUT THE
STATE OF NEW YORK. THE BORROWER AND EACH PARENT GUARANTOR HEREBY EXPRESSLY AND
IRREVOCABLY WAIVE, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY OBJECTION WHICH
ANY OF THEM MAY HAVE OR HEREAFTER MAY HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY SUCH
LITIGATION BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT REFERRED TO ABOVE AND ANY CLAIM THAT ANY
SUCH LITIGATION 


                                     -109-
<PAGE>

HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM. TO THE EXTENT THAT THE BORROWER OR
ANY PARENT GUARANTOR HAS OR HEREAFTER MAY ACQUIRE ANY IMMUNITY FROM
JURISDICTION OF ANY COURT OF FROM ANY LEGAL PROCESS (WHETHER THROUGH SERVICE OR
NOTICE, ATTACHMENT PRIOR TO JUDGMENT, ATTACHMENT IN AID OF EXECUTION OR
OTHERWISE) WITH RESPECT TO ITSELF OR ITS PROPERTY, THE BORROWER AND EACH PARENT
GUARANTOR HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE (TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED UNDER APPLICABLE
LAW) SUCH IMMUNITY IN RESPECT OF ITS OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS AGREEMENT AND THE
OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS.

         SECTION 11.16. Waiver of Jury Trial. THE AGENTS, THE DOCUMENTATION
AGENT, THE ARRANGER, THE ISSUER, THE LENDERS, THE BORROWER AND THE PARENT
GUARANTORS HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVE ANY RIGHTS
THEY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION BASED HEREON, OR
ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH, THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENT, OR ANY COURSE OF CONDUCT, COURSE OF DEALING, STATEMENTS (WHETHER ORAL
OR WRITTEN) OR ACTIONS OF THE AGENTS, THE DOCUMENTATION AGENT, THE ARRANGER,
THE LENDERS, THE BORROWER OR THE PARENT GUARANTORS RELATING THERETO. THE
BORROWER AND THE PARENT GUARANTORS ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT EACH SUCH PERSON
HAS RECEIVED FULL AND SUFFICIENT CONSIDERATION FOR THIS PROVISION (AND EACH
OTHER PROVISION OF EACH OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT TO WHICH SUCH PERSON IS A PARTY)
AND THAT THIS PROVISION IS A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR THE AGENTS, THE
DOCUMENTATION AGENT, THE ARRANGER, THE ISSUER AND THE LENDERS ENTERING INTO
THIS AGREEMENT AND EACH SUCH OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT.




                                     -110-
<PAGE>



         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized as of the
day and year first above written.

                                    BORROWER:

                                    DUANE READE
                                    By   Duane Reade Inc. (formerly known as
                                             Duane Reade Holding Corp.), a
                                             general partner


                                         By  /s/ William J. Tennant
                                             -------------------------------
                                             Title: Senior Vice President

                                    By   DRI I Inc. (formerly known as Duane
                                             Reade Inc.), a general partner


                                         By  /s/ William J. Tennant
                                             -------------------------------
                                             Title: Senior Vice President



                                    PARENT GUARANTORS:

                                    DUANE READE INC. (formerly known as
                                       Duane Reade Holding Corp.)


                                    By /s/ William J. Tennant
                                       -------------------------------------
                                       Title: Senior Vice President



                                    DRI I INC. (formerly known as Duane
                                       Reade Inc.)


                                    By /s/ William J. Tennant
                                       -------------------------------------
                                       Title: Senior Vice President

                                     -111-
<PAGE>


                                     AGENTS:

                                     DLJ CAPITAL FUNDING, INC., as the
                                        Syndication Agent


                                     By /s/ Authorized Signatory
                                        ---------------------------------------
                                        Title: 



                                     FLEET NATIONAL BANK, as the
                                        Administrative Agent


                                     By /s/ Authorized Signatory
                                        ---------------------------------------
                                        Title: 



                                     CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK
                                        BRANCH, as the Documentation Agent


                                     By /s/ Authorized Signatory
                                        ---------------------------------------
                                        Title:

                                     -112-
<PAGE>

                                         LENDERS:

                                         DLJ CAPITAL FUNDING, INC.


                                         By /s/ Authorized Signatory
                                            -----------------------------------
                                            Title:



                                         FLEET NATIONAL BANK


                                         By /s/ Authorized Signatory
                                            -----------------------------------
                                            Title:



                                         CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK
                                            BRANCH


                                         By /s/ Authorized Signatory
                                            -----------------------------------
                                            Title:



                                         SUMMIT BANK


                                         By /s/ Authorized Signatory
                                            -----------------------------------
                                            Title:



                                         BHF-BANK AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT


                                         By /s/ Authorized Signatory
                                            -----------------------------------
                                            Title:


                                         By /s/ Authorized Signatory
                                            -----------------------------------
                                            Title:



                                     -113-
<PAGE>


                                        HELLER FINANCIAL, INC.


                                        By /s/ Authorized Signatory
                                           -----------------------------------
                                           Title:


                                     -114-
<PAGE>


                                                                     SCHEDULE I

                              DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE


ITEM 6.6  Material Adverse Change


ITEM 6.7  Litigation.

                  Description of Proceeding            Action or Claim Sought



ITEM 6.9 Real Property.


ITEM 6.11  Employee Benefit Plans.


ITEM 6.12 Environmental Matters.


ITEM 6.16(c) Pharmaceutical Liabilities.


ITEM 7.2.2(b) Indebtedness to be Paid.


ITEM 7.2.2(c) Ongoing Indebtedness.


ITEM 7.2.5(a) Ongoing Investments.

<PAGE>




                                                               SCHEDULE II to
                                                               Credit Agreement



                                  PERCENTAGES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                            REVOLVING LOAN                 Term A Loan               Term B Loan
                                              COMMITMENT                   Commitment                 Commitment
                                            --------------               --------------              ------------
<S>                                          <C>                          <C>                         <C> 
DLJ Capital Funding, Inc.                    6.2500000000%                6.2500000000%                 100%
Fleet National Bank                         25.0000000000%               25.0000000000%                   0%
Credit Lyonnais New                         18.7500000000%               18.7500000000%                   0%
  York Branch
Summit Bank                                 18.7500000000%               18.7500000000%                   0%
BHF-Bank                                    15.6250000000%               15.6250000000%                   0%
 Aktiengesellschaft
Heller Financial, Inc.                      15.6250000000%               15.6250000000%                   0%

</TABLE>



<PAGE>



                           ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

                               Notice Information

BORROWER:

                  Duane Reade
                  440 Ninth Avenue
                  New York, New York 10001
                  Telecopier: 212-273-5795

                  Attention:  Bill Tennant


PARENT GUARANTORS:

                  Duane Reade Inc.
                  440 Ninth Avenue
                  New York, New York 10001
                  Telecopier: 212-273-5795

                  Attention:  Bill Tennant


                  DRI I Inc.
                  440 Ninth Avenue
                  New York, New York 10001
                  Telecopier: 212-273-5795

                  Attention:  Bill Tennant


                                      -2-


<PAGE>



AGENTS:

                  DLJ Capital Funding, Inc.,
                    as Syndication Agent
                  277 Park Avenue
                  New York, New York  10172
                  Telecopier: 212-892-7272

                  Attention: Tania Holman



                  Fleet National Bank,
                    as Administrative Agent
                  1 Federal Street
                  Boston, Massachusetts  02211
                  Telecopier:  617-346-4806

                  Attention:  Eric Vander Mel



                  Credit Lyonnais New York Branch,
                    as Documentation Agent
                  1301 Avenue of the Americas
                  New York, New York 10019
                  Telecopier: 212-459-3176

                  Attention:  John J. D'Angelo



                                      -3-


<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

LENDERS:

Name of Lender                           Domestic Office                          LIBOR Office
- --------------                           ---------------                          ------------
<S>                                      <C>                                      <C>                 
DLJ Capital Funding, Inc.                525 Washington Blvd.                     525 Washington Blvd.
                                         Jersey City, NJ 07310                    Jersey City, NJ 07310
                                         Telecopier:  201-610-1965                Telecopier:  201-610-1965

                                         Attention: Ed Vowinkel                   Attention: Ed Vowinkel
Fleet National Bank                      1 Federal Street                         1 Federal Street
                                         Boston, MA  02211                        Boston, MA  02211
                                         Telecopier:  617-346-4806                Telecopier:  617-346-4806

                                         Attention:  Eric Vander Mel              Attention:  Eric Vander Mel
Credit Lyonnais New York                 1301 Avenue of the Americas              1301 Avenue of the Americas
  Branch                                 New York, NY 10019                       New York, NY 10019
                                         Telecopier: 212-261-3776                 Telecopier: 212-261-3776

                                         Attention: Allison L. Adams              Attention: Allison L. Adams
Summit Bank                              750 Walnut Ave., 3rd Floor               750 Walnut Ave., 3rd Floor
                                         Cranford, NJ 07016                       Cranford, NJ 07016
                                         Telecopier: 908-709-6433                 Telecopier: 908-709-6433

                                         Attention: Wayne R. Trotman              Attention: Wayne R. Trotman
BHF-Bank Aktiengesellschaft              NY Branch                                Grand Cayman Branch
                                         590 Madison Ave.                         c/o 590 Madison Ave.
                                         New York, NY 10022                       New York, NY 10022
                                         Telecopier: 212-756-5536                 Telecopier: 212-756-5536

                                         Attention: Tom Scifo                     Attention: Tom Scifo
Heller Financial, Inc.                   500 W. Monroe St.                        500 W. Monroe St.
                                         Chicago, IL 60661                        Chicago, IL 60661
                                         Telecopier: 312-441-7357                 Telecopier: 312-441-7357

                                         Attention: Patrick Hayes                 Attention: Patrick Hayes


</TABLE>

                                      -4-

<PAGE>



                                                                   SCHEDULE III


                           EXISTING LETTERS OF CREDIT







<PAGE>

                                                               [EXECUTION COPY]

                         PARTNERSHIP SECURITY AGREEMENT


         This PARTNERSHIP SECURITY AGREEMENT (as amended, supplemented, amended
and restated or otherwise modified from time to time, this "Security
Agreement"), dated as of February 13, 1998, is made by each of the parties
identified on the signature pages hereto as a "Grantor" (each, individually, a
"Grantor", and collectively, the "Grantors") in favor of FLEET NATIONAL BANK,
as administrative agent (together with its successor(s) thereto, in such
capacity, the "Administrative Agent") for each of the Secured Parties.


                              W I T N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS, pursuant to a Credit Agreement, dated the date hereof (as
amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to
time, the "Credit Agreement"), among Duane Reade, a New York general
partnership (the "Borrower" or the "Partnership"), each of the Grantors, the
various financial institutions as are, or may from time to time become, parties
thereto (each, individually, a "Lender", and collectively, the "Lenders"), DLJ
Capital Funding, Inc., as the Syndication Agent, Fleet National Bank, as the
Administrative Agent and Credit Lyonnais New York Branch, as Documentation
Agent, the Lenders and the Issuer have extended Commitments to make Credit
Extensions to the Borrower;

         WHEREAS, as a condition precedent to the making of the Credit
Extensions (including the initial Credit Extension) under the Credit Agreement,
each Grantor is required to execute and deliver this Security Agreement;

         WHEREAS, each Grantor has duly authorized the execution, delivery and
performance of this Security Agreement; and

         WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of each Grantor to execute this
Security Agreement inasmuch as such Grantor will derive substantial direct and
indirect benefits from the Credit Extensions made from time to time to the
Borrower by the Lenders and the Issuer pursuant to the Credit Agreement;

         NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and in order to induce the
Lenders and the Issuer to make Credit Extensions (including the initial Credit
Extension) to the Borrower pursuant to the Credit Agreement, and to induce the
Secured Parties to enter into Rate Protection Agreement(s), each Grantor
agrees, for the benefit of each Secured Party, as follows:

<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE I

                                  DEFINITIONS

         SECTION 1.1. Certain Terms. The following terms (whether or not
underscored) when used in this Security Agreement, including its preamble and
recitals, shall have the following meanings (such definitions to be equally
applicable to the singular and plural forms thereof):

         "Administrative Agent" is defined in the preamble.

         "Borrower" is defined in the first recital.

         "Collateral" is defined in Section 2.1.

         "Credit Agreement" is defined in the first recital.

         "Grantor" and "Grantors" are defined in the preamble.

         "Lender" and "Lenders" are defined in the first recital.

         "Partnership" is defined in the first recital.

         "Partnership Agreement" means the Borrower Partnership Agreement as
defined in the Credit Agreement.

         "Secured Obligations" is defined in Section 2.2.

         "Security Agreement" is defined in the preamble.

         "U.C.C." means the Uniform Commercial Code, as in effect from time to
time in the State of New York.

         SECTION 1.2. Credit Agreement Definitions. Unless otherwise defined
herein or the context otherwise requires, terms used in this Security
Agreement, including its preamble and recitals, have the meanings provided in
the Credit Agreement.

         SECTION 1.3. U.C.C. Definitions. Unless otherwise defined herein or in
the Credit Agreement or the context otherwise requires, terms for which
meanings are provided in the U.C.C. are used in this Security Agreement,
including its preamble and recitals, with such meanings.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE II

                               SECURITY INTEREST

         SECTION 2.1. Grant of Security. Each Grantor hereby assigns and
pledges to the Administrative Agent for its benefit and the ratable benefit of
each of the Secured Parties, and hereby grants to the Administrative Agent for
its benefit and the ratable benefit of each of the Secured Parties, a security
interest in all of the following, whether now or hereafter existing or acquired
by such Grantor (the "Collateral"):

                  (a) all right, title and interest of such Grantor, whether
         now existing or hereafter arising or acquired, in, to and under the
         Partnership Agreement, including such Grantor's rights, now existing
         or hereafter arising or acquired, to receive from time to time its
         share of profits, income, surplus, compensation, return of capital,
         distributions and other reimbursements and payments from the
         Partnership (including specific properties of the Partnership upon
         dissolution and otherwise and all rights and interests as general
         partner to operate the Partnership);

                  (b) all general or limited partnership interests now owned or
         hereafter acquired by such Grantor in the Partnership as a result of
         exchange offers, direct investments or contributions or otherwise;

                  (c) such Grantor's accounts, general intangibles and other
         rights to payment or reimbursement, now existing or hereafter arising
         or acquired, from the Partnership, existing or arising from loans,
         advances or other extensions of credit by such Grantor from time to
         time to or for the account of the Partnership, or from services
         rendered by such Grantor from time to time to or for the account of
         the Partnership; and

                  (d) all products, offspring, rents, issues, profits, returns,
         income and proceeds of and from any and all of the foregoing
         Collateral (including proceeds which constitute property of the types
         described in clauses (a), (b) and (c), and, to the extent not
         otherwise included, all payments under insurance (whether or not the
         Administrative Agent is the loss payee thereof), or any indemnity,
         warranty or guaranty, payable by reason of loss or damage to or
         otherwise with respect to any of the foregoing Collateral).

         SECTION 2.2. Security for Obligations. This Security Agreement secures
the payment of all Obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter existing under
the Credit Agreement, the Notes and each other Loan Document to which the
Borrower is or may become a party, whether for principal, interest, costs,
fees, expenses or otherwise, and all obligations of each Grantor and each other
Obligor now or hereafter existing under this Security Agreement and each other
Loan Document to which such Grantor or such other Obligor is or may become a
party (all such obligations of the Borrower and such Grantor and such other
Obligor being the "Secured Obligations").

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

         SECTION 2.3. Continuing Security Interest; Transfer of Notes. This
Security Agreement shall create a continuing security interest in the
Collateral and shall

                  (a) remain in full force and effect until payment in full in
         cash of all Secured Obligations, the termination of all Letters of
         Credit, the termination or expiration of all Rate Protection
         Agreements and the termination of all Commitments,

                  (b) be binding upon each Grantor, its successors, transferees
         and assigns, and

                  (c) inure, together with the rights and remedies of the
         Administrative Agent hereunder, to the benefit of the Administrative
         Agent and each other Secured Party.

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing clause (c), any Lender may
assign or otherwise transfer (in whole or in part) any Note or Credit Extension
held by it to any other Person or entity, and such other Person or entity shall
thereupon become vested with all the rights and benefits in respect thereof
granted to such Lender under any Loan Document (including this Security
Agreement) or otherwise, subject, however, to any contrary provisions in such
assignment or transfer, and to the provisions of Section 11.11 and Article X of
the Credit Agreement. Upon the payment in full in cash of all Secured
Obligations, the termination or expiration of all Letters of Credit, the
termination of all Rate Protection Agreements and the termination of all
Commitments, the security interest granted herein shall terminate and all
rights to the Collateral shall revert to such Grantor. Upon any such
termination, the Administrative Agent will, at such Grantor's sole expense,
execute and deliver to such Grantor such documents as such Grantor shall
reasonably request to evidence such termination.

         SECTION 2.4.  Grantors Remain Liable.  Anything herein to the contrary
notwithstanding

                  (a) each Grantor shall remain liable under the Partnership
         Agreement and the contracts and agreements included in the Collateral
         to the extent set forth therein, and shall perform all of its duties
         and obligations under the Partnership Agreement and such contracts and
         agreements to the same extent as if this Security Agreement had not
         been executed,

                  (b) the exercise by the Administrative Agent of any of its
         rights hereunder shall not release any Grantor from any of its duties
         or obligations under the Partnership Agreement and any such contracts
         or agreements included in the Collateral, and

                  (c) neither the Administrative Agent nor any other Secured
         Party shall have any obligation or liability under the Partnership
         Agreement and any such contracts or agreements included in the
         Collateral by reason of this Security Agreement, nor shall the
         Administrative Agent or any other Secured Party be obligated to
         perform any of the obligations or duties of any Grantor thereunder or
         to take any action to collect or enforce any claim for payment
         assigned hereunder.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

         SECTION 2.5. Security Interest Absolute. All rights of the
Administrative Agent and the security interests granted to the Administrative
Agent hereunder, and all obligations of each Grantor hereunder, shall be
absolute and unconditional, irrespective of

                  (a) any lack of validity or enforceability of the Credit
         Agreement, any Note or any other Loan Document;

                  (b) the failure of any Secured Party or any holder of any
         Note

                           (i) to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any
                  right or remedy against the Borrower, any other Obligor or
                  any other Person under the provisions of the Credit
                  Agreement, any Note, any other Loan Document or otherwise, or

                           (ii) to exercise any right or remedy against any
                  other guarantor of, or collateral securing, any Secured
                  Obligations;

                  (c) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or
         in any other term of, all or any of the Secured Obligations or any
         other extension, compromise or renewal of any Secured Obligations;

                  (d) any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination of
         any Secured Obligations for any reason, including any claim of waiver,
         release, surrender, alteration or compromise, and shall not be subject
         to (and each Grantor hereby waives any right to or claim of) any
         defense or setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever
         by reason of the invalidity, illegality, nongenuineness, irregularity,
         compromise, unenforceability of, or any other event or occurrence
         affecting, any Secured Obligations or otherwise;

                  (e) any amendment to, rescission, waiver, or other
         modification of, or any consent to departure from, any of the terms of
         the Credit Agreement, any Note or any other Loan Document;

                  (f) any addition, exchange, release, surrender or
         non-perfection of any collateral (including the Collateral), or any
         amendment to or waiver or release of or addition to or consent to
         departure from any guaranty, for any of the Secured Obligations; or

                  (g) any other circumstances which might otherwise constitute
         a defense available to, or a legal or equitable discharge of, the
         Borrower, any other Obligor, any surety or any guarantor.

         SECTION 2.6. Postponement of Subrogation, etc. Each Grantor hereby
agrees that it will not exercise any rights which it may acquire by reason of
any payment made hereunder, whether by way of subrogation, reimbursement or
otherwise, until the prior payment in full in cash of all Secured Obligations,
the termination or expiration of all Letters of Credit, the termination of all
Rate Protection Agreements and the termination of all Commitments. Any

                                      -5-

<PAGE>

amount paid to any Grantor on account of any payment made hereunder prior to
the payment in full in cash of all Secured Obligations shall be held in trust
for the benefit of the Secured Parties and each holder of a Note and shall
immediately be paid to the Administrative Agent for the benefit of the Secured
Parties and each holder of a Note and credited and applied against the Secured
Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the terms of the
Credit Agreement; provided, however, that if

                  (a) such Grantor has made payment to the Administrative Agent
         for the benefit of the Secured Parties and each holder of a Note of
         all or any part of the Secured Obligations, and

                  (b) all Secured Obligations have been paid in full in cash,
         all Letters of Credit have been terminated or expired, all Rate
         Protection Agreements have been terminated and all Commitments have
         been permanently terminated,

each Secured Party and each holder of a Note agrees that, at the requesting
Grantor's request, the Administrative Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties
and the holders of the Notes, will execute and deliver to such Grantor
appropriate documents (without recourse and without representation or warranty)
necessary to evidence the transfer by subrogation to such Grantor of an
interest in the Secured Obligations resulting from such payment by such
Grantor. In furtherance of the foregoing, for so long as any Secured
Obligations, Commitments or Letters of Credit remain outstanding or any Rate
Protection Agreement remains in full force and effect, each Grantor shall
refrain from taking any action or commencing any proceeding against the
Borrower or any other Obligor (or its successors or assigns, whether in
connection with a bankruptcy proceeding or otherwise) to recover any amounts in
respect of payments made under this Security Agreement to any Secured Party or
any holder of a Note.


                                  ARTICLE III

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         SECTION 3.1. Representations and Warranties. Each Grantor represents
and warrants to each Secured Party insofar as the representations and
warranties contained herein are applicable to such Grantor and its properties,
as set forth in this Article III.

         SECTION 3.2. Ownership, No Liens, etc. Such Grantor owns its
Collateral free and clear of any Lien, security interest, charge or encumbrance
except for the security interest created by this Security Agreement and except
as permitted by the Credit Agreement. No effective financing statement or other
instrument similar in effect covering all or any part of the Collateral is on
file in any recording office, except such as may have been filed in favor of
the Administrative Agent relating to this Security Agreement or as to which a
duly executed termination statement relating to such financing statement or
other similar instrument has been delivered to the Administrative Agent on the
Closing Date.

                                      -6-

<PAGE>

         SECTION 3.3. Validity, etc. This Security Agreement creates a valid
security interest in the Collateral securing the payment of the Secured
Obligations, and upon the filing of the Uniform Commercial Code financing
statements delivered by each Grantor to the Administrative Agent with respect
to such Collateral, such security interest will be a first priority perfected
security interest. The Partnership Agreement (and all amendments thereto)
constitutes the valid, binding and enforceable obligations of each Grantor a
party thereto, sets forth the entire agreement of the parties thereto with
respect to the subject matter thereof, has not been further amended or modified
and remains in full force and effect.

         SECTION 3.4. Partnership Interests, Profits. The character (general
and/or limited partner) of each Grantor's interest in the Partnership and each
Grantor's percentage interest in the Partnership's profits (with profit
interests as a general and as a limited partner separately stated) are as set
forth in Schedule I hereto, as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from
time to time with the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent.

         SECTION 3.5. Certificate. No interest of such Grantor in the
Partnership is represented by a certificate of interest or similar instrument,
except such certificates or instruments, if any, as have been delivered to the
Administrative Agent and are held in its possession (and such Grantor covenants
and agrees that any such certificates or instruments hereafter received by such
Grantor with respect to any of the Collateral will be promptly delivered to the
Administrative Agent, together with all necessary instruments or transfer or
assignment, duly executed in blank).

         SECTION 3.6. Interest in Partnership Agreements. Such Grantor had and
has the power and legal capacity to execute and carry out the provisions of the
Partnership Agreement. Such Grantor has substantially performed all of its
obligations to date under the Partnership Agreement and has not received notice
of the failure of any other party thereto to perform substantially its
obligations thereunder.

         SECTION 3.7. Location, Records, etc. The chief executive office of
such Grantor and the office where such Grantor keeps its records concerning the
Collateral are located at the addresses specified in Schedule II hereto. During
the four months preceding the date hereof, such Grantor has not been known by
any legal name different from the one set forth on the signature page hereto,
nor has such Grantor been the subject of any merger or other corporate
reorganization.

         SECTION 3.8. Authorization, Approval, etc. Except as have been
obtained or made and are in full force and effect (or otherwise provided for to
the satisfaction of the Agents), no authorization, approval or other action by,
and no notice to or filing with, any governmental authority or regulatory body
is required either

                  (a) for the grant by such Grantor of the security interest
         granted hereby or for the execution, delivery and performance of this
         Security Agreement by such Grantor, or

                  (b) for the perfection of or the exercise by the
         Administrative Agent of its rights and remedies hereunder.

                                      -7-

<PAGE>

         SECTION 3.9. Compliance with Laws. Such Grantor is in compliance with
the requirements of all applicable laws (including the provisions of the Fair
Labor Standards Act), rules, regulations and orders of every governmental
authority, the non-compliance with which could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect or which could reasonably be expected to materially
adversely affect the value of the Collateral or the worth of the Collateral as
collateral security.


                                   ARTICLE IV

                                   COVENANTS

         SECTION 4.1. Certain Covenants. Each Grantor covenants and agrees
that, so long as any portion of the Secured Obligations shall remain unpaid,
any Rate Protection Agreements shall remain in full force and effect, any
Letters of Credit shall be outstanding or any Lender shall have any outstanding
Commitment, such Grantor will, unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise
consent in writing, perform, comply with and be bound by the obligations set
forth in this Article IV.

         SECTION 4.2. Covenants from Other Agreements. Such Grantor will take
all actions necessary to cause the Partnership to perform, comply with and be
bound by all of the agreements, covenants and obligations contained in Article
VII of the Credit Agreement and in any other Loan Document applicable to the
Partnership and its properties. Each such agreement, covenant and obligation
contained in such Article or in any other Loan Document and all other terms of
the Credit Agreement and the Loan Documents to which reference is made therein,
together with all related definitions and ancillary provisions, is hereby
incorporated into this Security Agreement by reference as though specifically
set forth in this Section, and each such agreement, covenant and obligation
shall, for purposes hereof, survive the termination of the Credit Agreement and
the Loan Documents (other than this Security Agreement).

         SECTION 4.3. Maintenance of Records. Such Grantor will keep, at its
address indicated on Schedule II hereto, all of its records concerning the
Collateral, which records will be of such character as will enable the
Administrative Agent or its designees to determine at any time the status
thereof, or, upon 30 days' prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, at
such other locations in a jurisdiction where all actions necessary to (a)
perfect, preserve and protect any security interest granted or purported to be
granted hereby and (b) enable the Administrative Agent to exercise and enforce
its rights and remedies hereunder, shall have been taken. Such Grantor shall
not change its name except upon 30 days' prior written notice to the
Administrative Agent and shall hold and preserve such records concerning the
Collateral and permit representatives of the Administrative Agent at any time
during normal business hours to inspect and make abstracts from such records.

         SECTION 4.4. Amendment of Partnership Agreement. Such Grantor will not
amend, supplement or otherwise modify, or permit, consent or suffer to occur
any amendment, supplement or modification of any terms or provisions contained
in, or applicable to, the

                                      -8-

<PAGE>

Partnership Agreement, if the effect thereof is to impair, or is in any manner
adverse to, the rights or interests of any Secured Party under the Credit
Agreement or any other Loan Document, without the prior written consent of the
Administrative Agent and the Required Lenders.

         SECTION 4.5. Withdraw from Partnership. No Grantor will, without the
express written consent of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, actively
cause itself to withdraw as a general partner or limited partner, as the case
may be, of the Partnership.

         SECTION 4.6.  Transfers and Other Liens.  Such Grantor shall not

                  (a) sell, assign (by operation of law or otherwise) or
         otherwise dispose of any of the Collateral; or

                  (b) create or suffer to exist any Lien or other charge or
         encumbrance upon or with respect to any of the Collateral to secure
         Indebtedness of any Person or entity, except for the security interest
         created by this Security Agreement and except as permitted by the
         Credit Agreement.

         SECTION 4.7. Further Assurances, etc. Such Grantor agrees that, from
time to time at its own expense, such Grantor will promptly execute and deliver
all further instruments and documents, and take all further action, that may be
necessary or desirable, or that the Administrative Agent may request, in order
to perfect, preserve and protect any security interest granted or purported to
be granted hereby or to enable the Administrative Agent to exercise and enforce
its rights and remedies hereunder with respect to any Collateral. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, such Grantor will

                  (a) execute and file such financing or continuation
         statements, or amendments thereto, and such other instruments or
         notices (including any assignment of claim form under or pursuant to
         the federal assignment of claims statute, 31 U.S.C. ss. 3726, any
         successor or amended version thereof or any regulation promulgated
         under or pursuant to any version thereof), as may be necessary or
         desirable, or as the Administrative Agent may request, in order to
         perfect and preserve the security interests and other rights granted
         or purported to be granted to the Administrative Agent hereby; and

                  (b) furnish to the Administrative Agent, from time to time at
         the Administrative Agent's request, statements and schedules further
         identifying and describing the Collateral and such other reports in
         connection with the Collateral as the Administrative Agent may
         reasonably request, all in reasonable detail.

With respect to the foregoing and the grant of the security interest hereunder,
such Grantor hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to file one or more
financing or continuation statements, and amendments thereto, relative to all
or any part of the Collateral without the signature of such Grantor where
permitted by law. A carbon, photographic or other reproduction

                                      -9-
<PAGE>

of this Security Agreement or any financing statement covering the Collateral
or any part thereof shall be sufficient as a financing statement where
permitted by law.


                                   ARTICLE V

                            THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

         SECTION 5.1. Administrative Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact. Each
Grantor hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent such Grantor's
attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of such Grantor
and in the name of such Grantor or otherwise, from time to time in the
Administrative Agent's discretion, following the occurrence and continuation of
a Default of the nature set forth in Section 8.1.9 of the Credit Agreement or
an Event of Default, to take any action and to execute any instrument which the
Administrative Agent may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes
of this Security Agreement, including:

                  (a) to ask, demand, collect, sue for, recover, compromise,
         receive and give acquittance and receipts for moneys due and to become
         due under or in respect of any of the Collateral;

                  (b) to receive, endorse, and collect any drafts or other
         instruments, documents and chattel paper, in connection with clause
         (a) above;

                  (c) to file any claims or take any action or institute any
         proceedings which the Administrative Agent may deem necessary or
         desirable for the collection of any of the Collateral or otherwise to
         enforce the rights of the Administrative Agent with respect to any of
         the Collateral; and

                  (d) to perform the affirmative obligations of such Grantor
         hereunder (including all obligations of such Grantor pursuant to
         Section 4.7).

Such Grantor hereby acknowledges, consents and agrees that the power of
attorney granted pursuant to this Section is irrevocable and coupled with an
interest.

         SECTION 5.2. Administrative Agent May Perform. If any Grantor fails to
perform any agreement contained herein, the Administrative Agent may itself
perform, or cause performance of, such agreement, and the expenses of the
Administrative Agent incurred in connection therewith shall be payable by such
Grantor pursuant to Section 6.2.

         SECTION 5.3. Administrative Agent Has No Duty. In addition to, and not
in limitation of, Section 2.4, the powers conferred on the Administrative Agent
hereunder are solely to protect its interest (on behalf of the Secured Parties)
in the Collateral and shall not impose any duty on it to exercise any such
powers. Except for reasonable care of any Collateral in its possession and the
accounting for moneys actually received by it hereunder, the Administrative
Agent shall have

                                      -10-

<PAGE>

no duty as to any Collateral or as to the taking of any necessary steps to
preserve rights against prior parties or any other rights pertaining to any
Collateral.

         SECTION 5.4. Reasonable Care. The Administrative Agent is required to
exercise reasonable care in the custody and preservation of any of the
Collateral in its possession; provided, however, the Administrative Agent shall
be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody and preservation of
any of the Collateral, if it takes such action for that purpose as any Grantor
reasonably requests in writing at times other than upon the occurrence and
during the continuance of any Event of Default, but failure of the
Administrative Agent to comply with any such request at any time shall not in
itself be deemed a failure to exercise reasonable care.


                                   ARTICLE VI

                                    REMEDIES

         SECTION 6.1. Certain Remedies. If any Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing:

                  (a) The Administrative Agent may exercise in respect of the
         Collateral, in addition to other rights and remedies provided for
         herein or otherwise available to it, all the rights and remedies of a
         secured party on default under the U.C.C. (whether or not the U.C.C.
         applies to the affected Collateral) and also may

                           (i) require each Grantor to, and such Grantor hereby
                  agrees that it will, at its expense and upon request of the
                  Administrative Agent forthwith, assemble all or part of the
                  Collateral as directed by the Administrative Agent and make
                  it available to the Administrative Agent at a place to be
                  designated by the Administrative Agent which is reasonably
                  convenient to all parties, and

                           (ii) without notice except as specified below, sell
                  the Collateral or any part thereof at public or private sale,
                  at any of the Administrative Agent's offices or elsewhere,
                  for cash, on credit or for future delivery, and upon such
                  other terms as the Administrative Agent may deem commercially
                  reasonable. Each Grantor agrees that, to the extent notice of
                  sale shall be required by law, at least ten days' prior
                  notice to such Grantor of the time and place of any public
                  sale or the time after which any private sale is to be made
                  shall constitute reasonable notification. The Administrative
                  Agent shall not be obligated to make any sale of Collateral
                  regardless of notice of sale having been given. The
                  Administrative Agent may adjourn any public or private sale
                  from time to time by announcement at the time and place fixed
                  therefor, and such sale may, without further notice, be made
                  at the time and place to which it was so adjourned.

                                      -11-

<PAGE>

                  (b) All cash proceeds received by the Administrative Agent in
         respect of any sale of, collection from, or other realization upon,
         all or any part of the Collateral shall be applied by the
         Administrative Agent against, all or any part of the Obligations as
         follows:

                           (i) first, to the payment of any amounts payable to
                  the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 11.3 of the
                  Credit Agreement and Section 6.2;

                           (ii) second, to the equal and ratable payment of
                  Obligations, in accordance with each Secured Party's
                  Obligations owing to it under or pursuant to the Credit
                  Agreement or any other Loan Document, or under or pursuant to
                  any Hedging Obligation included in the Obligations as to each
                  Secured Party, applied

                                    (A) first to fees and expense
                           reimbursements then due to such Secured Party,

                                    (B) then to interest due to such Secured
                           Party,

                                    (C) then to pay or prepay principal of the
                           Loans owing to, or to reduce the "credit exposure"
                           of, such Secured Party under such Hedging
                           Obligation, as the case may be, and

                                    (D) then to pay the remaining outstanding
                           Obligations and cash collateralize all Letter of
                           Credit Outstandings;

                           (iii) third, without duplication of any amounts paid
                  pursuant to clause (b)(ii) above, to the Indemnified Parties
                  to the extent of any amounts owing pursuant to Section 11.4
                  of the Credit Agreement; and

                           (iv) fourth, to be held as additional collateral
                  security until the payment in full in cash of all of the
                  Obligations, the termination or expiration of all Letters of
                  Credit, the termination of all Rate Protection Agreements and
                  the termination of all Commitments, after which such
                  remaining cash proceeds shall be paid over to the applicable
                  Grantor or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive
                  such surplus.

         For purposes of this Security Agreement, the "credit exposure" at any
         time of any Secured Party with respect to a Hedging Obligation to
         which such Secured Party is a party shall be determined at such time
         in accordance with the customary methods of calculating credit
         exposure under similar arrangements by the counterparty to such
         arrangements, taking into account potential interest rate movements
         and the respective termination provisions and notional principal
         amount and term of such Hedging Obligation.

         SECTION 6.2.  Indemnity and Expenses.

                                      -12-

<PAGE>

                  (a) Each Grantor jointly and severally agrees to indemnify
         the Administrative Agent from and against any and all claims, losses
         and liabilities arising out of or resulting from this Security
         Agreement (including enforcement of this Security Agreement), except
         claims, losses or liabilities resulting from the Administrative
         Agent's gross negligence or wilful misconduct.

                  (b) Each Grantor will upon demand pay to the Administrative
         Agent the amount of any and all reasonable expenses, including the
         reasonable fees and disbursements of its counsel and of any experts
         and agents, which the Administrative Agent may incur in connection
         with

                           (i) the administration of this Security Agreement,

                           (ii) the custody, preservation, use or operation of,
                  or the sale of, collection from, or other realization upon,
                  any of the Collateral,

                           (iii) the exercise or enforcement of any of the
                  rights of the Administrative Agent or the Secured Parties
                  hereunder, and

                           (iv) the failure by any Grantor to perform or
                  observe any of the provisions hereof.


                                  ARTICLE VII

                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

         SECTION 7.1. Loan Document. This Security Agreement is a Loan Document
executed pursuant to the Credit Agreement and shall (unless otherwise expressly
indicated herein) be construed, administered and applied in accordance with the
terms and provisions thereof.

         SECTION 7.2. Amendments; etc. No amendment to or waiver of any
provision of this Security Agreement nor consent to any departure by any
Grantor herefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in
writing and signed by the Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Lenders or the
Required Lenders, as the case may be) and by the Guarantor in the case of an
amendment, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the
specific instance and for the specific purpose for which given.

         SECTION 7.3. Addresses for Notices. All notices and other
communications provided for hereunder to any party hereto shall be in writing
(including telegraphic communication) and mailed or telecopied or delivered to
such party, addressed to such party at its address specified in the Credit
Agreement. All such notices and other communications, when mailed and properly
addressed with postage prepaid or if properly addressed and sent by pre-paid
courier service, shall be deemed given when received; any such notice or
communication, if transmitted by telecopier, shall be deemed given when
transmitted and electronically confirmed.

                                      -13-
<PAGE>

         SECTION 7.4. Section Captions. Section captions used in this Security
Agreement are for convenience of reference only, and shall not affect the
construction of this Security Agreement.

         SECTION 7.5. Severability. Wherever possible each provision of this
Security Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and
valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Security Agreement
shall be prohibited by or invalid under such law, such provision shall be
ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without
invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of
this Security Agreement.

         SECTION 7.6. Counterparts. This Security Agreement may be executed by
the parties hereto in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be
an original and all of which shall constitute together but one and the same
agreement.

         SECTION 7.7. Governing Law, Entire Agreement, etc. THIS SECURITY
AGREEMENT SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACT MADE UNDER AND GOVERNED BY THE
INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT THE VALIDITY
OR PERFECTION OF THE SECURITY INTEREST HEREUNDER, OR REMEDIES HEREUNDER, IN
RESPECT OF ANY PARTICULAR COLLATERAL ARE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF A JURISDICTION
OTHER THAN THE STATE OF NEW YORK. THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENTS CONSTITUTE THE ENTIRE UNDERSTANDING AMONG THE PARTIES HERETO WITH
RESPECT TO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF AND THEREOF AND SUPERSEDE ANY PRIOR
AGREEMENTS, WRITTEN OR ORAL, WITH RESPECT THERETO.

                                      -14-

<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each Grantor has caused this Security Agreement to
be duly executed and delivered by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of
the date first above written.

                                       GRANTORS:

                                       DUANE READE INC. (formerly known as
                                       Duane Reade Holding Corp.),
                                       a Delaware corporation


                                       By /s/ William J. Tennant
                                          ----------------------------------
                                          Name: William J. Tennant
                                          Title: Senior Vice President



                                       DRI I INC. (formerly known as 
                                       Duane Reade Inc., a Delaware corporation


                                       By /s/ William J. Tennant
                                          ----------------------------------
                                          Name: William J. Tennant
                                          Title: Senior Vice President



                                       FLEET NATIONAL BANK,
                                         as Administrative Agent


                                       By /s/ Eric C. Vander Mel
                                          ----------------------------------
                                          Name: Eric C. Vander Mel
                                          Title: Vice President

                                      -15-

<PAGE>

                                                                  SCHEDULE I to
                                                           Partnership Security
                                                                      Agreement




                                  TYPE OF                   PERCENTAGE OF
                                PARTNERSHIP                   INTEREST
NAME OF GRANTOR               INTEREST PLEDGED                 PLEDGED
- ---------------               ----------------                 -------

DUANE READE INC.                  GENERAL                        99%
                           
  DRI I Inc.                      General                         1%
           


<PAGE>

                                                                 SCHEDULE II to
                                                           Partnership Security
                                                                      Agreement


                        Chief Executive Office
                        ----------------------

DUANE READE INC.        440 NINTH AVENUE
                        NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10001


DRI I INC.              440 NINTH AVENUE
                        NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10001


                                     


<PAGE>

                                                               [EXECUTION COPY]


                          BORROWER SECURITY AGREEMENT

         This BORROWER SECURITY AGREEMENT (as amended, supplemented, amended
and restated or otherwise modified from time to time, this "Security
Agreement"), dated as of February 13, 1998, is made by DUANE READE, a New York
general partnership (the "Grantor"), in favor of FLEET NATIONAL BANK, as
administrative agent (together with its successor(s) thereto, in such capacity
the "Administrative Agent") for each of the Secured Parties.


                              W I T N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS, pursuant to a Credit Agreement, dated February 13, 1998 (as
amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified from time to
time, the "Credit Agreement"), among the Grantor, each of the Parent Guarantors
named therein, the various financial institutions as are, or may from time to
time become, parties thereto (each individually a "Lender" and collectively the
"Lenders"), DLJ Capital Funding, Inc., as Syndication Agent, Fleet National
Bank, as the Administrative Agent and Credit Lyonnais New York Branch, as
Documentation Agent, the Lenders and the Issuer have extended Commitments to
make Credit Extensions to the Grantor;

         WHEREAS, as a condition precedent to the making of the Credit
Extensions (including the initial Credit Extension) under the Credit Agreement,
the Grantor is required to execute and deliver this Security Agreement; and

         WHEREAS, the Grantor has duly authorized the execution, delivery and
performance of this Security Agreement;

         NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and in order to induce the
Lenders and the Issuer to make Credit Extensions (including the initial Credit
Extension) to the Grantor pursuant to the Credit Agreement and to induce the
Secured Parties to enter into Rate Protection Agreement(s), the Grantor agrees,
for the benefit of each Secured Party, as follows:

<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE I

                                  DEFINITIONS

         SECTION 1.1. Certain Terms. The following terms (whether or not
underscored) when used in this Security Agreement, including its preamble and
recitals, shall have the following meanings (such definitions to be equally
applicable to the singular and plural forms thereof):

         "Administrative Agent" is defined in the preamble.

         "Collateral" is defined in Section 2.1.

         "Collateral Account" is defined in Section 4.3(b).

         "Computer Hardware and Software Collateral" means:

                  (a) all computer and other electronic data processing
         hardware, integrated computer systems, central processing units,
         memory units, display terminals, printers, features, computer
         elements, card readers, tape drives, hard and soft disk drives,
         cables, electrical supply hardware, generators, power equalizers,
         accessories and all peripheral devices and other related computer
         hardware;

                  (b) all software programs (including both source code, object
         code and all related applications and data files), whether now owned,
         licensed or leased or hereafter acquired by the Grantor, designed for
         use on the computers and electronic data processing hardware described
         in clause (a) above;

                  (c)  all firmware associated therewith;

                  (d) all documentation (including flow charts, logic diagrams,
         manuals, guides and specifications) with respect to such hardware,
         software and firmware described in the preceding clauses (a) through
         (c); and

                  (e) all rights with respect to all of the foregoing,
         including any and all copyrights, licenses, options, warranties,
         service contracts, program services, test rights, maintenance rights,
         support rights, improvement rights, renewal rights and
         indemnifications and any substitutions, replacements, additions or
         model conversions of any of the foregoing.

         "Copyright Collateral" means all copyrights (including all copyrights
for semiconductor chip product mask works) of the Grantor, whether statutory or
common law, registered or unregistered, now or hereafter in force throughout
the world including all of the Grantor's right, title and interest in and to
all copyrights registered in the United States Copyright Office or anywhere
else in the world and also including the copyrights referred to in Item A of
Schedule IV attached hereto, and all applications for registration thereof,
whether pending or in

                                      -2-
<PAGE>

preparation, all copyright licenses, including each copyright license referred
to in Item B of Schedule IV attached hereto, the right to sue for past, present
and future infringements of any thereof, all rights corresponding thereto
throughout the world, all extensions and renewals of any thereof and all
proceeds of the foregoing, including licenses, royalties, income, payments,
claims, damages and proceeds of suit.

         "Credit Agreement" is defined in the first recital.

         "Equipment" is defined in clause (a) of Section 2.1.

         "Grantor" is defined in the preamble.

         "Intellectual Property Collateral" means, collectively, the Computer
Hardware and Software Collateral, the Copyright Collateral, the Patent
Collateral, the Trademark Collateral and the Trade Secrets Collateral.

         "Inventory" is defined in clause (b) of Section 2.1

         "Lender" and "Lenders" are defined in the first recital.

         "Patent Collateral" means:

                  (a) all letters patent and applications for letters patent
         throughout the world, including all patent applications in preparation
         for filing anywhere in the world and including each patent and patent
         application referred to in Item A of Schedule II attached hereto;

                  (b) all reissues, divisions, continuations,
         continuations-in-part, extensions, renewals and reexaminations of any
         of the items described in clause (a);

                  (c) all patent licenses, including each patent license
         referred to in Item B of Schedule II attached hereto; and

                  (d) all proceeds of, and rights associated with, the
         foregoing (including license royalties and proceeds of infringement
         suits), the right to sue third parties for past, present or future
         infringements of any patent or patent application, including any
         patent or patent application referred to in Item A of Schedule II
         attached hereto, and for breach or enforcement of any patent license,
         including any patent license referred to in Item B of Schedule II
         attached hereto, and all rights corresponding thereto throughout the
         world.

         "Receivables" is defined in clause (c) of Section 2.1.

         "Related Contracts" is defined in clause (c) of Section 2.1.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

         "Security Agreement" is defined in the preamble.

         "Trademark Collateral" means:

                  (a) all trademarks, trade names, corporate names, company
         names, business names, fictitious business names, trade styles,
         service marks, certification marks, collective marks, logos, other
         source of business identifiers, prints and labels on which any of the
         foregoing have appeared or appear, designs and general intangibles of
         a like nature (all of the foregoing items in this clause (a) being
         collectively called a "Trademark"), now existing anywhere in the world
         or hereafter adopted or acquired, whether currently in use or not, all
         registrations and recordings thereof and all applications in
         connection therewith, whether pending or in preparation for filing,
         including registrations, recordings and applications in the United
         States Patent and Trademark Office or in any office or agency of the
         United States of America or any State thereof or any foreign country,
         including those referred to in Item A of Schedule III attached hereto;

                  (b) all Trademark licenses, including each Trademark license
         referred to in Item B of Schedule III attached hereto;

                  (c) all reissues, extensions or renewals of any of the items
         described in clauses (a) and (b);

                  (d) all of the goodwill of the business connected with the
         use of, and symbolized by the items described in, clauses (a) and (b);
         and

                  (e) all proceeds of, and rights associated with, the
         foregoing, including any claim by the Grantor against third parties
         for past, present or future infringement or dilution of any Trademark,
         Trademark registration or Trademark license, including any Trademark,
         Trademark registration or Trademark license referred to in Item A and
         Item B of Schedule III attached hereto, or for any injury to the
         goodwill associated with the use of any such Trademark or for breach
         or enforcement of any Trademark license.

         "Trade Secrets Collateral" means all common law and statutory trade
secrets and all other confidential or proprietary or useful information and all
know-how obtained by or used in or contemplated at any time for use in the
business of the Grantor (all of the foregoing being collectively called a
"Trade Secret"), whether or not such Trade Secret has been reduced to a writing
or other tangible form, including all documents and things embodying,
incorporating or referring in any way to such Trade Secret, all Trade Secret
licenses, including each Trade Secret license referred to in Schedule V
attached hereto, and including the right to sue for and to enjoin and to
collect damages for the actual or threatened misappropriation of any Trade
Secret and for the breach or enforcement of any such Trade Secret license.

                                      -4-

<PAGE>

         "U.C.C." means the Uniform Commercial Code, as in effect from time to
time in the State of New York.

         SECTION 1.2. Credit Agreement Definitions. Unless otherwise defined
herein or the context otherwise requires, terms used in this Security
Agreement, including its preamble and recitals, have the meanings provided in
the Credit Agreement.

         SECTION 1.3. U.C.C. Definitions. Unless otherwise defined herein or in
the Credit Agreement or the context otherwise requires, terms for which
meanings are provided in the U.C.C. are used in this Security Agreement,
including its preamble and recitals, with such meanings.


                                   ARTICLE II

                               SECURITY INTEREST

         SECTION 2.1. Grant of Security. The Grantor hereby assigns and pledges
to the Administrative Agent for its benefit and the ratable benefit of each of
the Secured Parties, and hereby grants to the Administrative Agent for its
benefit and the ratable benefit of each of the Secured Parties, a security
interest in all of the following, whether now or hereafter existing or acquired
by the Grantor (the "Collateral"):

                  (a) all equipment in all of its forms of the Grantor,
         wherever located, including all parts thereof and all accessions,
         additions, attachments, improvements, substitutions and replacements
         thereto and therefor and all accessories related thereto (any and all
         of the foregoing being the "Equipment");

                  (b) all inventory in all of its forms of the Grantor,
         wherever located, including

                           (i) all raw materials and work in process therefor,
                  finished goods thereof, and materials used or consumed in the
                  manufacture or production thereof,

                           (ii) all goods in which the Grantor has an interest
                  in mass or a joint or other interest or right of any kind
                  (including goods in which the Grantor has an interest or
                  right as consignee), and

                           (iii) all goods which are returned to or repossessed
                  by the Grantor,

         and all accessions thereto, products thereof and documents therefor
         (any and all such inventory, materials, goods, accessions, products
         and documents being the "Inventory");

                  (c) all accounts, contracts, contract rights, chattel paper,
         documents, instruments, and general intangibles (including tax
         refunds) of the Grantor, whether or not arising out

                                      -5-

<PAGE>

         of or in connection with the sale or lease of goods or the rendering
         of services, and all rights of the Grantor now or hereafter existing
         in and to all security agreements, guaranties, leases and other
         contracts securing or otherwise relating to any such accounts,
         contracts, contract rights, chattel paper, documents, instruments, and
         general intangibles (any and all such accounts, contracts, contract
         rights, chattel paper, documents, instruments, and general intangibles
         being the "Receivables" (provided, however, that Receivables shall not
         include Prescription Receivables sold to Pharmacy Fund pursuant to the
         Rapid Remit Program), and any and all such security agreements,
         guaranties, leases and other contracts being the "Related Contracts")
         (provided, however, that Related Contracts shall not include the Rapid
         Remit Program Documents);

                  (d)  all Intellectual Property Collateral of the Grantor;

                  (e) all books, records, writings, data bases, information and
         other property relating to, used or useful in connection with,
         evidencing, embodying, incorporating or referring to, any of the
         foregoing in this Section 2.1;

                  (f) all of the Grantor's other property and rights of every
         kind and description and interests therein; and

                  (g) all products, offspring, rents, issues, profits, returns,
         income and proceeds of and from any and all of the foregoing
         Collateral (including proceeds which constitute property of the types
         described in clauses (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f), proceeds
         deposited from time to time in the Collateral Account and in any lock
         boxes of the Grantor, and, to the extent not otherwise included, all
         payments under insurance (whether or not the Administrative Agent is
         the loss payee thereof), or any indemnity, warranty or guaranty,
         payable by reason of loss or damage to or otherwise with respect to
         any of the foregoing Collateral).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, "Collateral" shall not include any general
intangibles or other rights arising under any contracts, instruments, licenses
or other documents as to which the grant of a security interest would
constitute a violation of a valid and enforceable restriction in favor of a
third party on such grant, unless and until any required consents shall have
been obtained. The Grantor agrees to use its commercially reasonable best
efforts to obtain any such required consent.

         SECTION 2.2. Security for Obligations. This Security Agreement secures
the payment of all Obligations of the Grantor now or hereafter existing under
the Credit Agreement, the Notes and each other Loan Document to which the
Grantor is or may become a party, whether for principal, interest, costs, fees,
expenses or otherwise.

         SECTION 2.3. Continuing Security Interest; Transfer of Notes. This
Security Agreement shall create a continuing security interest in the
Collateral and shall

                                      -6-

<PAGE>

                  (a) remain in full force and effect until payment in full in
         cash of all Obligations, the termination or expiration of all Letters
         of Credit, the termination of all Rate Protection Agreements and the
         termination of all Commitments,

                  (b) be binding upon the Grantor, its successors, transferees
         and assigns, and

                  (c) inure, together with the rights and remedies of the
         Administrative Agent hereunder, to the benefit of the Administrative
         Agent and each other Secured Party.

Without limiting the generality of the foregoing clause (c), any Lender may
assign or otherwise transfer (in whole or in part) any Note or Credit Extension
held by it to any other Person or entity, and such other Person or entity shall
thereupon become vested with all the rights and benefits in respect thereof
granted to such Lender under any Loan Document (including this Security
Agreement) or otherwise, subject, however, to any contrary provisions in such
assignment or transfer, and to the provisions of Section 11.11 and Article X of
the Credit Agreement. Upon the payment in full in cash of all Obligations, the
termination or expiration of all Letters of Credit, the termination of all Rate
Protection Agreements and the termination of all Commitments, the security
interest granted herein shall terminate and all rights to the Collateral shall
revert to the Grantor. Upon any such termination, the Administrative Agent
will, at the Grantor's sole expense, execute and deliver to the Grantor such
documents as the Grantor shall reasonably request to evidence such termination.
Upon any sale or other transfer of Collateral permitted by the terms of Section
7.2.9 of the Credit Agreement, the security interest created hereunder in such
Collateral (but not in the proceeds thereof) shall be deemed to be
automatically released and the Administrative Agent will, at the Grantor's sole
expense, execute and deliver to the Grantor such documents as the Grantor shall
reasonably request to evidence such release.

         SECTION 2.4.  Grantor Remains Liable.  Anything herein to the contrary
notwithstanding

                  (a) the Grantor shall remain liable under the contracts and
         agreements included in the Collateral to the extent set forth therein,
         and shall perform all of its duties and obligations under such
         contracts and agreements to the same extent as if this Security
         Agreement had not been executed,

                  (b) the exercise by the Administrative Agent of any of its
         rights hereunder shall not release the Grantor from any of its duties
         or obligations under any such contracts or agreements included in the
         Collateral, and

                  (c) neither the Administrative Agent nor any other Secured
         Party shall have any obligation or liability under any such contracts
         or agreements included in the Collateral by reason of this Security
         Agreement, nor shall the Administrative Agent or any other Secured
         Party be obligated to perform any of the obligations or duties of the
         Grantor

                                      -7-

<PAGE>

         thereunder or to take any action to collect or enforce any claim for
         payment assigned hereunder.


                                  ARTICLE III

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         SECTION 3.1. Representations and Warranties. The Grantor represents
and warrants to each Secured Party as set forth in this Article III.

         SECTION 3.2. Location of Collateral, etc. All of the Equipment,
Inventory and lock boxes of the Grantor are located at the places specified in
Item A, Item B and Item C, respectively, of Schedule I hereto. None of the
Equipment and Inventory has, within the four months preceding the date of this
Security Agreement (if then owned by the Grantor), been located at any place
other than the places specified in Item A and Item B, respectively, of Schedule
I hereto except as set forth in a footnote thereto. The place(s) of business
and chief executive office of the Grantor and the office(s) where the Grantor
keeps its records concerning the Receivables, and all originals of all chattel
paper which evidence Receivables, are located at the address set forth in Item
D of Schedule I hereto. The Grantor has no trade names other than those set
forth in Item E of Schedule I hereto. During the four months preceding the date
hereof, the Grantor has not been known by any legal name different from the one
set forth on the signature page hereto, nor has the Grantor been the subject of
any merger or other corporate reorganization, except as set forth in Item F of
Schedule I hereto. If the Collateral includes any Inventory located in the
State of California, the Grantor is not a "retail merchant" within the meaning
of Section 9102 of the Uniform Commercial Code - Secured Transactions of the
State of California. All Receivables evidenced by a promissory note or other
instrument, negotiable document or chattel paper have been duly endorsed and
accompanied by duly executed instruments of transfer or assignment, all in form
and substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent and delivered and
pledged to the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 4.8. The Grantor is not
a party to any Federal, state or local government contract except as set forth
in Item G of Schedule I hereto.

         SECTION 3.3. Ownership, No Liens, etc. The Grantor owns its Collateral
free and clear of any Lien, security interest, charge or encumbrance except for
the security interest created by this Security Agreement and except as
permitted by the Credit Agreement. No effective financing statement or other
instrument similar in effect covering all or any part of the Collateral is on
file in any recording office, except such as may have been filed in favor of
the Administrative Agent relating to this Security Agreement or as have been
filed in connection with Liens permitted pursuant to Section 7.2.3 of the
Credit Agreement or as to which a duly executed termination statement relating
to such financing statement or other instrument has been delivered to the
Administrative Agent on the Closing Date.

                                      -8-

<PAGE>

         SECTION 3.4. Possession and Control. The Grantor has exclusive
possession and control of its Equipment and Inventory.

         SECTION 3.5. Negotiable Documents, Instruments and Chattel Paper. The
Grantor has, contemporaneously herewith, delivered to the Administrative Agent
possession of all originals of all negotiable documents, instruments and
chattel paper currently owned or held by the Grantor (duly endorsed in blank,
if requested by the Administrative Agent).

         SECTION 3.6. Intellectual Property Collateral. With respect to any
Intellectual Property Collateral the loss, impairment or infringement of which
might have a Material Adverse Effect:

                  (a) such Intellectual Property Collateral is subsisting and
         has not been adjudged invalid or unenforceable, in whole or in part;

                  (b) such Intellectual Property Collateral is valid and
         enforceable;

                  (c) the Grantor has made all necessary filings and
         recordations to protect its interest in such Intellectual Property
         Collateral, including recordations of all of its interests in the
         Patent Collateral and Trademark Collateral in the United States Patent
         and Trademark Office and in corresponding offices in countries in
         which the failure to so file and/or record could reasonably be
         expected to have a Material Adverse Effect and its claims to the
         Copyright Collateral in the United States Copyright Office and in
         corresponding offices in countries in which the failure to so file
         and/or record could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse
         Effect;

                  (d) the Grantor is the exclusive owner of the entire and
         unencumbered right, title and interest in and to such Intellectual
         Property Collateral and no claim has been made that the use of such
         Intellectual Property Collateral does or may violate the asserted
         rights of any third party; and

                  (e) the Grantor has performed and will continue to perform
         all acts and has paid and will continue to pay all required fees and
         taxes to maintain each and every such item of Intellectual Property
         Collateral in full force and effect throughout the world, as
         applicable.

The Grantor owns directly or is entitled to use by license or otherwise, all
patents, Trademarks, Trade Secrets, copyrights, mask works, licenses,
technology, know-how, processes and rights with respect to any of the foregoing
used in, necessary for or of importance to the conduct of the Grantor's
business.

         SECTION 3.7. Validity, etc. This Security Agreement creates a valid
first priority security interest in the Collateral securing the payment of the
Obligations, and

                                      -9-

<PAGE>

                  (a) in the case of Collateral comprised of certificated
         securities or instruments, upon the delivery of such Collateral to the
         Administrative Agent, such security interest will be a first priority
         perfected security interest;

                  (b) in the case of Collateral comprised of uncertificated
         securities with respect to which a security interest therein may not
         be perfected under applicable law by the filing of a Uniform
         Commercial Code financing statement, upon a "transfer" (as such term
         is used in Section 8-313 of the U.C.C.) of such Collateral to the
         Administrative Agent, such security interest will be a first priority
         perfected security interest; and

                  (c) in the case of all other Collateral, upon the filing of
         the Uniform Commercial Code financing statements delivered by the
         Grantor to the Administrative Agent with respect to such Collateral,
         such security interest will be a first priority perfected security
         interest.

The Grantor has filed all Uniform Commercial Code financing statements referred
to above in the appropriate offices therefor (or has provided the
Administrative Agent with copies thereof suitable for filing in such offices),
and has taken all of the other actions referred to above necessary to create
perfected, first-priority security interests in the applicable Collateral.

         SECTION 3.8. Authorization, Approval, etc. Except as have been
obtained or made and are in full force and effect (or otherwise provided for to
the satisfaction of the Agents), no authorization, approval or other action by,
and no notice to or filing with, any governmental authority or regulatory body
is required either

                  (a) for the grant by the Grantor of the security interest
         granted hereby or for the execution, delivery and performance of this
         Security Agreement by the Grantor, or

                  (b) for the perfection of or the exercise by the
         Administrative Agent of its rights and remedies hereunder.

         SECTION 3.9. Compliance with Laws. The Grantor is in compliance with
the requirements of all applicable laws (including the provisions of the Fair
Labor Standards Act), rules, regulations and orders of every governmental
authority, the non-compliance with which could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect or which could reasonably be expected to materially
adversely affect the value of the Collateral or the worth of the Collateral as
collateral security.

                                      -10-
<PAGE>

                                   ARTICLE IV

                                   COVENANTS

         SECTION 4.1. Certain Covenants. The Grantor covenants and agrees that,
so long as any portion of the Obligations shall remain unpaid, any Letters of
Credit shall be outstanding, any Rate Protection Agreements shall remain in
full force and effect, or any Lender shall have any outstanding Commitment, the
Grantor will, unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise consent in writing,
perform, comply with and be bound by the obligations set forth in this Article
IV.

         SECTION 4.2. As to Equipment and Inventory. The Grantor hereby agrees
that it shall

                  (a) keep all the Equipment and Inventory (other than
         Inventory sold in the ordinary course of business) at the places
         therefor specified in Section 3.2 or, upon 30 days' prior written
         notice to the Administrative Agent, at such other places in a
         jurisdiction where all representations and warranties set forth in
         Article III (including Section 3.7) shall be true and correct, and all
         action required pursuant to the first sentence of Section 4.8 shall
         have been taken with respect to the Equipment and Inventory;

                  (b) cause the Equipment to be maintained and preserved as
         required by Section 7.1.3 of the Credit Agreement; and promptly
         furnish to the Administrative Agent a statement respecting any loss or
         damage to any of such material Equipment; and

                  (c) pay promptly when due all property and other material
         taxes, assessments and governmental charges or levies imposed upon,
         and all claims (including claims for labor, materials and supplies)
         against, the Equipment and Inventory, except to the extent the
         validity thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate
         proceedings and for which adequate reserves in accordance with GAAP
         have been set aside.

         SECTION 4.3.  As to Receivables.

         (a) The Grantor shall keep its place(s) of business and chief
executive office and the office(s) where it keeps its records concerning 
the Receivables, and all originals of all chattel paper which evidences 
Receivables, located at the address(es) set forth in Item D of Schedule I 
hereto, or, upon 30 days' prior written notice to the Administrative Agent, 
at such other locations in a jurisdiction where all actions required by the 
first sentence of Section 4.8 shall have been taken with respect to the 
Receivables; not change its name except upon 30 days' prior written notice 
to the Administrative Agent; hold and preserve such records and chattel paper; 
and permit representatives of the Administrative Agent at any time during 
normal business hours to inspect and make abstracts from such records and
chattel paper. In addition, the Grantor shall give the Administrative Agent 
a supplement to Schedule I hereto on each date a Compliance Certificate 
is required to be

                                      -11-

<PAGE>

         delivered to the Administrative Agent under the Credit Agreement,
         which shall set forth any changes to the information set forth in
         Section 3.2.

                  (b) Upon written notice by the Administrative Agent to the
         Grantor pursuant to this Section 4.3(b), all proceeds of Collateral
         received by the Grantor shall be delivered in kind to the
         Administrative Agent for deposit to a deposit account (the "Collateral
         Account") of the Grantor maintained with the Administrative Agent, and
         the Grantor shall not commingle any such proceeds, and shall hold
         separate and apart from all other property, all such proceeds in
         express trust for the benefit of the Administrative Agent until
         delivery thereof is made to the Administrative Agent. The
         Administrative Agent will not give the notice referred to in the
         preceding sentence unless there shall have occurred and be continuing
         a Default of the nature set forth in Section 8.1.9 of the Credit
         Agreement or an Event of Default.

                  (c) The Administrative Agent shall have the right to apply
         any amount in the Collateral Account to the payment of any Obligations
         which are due and payable or payable upon demand, or to the payment of
         any Obligations at any time that an Event of Default shall exist.

         SECTION 4.4.  As to Collateral.

                  (a) Until the occurrence and continuance of a Default of the
         nature set forth in Section 8.1.9 of the Credit Agreement or an Event
         of Default, and such time as the Administrative Agent shall notify the
         Grantor of the revocation of such power and authority the Grantor (i)
         may in the ordinary course of its business (except as otherwise
         permitted under the Credit Agreement), at its own expense, sell, lease
         or furnish under the contracts of service any of the Inventory
         normally held by the Grantor for such purpose, and use and consume, in
         the ordinary course of its business (except as otherwise permitted
         under the Credit Agreement), any raw materials, work in process or
         materials normally held by the Grantor for such purpose, (ii) will, at
         its own expense, endeavor to collect, as and when due, all amounts due
         with respect to any of the Collateral, including the taking of such
         action with respect to such collection as the Administrative Agent may
         reasonably request following the occurrence of a Default of the nature
         set forth in Section 8.1.9 of the Credit Agreement or an Event of
         Default or, in the absence of such request, as the Grantor may deem
         advisable, and (iii) may grant, in the ordinary course of business
         (except as otherwise permitted under the Credit Agreement), to any
         party obligated on any of the Collateral, any rebate, refund or
         allowance to which such party may be lawfully entitled, and may
         accept, in connection therewith, the return of goods, the sale or
         lease of which shall have given rise to such Collateral. The
         Administrative Agent, however, may, at any time following a Default of
         the nature set forth in Section 8.1.9 of the Credit Agreement or an
         Event of Default, whether before or after any revocation of such power
         and authority or the maturity of any of the Obligations, notify any
         parties obligated on any of the Collateral to make payment to the
         Administrative Agent of any amounts due or to become due thereunder
         and enforce collection of any of

                                      -12-

<PAGE>

         the Collateral by suit or otherwise and surrender, release, or
         exchange all or any part thereof, or compromise or extend or renew for
         any period (whether or not longer than the original period) any
         indebtedness thereunder or evidenced thereby. Upon request of the
         Administrative Agent following a Default of the nature set forth in
         Section 8.1.9 of the Credit Agreement or an Event of Default, the
         Grantor will, at its own expense, notify any parties obligated on any
         of the Collateral to make payment to the Administrative Agent of any
         amounts due or to become due thereunder.

                  (b) Following a Default of the nature set forth in Section
         8.1.9 of the Credit Agreement or an Event of Default, the
         Administrative Agent is authorized to endorse, in the name of the
         Grantor, any item, howsoever received by the Administrative Agent,
         representing any payment on or other proceeds of any of the
         Collateral.

         SECTION 4.5. As to Intellectual Property Collateral. The Grantor
covenants and agrees to comply with the following provisions as such provisions
relate to any Intellectual Property Collateral of the Grantor:

                  (a) the Grantor shall not, unless the Grantor shall either
         (i) reasonably and in good faith determine (and notice of such
         determination shall have been delivered to the Administrative Agent)
         that any of the Patent Collateral is of negligible economic value to
         the Grantor, or (ii) have a valid business purpose to do otherwise, do
         any act, or omit to do any act, whereby any of the Patent Collateral
         may lapse or become abandoned or dedicated to the public or
         unenforceable.

                  (b) the Grantor shall not, and the Grantor shall not permit
         any of its licensees to, unless the Grantor shall either (i)
         reasonably and in good faith determine (and notice of such
         determination shall have been delivered to the Administrative Agent)
         that any of the Trademark Collateral is of negligible economic value
         to the Grantor, or (ii) have a valid business purpose to do otherwise,

                           (i) fail to continue to use any of the Trademark
                  Collateral in order to maintain all of the Trademark
                  Collateral in full force free from any claim of abandonment
                  for non-use,

                           (ii) fail to maintain as in the past the quality of
                  products and services offered under all of the Trademark
                  Collateral,

                           (iii) fail to employ all of the Trademark Collateral
                  registered with any Federal or state or foreign authority
                  with an appropriate notice of such registration,

                           (iv) adopt or use any other Trademark which is
                  confusingly similar or a colorable imitation of any of the
                  Trademark Collateral,

                                      -13-

<PAGE>

                           (v) use any of the Trademark Collateral registered
                  with any Federal or state or foreign authority except for the
                  uses for which registration or application for registration
                  of all of the Trademark Collateral has been made, and

                           (vi) do or permit any act or knowingly omit to do
                  any act whereby any of the Trademark Collateral may lapse or
                  become invalid or unenforceable.

                  (c) the Grantor shall not, unless the Grantor shall either
         (i) reasonably and in good faith determine (and notice of such
         determination shall have been delivered to the Administrative Agent)
         that any of the Copyright Collateral or any of the Trade Secrets
         Collateral is of negligible economic value to the Grantor, or (ii)
         have a valid business purpose to do otherwise, do or permit any act or
         knowingly omit to do any act whereby any of the Copyright Collateral
         or any of the Trade Secrets Collateral may lapse or become invalid or
         unenforceable or placed in the public domain except upon expiration of
         the end of an unrenewable term of a registration thereof.

                  (d) the Grantor shall notify the Administrative Agent
         immediately if it knows, or has reason to know, that any application
         or registration relating to any material item of the Intellectual
         Property Collateral may become abandoned or dedicated to the public or
         placed in the public domain or invalid or unenforceable, or of any
         adverse determination or development (including the institution of, or
         any such determination or development in, any proceeding in the United
         States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office
         or any foreign counterpart thereof or any court) regarding the
         Grantor's ownership of any of the Intellectual Property Collateral,
         its right to register the same or to keep and maintain and enforce the
         same.

                  (e) in no event shall the Grantor or any of its agents,
         employees, designees or licensees file an application for the
         registration of any Intellectual Property Collateral with the United
         States Patent and Trademark Office, the United States Copyright Office
         or any similar office or agency in any other country or any political
         subdivision thereof, unless it promptly informs the Administrative
         Agent, and upon request of the Administrative Agent, executes and
         delivers any and all agreements, instruments, documents and papers as
         the Administrative Agent may reasonably request to evidence the
         Administrative Agent's security interest in such Intellectual Property
         Collateral and the goodwill and general intangibles of the Grantor
         relating thereto or represented thereby.

                  (f) the Grantor shall take all necessary steps, including in
         any proceeding before the United States Patent and Trademark Office,
         the United States Copyright Office or any similar office or agency in
         any other country or any political subdivision thereof, to maintain
         and pursue any application (and to obtain the relevant registration)
         filed with respect to, and to maintain any registration of, the
         Intellectual Property Collateral, including the filing of applications
         for renewal, affidavits of use, affidavits of incontestability and
         opposition, interference and cancellation proceedings and the

                                      -14-

<PAGE>

         payment of fees and taxes (except to the extent that dedication,
         abandonment or invalidation is permitted under the foregoing clauses
         (a), (b) and (c)).

                  (g) the Grantor shall, contemporaneously herewith, execute
         and deliver to the Administrative Agent a Trademark Security Agreement
         in the form of Exhibit B hereto, and shall execute and deliver to the
         Administrative Agent any other document required to acknowledge or
         register or perfect the Administrative Agent's interest in any part of
         the Intellectual Property Collateral.

         SECTION 4.6. Insurance. The Grantor will maintain or cause to be
maintained with responsible insurance companies insurance with respect to its
business and properties (including the Equipment and Inventory) against such
casualties and contingencies and of such types and in such amounts as is
required pursuant to the Credit Agreement and will, upon the request of the
Administrative Agent, furnish a certificate of a reputable insurance broker
setting forth the nature and extent of all insurance maintained by the Grantor
in accordance with this Section.

         SECTION 4.7.  Transfers and Other Liens.  The Grantor shall not:

                  (a) sell, assign (by operation of law or otherwise) or
         otherwise dispose of any of the Collateral, except Inventory in the
         ordinary course of business or as permitted by the Credit Agreement;
         or

                  (b) create or suffer to exist any Lien or other charge or
         encumbrance upon or with respect to any of the Collateral to secure
         Indebtedness of any Person or entity, except for the security interest
         created by this Security Agreement and except as permitted by the
         Credit Agreement.

         SECTION 4.8. Further Assurances, etc. The Grantor agrees that, from
time to time at its own expense, it will promptly execute and deliver all
further instruments and documents, and take all further action, that may be
necessary or desirable, or that the Administrative Agent may request, in order
to perfect, preserve and protect any security interest granted or purported to
be granted hereby or to enable the Administrative Agent to exercise and enforce
its rights and remedies hereunder with respect to any Collateral. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Grantor will

                  (a) mark conspicuously each document included in the
         Inventory, each chattel paper included in the Receivables and each
         Related Contract and, at the request of the Administrative Agent, each
         of its records pertaining to the Collateral with a legend, in form and
         substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent, indicating that
         such document, chattel paper, Related Contract or Collateral is
         subject to the security interest granted hereby;

                  (b) if any Receivable shall be evidenced by a promissory note
         or other instrument, negotiable document or chattel paper, deliver and
         pledge to the

                                      -15-

<PAGE>

         Administrative Agent hereunder such promissory note, instrument,
         negotiable document or chattel paper duly endorsed and accompanied by
         duly executed instruments of transfer or assignment, all in form and
         substance satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

                  (c) execute and file such financing or continuation
         statements, or amendments thereto, and such other instruments or
         notices (including any assignment of claim form under or pursuant to
         the federal assignment of claims statute, 31 U.S.C. ss. 3726, any
         successor or amended version thereof or any regulation promulgated
         under or pursuant to any version thereof), as may be necessary or
         desirable, or as the Administrative Agent may request, in order to
         perfect and preserve the security interests and other rights granted
         or purported to be granted to the Administrative Agent hereby; and

                  (d) furnish to the Administrative Agent, from time to time at
         the Administrative Agent's request, statements and schedules further
         identifying and describing the Collateral and such other reports in
         connection with the Collateral as the Administrative Agent may
         reasonably request, all in reasonable detail.

With respect to the foregoing and the grant of the security interest hereunder,
the Grantor hereby authorizes the Administrative Agent to file one or more
financing or continuation statements, and amendments thereto, relative to all
or any part of the Collateral without the signature of the Grantor where
permitted by law. A carbon, photographic or other reproduction of this Security
Agreement or any financing statement covering the Collateral or any part
thereof shall be sufficient as a financing statement where permitted by law.


                                   ARTICLE V

                            THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

         SECTION 5.1. Administrative Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact. The
Grantor hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent the Grantor's
attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of the Grantor and
in the name of the Grantor or otherwise, from time to time in the
Administrative Agent's discretion, following the occurrence and continuation of
a Default of the nature set forth in Section 8.1.9 of the Credit Agreement or
an Event of Default, to take any action and to execute any instrument which the
Administrative Agent may deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes
of this Security Agreement, including:

                  (a) to ask, demand, collect, sue for, recover, compromise,
         receive and give acquittance and receipts for moneys due and to become
         due under or in respect of any of the Collateral;

                  (b) to receive, endorse, and collect any drafts or other
         instruments, documents and chattel paper, in connection with clause
         (a) above;

                                      -16-
<PAGE>

                  (c) to file any claims or take any action or institute any
         proceedings which the Administrative Agent may deem necessary or
         desirable for the collection of any of the Collateral or otherwise to
         enforce the rights of the Administrative Agent with respect to any of
         the Collateral; and

                  (d) to perform the affirmative obligations of the Grantor
         hereunder (including all obligations of the Grantor pursuant to
         Section 4.8).

The Grantor hereby acknowledges, consents and agrees that the power of attorney
granted pursuant to this Section is irrevocable and coupled with an interest.

         SECTION 5.2. Administrative Agent May Perform. If the Grantor fails to
perform any agreement contained herein, the Administrative Agent may itself
perform, or cause performance of, such agreement, and the expenses of the
Administrative Agent incurred in connection therewith shall be payable by the
Grantor pursuant to Section 6.2.

         SECTION 5.3. Administrative Agent Has No Duty. In addition to, and not
in limitation of, Section 2.4, the powers conferred on the Administrative Agent
hereunder are solely to protect its interest (on behalf of the Secured Parties)
in the Collateral and shall not impose any duty on it to exercise any such
powers. Except for reasonable care of any Collateral in its possession and the
accounting for moneys actually received by it hereunder, the Administrative
Agent shall have no duty as to any Collateral or as to the taking of any
necessary steps to preserve rights against prior parties or any other rights
pertaining to any Collateral.

         SECTION 5.4. Reasonable Care. The Administrative Agent is required to
exercise reasonable care in the custody and preservation of any of the
Collateral in its possession; provided, however, the Administrative Agent shall
be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody and preservation of
any of the Collateral, if it takes such action for that purpose as the Grantor
reasonably requests in writing at times other than upon the occurrence and
during the continuance of any Event of Default, but failure of the
Administrative Agent to comply with any such request at any time shall not in
itself be deemed a failure to exercise reasonable care.


                                   ARTICLE VI

                                    REMEDIES

         SECTION 6.1. Certain Remedies. If any Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing:

                  (a) The Administrative Agent may exercise in respect of the
         Collateral, in addition to other rights and remedies provided for
         herein or otherwise available to it, all the rights and remedies of a
         secured party on default under the U.C.C. (whether or not the U.C.C.
         applies to the affected Collateral) and also may

                                      -17-

<PAGE>

                           (i) require the Grantor to, and the Grantor hereby
                  agrees that it will, at its expense and upon request of the
                  Administrative Agent forthwith, assemble all or part of the
                  Collateral as directed by the Administrative Agent and make
                  it available to the Administrative Agent at a place to be
                  designated by the Administrative Agent which is reasonably
                  convenient to both parties, and

                           (ii) without notice except as specified below, sell
                  the Collateral or any part thereof in one or more parcels at
                  public or private sale, at any of the Administrative Agent's
                  offices or elsewhere, for cash, on credit or for future
                  delivery, and upon such other terms as the Administrative
                  Agent may deem commercially reasonable. The Grantor agrees
                  that, to the extent notice of sale shall be required by law,
                  at least ten days' prior notice to the Grantor of the time
                  and place of any public sale or the time after which any
                  private sale is to be made shall constitute reasonable
                  notification. The Administrative Agent shall not be obligated
                  to make any sale of Collateral regardless of notice of sale
                  having been given. The Administrative Agent may adjourn any
                  public or private sale from time to time by announcement at
                  the time and place fixed therefor, and such sale may, without
                  further notice, be made at the time and place to which it was
                  so adjourned.

                  (b) All cash proceeds received by the Administrative Agent in
         respect of any sale of, collection from, or other realization upon,
         all or any part of the Collateral shall be applied by the
         Administrative Agent against, all or any part of the Obligations as
         follows:

                           (i) first, to the payment of any amounts payable to
                  the Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 11.3 of the
                  Credit Agreement and Section 6.2;

                           (ii) second, to the equal and ratable payment of
                  Obligations, in accordance with each Secured Party's
                  Obligations owing to it under or pursuant to the Credit
                  Agreement or any other Loan Document, or under or pursuant to
                  any Hedging Obligation included in the Obligations as to each
                  Secured Party, applied

                                    (A) first to fees and expense
                           reimbursements then due to such Secured Party,

                                    (B) then to interest due to such Secured
                           Party,

                                    (C) then to pay or prepay principal of the
                           Loans owing to, or to reduce the "credit exposure"
                           of, such Secured Party under such Hedging
                           Obligation, as the case may be, and

                                    (D) then to pay the remaining outstanding
                           Obligations and cash collateralize all Letter of
                           Credit Outstandings;

                                      -18-

<PAGE>

                           (iii) third, without duplication of any amounts paid
                  pursuant to clause (b)(ii) above, to the Indemnified Parties
                  to the extent of any amounts owing pursuant to Section 11.4
                  of the Credit Agreement; and

                           (iv) fourth, to be held as additional collateral
                  security until the payment in full in cash of all of the
                  Obligations, the termination or expiration of all Letters of
                  Credit, the termination of all Rate Protection Agreements and
                  the termination of all Commitments, after which such
                  remaining cash proceeds shall be paid over to the Grantor or
                  to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive such
                  surplus.

         For purposes of this Security Agreement, the "credit exposure" at any
         time of any Secured Party with respect to a Hedging Obligation to
         which such Secured Party is a party shall be determined at such time
         in accordance with the customary methods of calculating credit
         exposure under similar arrangements by the counterparty to such
         arrangements, taking into account potential interest rate movements
         and the respective termination provisions and notional principal
         amount and term of such Hedging Obligation.

         SECTION 6.2.  Indemnity and Expenses.

                  (a) The Grantor agrees to indemnify the Administrative Agent
         from and against any and all claims, losses and liabilities arising
         out of or resulting from this Security Agreement (including
         enforcement of this Security Agreement), except claims, losses or
         liabilities resulting from the Administrative Agent's gross negligence
         or wilful misconduct.

                  (b) The Grantor will upon demand pay to the Administrative
         Agent the amount of any and all reasonable expenses, including the
         reasonable fees and disbursements of its counsel and of any experts
         and agents, which the Administrative Agent may incur in connection
         with

                           (i) the administration of this Security Agreement,

                           (ii) the custody, preservation, use or operation of,
                  or the sale of, collection from, or other realization upon,
                  any of the Collateral,

                           (iii) the exercise or enforcement of any of the
                  rights of the Administrative Agent or the Secured Parties
                  hereunder, and

                           (iv) the failure by the Grantor to perform or
                  observe any of the provisions hereof.

                                      -19-

<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE VII

                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

         SECTION 7.1. Loan Document. This Security Agreement is a Loan Document
executed pursuant to the Credit Agreement and shall (unless otherwise expressly
indicated herein) be construed, administered and applied in accordance with the
terms and provisions thereof.

         SECTION 7.2. Amendments; etc. No amendment to or waiver of any
provision of this Security Agreement nor consent to any departure by the
Grantor herefrom, shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in
writing and signed by the Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Lenders or the
Required Lenders, as the case may be), and then such waiver or consent shall be
effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose for which
given.

         SECTION 7.3. Addresses for Notices. All notices and other
communications provided for hereunder shall be in writing (including
telegraphic communication) and mailed or telecopied or delivered to either
party hereto, addressed to such party at the address of such party specified in
the Credit Agreement. All such notices and other communications, when mailed
and properly addressed with postage prepaid or if properly addressed and sent
by pre-paid courier service, shall be deemed given when received; any such
notice or communication, if transmitted by telecopier, shall be deemed given
when transmitted and electronically confirmed.

         SECTION 7.4. Section Captions. Section captions used in this Security
Agreement are for convenience of reference only, and shall not affect the
construction of this Security Agreement.

         SECTION 7.5. Severability. Wherever possible each provision of this
Security Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and
valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Security Agreement
shall be prohibited by or invalid under such law, such provision shall be
ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without
invalidating the remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of
this Security Agreement.

         SECTION 7.6. Counterparts. This Security Agreement may be executed by
the parties hereto in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an
original and all of which shall constitute together but one and the same
agreement.

         SECTION 7.7. Governing Law, Entire Agreement, etc. THIS SECURITY
AGREEMENT SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACT MADE UNDER AND GOVERNED BY THE
INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT THE VALIDITY
OR PERFECTION OF THE SECURITY INTEREST HEREUNDER, OR REMEDIES HEREUNDER, IN
RESPECT OF ANY PARTICULAR COLLATERAL ARE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF A JURISDICTION
OTHER THAN THE STATE OF NEW YORK. THIS SECURITY

                                      -20-

<PAGE>

AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS CONSTITUTE THE ENTIRE UNDERSTANDING
AMONG THE PARTIES HERETO WITH RESPECT TO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF AND THEREOF
AND SUPERSEDE ANY PRIOR AGREEMENTS, WRITTEN OR ORAL, WITH RESPECT THERETO.


                                      -21-

<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Grantor has caused this Security Agreement to
be duly executed and delivered by its officer thereunto duly authorized as of
the date first above written.

                                       DUANE READE
                                       By  Duane Reade Inc. (formerly known as
                                             Duane Reade Holding Corp.), 
                                             a general partner


                                         By /s/ William J. Tennant
                                           -----------------------------------
                                           Name: William J. Tennant
                                           Title: Senior Vice President


                                       By  DRI I Inc., a general partner


                                         By /s/ William J. Tennant
                                           -----------------------------------
                                           Name: William J. Tennant
                                           Title: Senior Vice President



                                       FLEET NATIONAL BANK,
                                         as Administrative Agent


                                       By /s/ Eric C. Vander Mel
                                         -------------------------------------
                                         Name: Eric C. Vander Mel
                                         Title: Vice President


                                      -22-
<PAGE>

                                                                     SCHEDULE I
                                                                    to Borrower
                                                             Security Agreement

Item A.  Location of Equipment

                  Description                            Location
                  -----------                            --------

1.   Equipment used in connection                See Item 6.9 of Schedule I
     with the Borrower's business.               to the Credit Agreement.


Item B.  Location of Inventory

                    Description                          Location
                  -----------                            --------

1.   Inventory held by the Borrower for sale     See Item 6.9 of Schedule I
     or other use in connection with the         to the Credit Agreement.
     Borrower's business.


Item C.  Location of Lock Boxes
                                                              Contact
     Bank Name and Address           Account Number           Person
     ---------------------           --------------           ------

1.   None.


Item D.  Place(s) of Business and Chief Executive Office

1.   See Item 6.9 of Schedule I to the Credit Agreement.


Item E.  Trade Names

1.   Duane Reade


Item F.  Merger or Other Corporate Reorganization

1.         None.


Item G.  Government Contracts

1.         None.

<PAGE>

                                                                    SCHEDULE II
                                                                    to Borrower
                                                             Security Agreement


Item A.  Patents


                                 Issued Patents

*Country            Patent No.      Issue Date         Inventor(s)      Title
- --------            ----------      ----------         -----------      -----

NONE.


                          Pending Patent Applications

*Country            Serial No.      Filing Date         Inventor(s)     Title
- --------            ----------      -----------         -----------     -----

NONE.


                       Patent Applications in Preparation

                                       Expected
*Country        Docket No.           Filing Date        Inventor(s)    Title
- --------        ----------           -----------        -----------    -----

NONE.


Item B.  Patent Licenses


*Country or                               Effective    Expiration     Subject
 Territory       Licensor     Licensee      Date          Date        Matter
 ---------       --------     --------      ----          ----        ------

NONE.

- --------
*     List items related to the United States first for ease of recordation.
      List items related to other countries next, grouped by country and in
      alphabetical order by country name.

<PAGE>

                                                                   SCHEDULE III
                                                                    to Borrower
                                                             Security Agreement

Item A.  Trademarks

                             Registered Trademarks

*Country          Trademark          Registration No.       Registration Date

U.S.            DR (Stylized)            1,099,871             08/15/78
U.S.            DUANE READE              1,106,451             11/21/78
U.S.            DR (Stylized)            1,106,961             11/28/78
U.S.            DUANE READE              1,092,555             05/30/78
U.S.            DR (Stylized)            1,099,209             08/15/78
U.S.            DUANE READE              1,105,420             11/07/78


                         Pending Trademark Applications

*Country      Trademark          Serial No.          Filing Date
- --------      ---------          ----------          -----------

NONE.



                     Trademark Applications in Preparation

                                                Expected      Products/
*Country      Trademark       Docket No.       Filing Date    Services
- --------      ---------       ----------       -----------    --------

NONE.

- --------
*     List items related to the United States first for ease of recordation.
      List items related to other countries next, grouped by country and in
      alphabetical order by country name.


Item B.  Trademark Licenses

*Country or                                              Effective  Expiration
 Territory      Trademark       Licensor    Licensee        Date       Date
 ---------      ---------       --------    --------        ----       ----

NONE.


<PAGE>

                                                                    SCHEDULE IV
                                                                    to Borrower
                                                             Security Agreement


Item A.  Copyrights/Mask Works


                        Registered Copyrights/Mask Works

*Country     Registration No.      Registration Date       Author(s)    Title
- --------     ----------------      -----------------       ---------    -----

NONE.


             Copyright/Mask Work Pending Registration Applications

*Country     Serial No.       Filing Date       Author(s)        Title
- --------     ----------       -----------       ---------        -----

NONE.


          Copyright/Mask Work Registration Applications in Preparation

             Expected
*Country     Docket No.       Filing Date        Author(s)        Title
- --------     ----------       -----------        ---------        -----

NONE.


Item B.  Copyright/Mask Work Licenses


*Country or                                 Effective    Expiration     Subject
 Territory       Licensor       Licensee      Date          Date        Matter
 ---------       --------       --------      ----          ----        ------

NONE.

- --------
*     List items related to the United States first for ease of recordation.
      List items related to other countries next, grouped by country and in
      alphabetical order by country name.

<PAGE>

                                                                     SCHEDULE V
                                                                    to Borrower
                                                             Security Agreement


                       Trade Secret or Know-How Licenses



*Country or                                  Effective    Expiration    Subject
 Territory       Licensor      Licensee         Date          Date      Matter
 ---------       --------      --------         ----          ----      ------

NONE.



- --------
*          List items related to the United States first for ease of
           recordation. List items related to other countries next, grouped by
           country and in alphabetical order by country name.

<PAGE>

                                                                      EXHIBIT A
                                                                    to Borrower
                                                             Security Agreement


                           PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT

         This PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of
__________ __, ____, is made between DUANE READE, a New York general
partnership (the "Grantor"), and FLEET NATIONAL BANK, as Administrative Agent
(together with its successor(s) thereto in such capacity, the "Administrative
Agent") for each of the Secured Parties;


                             W I T N E S S E T H :

         WHEREAS, pursuant to a Credit Agreement, dated as of September 30,
1997 (as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified from
time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), among the Grantor, each of the Parent
Guarantors named therein, the various financial institutions as are, or may
from time to time become, parties thereto (each, individually, a "Lender", and
collectively, the "Lenders"), DLJ Capital Funding, Inc., as Syndication Agent,
the Administrative Agent and Credit Lyonnais New York Branch, as Documentation
Agent, the Lenders and the Issuer have extended Commitments to make Credit
Extensions to the Grantor;

         WHEREAS, in connection with the Credit Agreement, the Grantor has
executed and delivered a Borrower Security Agreement, dated as of September 30,
1997 (as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified from
time to time, the "Security Agreement");

         WHEREAS, as a condition precedent to the making of the Credit
Extensions (including the initial Credit Extension) under the Credit Agreement,
the Grantor is required to execute and deliver this Agreement and to grant to
the Administrative Agent a continuing security interest in all of the Patent
Collateral (as defined below) to secure all Obligations; and

         WHEREAS, the Grantor has duly authorized the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement;

         NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt of
which is hereby acknowledged, and in order to induce the Lenders and the Issuer
to make Credit Extensions (including the initial Credit Extension) to the
Grantor pursuant to the Credit Agreement, and to induce the Secured Parties to
enter into Rate Protection Agreements, the Grantor agrees, for the benefit of
each Secured Party, as follows:

<PAGE>

         SECTION 1. Definitions. Unless otherwise defined herein or the context
otherwise requires, terms used in this Agreement, including its preamble and
recitals, have the meanings provided (or incorporated by reference) in the
Security Agreement.

         SECTION 2. Grant of Security Interest. For good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, to
secure all of the Obligations, the Grantor does hereby mortgage, pledge and
hypothecate to the Administrative Agent, and grant to the Administrative Agent
a security interest in, for its benefit and the benefit of each Secured Party,
all of the following property (the "Patent Collateral"), whether now owned or
hereafter acquired or existing by it:

                  (a) all letters patent and applications for letters patent
         throughout the world, including all patent applications in preparation
         for filing anywhere in the world and including each patent and patent
         application referred to in Item A of Attachment 1 attached hereto;

                  (b) all reissues, divisions, continuations,
         continuations-in-part, extensions, renewals and reexaminations of any
         of the items described in clause (a);

                  (c) all patent licenses, including each patent license
         referred to in Item B of Attachment 1 attached hereto; and

                  (d) all proceeds of, and rights associated with, the
         foregoing (including license royalties and proceeds of infringement
         suits), the right to sue third parties for past, present or future
         infringements of any patent or patent application, including any
         patent or patent application referred to in Item A of Attachment 1
         attached hereto, and for breach or enforcement of any patent license,
         including any patent license referred to in Item B of Attachment 1
         attached hereto, and all rights corresponding thereto throughout the
         world.

         SECTION 3. Security Agreement. This Agreement has been executed and
delivered by the Grantor for the purpose of registering the security interest
of the Administrative Agent in the Patent Collateral with the United States
Patent and Trademark Office and corresponding offices in other countries of the
world. The security interest granted hereby has been granted as a supplement
to, and not in limitation of, the security interest granted to the
Administrative Agent for its benefit and the benefit of each Secured Party
under the Security Agreement. The Security Agreement (and all rights and
remedies of the Administrative Agent and each Secured Party thereunder) shall
remain in full force and effect in accordance with its terms.

         SECTION 4. Release of Security Interest. Upon payment in full in cash
of all Obligations, the termination or expiry of all Letters of Credit, the
termination of all Rate Protection Agreements and the termination of all
Commitments, the Administrative Agent shall, at the Grantor's expense, execute
and deliver to the Grantor all instruments and other documents

                                      -2-

<PAGE>

as may be necessary or proper to release the lien on and security interest in
the Patent Collateral which has been granted hereunder.

         SECTION 5. Acknowledgment. The Grantor does hereby further acknowledge
and affirm that the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent with
respect to the security interest in the Patent Collateral granted hereby are
more fully set forth in the Security Agreement, the terms and provisions of
which (including the remedies provided for therein) are incorporated by
reference herein as if fully set forth herein.

         SECTION 6. Loan Document, etc. This Agreement is a Loan Document
executed pursuant to the Credit Agreement and shall (unless otherwise expressly
indicated herein) be construed, administered and applied in accordance with the
terms and provisions of the Credit Agreement.

         SECTION 7. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by the parties
hereto in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original
and all of which shall constitute together but one and the same agreement.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be duly executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly
authorized as of the day and year first above written.

                                       DUANE READE
                                       By  Duane Reade Inc. (formerly known as
                                           Duane Reade Holding Corp.),
                                           a general partner


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


                                       By  DRI I Inc. (formerly known as
                                           Duane Reade Inc.), a general partner


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



                                       FLEET NATIONAL BANK, as
                                           Administrative Agent


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


                                      -4-
<PAGE>

                                                                   ATTACHMENT 1
                                                             to Borrower Patent
                                                             Security Agreement


Item A.  Patents


                                 Issued Patents

***Country       Patent No.     Issue Date      Inventor(s)        Title
- ----------       ----------     ----------      -----------        -----




                          Pending Patent Applications

*Country         Serial No.     Filing Date     Inventor(s)        Title
- --------         ----------     -----------     -----------        -----




                       Patent Applications in Preparation

                                  Expected
*Country         Docket No.     Filing Date     Inventor(s)        Title
- --------         ----------     -----------     -----------        -----




Item B.  Patent Licenses


*Country or                                Effective    Expiration     Subject
 Territory      Licensor     Licensee        Date         Date         Matter
 ---------      --------     --------        ----         ----         ------



- --------
*     List items related to the United States first for ease of recordation.
      List items related to other countries next, grouped by country and in
      alphabetical order by country name.

<PAGE>

                                                                      EXHIBIT B
                                                                    to Borrower
                                                             Security Agreement


                          TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT

         This TRADEMARK SECURITY AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of
__________ __, ____, is made between DUANE READE, a New York general
partnership (the "Grantor"), and FLEET NATIONAL BANK, as Administrative Agent
(together with its successor(s) thereto in such capacity, the "Administrative
Agent") for each of the Secured Parties;


                             W I T N E S S E T H :

         WHEREAS, pursuant to a Credit Agreement, dated as of September 30,
1997 (as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified from
time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), among the Grantor, each of the Parent
Guarantors named therein, the various financial institutions as are, or may
from time to time become, parties thereto (each, individually, a "Lender", and
collectively, the "Lenders"), DLJ Capital Funding, Inc., as Syndication Agent,
the Administrative Agent and Credit Lyonnais New York Branch, as Documentation
Agent, the Lenders and the Issuer have extended Commitments to make Credit
Extensions to the Grantor;

         WHEREAS, in connection with the Credit Agreement, the Grantor has
executed and delivered a Borrower Security Agreement, dated as of September 30,
1997 (as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified from
time to time, the "Security Agreement");

         WHEREAS, as a condition precedent to the making of the Credit
Extensions (including the initial Credit Extension) under the Credit Agreement,
the Grantor is required to execute and deliver this Agreement and to grant to
the Administrative Agent a continuing security interest in all of the Trademark
Collateral (as defined below) to secure all Obligations; and

         WHEREAS, the Grantor has duly authorized the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement;

         NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt of
which is hereby acknowledged, and in order to induce the Lenders and the Issuer
to make Credit Extensions (including the initial Credit Extension) to the
Grantor pursuant to the Credit Agreement, and to induce the Secured Parties to
enter into Rate Protection Agreements, the Grantor agrees, for the benefit of
each Secured Party, as follows:

<PAGE>

         SECTION 1. Definitions. Unless otherwise defined herein or the context
otherwise requires, terms used in this Agreement, including its preamble and
recitals, have the meanings provided (or incorporated by reference) in the
Security Agreement.

         SECTION 2. Grant of Security Interest. For good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, to
secure all of the Obligations, the Grantor does hereby mortgage, pledge and
hypothecate to the Administrative Agent, and grant to the Administrative Agent
a security interest in, for its benefit and the benefit of each Secured Party,
all of the following property (the "Trademark Collateral"), whether now owned
or hereafter acquired or existing by it:

                  (a) all trademarks, trade names, corporate names, company
         names, business names, fictitious business names, trade styles,
         service marks, certification marks, collective marks, logos, other
         source of business identifiers, prints and labels on which any of the
         foregoing have appeared or appear, designs and general intangibles of
         a like nature (all of the foregoing items in this clause (a) being
         collectively called a "Trademark"), now existing anywhere in the world
         or hereafter adopted or acquired, whether currently in use or not, all
         registrations and recordings thereof and all applications in
         connection therewith, whether pending or in preparation for filing,
         including registrations, recordings and applications in the United
         States Patent and Trademark Office or in any office or agency of the
         United States of America or any State thereof or any foreign country,
         including those referred to in Item A of Attachment 1 attached hereto;

                  (b) all Trademark licenses, including each Trademark license
         referred to in Item B of Attachment 1 attached hereto;

                  (c) all reissues, extensions or renewals of any of the items
         described in clauses (a) and (b);

                  (d) all of the goodwill of the business connected with the
         use of, and symbolized by the items described in, clauses (a) and (b);
         and

                  (e) all proceeds of, and rights associated with, the
         foregoing, including any claim by the Grantor against third parties
         for past, present or future infringement or dilution of any Trademark,
         Trademark registration or Trademark license, including any Trademark,
         Trademark registration or Trademark license referred to in Item A and
         Item B of Attachment 1 attached hereto, or for any injury to the
         goodwill associated with the use of any such Trademark or for breach
         or enforcement of any Trademark license.

         SECTION 3. Security Agreement. This Agreement has been executed and
delivered by the Grantor for the purpose of registering the security interest
of the Administrative Agent in the Trademark Collateral with the United States
Patent and Trademark Office and corresponding offices in other countries of the
world. The security interest granted hereby has been granted as

                                      -2-

<PAGE>

a supplement to, and not in limitation of, the security interest granted to the
Administrative Agent for its benefit and the benefit of each Secured Party
under the Security Agreement. The Security Agreement (and all rights and
remedies of the Administrative Agent and each Secured Party thereunder) shall
remain in full force and effect in accordance with its terms.

         SECTION 4. Release of Security Interest. Upon payment in full in cash
of all Obligations, the termination or expiry of all Letters of Credit, the
termination of all Rate Protection Agreements and the termination of all
Commitments, the Administrative Agent shall, at the Grantor's expense, execute
and deliver to the Grantor all instruments and other documents as may be
necessary or proper to release the lien on and security interest in the
Trademark Collateral which has been granted hereunder.

         SECTION 5. Acknowledgment. The Grantor does hereby further acknowledge
and affirm that the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent with
respect to the security interest in the Trademark Collateral granted hereby are
more fully set forth in the Security Agreement, the terms and provisions of
which (including the remedies provided for therein) are incorporated by
reference herein as if fully set forth herein.

         SECTION 6. Loan Document, etc. This Agreement is a Loan Document
executed pursuant to the Credit Agreement and shall (unless otherwise expressly
indicated herein) be construed, administered and applied in accordance with the
terms and provisions of the Credit Agreement.

         SECTION 7. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by the parties
hereto in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original
and all of which shall constitute together but one and the same agreement.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be duly executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly
authorized as of the day and year first above written.

                                       DUANE READE
                                       By  Duane Reade Inc. (formerly known as
                                           Duane Reade Holding Corp.), 
                                           a general partner


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


                                       By  DRI I Inc. (formerly known as 
                                           Duane Reade Inc.), a general partner


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



                                       FLEET NATIONAL BANK,
                                         as Administrative Agent


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

                                      -4-
<PAGE>

                                                                   ATTACHMENT 1
                                                          to Borrower Trademark
                                                             Security Agreement


Item A.  Trademarks



                             Registered Trademarks

***Country      Trademark     Registration No.       Registration Date
- ----------      ---------     ----------------       -----------------





                         Pending Trademark Applications

*Country      Trademark          Serial No.          Filing Date
- --------      ---------          ----------          -----------





                     Trademark Applications in Preparation

                                                 Expected    Products/
*Country      Trademark       Docket No.       Filing Date   Services
- --------      ---------       ----------       -----------   --------


Item B.  Trademark Licenses

*Country or                                               Effective  Expiration
 Territory         Trademark      Licensor     Licensee      Date       Date
 ---------         ---------      --------     --------      ----       ----






- --------
*     List items related to the United States first for ease of recordation.
      List items related to other countries next, grouped by country and in
      alphabetical order by country name.




<PAGE>

                                                                      EXHIBIT C
                                                                    to Borrower
                                                             Security Agreement


                          COPYRIGHT SECURITY AGREEMENT

         This COPYRIGHT SECURITY AGREEMENT (this "Agreement"), dated as of
__________ __, ____, is made between DUANE READE, a New York general
partnership (the "Grantor"), and FLEET NATIONAL BANK, as Administrative Agent
(together with its successor(s) thereto in such capacity, the "Administrative
Agent") for each of the Secured Parties;


                             W I T N E S S E T H :

         WHEREAS, pursuant to a Credit Agreement, dated as of September 30,
1997 (as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified from
time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), among the Grantor, each of the Parent
Guarantors named therein, the various financial institutions as are, or may
from time to time become, parties thereto (each, individually, a "Lender", and
collectively, the "Lenders"), DLJ Capital Funding, Inc., as Syndication Agent,
the Administrative Agent and Credit Lyonnais New York Branch, as Documentation
Agent, the Lenders and the Issuer have extended Commitments to make Credit
Extensions to the Grantor;

         WHEREAS, in connection with the Credit Agreement, the Grantor has
executed and delivered a Borrower Security Agreement, dated as of September 30,
1997 (as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified from
time to time, the "Security Agreement");

         WHEREAS, as a condition precedent to the making of the Credit
Extensions (including the initial Credit Extension) under the Credit Agreement,
the Grantor is required to execute and deliver this Agreement and to grant to
the Administrative Agent a continuing security interest in all of the Copyright
Collateral (as defined below) to secure all Obligations; and

         WHEREAS, the Grantor has duly authorized the execution, delivery and
performance of this Agreement;

         NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt of
which is hereby acknowledged, and in order to induce the Lenders and the Issuer
to make Credit Extensions (including the initial Credit Extension) to the
Grantor pursuant to the Credit Agreement, and to induce the Secured Parties to
enter into Rate Protection Agreements, the Grantor agrees, for the benefit of
each Secured Party, as follows:

<PAGE>

         SECTION 1. Definitions. Unless otherwise defined herein or the context
otherwise requires, terms used in this Agreement, including its preamble and
recitals, have the meanings provided (or incorporated by reference) in the
Security Agreement.

         SECTION 2. Grant of Security Interest. For good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, to
secure all of the Obligations, the Grantor does hereby mortgage, pledge and
hypothecate to the Administrative Agent, and grant to the Administrative Agent
a security interest in, for its benefit and the benefit of each Secured Party,
all of the following property (the "Copyright Collateral"), whether now owned
or hereafter acquired or existing by it, being all copyrights (including all
copyrights for semi-conductor chip product mask works) of the Grantor, whether
statutory or common law, registered or unregistered, now or hereafter in force
throughout the world including all of the Grantor's right, title and interest
in and to all copyrights registered in the United States Copyright Office or
anywhere else in the world and also including the copyrights referred to in
Item A of Attachment 1 attached hereto, and all applications for registration
thereof, whether pending or in preparation, all copyright licenses, including
each copyright license referred to in Item B of Attachment 1 attached hereto,
the right to sue for past, present and future infringements of any thereof, all
rights corresponding thereto throughout the world, all extensions and renewals
of any thereof and all proceeds of the foregoing, including licenses,
royalties, income, payments, claims, damages and proceeds of suit.

         SECTION 3. Security Agreement. This Agreement has been executed and
delivered by the Grantor for the purpose of registering the security interest
of the Administrative Agent in the Copyright Collateral with the United States
Copyright Office and corresponding offices in other countries of the world. The
security interest granted hereby has been granted as a supplement to, and not
in limitation of, the security interest granted to the Administrative Agent for
its benefit and the benefit of each Secured Party under the Security Agreement.
The Security Agreement (and all rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent
and each Secured Party thereunder) shall remain in full force and effect in
accordance with its terms.

         SECTION 4. Release of Security Interest. Upon payment in full in cash
of all Obligations, the termination or expiry of all Letters of Credit, the
termination of all Rate Protection Agreements and the termination of all
Commitments, the Administrative Agent shall, at the Grantor's expense, execute
and deliver to the Grantor all instruments and other documents as may be
necessary or proper to release the lien on and security interest in the
Copyright Collateral which has been granted hereunder.

         SECTION 5. Acknowledgment. The Grantor does hereby further acknowledge
and affirm that the rights and remedies of the Administrative Agent with
respect to the security interest in the Copyright Collateral granted hereby are
more fully set forth in the Security Agreement, the terms and provisions of
which (including the remedies provided for therein) are incorporated by
reference herein as if fully set forth herein.

                                      -2-

<PAGE>

         SECTION 6. Loan Document, etc. This Agreement is a Loan Document
executed pursuant to the Credit Agreement and shall (unless otherwise expressly
indicated herein) be construed, administered and applied in accordance with the
terms and provisions of the Credit Agreement.

         SECTION 7. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by the parties
hereto in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original
and all of which shall constitute together but one and the same agreement.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to
be duly executed and delivered by their respective officers thereunto duly
authorized as of the day and year first above written.

                                       DUANE READE
                                       By  Duane Reade Inc. (formerly known as
                                           Duane Reade Holding Corp.),
                                           a general partner


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


                                       By  DRI I Inc. (formerly known as 
                                           Duane Reade Inc.), a general partner


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



                                       FLEET NATIONAL BANK,
                                         as Administrative Agent


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


                                      -3-

<PAGE>

                                                                   ATTACHMENT 1
                                                          to Borrower Copyright
                                                             Security Agreement


Item A.  Copyrights/Mask Works



                        Registered Copyrights/Mask Works

****Country       Registration No.   Registration Date     Author(s)     Title
- -----------       ----------------   -----------------     ---------     -----





             Copyright/Mask Work Pending Registration Applications

*Country          Serial No.         Filing Date           Author(s)     Title
- --------          ----------         -----------           ---------     -----





          Copyright/Mask Work Registration Applications in Preparation

                  Expected
*Country          Docket No.         Filing Date           Author(s)     Title
- --------          ----------         -----------           ---------     -----


Item B.  Copyright/Mask Work Licenses

*Country or                                  Effective    Expiration    Subject
 Territory       Licensor      Licensee        Date           Date      Matter




- --------
*     List items related to the United States first for ease of recordation.
      List items related to other countries next, grouped by country and in
      alphabetical order by country name.




<PAGE>

                                                               [EXECUTION COPY]

                            HOLDINGS PLEDGE AGREEMENT

         This HOLDINGS PLEDGE AGREEMENT (as amended, supplemented, amended and
restated or otherwise modified from time to time, this "Pledge Agreement"),
dated as of February 13, 1998, is made by DUANE READE INC. (formerly known as 
Duane Reade Holding Corp.), a Delaware corporation (the "Pledgor"), in favor 
of FLEET NATIONAL BANK, as administrative agent (together with its successor(s)
thereto, in such capacity the "Administrative Agent") for each of the Secured 
Parties.


                              W I T N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS, pursuant to a Credit Agreement, dated as of February 13, 1998
(as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified from
time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), among Duane Reade, a New York general
partnership (the "Borrower"), each of the Parent Guarantors named therein 
(including the Pledgor), the various financial institutions as are, or may 
from time to time become, parties thereto (each, individually, a "Lender", 
and collectively, the "Lenders"), DLJ Capital Funding, Inc., as Syndication 
Agent, the Administrative Agent and Credit Lyonnais New York Branch, as the 
Documentation Agent, the Lenders and the Issuer have extended Commitments to
make Credit Extensions to the Borrower;

         WHEREAS, as a condition precedent to the making of the Credit
Extensions (including the initial Credit Extension) under the Credit Agreement,
the Pledgor is required to execute and deliver this Pledge Agreement;

         WHEREAS, the Pledgor has duly authorized the execution, delivery and
performance of this Pledge Agreement; and

         WHEREAS, it is in the best interests of the Pledgor to execute this
Pledge Agreement inasmuch as the Pledgor will derive substantial direct and
indirect benefits from the Credit Extensions made from time to time to the
Borrower by the Lenders and the Issuer pursuant to the Credit Agreement;

         NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and in order to induce the
Lenders and the Issuer to make Credit Extensions (including the initial Credit
Extension) to the Borrower pursuant to the Credit Agreement, and to induce
Secured Parties to enter into Rate Protection Agreement(s), the Pledgor
agrees, for the benefit of each Secured Party, as follows:

<PAGE>


                                   ARTICLE I

                                  DEFINITIONS

         SECTION 1.1. Certain Terms. The following terms (whether or not
underscored) when used in this Pledge Agreement, including its preamble and
recitals, shall have the following meanings (such definitions to be equally
applicable to the singular and plural forms thereof):

         "Administrative Agent" is defined in the preamble.

         "Borrower" is defined in the first recital.

         "Collateral" is defined in Section 2.1.

         "Credit Agreement" is defined in the first recital.

         "Distributions" means all stock dividends, liquidating dividends,
shares of stock resulting from (or in connection with the exercise of) stock
splits, reclassifications, warrants, options, non-cash dividends, mergers,
consolidations, and all other distributions (whether similar or dissimilar to
the foregoing) on or with respect to any Pledged Shares or other shares of
capital stock constituting Collateral, but shall not include Dividends.

         "Dividends" means cash dividends and cash distributions with respect
to any Pledged Shares or other Pledged Property made in the ordinary course of
business and not a liquidating dividend.

         "Lender" and "Lenders" are defined in the first recital.

         "Pledge Agreement" is defined in the preamble.

         "Pledged Note Issuer" means each Person identified in Item A of
Attachment 1 hereto as the issuer of the Pledged Note identified opposite the
name of such Person.

         "Pledged Notes" means all promissory notes of any Pledged Note Issuer
in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto which are delivered by any
Pledgor to the Administrative Agent as Pledged Property hereunder, as such
promissory notes, in accordance with Section 4.6, are amended, modified or
supplemented from time to time, together with any promissory note of any
Pledged Note Issuer taken in extension or renewal thereof or substitution
therefor.

         "Pledged Property" means all Pledged Shares, all Pledged Notes, and
all other pledged shares of capital stock or promissory notes, all other
securities, all assignments of any amounts due or to become due, all other
instruments which are now being delivered by

                                      -2-

<PAGE>

any Pledgor to the Administrative Agent or may from time to time hereafter be
delivered by such Pledgor to the Administrative Agent for the purpose of pledge
under this Pledge Agreement or any other Loan Document, and all proceeds of any
of the foregoing.

         "Pledged Share Issuer" means each Person identified in Item B of
Attachment 1 hereto as the issuer of the Pledged Shares identified opposite the
name of such Person.

         "Pledged Shares" means all shares of capital stock of any Pledged
Share Issuer which are delivered by any Pledgor to the Administrative Agent as
Pledged Property hereunder.

         "Pledgor" is defined in the preamble.

         "Secured Obligations" is defined in Section 2.2.

         "Securities Act" is defined in Section 6.2.

         "U.C.C." means the Uniform Commercial Code, as in effect from time to
time in the State of New York.

         SECTION 1.2. Credit Agreement Definitions. Unless otherwise defined
herein or the context otherwise requires, terms used in this Pledge Agreement,
including its preamble and recitals, have the meanings provided in the Credit
Agreement.

         SECTION 1.3. U.C.C. Definitions. Unless otherwise defined herein or in
the Credit Agreement or the context otherwise requires, terms for which
meanings are provided in the U.C.C. are used in this Pledge Agreement,
including its preamble and recitals, with such meanings.


                                   ARTICLE II

                                     PLEDGE

         SECTION 2.1. Grant of Security Interest. The Pledgor hereby pledges,
hypothecates, assigns, charges, mortgages, delivers, and transfers to the
Administrative Agent, for its benefit and the ratable benefit of each of the
Secured Parties, and hereby grants to the Administrative Agent, for its benefit
and the ratable benefit of the Secured Parties, a continuing security interest
in, all of the following property of the Pledgor (the "Collateral"):

                  (a) all promissory notes of each Pledged Note Issuer
         identified in Item A of Attachment 1 hereto;

                  (b)  all other Pledged Notes issued from time to time;

                                      -3-

<PAGE>

                  (c) all issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of
         each Pledged Share Issuer identified in Item B of Attachment 1 hereto;

                  (d)  all other Pledged Shares issued from time to time;

                  (e) all other Pledged Property, whether now or hereafter
         delivered to the Administrative Agent in connection with this Pledge
         Agreement;

                  (f) all Dividends, Distributions, interest, and other
         payments and rights with respect to any Pledged Property; and

                  (g)  all proceeds of any of the foregoing.

         SECTION 2.2. Security for Obligations. This Pledge Agreement secures
the payment in full in cash of all Obligations of the Borrower now or hereafter
existing under the Credit Agreement, the Notes and each other Loan Document to
which the Borrower is or may become a party, whether for principal, interest,
costs, fees, expenses, or otherwise, and all obligations of the Pledgor and
each other Obligor whether now or hereafter existing under this Pledge
Agreement and each other Loan Document to which the Pledgor or such other
Obligor is or may become a party (all such obligations of the Borrower, such
Pledgor and such other Obligor being the "Secured Obligations").

         SECTION 2.3. Delivery of Pledged Property. All certificates or
instruments representing or evidencing any Collateral, including all Pledged
Shares and all Pledged Notes, shall be delivered to and held by or on behalf of
(and, in the case of the Pledged Notes, endorsed to the order of) the
Administrative Agent pursuant hereto, shall be in suitable form for transfer by
delivery, and shall be accompanied by all necessary instruments of transfer or
assignment, duly executed in blank.

         SECTION 2.4. Dividends on Pledged Shares and Payments on Pledged
Notes. In the event that any Dividend is to be paid on any Pledged Share or any
payment of principal or interest is to be made on any Pledged Note at a time
when no Default of the nature referred to in Section 8.1.9 of the Credit
Agreement or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing or would result
therefrom, such Dividend or payment may be paid directly to the applicable
Pledgor. If any such Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing, then any such Dividend or payment shall be paid directly to the
Administrative Agent.

         SECTION 2.5. Continuing Security Interest; Transfer of Note. This
Pledge Agreement shall create a continuing security interest in the Collateral
and shall

                  (a) remain in full force and effect until payment in full in
         cash of all Secured Obligations, the termination or expiration of all
         Letters of Credit, the termination of all Rate Protection Agreements
         and the termination of all Commitments,

                                      -4-

<PAGE>

                  (b) be binding upon the Pledgor and its successors,
         transferees and assigns, and

                  (c) inure, together with the rights and remedies of the
         Administrative Agent hereunder, to the benefit of the Administrative
         Agent and each other Secured Party.

Without limiting the foregoing clause (c), any Lender may assign or otherwise
transfer (in whole or in part) any Note or Loan held by it to any other Person
or entity, and such other Person or entity shall thereupon become vested with
all the rights and benefits in respect thereof granted to such Lender under any
Loan Document (including this Pledge Agreement) or otherwise, subject, however,
to any contrary provisions in such assignment or transfer, and to the
provisions of Section 11.11 and Article X of the Credit Agreement. Upon (i) the
sale, transfer or other disposition of Collateral in accordance with the Credit
Agreement or (ii) the payment in full in cash of all Secured Obligations, the
termination or expiration of all Letters of Credit, the termination of all Rate
Protection Agreements and the termination of all Commitments, the security
interests granted herein shall automatically terminate with respect to (x) such
Collateral (in the case of clause (i)) or (y) all Collateral (in the case of
clause (ii)). Upon any such sale, transfer, disposition or termination, the
Administrative Agent will, at the Pledgor's sole expense, deliver to the
Pledgor, without any representations, warranties or recourse of any kind
whatsoever, all certificates and instruments representing or evidencing all
Pledged Shares and all Pledged Notes, together with all other Collateral held
by the Administrative Agent hereunder, and execute and deliver to the Pledgor
such documents as the Pledgor shall reasonably request to evidence such
termination.

         SECTION 2.6. Security Interest Absolute. All rights of the
Administrative Agent and the security interests granted to the Administrative
Agent hereunder, and all obligations of the Pledgor hereunder, shall be
absolute and unconditional, irrespective of

                  (a) any lack of validity or enforceability of the Credit
         Agreement, any Note or any other Loan Document,

                  (b) the failure of any Secured Party or any holder of any
         Note

                           (i) to assert any claim or demand or to enforce any
                  right or remedy against the Borrower, any other Obligor or
                  any other Person under the provisions of the Credit
                  Agreement, any Note, any other Loan Document or otherwise, or

                           (ii) to exercise any right or remedy against any
                  other guarantor of, or collateral securing, any Secured
                  Obligations,

                                      -5-

<PAGE>

                  (c) any change in the time, manner or place of payment of, or
         in any other term of, all or any of the Secured Obligations or any
         other extension, compromise or renewal of any Secured Obligation,

                  (d) any reduction, limitation, impairment or termination of
         any Secured Obligations for any reason, including any claim of waiver,
         release, surrender, alteration or compromise, and shall not be subject
         to (and the Pledgor hereby waives any right to or claim of) any
         defense or setoff, counterclaim, recoupment or termination whatsoever
         by reason of the invalidity, illegality, nongenuineness, irregularity,
         compromise, unenforceability of, or any other event or occurrence
         affecting, any Secured Obligations or otherwise,

                  (e) any amendment to, rescission, waiver, or other
         modification of, or any consent to departure from, any of the terms of
         the Credit Agreement, any Note or any other Loan Document,

                  (f) any addition, exchange, release, surrender or
         non-perfection of any collateral (including the Collateral), or any
         amendment to or waiver or release of or addition to or consent to
         departure from any guaranty, for any of the Secured Obligations, or

                  (g) any other circumstances which might otherwise constitute
         a defense available to, or a legal or equitable discharge of, the
         Borrower, any other Obligor, any surety or any guarantor.

         SECTION 2.7. Postponement of Subrogation, etc. The Pledgor will not
exercise any rights which it may acquire by reason of any payment made
hereunder, whether by way of subrogation, reimbursement or otherwise, until the
prior payment, in full and in cash, of all Secured Obligations, the termination
or expiration of all Letters of Credit, the termination of all Rate Protection
Agreements and the termination of all Commitments. Any amount paid to the
Pledgor on account of any payment made hereunder prior to the payment in full
in cash of all Secured Obligations shall be held in trust for the benefit of
the Secured Parties and each holder of a Note and shall immediately be paid to
the Secured Parties and each holder of a Note and credited and applied against
the Secured Obligations, whether matured or unmatured, in accordance with the
terms of the Credit Agreement; provided, however, that if

                  (a) the Pledgor has made payment to the Secured Parties and
         each holder of a Note of all or any part of the Secured Obligations,
         and

                  (b) all Secured Obligations have been paid in full in cash,
         all Letters of Credit have been terminated or expired, all Rate
         Protection Agreements have been terminated and all Commitments have
         been permanently terminated,

                                      -6-

<PAGE>

each Secured Party and each holder of a Note agrees that, at the Pledgor's
request, the Secured Parties and the holders of the Notes will execute and
deliver to the Pledgor appropriate documents (without recourse and without
representation or warranty) necessary to evidence the transfer by subrogation
to the Pledgor of an interest in the Secured Obligations resulting from such
payment by the Pledgor. In furtherance of the foregoing, for so long as any
Secured Obligations, Letters of Credit or Commitments remain outstanding or any
Rate Protection Agreement remains in full force and effect, the Pledgor shall
refrain from taking any action or commencing any proceeding against the
Borrower or any other Obligor (or its successors or assigns, whether in
connection with a bankruptcy proceeding or otherwise) to recover any amounts in
respect of payments made under this Pledge Agreement to any Secured Party or
any holder of a Note.


                                  ARTICLE III

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         SECTION 3.1. Representations and Warranties, etc. The Pledgor
represents and warrants to each Secured Party, as at the date of each pledge
and delivery hereunder (including each pledge and delivery of Pledged Shares
and each pledge and delivery of a Pledged Note) by the Pledgor to the
Administrative Agent of any Collateral, as set forth in this Article III.

         SECTION 3.2. Ownership, No Liens, etc. The Pledgor is the legal and
beneficial owner of, and has good and marketable title to (and has full right
and authority to pledge and assign) such Collateral, free and clear of all
liens, security interests, options, or other charges or encumbrances, except
any lien or security interest granted pursuant hereto in favor of the
Administrative Agent.

         SECTION 3.3. Valid Security Interest. The delivery of such Collateral
to the Administrative Agent is effective to create a valid, perfected, first
priority security interest in such Collateral and all proceeds thereof,
securing the Secured Obligations. No filing or other action will be necessary
to perfect or protect such security interest.

         SECTION 3.4. As to Pledged Shares. In the case of any Pledged Shares
constituting such Collateral, all of such Pledged Shares are duly authorized
and validly issued, fully paid, and non-assessable, and constitute all of the
issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of each Pledged Share Issuer.
The Pledgor has no Subsidiaries other than the Pledged Share Issuers, except
as set forth in Item C of Attachment 1.

         SECTION 3.5. As to Pledged Notes. In the case of each Pledged Note,
all of such Pledged Notes have been duly authorized, executed, endorsed, issued
and delivered, and are the legal, valid and binding obligation of the issuers
thereof, and are not in default.

                                      -7-

<PAGE>

         SECTION 3.6. Authorization, Approval, etc. No authorization, approval,
or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any governmental
authority, regulatory body or any other Person is required either

                  (a) for the pledge by the Pledgor of any Collateral pursuant
         to this Pledge Agreement or for the execution, delivery, and
         performance of this Pledge Agreement by the Pledgor, or

                  (b) for the exercise by the Administrative Agent of the
         voting or other rights provided for in this Pledge Agreement, or,
         except with respect to any Pledged Shares, as may be required in
         connection with a disposition of such Pledged Shares by laws affecting
         the offering and sale of securities generally, the remedies in respect
         of the Collateral pursuant to this Pledge Agreement.

         SECTION 3.7. Compliance with Laws. The Pledgor is in compliance with
the requirements of all applicable laws (including the provisions of the Fair
Labor Standards Act), rules, regulations and orders of every governmental
authority, the non-compliance with which could reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect or which could reasonably be expected to materially
adversely affect the value of the Collateral or the worth of the Collateral as
collateral security.


                                   ARTICLE IV

                                   COVENANTS

         SECTION 4.1. Certain Covenants. The Pledgor covenants and agrees
that, so long as any portion of the Secured Obligations shall remain unpaid,
any Letters of Credit shall be outstanding, any Rate Protection Agreement shall
remain in full force and effect or any Secured Party shall have any outstanding
Commitment, the Pledgor will, unless the Required Lenders shall otherwise
consent in writing, perform, comply with and be bound by the obligations set
forth in this Article IV.

         SECTION 4.2. Protect Collateral; Further Assurances, etc. The Pledgor
agrees and covenants that it will not sell, assign, transfer, pledge, or
encumber in any other manner the Collateral (except in favor of the
Administrative Agent hereunder). The Pledgor will warrant and defend the right
and title herein granted unto the Administrative Agent in and to the Collateral
(and all right, title, and interest represented by the Collateral) against the
claims and demands of all Persons whomsoever. The Pledgor agrees that at any
time, and from time to time, at the expense of the Pledgor, the Pledgor will
promptly execute and deliver all further instruments, and take all further
action, that may be necessary or desirable, or that the Administrative Agent
may reasonably request, in order to perfect and protect any security interest
granted or purported to be granted hereby or to enable the

                                      -8-

<PAGE>

Administrative Agent to exercise and enforce its rights and remedies hereunder
with respect to any Collateral.

         SECTION 4.3. Stock Powers, etc. The Pledgor agrees that all Pledged
Shares (and all other shares of capital stock constituting Collateral)
delivered by the Pledgor pursuant to this Pledge Agreement will be accompanied
by duly executed undated blank stock powers, or other equivalent instruments of
transfer acceptable to the Administrative Agent. The Pledgor will, from time
to time upon the request of the Administrative Agent, promptly deliver to the
Administrative Agent such stock powers, instruments, and similar documents,
satisfactory in form and substance to the Administrative Agent, with respect to
the Collateral as the Administrative Agent may reasonably request and will,
from time to time upon the request of the Administrative Agent after the
occurrence of any Event of Default, promptly transfer any Pledged Shares or
other shares of common stock constituting Collateral into the name of any
nominee designated by the Administrative Agent.

         SECTION 4.4. Continuous Pledge. The Pledgor will, at all times, keep
pledged to the Administrative Agent pursuant hereto all Pledged Shares and all
other shares of capital stock constituting Collateral, all Dividends and
Distributions with respect thereto, all Pledged Notes, all interest, principal
and other proceeds received by the Administrative Agent with respect to the
Pledged Notes, and all other Collateral and other securities, instruments,
proceeds, and rights from time to time received by or distributable to the
Pledgor in respect of any Collateral and will not permit any Pledged Share
Issuer to issue any capital stock which shall not have been immediately duly
pledged hereunder on a first priority perfected basis.

         SECTION 4.5.  Voting Rights; Dividends, etc.  The Pledgor agrees:

                  (a) after any Default of the nature referred to in Section
         8.1.9 of the Credit Agreement or any Event of Default shall have
         occurred and be continuing, promptly upon receipt of notice thereof by
         the Pledgor and without any request therefor by the Administrative
         Agent, to deliver (properly endorsed where required hereby or
         requested by the Administrative Agent) to the Administrative Agent all
         Dividends, Distributions, all interest, all principal, all other cash
         payments, and all proceeds of the Collateral, all of which shall be
         held by the Administrative Agent as additional Collateral for use in
         accordance with Section 6.4; and

                  (b) after any Event of Default shall have occurred and be
         continuing and the Administrative Agent has notified the Pledgor of
         the Administrative Agent's intention to exercise its voting power
         under this Section 4.5(b)

                           (i) the Administrative Agent may exercise (to the
                  exclusion of the Pledgor) the voting power and all other
                  incidental rights of ownership with respect to any Pledged
                  Shares or other shares of capital stock constituting
                  Collateral and the Pledgor hereby grants the Administrative
                  Agent an

                                      -9-

<PAGE>

                  irrevocable proxy, exercisable under such circumstances, to
                  vote the Pledged Shares and such other Collateral; and

                           (ii) promptly to deliver to the Administrative Agent
                  such additional proxies and other documents as may be
                  necessary to allow the Administrative Agent to exercise such
                  voting power.

All Dividends, Distributions, interest, principal, cash payments, and proceeds
which may at any time and from time to time be held by the Pledgor but which
the Pledgor is then obligated to deliver to the Administrative Agent, shall,
until delivery to the Administrative Agent, be held by the Pledgor separate
and apart from its other property in trust for the Administrative Agent. The
Administrative Agent agrees that unless an Event of Default shall have occurred
and be continuing and the Administrative Agent shall have given the notice
referred to in Section 4.5(b), the Pledgor shall have the exclusive voting
power with respect to any shares of capital stock (including any of the Pledged
Shares) constituting Collateral and the Administrative Agent shall, upon the
written request of the Pledgor, promptly deliver such proxies and other
documents, if any, as shall be reasonably requested by the Pledgor which are
necessary to allow the Pledgor to exercise voting power with respect to any
such share of capital stock (including any of the Pledged Shares) constituting
Collateral; provided, however, that no vote shall be cast, or consent, waiver,
or ratification given, or action taken by the Pledgor that would impair any
Collateral or be inconsistent with or violate any provision of the Credit
Agreement or any other Loan Document (including this Pledge Agreement).

         SECTION 4.6. Additional Undertakings. The Pledgor will not, without
the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent:

                  (a) enter into any agreement amending, supplementing, or
         waiving any provision of any Pledged Note (including any underlying
         instrument pursuant to which such Pledged Note is issued) or
         compromising or releasing or extending the time for payment of any
         obligation of the maker thereof; or

                  (b) take or omit to take any action the taking or the
         omission of which would result in any impairment or alteration of any
         obligation of the maker of any Pledged Note or other instrument
         constituting Collateral.


                                   ARTICLE V

                           THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

         SECTION 5.1. Administrative Agent Appointed Attorney-in-Fact. The
Pledgor hereby irrevocably appoints the Administrative Agent such Pledgor's
attorney-in-fact, with full authority in the place and stead of the Pledgor
and in the name of the Pledgor or

                                      -10-

<PAGE>



otherwise, from time to time in the Administrative Agent's discretion, to take
any action and to execute any instrument which the Administrative Agent may
deem necessary or advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Pledge
Agreement, including after the occurrence and during the continuance of a
Default of the nature referred to in Section 8.1.9 of the Credit Agreement or
an Event of Default:

                  (a) to ask, demand, collect, sue for, recover, compromise,
         receive and give acquittance and receipts for moneys due and to become
         due under or in respect of any of the Collateral;

                  (b) to receive, endorse, and collect any drafts or other
         instruments, documents and chattel paper, in connection with clause
         (a) above; and

                  (c) to file any claims or take any action or institute any
         proceedings which the Administrative Agent may deem necessary or
         desirable for the collection of any of the Collateral or otherwise to
         enforce the rights of the Administrative Agent with respect to any of
         the Collateral.

The Pledgor hereby acknowledges, consents and agrees that the power of
attorney granted pursuant to this Section is irrevocable and coupled with an
interest.

         SECTION 5.2. Administrative Agent May Perform. If the Pledgor fails to
perform any agreement contained herein, the Administrative Agent may itself
perform, or cause performance of, such agreement, and the expenses of the
Administrative Agent incurred in connection therewith shall be payable by the
Pledgor pursuant to Section 6.4.

         SECTION 5.3. Administrative Agent Has No Duty. The powers conferred on
the Administrative Agent hereunder are solely to protect its interest (on
behalf of the Secured Parties) in the Collateral and shall not impose any duty
on it to exercise any such powers. Except for reasonable care of any Collateral
in its possession and the accounting for moneys actually received by it
hereunder, the Administrative Agent shall have no duty as to any Collateral or
responsibility for

                  (a) ascertaining or taking action with respect to calls,
         conversions, exchanges, maturities, tenders or other matters relative
         to any Pledged Property, whether or not the Administrative Agent has
         or is deemed to have knowledge of such matters, or

                  (b) taking any necessary steps to preserve rights against
         prior parties or any other rights pertaining to any Collateral.

         SECTION 5.4. Reasonable Care. The Administrative Agent is required to
exercise reasonable care in the custody and preservation of any of the
Collateral in its possession; provided, however, the Administrative Agent shall
be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the custody and preservation of
any of the Collateral, if it takes such action for that

                                      -11-

<PAGE>

purpose as the Pledgor reasonably requests in writing at times other than upon
the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, but failure
of the Administrative Agent to comply with any such request at any time shall
not in itself be deemed a failure to exercise reasonable care.


                                   ARTICLE VI

                                    REMEDIES

         SECTION 6.1. Certain Remedies. If any Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing:

                  (a) The Administrative Agent may exercise in respect of the
         Collateral, in addition to other rights and remedies provided for
         herein or otherwise available to it, all the rights and remedies of a
         secured party on default under the U.C.C. (whether or not the U.C.C.
         applies to the affected Collateral) and also may, without notice
         except as specified below, sell the Collateral or any part thereof in
         one or more parcels at public or private sale, at any of the
         Administrative Agent's offices or elsewhere, for cash, on credit or
         for future delivery, and upon such other terms as the Administrative
         Agent may deem commercially reasonable. The Pledgor agrees that, to
         the extent notice of sale shall be required by law, at least ten days'
         prior notice to the Pledgor of the time and place of any public sale
         or the time after which any private sale is to be made shall
         constitute reasonable notification. The Administrative Agent shall not
         be obligated to make any sale of Collateral regardless of notice of
         sale having been given. The Administrative Agent may adjourn any
         public or private sale from time to time by announcement at the time
         and place fixed therefor, and such sale may, without further notice,
         be made at the time and place to which it was so adjourned.

                  (b)  The Administrative Agent may

                           (i) transfer all or any part of the Collateral into
                  the name of the Administrative Agent or its nominee, with or
                  without disclosing that such Collateral is subject to the
                  lien and security interest hereunder,

                           (ii) notify the parties obligated on any of the
                  Collateral to make payment to the Administrative Agent of any
                  amount due or to become due thereunder,

                           (iii) enforce collection of any of the Collateral by
                  suit or otherwise, and surrender, release or exchange all or
                  any part thereof, or compromise or extend or renew for any
                  period (whether or not longer than the original period) any
                  obligations of any nature of any party with respect thereto,

                                      -12-

<PAGE>

                           (iv) endorse any checks, drafts, or other writings
                  in the Pledgor's name to allow collection of the Collateral,

                           (v) take control of any proceeds of the Collateral,
                  and

                           (vi) execute (in the name, place and stead of the
                  Pledgor) endorsements, assignments, stock powers and other
                  instruments of conveyance or transfer with respect to all or
                  any of the Collateral.

         SECTION 6.2. Securities Laws. If the Administrative Agent shall
determine to exercise its right to sell all or any of the Collateral pursuant
to Section 6.1, each Pledgor agrees that, upon request of the Administrative
Agent, the Pledgor will, at its own expense:

                  (a) execute and deliver, and cause each issuer of the
         Collateral contemplated to be sold and the directors and officers
         thereof to execute and deliver, all such instruments and documents,
         and do or cause to be done all such other acts and things, as may be
         necessary or, in the opinion of the Administrative Agent, advisable to
         register such Collateral under the provisions of the Securities Act of
         1933, as from time to time amended (the "Securities Act"), and to
         cause the registration statement relating thereto to become effective
         and to remain effective for such period as prospectuses are required
         by law to be furnished, and to make all amendments and supplements
         thereto and to the related prospectus which, in the opinion of the
         Administrative Agent, are necessary or advisable, all in conformity
         with the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and
         regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission applicable
         thereto;

                  (b) use its best efforts to qualify the Collateral under the
         state securities or "Blue Sky" laws and to obtain all necessary
         governmental approvals for the sale of the Collateral, as requested by
         the Administrative Agent;

                  (c) cause each such issuer to make available to its security
         holders, as soon as practicable, an earnings statement that will
         satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act; and

                  (d) do or cause to be done all such other acts and things as
         may be necessary to make such sale of the Collateral or any part
         thereof valid and binding and in compliance with applicable law.

The Pledgor further acknowledges the impossibility of ascertaining the amount
of damages that would be suffered by the Administrative Agent or the Secured
Parties by reason of the failure by the Pledgor to perform any of the covenants
contained in this Section and, consequently, agrees that, if such Pledgor shall
fail to perform any of such covenants, it shall pay, as liquidated damages and
not as a penalty, an amount equal to the value (as determined

                                      -13-

<PAGE>

by the Administrative Agent) of the Collateral on the date the Administrative
Agent shall demand compliance with this Section.

         SECTION 6.3. Compliance with Restrictions. The Pledgor agrees that in
any sale of any of the Collateral whenever an Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing, the Administrative Agent is hereby authorized to
comply with any limitation or restriction in connection with such sale as it
may be advised by counsel is necessary in order to avoid any violation of
applicable law (including compliance with such procedures as may restrict the
number of prospective bidders and purchasers, require that such prospective
bidders and purchasers have certain qualifications, and restrict such
prospective bidders and purchasers to persons who will represent and agree that
they are purchasing for their own account for investment and not with a view to
the distribution or resale of such Collateral), or in order to obtain any
required approval of the sale or of the purchaser by any governmental
regulatory authority or official, and the Pledgor further agrees that such
compliance shall not result in such sale being considered or deemed not to have
been made in a commercially reasonable manner, nor shall the Administrative
Agent be liable nor accountable to the Pledgor for any discount allowed by the
reason of the fact that such Collateral is sold in compliance with any such
limitation or restriction.

         SECTION 6.4. Application of Proceeds. All cash proceeds received by
the Administrative Agent in respect of any sale of, collection from, or other
realization upon, all or any part of the Collateral shall be applied by the
Administrative Agent against, all or any part of the Secured Obligations as
follows:

                  (a) first, to the payment of any amounts payable to the
         Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 11.3 of the Credit Agreement
         and Section 6.5;

                  (b) second, to the equal and ratable payment of Secured
         Obligations, in accordance with each Secured Party's Secured
         Obligations owing to it under or pursuant to the Credit Agreement or
         any other Loan Document, or under or pursuant to any Hedging
         Obligation included in the Secured Obligations as to each Secured
         Party, applied

                           (i) first to fees and expense reimbursements then
                  due to such Secured Party,

                           (ii) then to interest due to such Secured Party,

                           (iii) then to pay or prepay principal of the Loans
                  owing to, or to reduce the "credit exposure" of, such Secured
                  Party under such Hedging Obligation, as the case may be, and

                           (iv) then to pay the remaining outstanding Secured
                  Obligations and cash collateralize all Letter of Credit
                  Outstandings;

                                     -14-

<PAGE>

                  (c) third, without duplication of any amounts paid pursuant
         to clause (b) above, to the Indemnified Parties to the extent of any
         amounts owing pursuant to Section 11.4 of the Credit Agreement; and

                  (d) fourth, to be held as additional collateral security
         until the payment in full in cash of all of the Secured Obligations,
         the termination or expiration of all Letters of Credit, the
         termination of all Rate Protection Agreements and the termination of
         all Commitments, after which such remaining cash proceeds shall be
         paid over to the Pledgor or to whomsoever may be lawfully
         entitled to receive such surplus.

For purposes of this Pledge Agreement, the "credit exposure" at any time of any
Secured Party with respect to a Hedging Obligation to which such Secured Party
is a party shall be determined at such time in accordance with the customary
methods of calculating credit exposure under similar arrangements by the
counterparty to such arrangements, taking into account potential interest rate
movements and the respective termination provisions and notional principal
amount and term of such Hedging Obligation.

         SECTION 6.5. Indemnity and Expenses. The Pledgor hereby agrees to
jointly and severally indemnify and hold harmless the Administrative Agent from
and against any and all claims, losses, and liabilities arising out of or
resulting from this Pledge Agreement (including enforcement of this Pledge
Agreement), except claims, losses, or liabilities resulting from the
Administrative Agent's gross negligence or wilful misconduct. Upon demand, such
Pledgor will pay to the Administrative Agent the amount of any and all
reasonable expenses, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of its
counsel and of any experts and agents, which the Administrative Agent may incur
in connection with:

                  (a) the administration of this Pledge Agreement, the Credit
         Agreement and each other Loan Document;

                  (b) the custody, preservation, use, or operation of, or the
         sale of, collection from, or other realization upon, any of the
         Collateral;

                  (c) the exercise or enforcement of any of the rights of the
         Administrative Agent hereunder; or

                  (d) the failure by such Pledgor to perform or observe any of
         the provisions hereof.

                                      -15-

<PAGE>

                                  ARTICLE VII

                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISION

         SECTION 7.1. Loan Document. This Pledge Agreement is a Loan Document
executed pursuant to the Credit Agreement and shall (unless otherwise expressly
indicated herein) be construed, administered and applied in accordance with the
terms and provisions thereof.

         SECTION 7.2. Amendments, etc. No amendment to or waiver of any
provision of this Pledge Agreement nor consent to any departure by the Pledgor
herefrom shall in any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing
and signed by the Administrative Agent (on behalf of the Lenders or the
Required Lenders, as the case may be) and the Pledgor in the case of an
amendment, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the
specific instance and for the specific purpose for which it is given.

         SECTION 7.3. Protection of Collateral. The Administrative Agent may
from time to time, at its option, perform any act which the Pledgor agrees
hereunder to perform and which the Pledgor shall fail to perform after being
requested in writing so to perform (it being understood that no such request
need be given after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of
Default) and the Administrative Agent may from time to time take any other
action which the Administrative Agent reasonably deems necessary for the
maintenance, preservation or protection of any of the Collateral or of its
security interest therein.

         SECTION 7.4. Addresses for Notices. All notices and other
communications provided for hereunder to any party hereto shall be in writing
(including telegraphic communication) and mailed or telecopied or delivered to
such party, addressed to such party at its address specified in the Credit
Agreement. All such notices and other communications, when mailed and properly
addressed with postage prepaid or if properly addressed and sent by pre-paid
courier service, shall be deemed given when received; any such notice or
communication, if transmitted by telecopier, shall be deemed given when
transmitted and electronically confirmed.

         SECTION 7.5. Section Captions. Section captions used in this Pledge
Agreement are for convenience of reference only, and shall not affect the
construction of this Pledge Agreement.

         SECTION 7.6. Severability. Wherever possible each provision of this
Pledge Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and
valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Pledge Agreement shall
be prohibited by or invalid under such law, such provision shall be ineffective
to the extent of such prohibition or invalidity, without invalidating the
remainder of such provision or the remaining provisions of this Pledge
Agreement.

                                      -16-

<PAGE>

         SECTION 7.7. Counterparts. This Pledge Agreement may be executed by
the parties hereto in several counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be
an original and all of which shall constitute together but one and the same
agreement.

         SECTION 7.8. Governing Law, Entire Agreement, etc. THIS PLEDGE
AGREEMENT SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE A CONTRACT MADE UNDER AND GOVERNED BY THE
INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT THE VALIDITY
OR PERFECTION OF THE SECURITY INTEREST HEREUNDER, OR REMEDIES HEREUNDER, IN
RESPECT OF ANY PARTICULAR COLLATERAL ARE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF A JURISDICTION
OTHER THAN THE STATE OF NEW YORK. THIS PLEDGE AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENTS CONSTITUTE THE ENTIRE UNDERSTANDING AMONG THE PARTIES HERETO WITH
RESPECT TO THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF AND SUPERSEDE ANY PRIOR AGREEMENTS,
WRITTEN OR ORAL, WITH RESPECT THERETO.

                                      -17-

<PAGE>

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Pledge
Agreement to be duly executed and delivered by their respective officers
thereunto duly authorized as of the day and year first above written.

                           PLEDGOR:

                           DUANE READE INC. (formerly known as Duane Reade
                            Holding Corp.), a Delaware corporation


                           By /s/ William J. Tennant
                             --------------------------------------
                             Name:  William J. Tennant
                             Title: Senior Vice President


                           FLEET NATIONAL BANK,
                             as Administrative Agent


                           By /s/ Eric C. Vander Mel
                             --------------------------------------
                             Name:  Eric C. Vander Mel
                             Title: Vice President

                                      -18-

<PAGE>

                                                                      EXHIBIT A
                                                                     to Holding
                                                               Pledge Agreement


                                PROMISSORY NOTE

$                                                                        , 19__

         FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, ______________, a _______________
corporation (the "Maker"), promises to pay to the order of DUANE READE INC. 
(formerly known as Duane Reade Holding Corp.), a Delaware corporation
(the "Payee"), in equal ________ installments, commencing __________ __, ____ 
to and including __________ __, ____, the principal sum of                   
DOLLARS ($ ), representing the aggregate principal amount of an intercompany 
loan made by the Payee to the Maker.

         The unpaid principal amount of this promissory note (this "Note") from
time to time outstanding shall bear interest at a rate of interest equal to
____________, which the Maker represents to be a lawful and commercially
reasonable rate, payable __________, and all payments of principal of and
interest on this Note shall be payable in lawful currency of the United States
of America. All such payments shall be made by the Maker to an account
established by the Payee at _______________ and shall be recorded on the grid
attached hereto by the holder hereof (including the Administrative Agent
(hereinafter defined) as pledgee). Upon notice from the Administrative Agent
that a Default (as defined in the Credit Agreement, dated as of September 30,
1997 (as amended, supplemented, amended and restated or otherwise modified from
time to time, the "Credit Agreement"), among Duane Reade, a New York general
partnership (the "Borrower"), the Payee and the other Parent Guarantors named
therein, the various financial institutions as are, or may from time to time
become, parties thereto (each, individually, a "Lender", and collectively, the
"Lenders"), DLJ Capital Funding, Inc., as Syndication Agent, Fleet National
Bank, as the administrative agent (in such capacity, the "Administrative
Agent") and Credit Lyonnais New York Branch, as the Documentation Agent) of the
nature referred to in Section 8.1.9 of the Credit Agreement or an Event of
Default (as defined in the Credit Agreement) has occurred and is continuing
under the Credit Agreement, the Maker shall make such payments, in same day
funds, to such other account as the Administrative Agent shall direct in such
notice.

         This Note is one of the Pledged Notes referred to in the Pledge
Agreement. Upon the occurrence and continuance of an Event of Default under the
Credit Agreement, and notice thereof by the Administrative Agent to the Maker,
the Administrative Agent shall have all rights of the Payee to collect and
accelerate, and enforce all rights with respect to, the Indebtedness evidenced
by this Note. Unless otherwise defined herein or the context otherwise
requires, terms used herein have the meanings provided in the Credit Agreement.

<PAGE>

         Reference is made to the Credit Agreement for a description of the
Pledge Agreement pursuant to which this Note has been pledged to the
Administrative Agent as security for the Secured Obligations outstanding from
time to time under the Credit Agreement and each other Loan Document.

         In addition to, but not in limitation of, the foregoing, the Maker
further agrees to pay all expenses, including reasonable attorneys' fees and
legal expenses, incurred by the holder (including the Administrative Agent as
pledgee) of this Note endeavoring to collect any amounts payable hereunder
which are not paid when due, whether by acceleration or otherwise.

         THIS NOTE SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

                                      -2-

<PAGE>

         THE MAKER HEREBY KNOWINGLY, VOLUNTARILY AND INTENTIONALLY WAIVES ANY
RIGHTS IT MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT OF ANY LITIGATION BASED ON
THIS NOTE. THE MAKER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT IT HAS RECEIVED FULL AND
SUFFICIENT CONSIDERATION FOR THIS PROVISION AND THAT THIS PROVISION IS A
MATERIAL INDUCEMENT FOR THE PAYEE TO ACCEPT THIS NOTE.

                                       [NAME OF MAKER]



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



                                       Pay to the order of FLEET NATIONAL
                                         BANK, as Administrative Agent


                                       DUANE READE INC. (formerly known as
                                       Duane Reade Holding Corp.)


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

                                      -3-

<PAGE>

                                      GRID

         Intercompany Loans made by [Name of Payee] to [Name of Maker] and
payments of principal of such Loans.


- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Amount of           Amount of        Outstanding
               Intercompany         Principal         Principal       Notation
  Date             Loan              Payment           Balance         Made By
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

<PAGE>

                                                                   ATTACHMENT 1
                                                                     to Holding
                                                               Pledge Agreement


                           DUANE READE INC.

Item A.  Pledged Notes

Pledged Note Issuer                         Description

NONE.


Item B.  Pledged Shares

                                               Common Stock
                             ----------------------------------------------
                                                                      % of
                             Authorized        Outstanding           Shares
                               Shares             Shares            Pledged
                             ----------        -----------          -------
Pledged Share Issuer
DRI I INC.                     1,000             1,000                100%



Item C.  Additional Subsidiaries

NONE.



<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF DECEMBER 28, 1996 AND SEPTEMBER
27, 1997 AND THE RELATED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE 52
WEEKS ENDED DECEMBER 28, 1996 AND 39 WEEKS ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 1997 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                   0000895364
<NAME>                  DUANE READE INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-27-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-27-1997
<CASH>                                             261
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    9,592
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     66,665
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                79,074
<PP&E>                                          43,032
<DEPRECIATION>                                (10,475)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 249,521
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           41,580
<BONDS>                                        278,085
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                           854
<OTHER-SE>                                      74,415
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   249,521
<SALES>                                        429,816
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               429,816
<CGS>                                          322,340
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  322,340
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              34,473
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (14,714)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (14,714)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (14,714)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.45)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.45)
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF DECEMBER 28, 1996 AND SEPTEMBER
27, 1997 AND THE RELATED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE 52
WEEKS ENDED DECEMBER 28, 1996 AND 39 WEEKS ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 1997 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                   0001052796
<NAME>                  DRI I INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-27-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-27-1997
<CASH>                                             261
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    9,592
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     66,665
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                79,074
<PP&E>                                          43,032
<DEPRECIATION>                                (10,475)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 249,521
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           41,580
<BONDS>                                        278,085
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                           854
<OTHER-SE>                                      74,415
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   249,521
<SALES>                                        429,816
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               429,816
<CGS>                                          322,340
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  322,340
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              34,473
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (14,714)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (14,714)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (14,714)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.45)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.45)
        

</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THE SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
COMPANY'S CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF DECEMBER 28, 1996 AND SEPTEMBER
27, 1997 AND THE RELATED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE 52
WEEKS ENDED DECEMBER 28, 1996 AND 39 WEEKS ENDED SEPTEMBER 27, 1997 AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL 
STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                   0000895366
<NAME>                  DUANE READE
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-27-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-27-1997
<CASH>                                             261
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    9,592
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     66,665
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                79,074
<PP&E>                                          43,032
<DEPRECIATION>                                (10,475)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 249,521
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           41,580
<BONDS>                                        278,085
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                           854
<OTHER-SE>                                      74,415
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   249,521
<SALES>                                        429,816
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               429,816
<CGS>                                          322,340
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  322,340
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              34,473
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (14,714)
<INCOME-TAX>                                         0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (14,714)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (14,714)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.45)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.45)
        

</TABLE>


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